Hair transplant seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that can affect your surgery results if it happens during the early stages of your recovery. Although the damage is usually not severe, the scalp skin might get flaky, itchy, and even inflamed.
Usually, your doctor can tell if you have this condition before the surgery, but seborrheic dermatitis may show itself after the surgery too. This does not prevent you from getting the surgery though. You can have a fuller head of look with the right treatments and medications.
Here are the key points from the article:
- SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS IS A MANAGEABLE CHRONIC FUNGAL INFECTION
- ALMOST 7% OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION
- HAIR TRANSPLANTATION PROCESS IS POSSIBLE WITH SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS
- IT MIGHT PREVENT HAIR FOLLICLES FROM GROWING, SO TREATMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN FIRST
- THE RECOVERY TIME IS MONITORED AFTER THE HAIR TRANSPLANT, SO THERE WILL BE NO FLARE-UPS DURING IT
Let’s first understand what seborrheic dermatitis is.
What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that mostly affects the scalp. It can also affect other parts of the body that have more sebaceous glands, such as the face, chest, and back. According to the Informed Health Organization, it affects about 3 to 10 people out of 100.
It is not an allergy nor happens because of unhygienic conditions. The exact reason is unknown, but it occurs in the oily areas of your body. One of the reasons is thought to be yeast, which is normally found in the skin.
You can keep it in a moderate stage or reduce it to an unnoticeable level, though the condition is chronic. A severe case of seborrheic shows symptoms like:
- SKIN FLAKES
- REDNESS
- INFLAMMATION
- ITCHY PATCHES
In mild cases, it could look like simple dandruff or eczema on the skin. Although this skin issue is challenging since it is a chronic skin condition, you can manage it by using some over-the-counter medication and changing your lifestyle.
If the symptoms do not go away by using over-the-counter medications you should go to a doctor or a dermatologist.
Are Seborrheic Dermatitis And Dandruff The Same?
Not really, dandruff is related to seborrheic dermatitis, but it only occurs on the scalp, though you might have dermatitis on a variety of different areas of the body. You can have both skin conditions on your scalp, and the treatment is also very similar.
This also means that dermatitis -since it is not solely related to the scalp- should be examined and treated before a body hair transplant.
I Have Seborrheic Dermatitis Can I Still Get A Hair Transplant?
Yes, you can still get a hair transplant, but first, you need a treatment for your active skin condition. For adults, this condition is treated within 1 to 2 weeks longer. Once you are treated you still need to be examined by your doctor, if they approve you have nothing to worry about getting the surgery.
How Does Seborrheic Dermatitis Affect Hair Transplant Suitability?
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic-recurrent inflammatory disorder and the flare-ups can affect hair growth whether implanted or native hair. The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are itchiness and burning. Itching can damage the hair follicles.
What Happens If I Get Hair Transplant With Seborrheic Dermatitis?
This can only happen when the doctor or the clinic you went to for a hair transplant is not trustworthy. While you have active seborrheic dermatitis, which can be seen during the examination of your scalp, it is not possible to perform a successful hair transplant procedure.
With seborrheic dermatitis, your scalp is more prone to infections which can put you more at risk during the healing process. Your doctor should tell you to get a treatment, and then perform the hair transplantation procedure when your scalp skin is healed.
How To Deal With Seborrheic Dermatitis Before Hair Transplant?
If you are seeking to have a hair transplant procedure, you can not go through it while it is in an active period of the skin condition. As a hair transplant patient before going through the hair transplantation process, you should deal with seborrheic dermatitis conditions to increase the success rate of your procedure.
So here is how you can deal with this condition.
- CONSULT A HAIR DOCTOR OR DERMATOLOGIST
- USE MEDICATED SHAMPOO
- USE ANTI-FUNGAL SHAMPOO
- USE ANTIFUNGAL MEDICATION
- USE TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS
- GET A LIGHT THERAPY
- FOLLOW A HEALTHY DIET AND LIFESTYLE
By following your doctor’s instructions and using the medications they recommended you will ensure that your skin condition does not have an active period especially while having your hair transplantation.
This will give you a higher chance of having a less challenging recovery period and your hair transplant results are acceptable and aesthetically pleasing.
Can You Get Seborrheic Dermatitis After A Hair Transplant?
Yes, first of all, seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic disease, meaning you might have it throughout your life. You do not have to worry though, you can keep it under control with the right treatment, even after a hair transplant.
If you notice any symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, let your doctor know. You might also have to talk with your dermatologist. Under the close observation of your doctor, you can overcome this issue with less damage to your transplanted hair.
Can It Affect Hair Growth After A Hair Transplant?
Yes, seborrheic dermatitis can affect the growth of the transplanted hair. This can happen because of inflammation and itchy patches on the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis can lead to hair loss as well but if taken care of well it would be temporary.
Managing Seborrheic Dermatitis After Hair Transplant
Seborrheic dermatitis is not curable but manageable if you properly take care of it under close observation of your doctor or dermatologist.
- MEDICATED SHAMPOO*
- ANTI-ITCH SHAMPOO AND CARE PRODUCTS
- ANTIFUNGAL CREAMS
- STEROID CREAMS
*Shampoo treatments are found to be much more effective based on research made by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Other than medication and treatments you should manage your lifestyle and stress level to be able to handle flare-ups so they would not affect your hair transplant treatment.
When To Seek Professional Help For Seborrheic Dermatitis After A Hair Transplant?
After a hair transplantation operation if you have any skin disorders, especially seborrheic dermatitis you should be on the lookout. If you have any of these symptoms you should seek professional help as soon as possible.
- REDNESS AND ITCHY SCALP
- INFLAMMATION
- SEVERE DANDRUFF
These symptoms after the hair transplant can delay your healing process and negatively affect the hair grafts.
References:
(1) InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Seborrheic dermatitis: Overview. [Updated 2020 Jun 18].
(2) https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/seborrheic-dermatitis-symptoms
(3) Borda LJ, Wikramanayake TC. Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015;3(2):10.13188/2373-1044.1000019. doi:10.13188/2373-1044.1000019
(4) Del Rosso JQ. Adult seborrheic dermatitis: a status report on practical topical management. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2011;4(5):32-38.
(5) Berk T, Scheinfeld N. Seborrheic dermatitis. P T. 2010 Jun;35(6):348-52. PMID: 20592880; PMCID: PMC2888552.
