Hair transplants can have a dramatic effect on your life. However, the procedure is the most successful for suitable candidates for hair transplants. But how do you know whether or not you’re a good candidate for a hair transplant?
We’ve gathered information about who makes a good candidate for a hair transplant procedure. But first, we’ll start with a description of hair transplant surgery.
What is a Hair Transplant Procedure?
A hair transplant procedure is one that involves the surgeon extracting hair follicles from one area of the body (the donor site) to another area of the body. The two most common hair transplant techniques are FUE and FUT.
A hair transplant procedure is most often done to correct male pattern hair loss (which may be caused by genetics), where the donor hair is transplanted from the sides and back of the scalp to the thinning areas on top. The donor hair is taken from these areas because the hair is not affected by DHT.
DHT is a hormone produced by the body that attacks hair follicles in men who have a genetic predisposition. The condition causes hair follicles to shrink, resulting in hair loss. Fortunately, the hair on the back and sides of the head are not affected by DHT; these hairs have a higher chance of staying in place after the hair transplant.
What is an FUE Hair Transplant?
The FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) procedure moves healthy hair follicles from a donor area to a bald area on the scalp.
It’s necessary to obtain the entire hair follicles for this procedure, so a punch device is necessary. Using the device causes minimal damage and trauma to the scalp and reduces the risk of visible scarring.
FUE is done under local anaesthesia to reduce downtime.
What is an FUT Hair Transplant?
With the FUT hair transplant technique, the surgeon cuts a strip of skin from the back or side of the head and extracts individual hair follicles. These follicles are then inserted into the balding areas of the scalp.
Here, again, the procedure is done with local anaesthesia to ensure the patient stays comfortable throughout and experiences less downtime.
Who is Not a Suitable Candidate for a Hair Transplant?
First, a patient who has a full head of hair is not a suitable candidate for a hair transplant procedure. In addition, a patient who has poor donor areas is not a good candidate for a hair transplant. This is something that the hair transplant surgeon explains to a patient during their consultation. In some cases, it is possible to use body hair for a hair transplant.
In addition, patients who are losing hair at a sporadic rate are not good candidates. They are experiencing unstable hair loss and must go through a period of stabilisation before they can have a hair transplant. Stabilisation may be accomplished through the use of medication; however, this process can take between 6-o months for the hair to reach this stage.
A patient who has alopecia areata is also not a good candidate for hair transplant. The problem is that hair loss caused by this condition can affect any part of the scalp, including transplanted hair. This hair can experience the same issues caused by this condition, resulting in transplanted hair falling out.
Finally, a patient who has unrealistic expectations about their hair transplant results is not a good candidate for the procedure. When someone’s expectations can’t be achieved, the surgeon will not offer them a hair transplant.
Who Makes a Good Hair Transplant Candidate?
A good hair transplant candidate is a person who’s concerned about their appearance and wants to do something to improve it. The following are points that show a person is a good candidate for a hair transplant procedure.
- Hair Transplant & Age
It’s possible to have a hair transplant at almost any age; however, it’s best for a patient to be at least 25 years old before having a hair transplant procedure. The reason is that by this age, the body’s production of the hormones responsible for adult hair growth has stabilised.
In addition, a hair transplant procedure done at an early age can result in unnatural hair growth patterns.
- Health Conditions
It’s imperative to be healthy before undertaking a hair transplant procedure. You can reduce the risk of complications by ensuring any serious medical conditions have been treated and resolved before having surgery.
If you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes or you take prescription medication (such as blood thinners), these can have an adverse effect on the results of your hair transplant.
Be sure to talk about any health issues you may have before having a hair transplant procedure.
- Commitment to Post-Procedure Aftercare
Another sign of a suitable hair transplant candidate is a person who is committed to following through with the aftercare instructions the doctor gives them. This can have a direct impact on the success of the procedure (or not).
Following aftercare instructions correctly not only reduces recovery time but can also help minimise discomfort.
- More Considerations
A hair transplant may be performed if a person has the following:
- Sufficient hair loss
- Good donor area hair
- A healthy scalp
- Setting Realistic Expectations
A good candidate also has realistic expectations about what they can expect from their procedure. It can take several hours for the typical hair transplant; however, it can take several months before a patient starts to see the results.
In addition, some patients may need more than one procedure, depending on the extent of their hair loss.
Summing It Up
Hair transplant surgery can have a positive impact on a patient’s appearance and confidence. However, the results of hair transplant techniques may not produce the desired results for some patients.
So, before having hair transplant surgery, it’s best to consider your expectations and to consult with an experienced hair transplant surgeon. They can explain the techniques used for a hair transplant and determine when you’re a good candidate for these procedures.
