Hair Loss Drugs and Hair Transplant Considerations

I am a hair loss sufferer and am considering hair transplantation.   What will I expect to pay for a hair transplant?   What other things should I consider?   Should I be taking any medication for hair loss, and if so, what?

The cost of hair replacement surgery will depend on a number of things including the price charged per follicular unit graft by the hair transplant clinic, the type of hair transplant  surgery undergone (follicular unit hair transplantation – FUT or follicular unit extraction – FUE / follicular isolation technique – FIT), the number of hair grafts required, and the number of hair restoration surgeries required.   See also more information on hair transplant costs.

Though hair transplant cost  is an important factor to consider  it shouldn’t be the first. Finding a quality hair transplant physician who has a proven track record of providing positive hair transplant patient results is extremely important.   I strongly encourage you to research and consult with a physician who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians who has met the high level of membership standards  of the Hair Transplant Network.  

A balding male or female suffering from genetic hair loss  must also develop realistic expectations and hair restoration goals which should be discussed in detail with your hair transplant surgeon. I do not recommend undergoing hair transplant surgery until you are comfortable with the long term hair restoration plan that has been laid out for you.

Because hair transplantation is not a cure for hair loss, I also recommend considering use of FDA approved hair loss drugs such as Propecia / Proscar (finasteride) and Rogaine Foam or Liquid (minoxodil)  which are the best chance of preventing future hair loss.   They may even regrow hair.   Use also of Nizoral shampoo or Revita shampoo which contains active ingredient ketoconazole may also help have benefit for men who are suffering from male pattern baldness and women suffering from female pattern baldness.   These hair loss medications especially when used altogether may even work well enough that hair transplantation may not be necessary.   It is important to give these hair loss treatments at least 6 months to a year to determine whether or not they are working for you.

Best wishes,

 Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher of the  Hair Transplant Network  and the  Hair Loss Learning Center
View  my Hair Loss Weblog

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