Hair Transplant Procedures and Your Age

Hair loss is a condition that affects men of all ages. Some men start losing their hair at an early age, and may be tempted to undergo hair transplant surgery in their 20s. Some research shows, however, that having a hair transplant procedure too early can result in patchy and thinning areas of hair. To learn more about hair transplants and age, contact our Chicago, IL practice today. Our hair loss doctor, Dr. Raymond Konior, can determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

How a Transplant Procedure Works

Dr. Konior is experienced in a range of hair transplant techniques. In follicular unit extraction (FUE), the surgeon removes individual hair follicles from the scalp. These follicles are taken from different areas of the scalp, resulting in a natural look. The follicles are then placed in the balding or thinning areas of the scalp.

Within a couple weeks of the surgery, the transplanted hair will fall out, but new growth should start in a few months, with most patients experiencing up to 60 percent of new hair growth within nine months. Some doctors may recommend Rogaine or Propecia to stimulate hair growth and fill in the areas around the transplanted follicles.

Having Transplant Surgery At a Young Age

Certain men start losing their hair at a young age, some as early as their teens. While this may make men feel self-conscious, they may not be good candidates for hair transplant surgery in their teens and 20s. The follicles that are transplanted during the procedure are permanent and will continue to produce hair permanently. If a man in his early 20s undergoes a transplant procedure, it is possible that he may continue to lose hair for several more years, resulting in a permanent strip of hair with a thinning area behind it. This can result in an unnatural look. Patients may have to have one or more subsequent procedures to fill in the patches of thinning hair.

The Right Age for Hair Transplant Surgery

Researchers and hair transplant doctors have found that by the time a man reaches his 40s, doctors can better determine if a donor area will thin and become unstable. Transplanting hair too early, before the stability of the donor area can be assessed, may result in the transplanted area thinning after a few years and the donor scar becoming visible.

This does not necessarily mean that men in their 20s and 30s are not good candidates for hair transplant surgery. However, they are at a greater risk of needing additional treatment in the future.

Contact Us Now for an Hair Transplant Consultation

Your best option, when looking into hair transplant surgery, is to talk to a medical professional. Only a professional can assess your hair loss pattern and determine if it is caused by medical problems or medications. If you are considering a hair transplant procedure, contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Raymond Konior. He will assess your hair loss and help you decide if transplant surgery is right for you.