One of the biggest areas of misunderstanding when it comes to hair transplants is how long they last. The truth is there is no one answer to this question since it depends on multiple factors. In order to get a better idea of how long a hair transplant will last it’s necessary to understand why hair loss occurs.
In the majority of cases, hair loss is a result of genetics. When some men reach a certain age, their body will begin producing more DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT attacks the hair follicles and causes them to shrink, which leads to thinning and loss of the hair.
The first step that should be taken when you notice your hair thinning is to try the proven treatments that are available, namely finasteride and minoxidil. Often, one or a combination of these treatments will be enough to slow down, or in some cases reverse the effects of male pattern balding
However the treatments that are available are best used as a preventative measure when MPB is in its earliest stages. For men who have moderate to severe thinning then it’s unlikely that using treatments will enable them to get back a full head of hair.
This is where hair transplants come in. It’s important to point out that any new hair that’s transplanted is permanent i.e. it will not fall out. However, the reason that men sometimes require extra procedures is because the non-transplanted hair on their head begins to thin. This is why men who are very young or have mild thinning are often advised against getting a transplant right away.
Which factors affect the permanency of results?
The two main factors that affect how permanent a hair transplant will be are –
How aggressive the patient’s balding is – How aggressive a man’s balding is will certainly have an impact on the permanency of results. For men with mild to moderate MPB, then results of a hair transplant will usually last much longer than those with very aggressive MPB.
How well they respond to treatments – This is an extremely important factor. Whilst treatments aren’t needed to maintain the transplanted hair, they are required to stop the thinning of any other hair on the head. Therefore patients who respond well to treatments can expect to keep the results of their hair transplant the longest.
