HOW TO TELL IF YOU NEED A HAIR TRANSPLANT
PART 4 OF AN INFO SERIES ON HAIR TRANSPLANTS
Say you’re one of the millions of men or women around the world looking to solve their hair loss.
You’re aware there’s a problem (it’s written all over your scalp), but you don’t know how to classify it or, more importantly, how to fix it.
On top of all this, you’re faced with a set of options that keeps on growing, making it hard to choose from out of the hundreds of supposed “cures for baldness” on the open market.
Sound familiar?
This guide will examine the cases of male and female baldness that qualify for hair transplant surgery: a medically sound and permanent solution to hair loss.
Along the way, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of a hair transplant versus other treatments, and go through the steps of a sound hair loss diagnosis.
This guide is not a sales pitch. After all, many cases of baldness and advanced hair fall are beyond the help of a transplant. At the end of the day, what matters is that you make an informed decision when investing in a hair loss solution.
To find out if you qualify for a hair transplant, read on.
When Would You Need Hair Transplant Surgery?
Contrary to what you might think, hair transplant surgery isn’t for everyone. There are cases when a transplant would serve as a complete and permanent cure for hair loss, and cases where it would do little good.
Knowing whether you need a transplant is a matter of identifying the root of the problem: the medical cause for hair loss that applies to your case.
Hair transplant surgery is the top option for patients suffering from androgenic alopecia, more commonly known as pattern baldness. It’s the most common cause of hair loss among men and women, which means a good percent of all cases are treatable through a hair transplant.
Androgenic alopecia is caused by a sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes hair follicles to shrink as the condition worsens. The most common non-surgical options are the use of minoxidil and finasteride to promote hair regrowth, though the scientific literature suggests that their effectiveness can vary from person to person.
People suffering from pattern baldness who are after a permanent solution with definitive results often turn to hair transplants.
In certain cases, it’s possible to treat traumatic alopecia (ex. burns or scars on the scalp area) with a hair transplant. There are a number of conditions that affect the viability transplant surgery as an option for traumatic alopecia, including the thickness of the scar tissue on the transplant area and the size and health of potential donor sites.
In cases where patients want to recover their hair after a traumatic injury, or fix the disappointing results of a previous transplant (ex. FUT or hair plugs), it’s best to consult a hair restoration specialist to arrive at a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Many patients who suffer from hair loss are beyond the help of transplant surgery because of the nature of their conditions.
People suffering from anagen effluvium (usually caused by chemotherapy or exposure to radiation), for instance, are not typically considered as candidates for a hair transplant.
When Do You Qualify for Hair Transplant Surgery?
To qualify for a hair transplant, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Good General Health
Though hair transplants like the ones we offer at DHI Philippines produce minimal trauma to their target areas, they’re still surgical operations at the end of the day.
A good bill of health is a must for people looking to undergo a hair transplant. You may be asked to undergo a viral screening test, show proof of a healthy cardiovascular system, and present other documents that prove you’re at minimal risk of an adverse reaction to surgery.
2. Sufficient Donor Hairs
By definition, hair transplants involve the relocation of hair from one part of the body to another. Ideally, hairs from a donor area of the scalp (usually the back or sides) would be extracted and inserted into problem areas.
Naturally, this means that you can’t undergo a transplant if you have no hair to transplant. The best hair clinics will use a microcamera designed to inspect hair on the scalp as a key part of a proper hair loss diagnosis. A mathematical formula is then used to determine how many hairs are required to ensure a high density, natural finish.
3. Proper Expectations
Despite the fact that we try our best to work magic for our patients, our transplants are not magic. There are limits to what a hair transplant can achieve, and while most clinics do guarantee visibly natural results and permanent grafts, it’s important that you commit to a transplant with a full idea of what to expect out of your results.
4. Willingness to Commit
Just like any other surgery, there are post-operative routines that have to be followed in order to gain the full benefits of a hair transplant.
If you’re considering a procedure, make sure that you’re ready to commit to taking all prescribed medication, avoid strenuous activity, and make all the necessary lifestyle adjustments to avoid contracting an infection or disturbing your grafts as they heal.
Hair Loss Diagnosis
We can’t stress the importance of being diagnosed by a certified medical professional who specializes in hair loss and hair restoration. You’ll find a number of “snake oil salesmen” peddling cures that have no basis in medical science, and may worsen your condition instead of improving it – don’t confuse them with actual solutions to baldness.
The best and most reliable way to know if you need a hair transplant is to consult with a doctor or clinic that specializes in hair transplantation. Clinics like DHI Philippines have standards in place that prohibit us from operating on non-qualifying candidates, which means zero risk of spending on an unnecessary operation.
At the same time, a diagnosis serves as the basis for a unique treatment plan that covers the number of grafts you’ll need, and the overall “look” of your result before any procedure can take place.
As we covered above, there are a number of factors to keep in mind when considering a hair transplant. Most (if not all) of them are tied to the most important point in this article: it takes a medical professional to know for sure.
Use the qualifying factors stated above to assess your own case, and if you feel like a transplant is best for you (or if you still aren’t perfectly sure), contact a professional clinic for an assessment.