Male pattern baldness usually occurs in your 30s and 40s but sometimes it starts earlier. Although not as common, some people experience it in their late teens or twenties. This development could be traumatic especially if you’re a younger man. Dr. Williams’ hair transplant procedures are so advanced that he can guarantee a natural looking head of hair in a few months. How does age affect the process?
What The Experts Say
According to statistics, up to 42% of men experience mild to substantial hair loss. The extent ranges from 16% of men in the 18 to 29 age bracket to 53% in men aged 40 to 49. That means hair loss in men is more prevalent than earlier thought. The male hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plays a key role in causing Androgenetic Alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern baldness.
Since the body starts producing it during puberty, it’s theoretically possible for hair thinning to begin in one’s teenage years. This hormone causes hair loss by increasingly reducing the growth cycle of hair follicles. As the effect spreads, you’ll have thinner hair, which will ultimately disappear altogether. DHT mainly affects the top, front, and crown parts of your scalp. That’s why Dr. Williams uses donor hair from the back or sides of the scalp.
DHT does not affect the transplanted hair because it maintains its genetic profile, which includes immunity from the hormone’s adverse effects.
Can Younger Men Opt for A Hair Transplant?
If you start balding in your 20s, you might be in a dilemma over how to proceed. On the one hand, a hair transplant procedure will fix the problem and boost your self-esteem. On the other hand, the balding process continues into your late 30s to 40s. If you opt for professional restoration, your new hair will be permanent but the remaining natural hair will be susceptible to the effects of DHT. That means a few years later you’ll still have thin hair.
You have the following two options to address this problem:
- Wait until you hit your mid to late thirties for the balding to stabilize so you can have a permanent hair restoration procedure.
- Have the procedure in your twenties, including a follow-up hair transplant some years later to address new balding.
Both options ultimately give you the desired result. Although the second one means you’ll probably spend money on more than one procedure, the resulting peace of mind and confidence boost could be worth it.
What’s The Ideal Age for A Hair Transplant?
If you’re under 25, it’s advisable to wait a few years until your hair loss stabilizes. Between 18 to 29 years, your hairline will continue forming. At a younger age, it’s hard to determine your balding pattern. Remember, your donor hair is also limited. If you have the procedure at a young age and the hair loss continues, you may have a hard time accessing more donor hair.
Progressive hair loss might also create patchy results on your scalp. If you’re under 25, Dr. Williams can recommend medication to slow down the process of hair loss as we explore other options. Minoxidil, Finasteride, and other treatments strengthen your hair, stop thinning, and stimulate growth. Other non-surgical alternatives are low-level laser light and platelet-rich plasma therapies.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to have hair transplant surgery lies with you. So long as you’re an adult, you can opt for one after a thorough and professional evaluation.
At the Advanced Medical Hair Institute, our transplant procedures provide the most natural results for various hair loss issues. Unlike other practices that conduct multiple procedures, Dr. Williams is renowned for performing extensive transplants in one visit. His outstanding skills, coupled with the latest technology in hair restoration, ensure you won’t need another procedure for decades. Please schedule an appointment with us today for more details.
