THE RIGHT AGE TO GET A HAIR TRANSPLANT
Hair Loss can be caused by common factors such as genetic structure, hormonal changes, chronic diseases, and environmental factors. The first step should be to determine the cause and plan the hair transplant accordingly. You can decide on the right age for your hair transplant with your doctor.
Male pattern hair loss in your early 20s
The most common hair loss that men experience is male pattern hair loss. Hair follicles that are hypersensitive to dihydrotestosterone gradually weaken and most of them fall out. This type of hair loss is caused by mostly genetic factors. Before deciding on any treatment plan, it is important to know the patient’s family history regarding hair loss. If the patient’s hair thinning and hair loss process started around the age of 20 and if there are other men in his family with the same hair loss pattern, the ‘right age for hair transplant’ can be determined according to the patient’s personal preferences.
Hair has a great effect on physical appearance
People who experience hair loss at an early age may look much older than they actually are. People may experience a lack of self-confidence in their social life due to hair loss. Especially at the age of 20, while the character matures, hair loss can become a detrimental effect on social confidence.
The right age for hair transplantation varies from patient to patient
FKS Clinic doctor, Dr Gizem Yarımbaş states: ‘In my interviews, I first listen to the patient carefully, and try to understand his/her point of view. We all see ourselves differently in the mirror when it comes to aesthetic concerns. I think how the patient sees himself in the mirror is very important. There is no universally right age for a hair transplant. A 20-year-old patient whose hair was slightly thinned out and another 20-year-old patient whose anterior temples are completely emptied should be considered differently.
It is important to inform young patients about the hair loss process. Hair loss may continue in the years after the operation. In these cases, the patient’s donor capacity should be preserved as much as possible in the first session. For younger patients, it is not recommended to harvest high graft numbers in the first session. In the event that the hair loss continues, a second session might be necessary to cover the empty areas that will appear in the future.
A relevant question we hear often from our patients is “Is it best to wait until all my hair falls out and get it done when it’s all gone.” Dr Gizem Yarımbaş answers this question as follows: “Full coverage in a single session is not possible in full front-to-back balding, except for exceptional cases. Baling areas in Norwood scale 6-7 cannot get full coverage in one session. The number of healthy grafts that can be taken in a single session should be lower than 6000. Anything over that limit might damage the donor area, and decrease the success rate. For more detailed information, you can read the Graft numbers in the hair transplantation article.
So, It is wiser to plan 2 sessions over the years, instead of waiting for complete shedding and planning a single session. The total number of grafts that can be taken in 2 sessions is much higher than the number in a single session too. Moreover, living in your 20s and 30s without enough hair just to wait for full shedding will be a waste of time.
The upper age limit for hair transplantation
Hair transplantation in elderly patients can be problematic. Increasing risk of chronic diseases with age, circulatory disorders, and a slowing down wound healing process may affect the success rate of the operation. After a consultation and additional examinations, the patient and the doctor can decide together whether or not a hair transplant is a good option for the patient.
If you want to know if you are a good candidate for a hair transplant you can request a free doctor consultation by filling out our enquiry form.