While researching hair transplants to see what procedures can be done to help a particular situation, cost and success rates might be top of mind. But one thing to also consider when opting for a hair transplant is, age.
As the world we live in becomes more stressful more and more men especially are starting to notice hair loss early on. From guys in their mid-twenties to those not yet hitting the big 4-0, many are starting to notice thinning and lost hair in the common areas of the crown and front hairline of the scalp.
But does it make sense to schedule a hair transplant surgery the day you start to notice the thinning is happening? Especially when the hormones that cause hair loss will continue to circulate for many years and effect the longevity of the remaining hair follicles?
If you search around for an answer, you’re likely to get a varied response because it really depends. Different patients may have a more aggressive variety of balding ,or one’s donor hair might be thinner than another.
Although hair loss in the teen years can be difficult for a young man to tolerate, it is unwise to rush into getting a hair transplant at that age. Clearly, if the hair loss has started this early, it will likely continue to progress over the next few years into the early or late twenties. It is not necessary to wait until the hair loss completely stops to consider a transplant but it is recommended that the hair loss pattern be well established before opting for the transplant route as a solution.
Transplanting too early may miss areas that are going to be lost over the next few years. This can lead to a poor result with areas of balding behind or around the newly transplanted hair. Also, early transplant can lead to what is called “shock loss” where the trauma of the transplant causes remaining hair to fall out prematurely resulting in no real improvement in appearance.
As a general rule, it is prudent to wait until the balding area has clearly defined itself before proceeding with transplant. Done in this fashion, delaying the transplant a few years will minimize the chance of a poor cosmetic result and prevent premature loss of additional existing hair.
While many doctors will suggest waiting or getting the hair assessed over the course of some time to examine hair loss, if you are losing hair and concerned about your appearance, the best bet is to schedule a hair loss consultation. Take the time to speak with a professional that you trust in order to best address your specific situation.