Will dandruff ruin my hair transplant?

I have severe dandruff and I believe that it has contributed to my hair loss. I want to have a hair transplant soon, but I’m worried that my dandruff problem may harm the transplant surgery results. Is this something I should worry about?

I believe that your primary concern at this point would be to address your dandruff problem to get that under control. While dandruff doesn’t typically cause hair loss, especially male-pattern baldness, what can actually appear as an extreme dandruff problem may actually be psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, or seborrhoeic dermatitis (eczema). These conditions can disrupt normal hair function and growth. Before beginning or continuing any topical treatments such as Rogaine for male pattern baldness or hair restoration surgery, you should get examined by a dermatologist.

Nizoral 2% is very beneficial for dandruff and itchy scalp. Other medicated shampoos such as Neutrogena’s T-Sal and T-Gel added into the rotation can help too. However, extreme cases should be treated under the care of a doctor.

Does your hair loss follow the typical male-pattern baldness loss pattern as depicted on the Hamilton/Norwood Scale? If so, then you can be 99% sure that your hair loss is due to male-pattern baldness. However, if your hair loss appears to be more sporadic and occurs in patches, you should see a dermotologist to determine what the exact cause is. You may have severe inflammation that can contribute significantly to hair loss. It is important to have your existing scalp conditions under control before proceeding with surgical hair restoration.

You never said if you were using any medications to combat your hair loss such as Propecia or Rogaine. You definitely shouldn’t use minoxidil until you get your current scalp condition straightened out as it can be very irritating even to healthy scalps. However, Propecia may be an option for you at this time and should definitely be strongly considered before surgical hair restoration and for the long-haul after the procedure.

Robert – Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog

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