Hair Transplantation and “Shock Fallout”

Hi Patrick,

I am 24 and I have been slowly thinning in my frontal areas for the last 5 years or so. I have tried many things over the years like minoxidil and finasteride but nothing could stop the inevitable. I was wondering if it is a good idea for me to have my thinning areas in the front filled in with a hair transplant. Are hair transplants a good option for someone my age? -Joe

Joe,

Both Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil), as you’ve discovered over time, are not as effective at stopping or reversing hair loss in the hairline as they are in the top mid scalp and crown areas.

Ultimately hair transplantation will probably be your only viable option for restoring your hairline. Fortunately the new ultra refined hair transplant techniques use smaller incisions that are less disruptive to the surrounding existing hair and thus “shock fallout” (post surgical effluvium) of existing hair is less of an issue than it was a few years ago.

However, some of your existing hair in the front could shed, especially the thinning hair that has already become miniaturized. Typically most of the hair that you may loose in the grafted area regrows within a few months. So sometimes doing a hair transplant into existing hair that is thinning is like going two steps back initially to eventually go several steps forward.

I suggest you consult with a Coalition hair restoration physician since they all perform ultra refined follicular unit hair transplantation with proven results. Since you are 24 years old it still be too early for you to do surgery. But when the time comes you will be that much more prepared if you have done your research and consulted with a top notch hair transplant surgeon.

Feel free to post your current photos on our hair restoration discussion forum to get feedback from me and other members. Getting multiple opinions from experienced patients can be very useful.

Best wishes for restoring your hairline.

Pat – pulisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center