Considering a Hair Transplant – What Should I Do?
I just recently stumbled upon your hair restoration discussion forum and let me start out by saying, it is amazing! Hair loss has really impacted me and is affecting my personal life. I wear a hat just about everywhere I go and just really want to do something about it. I am 25 years old and seriously considering hair transplantation surgery. I am thinning all over but still have a good amount of hair. Am I a good candidate? What are the costs associated with a hair transplant? I’m also concerned about going back to work only a week after hair restoration surgery. What is the recovery time and when will I look normal again?
Thank you for your inquiry.
I can certainly understand the devastation that hair loss can cause. I know for me, it consumed my thoughts and impacted my social life. i would wear a hat everywhere I would go socially, and when I couldn’t, there were certain friends (all female) that I didn’t want to invite because I was afraid they would think I was ugly and less of a man for losing hair. Though I know that my thoughts are illogical (well, some of them weren’t), I often felt like the “Phantom of the Opera”. With my hat, I felt like the Phantom with his mask who was charming and could easily win Christine’s heart and captivate her soul. But without the hat, I felt like a beast, ugly to the opposite sex. It was a terrible feeling.
Before considering hair transplantation, I recommend considering Propecia (finasteride) and/or Rogaine (minoxodil), the two FDA approved hair loss medications to combat hair loss. Keep in mind that both hair loss treatments should be used consistently for at least 1 year before determining any level of efficacy. Using them together is said to have a synergistic effect, in other words, they will most likely work better together than as stand alone hair loss treatments. Typically these hair loss medications are better at maintaining existing natural hair than regrowing hair, but it is still possible.
Though age is certainly be a consideration, there are other factors to consider. This is why it is extremely important to develop a long term plan. I believe that consulting with one of our first-rate coalition hair restoration physicians to help you develop this plan would be prudent. Only a qualified hair restoration physician will be able to tell you if you are a good hair transplant candidate.
Planning for the long term often leads to more than one hair transplant procedure. I recommend reading the following hair loss blog: How Many Hair Transplant Sessions Will I Need?
Hair transplantation is an investment and though cost should not be the primary consideration, it is important to know what you are getting yourself into ahead of time in order to make a wise financial decision. Consider also that subsequent hair transplant procedures may be necessary in the event of future hair loss.
Hair transplant costs will depend on the number of hair grafts needed, the hair transplant clinic, and the type of hair restoration surgery. See Hair Transplant Costs for more detail.
One must develop and keep realistic expections as to what hair transplant surgery can accomplish. Even if done right in the hands of a quality hair transplant doctor, one will still never restore a full head of hair, only an illusion of hair density.
The concern of postoperative healing is certainly a viable one. See the following hair loss blog: When will I look normal after a hair transplant?
Bill
Associate Publisher
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