Hair transplant techniques have advanced a huge amount over the last few decades.
Gone are the days of the dreaded “plug” look of early hair transplants. Surgeons are now able to perform hair transplants in a way that offers a completely natural looking head of hair. That being said, some patients are more suitable for a hair transplant than others.
The Ideal Patient Should:
Have mild to moderate hair loss
Although it’s possible to perform a hair transplant for guys with severe balding, the best results are achieved in those who have mild to moderate hair loss. This is because there is typically more donor hair and less coverage is required. A good amount of donor hair is vital for a successful hair transplant. This usually isn’t a problem since the donor hair is taken from the back and sides of the head and hair in these regions are genetically programmed to be permanent. This means that even those with severe hair loss usually have enough donor hair.
Have realistic expectations
Realistic expectations are always important when getting a hair transplant. For most men, the ideal would be to have a completely thick head of hair with no receding hairline. While this is possible for some men, it’s not always realistic, especially for those with more severe balding. A good surgeon will always explain exactly what results can be expected.
Be certain that they want a hair transplant
Getting a hair transplant is a big decision so you should be certain it’s something you want to go through with. Hair loss affects all men differently and some are able to adjust to life without hair without it severely affecting their self-confidence. For such men, a hair transplant might be more trouble than it’s worth.
Have tried other treatments first
This is very important. It’s surprising how many people are still under the illusion that there are no effective treatments available for dealing with hair loss. Before considering a hair transplant you should first start a course of treatment that involved finasteride and minoxidil. This way you can assess how well treatments work for you and then make a decision as to whether a hair transplant is necessary. You should give treatments at least 6 months to see if they’re going to work for you.
Be certain that their hair loss has stabilized
All men tend to bald at different rates. Some only thin out very slightly over a number of years while other men can lose the majority of their hair within a year. Before getting a hair transplant, it’s important that your hair loss has stabilised. The reason being is that although the transplanted hair is permanent, this doesn’t mean that you won’t lose any existing hair that would have started thinning anyway. This can create a patchy look that is far from desirable.
