Are you the Right Candidate for a Hair Transplant?
Hair Transplant comprises transferring follicles from an obtainable donor section on the back of the head to the balding (recipient) region in the frontal and temporal hairline. These relocated hair follicles continue to grow for years as they are not sensitive to DHT Chemical. This chemical is the significant reason for male pattern hair loss connected to both genetic inclination to hair loss and natural hair loss process that occurs as one age.
However, not everyone with balding is a good candidate for a Hair transplant. Hair transplant is appealing when treating hair loss, but unfortunately, not everyone can undergo a hair transplant.
Below are points that need to be considered to know whether you are the right candidate for a hair transplant.
Practical Expectations: When one decides to get a hair transplant, they should set a real and practical expectation about the treatment outcome. Hair transplant usually mainly covers the area where hair loss/ baldness has occurred. It does not cover a thinned-out area on the scalp, mainly in the crown. After the hair transplant, one cannot discontinue medications prescribed for hair thinning. The hair transplant procedure is accompanied by medication to prevent the progression of (existing) hair loss.
Age Factor: The ideal age for hair transplant candidates is within the age group of 25-65yrs. Patients who are very young and already started losing hair at an early age are not suitable candidates for a hair transplant as the hair loss pattern may progress quickly. Likewise, older patients above the age of 65yrs may have thinner donor hair and associated medical conditions, affecting hair growth.
Hair Loss Type: The most suitable candidates are those with traditional Male Pattern baldness – an inherited condition that primarily affects the front & top of the scalp. There is an abundance of hair follicles on the back & side of the scalp that can be collected and utilized as donor hair follicles. Ideally, the patient should have notable receding of the hairline. Patients suffering from cicatricial alopecia hair loss type are not a good candidate for hair transplant as this condition affects the entire scalp, and there will not be enough donor hair follicles.
Grade of Hair Loss: Hair loss has to be evaluated as per its severity across a time, the state of donor’s hair available & quantity. Hair transplant benefits get limited if the patient has complete hair loss/bald or has an advanced pattern of hair loss with minimal donor hair left. He may also require a body hair transplant. Likewise, if the hairs are weak or delicate, they will not endure the transplant procedure.
Overall Health: Even though hair transplant is performed as out-patient surgery under Local Anesthesia, it is yet a surgical procedure. Hence, the patient necessitates being in excellent health before undergoing the procedure. He obliges to notify the surgeon if he has any long-term health condition.
It is essential to consult a qualified Plastic surgeon for specifications regarding procedures & likely results of Hair Transplant. Dr Ashok Pandey is board-certified plastic surgeons trained in aesthetic surgery, practising in Mumbai at his Bombay Cosmetic Clinic and have successfully performed hair transplant surgery for his patients.
