If you’re asking this question, you are probably concerned about Hair Loss, Hair Thinning, or genetic concerns about future Hair Loss or Thinning, so it’s a valid question!
Although the answer is obviously a personal one for each person, there is a lot of information and research out there that can help you decide how to move forward if you are concerned about current or potential Hair Loss.
Who Should Consider Hair Transplantation?
There are many considerations and several myths that you have probably either heard or maintained – maybe even subconsciously! – about Hair Transplantation, many of which this blog has covered before, so let’s take a look at some common answers to this question!
Just a quick reminder – always check with your Hair Transplantation specialist to find out what the best options are for your unique case. You can contact Dr. Williams here if you’d like to schedule a consultation!
I’m still pretty young, should I consider Hair Transplantation?
This is a question that will depend on many factors, but the general consensus is that it is best to wait until you are between the age of 25 and 30 before considering a Hair Transplantation procedure.
Biologically, this is the point at which the human body reaches its state of maturity, for one, but also it allows time for the specialist to determine Hair Growth and Hair Loss patterns for the best surgical outcome.
Since there are so many treatment options available these days, there might be options that work for you at a younger age that can allow for more customized treatment as you age. Between Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), for example, a Hair Transplantation Specialist can determine the best course of action for you!
I suffer from Iron Deficiency, can I still get Hair Transplantation?
The connection between Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss is still difficult to pinpoint, but there is evidence that such a connection exists. You can read through our previous post about Iron Deficiency to learn more about those connections.
To answer the question though – yes! You absolutely can. It is important to communicate with a Hair Transplantation Specialist to determine the causes of your Hair Loss, since Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss and other types can require different treatment regimens.
I have scars and/or burns on my scalp, is Hair Transplantation possible for me?
In most cases, yes! In fact, Hair Transplant Specialists fall under Plastic Surgery as their primary field of Medicine. While there are extreme cases where a Transplant will not be viable, with modern surgical techniques and specialized equipment, you can schedule a consultation with a specialist like Dr. Williams to learn what kind of Hair Restoration can work for you. You can also read our previous post about Hair Transplantation on Scar Tissue for more information!
This is particularly possible because of advancements in Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), in which sections of skin with the follicles intact are transplanted into areas where hair growth is desired. By completely transplanting the healthy tissue where the damaged tissue was before and stimulating blood flow to the area, Hair Recovery in scarred or burned areas is possible in many cases.
I’m worried about my hair looking natural, aren’t hair plugs obvious?
Whoa there! Let’s take care of this one right off the bat – hair plugs are a retired form of Hair Transplantation that has not been used for almost two decades now. That procedure provided mixed results, and has created many of the myths and misconceptions about modern Hair Transplantation Procedures.
Hair plugs were often obvious, indeed, but they were the best technology available for a long time. These days, however, trained surgeons use advanced tools and techniques to directly transplant hair follicles from elsewhere on your body (usually the head, but not always) to relocate living hair follicles to areas where growth is desired.
Hair Restoration and Transplantation procedures today, especially FUT and FUE, focus on creating a natural look that is based on real hair growing in the transplanted areas, so the hair not only looks natural – it IS natural!
In nearly all cases, after healing and proper care from a successful procedure, anyone but a trained specialist would have a difficult time identifying a Hair Transplantation patient from anyone else. The goal is to make YOU look great!
I live an active lifestyle, won’t Hair Transplantation stop that for me?
NO! Not at all! As with any surgical procedure, you need to follow special care instructions for a while before the procedure and after the procedure, but once you have completed those short periods of rest and recovery, you can jump right back into your lifestyle again!
The biggest concern for patients of hair transplantation is making sure you protect your scalp! That means avoiding direct sunlight on the affected areas, which you should already be doing anyway as much as possible, staying away from chlorine and other harsh chemicals for a while, and following your Hair Restoration Specialist’s instructions. Many celebrities and athletes have undergone modern Transplantation procedures, and most people can’t even tell!
For more information about what long-term care post-procedure might look like, you can read our previous post here.
I notice hair falling out when I brush and wash my hair, am I going through Hair Loss?
Only a visit with a specialist like Dr. Williams can verify whether you are currently experiencing Hair Loss. However, people lose around 100 hairs every day through the natural process of hair growth.
This means that just because you notice them all at once doesn’t mean they all came out at the same time. The hairs might have rested among the rest of your hair until brushed or washed out, making it look like a large clump came out at once.
The most common form of Hair Loss is Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL), which tends to start at the crown of the head and work its way towards the sides over time, hence the “pattern” part of the name. That trend is the one to watch for, but it can be different in every person’s case because everyone is unique!
There are also other causes of hair loss, though the research behind most of them is inconclusive at best, so that makes it even more important that you get the advice of a specialist if you are concerned, rather than waiting. The sooner you can see a specialist, the sooner a treatment plan can be arranged, or the sooner you can rest at ease that you are actually just experiencing normal daily Hair Loss!
Do you have more questions or concerns about Hair Transplantation?
Dr. Joseph Williams has been a board licensed surgeon for almost 40 years, and his extensive expertise and research in Hair Transplantation Surgery has been recognized internationally. He doesn’t rest on his laurels, however, and makes sure to stay up-to-date with the latest research and technology while focusing on providing the best care possible for all of his patients.
Schedule a consultation today to get the peace of mind you deserve with the help of someone you can trust.
