When Should I Get a Hair Transplant: Age, Timing, and Planning By Dr. Raymond Konior on August 03, 2024

Hair loss is common in both men and women. Many people who have thinning hair or bald areas on the scalp may desire a hair transplant. But most are not sure when they should get a hair transplant or which hair loss treatment is right for them. At the Chicago Hair Institute in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, our team discusses what is a good age for hair restoration in this blog post and in personal consultations. We can assist you in timing and planning your hair transplant surgery.

What Is the Earliest Age at Which Hair Transplants Are Recommended?

The earliest that most hair loss doctors recommend hair transplants is typically the age of 25. Since many young adults begin to experience hair loss in their high school years, they may wonder why they need to wait so long to undergo treatment.

The greatest concern for hair loss doctors and patients is that hair loss will continue to progress. If hair continues to thin when patients are in their early 20s, having hair transplants placed before this age may result in uneven and unnatural looking results.

While the age of 25 is usually the earliest that patients get hair transplants, doctors may want some patients to wait a bit longer. We want to get the best possible results from your hair transplant surgery, and sometimes waiting an extra year or two can help us achieve optimal results.

Hair Loss Statistics and Age

According to the results of a study on the prevalence of male pattern hair loss in 18 to 49 year old men, those with moderate to extensive hair loss (considered type III or greater) was 42%. The number of men with type III or greater hair loss increased with age. Here are some additional statistics:

16% of men 18 to 29 years of age had type III or greater hair loss
53% of men 40 to 49 years of age had type III or greater hair loss
12% of these men were classified as having predominantly frontal baldness (type A variants)

Timing and Planning Your Hair Transplant Surgery

The first step in timing and planning your hair transplant surgery begins with scheduling an appointment with an experienced and skilled doctor, such as those at the Chicago Hair Institute in Oakbrook Terrace.

During your appointment, our doctors will discuss your medical history, ask when your hair loss started, how your hair loss has progressed, take blood work, perform a pull test and scalp biopsy, examine your hairs under a microscope, and perform a physical exam. Once we have the results of all of these tests, we can recommend the best course of treatment.

While medications and other non-invasive services are an option, the FUE hair transplant technique is popular because of its effectiveness in restoring a fuller and natural looking hairline. We can determine if you are a good candidate for FUE now or at a later time. We want to make sure that you have a healthy donor site when we perform surgery, but don’t want to perform the procedure too early, so our doctors will find the best balance.