Is It Too Early for a Hair Transplant? What to Consider

If you are a younger person experiencing hair loss, you may want to consider a more permanent hair loss treatment, such as a hair transplant.

It makes sense – hair transplants are long-lasting, they use your own hair, and when performed by a good surgeon, they look extremely natural. It gives you the chance to regain your confidence and your looks.

Are you too young, though? Before getting any surgery, it’s crucial to know the risks involved. So, in this article, you will learn:

• Whether You Can Get a Hair Transplant Too Early
• What Happens if You Get a Hair Transplant Too Early
• The Best Age to Get a Hair Transplant
• Other Hair Restoration Options
• Other Considerations Before Getting a Hair Transplant

What is a Hair Transplant?

First, let’s understand: what is a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon harvests healthy hair follicles from a donor area – typically the back or sides of the scalp – and then carefully implants them into the recipient area, which is usually the thinning or bald areas. These hair follicles take root in the new area and begin growing hair. It’s a fantastic solution that uses a patient’s own hair, making the results wonderfully natural.

There are two main types of hair transplants.

FUT: Follicular unit transplantations involve harvesting a strip of skin containing the hair follicles. This leads to a slightly faster procedure but can leave a linear scar.

FUE: Follicular unit extraction transplants involve harvesting individual hair follicles from the donor area and transplanting them into the recipient area. This careful method leads to virtually no scarring, making FUE hair transplants very popular.

After a hair transplant, patients may experience symptoms such as redness and swelling. The first results are typically available after a few months, with full results emerging after a year or so.

Can You Get a Hair Transplant Too Early?

Yes, you can definitely get a hair transplant too early. Being under the age of 25 and getting a hair transplant is typically not a good idea, and this is because the hair loss has not yet stabilised.

What Happens if You Get Hair Transplant Surgery Too Early?

If you get a hair transplant too early, you run the risk of continued hair loss following the hair transplant procedure, and after spending so much time and energy on the process, that is the last thing you want.

Hair loss is typically progressive, meaning it gets worse over time. If you undergo a hair transplant before the hair loss has a chance to stabilise, you will likely continue to lose hair, resulting in patchy hair and a generally unnatural-looking hairline. The transplanted hair may remain thick (how you want it), but the other areas may continue to lose hair. Essentially, it’ll not look good, and you’ll likely need another hair transplant to correct it.

When you are a younger patient, you simply do not know what the future of your hair loss holds, so there is no predicting how successful the transplant will be in the long term.

Why Do Men Lose Their Hair Young?

It’s more common for men to experience hair loss at a young age, leading them to consider a hair transplant.

The main reason is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness affects up to 80% of men by the time they reach 70 years old, but a third of men experience it by the time they reach the age of 30. [1]

Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition that only affects the hair. It causes a receding hairline and a thinning crown, and this typically worsens over time.

The reason some men lose their hair at a younger age is due to genetics. If they have family members who lost their hair at a young age, they are likely to do so themselves (although it is never guaranteed).

What About Women?

Women can also experience hereditary hair loss, but it’s just not quite as common, especially at a young age. There is a difference in hair loss patterns in women and men – men tend to lose hair at their hairlines and crowns, whereas women tend to experience thinning hair all over.

Women can also get hair transplants, but, like with men, it’s best to wait until the age of 25.

What is the Best Age to Get a Hair Transplant?

Even if you lose your hair young, it’s best to wait a while before getting a hair transplant.

The ideal age to get a hair transplant is considered to be between 25 and 45 years old, with many hair transplant surgeons preferring to perform the procedure on those 30 years and older. At this age, the hair loss has likely stabilised, and there is probably still good donor hair quality.

Can You Get a Hair Transplant Before 25?

Yes, it is possible to get a hair transplant before the age of 25, even with the risks involved. The youngest possible age is eighteen. However, keep in mind that many experienced surgeons will decline to operate on those who are this young, as they recognize it’s not a good idea and the results will not be as long-lasting.

Can You Be Too Old for a Hair Transplant?

You now know that the answer to “Can you get a hair transplant too early?” is yes, but what about the other side of the coin? Can you be too old for a hair transplant?

While there is no strict upper age limit, many hair specialists prefer to perform the surgery on individuals under the age of 50, 60, or 70, as the donor area tends to be healthier in these patients.

However, there have been numerous cases of successful hair transplants in individuals as old as their 80s. So, no, you cannot really be too old for a hair transplant – there are factors other than age, such as your overall health and the quality of your donor hair. If you are interested in getting a hair transplant and want to know if you are a good candidate, download our hair track app, as it puts you in touch with experienced hair transplant surgeons.

Other Hair Restoration Solutions

If you are under the age of 25 and want to boost hair growth due to hereditary hair loss, there are solutions other than hair transplants.

• Minoxidil: Minoxidil is a topical medication commonly used to treat hair loss. You can get it over the counter to boost hair growth. It must be used twice daily to maintain results.
• Finasteride: Finasteride is a prescription-only oral medication more commonly prescribed for prostate issues, but it can help with hair growth, as it blocks the production of DHT, which is responsible for male pattern hair loss.
• Dutasteride: Dutasteride is a medication similar to finasteride, as it also blocks DHT. It can be a good option for those who do not find success with finasteride.
• PRP Therapy: Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a clinical procedure that draws blood from the patient and uses their platelets in injections. These are rich in growth factors that can stimulate new growth.

Some lifestyle adjustments can help boost growth, such as maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress effectively, exercising regularly, and adopting a gentle hair care routine.

Other Considerations Before Getting a Hair Transplant

Opting for a hair transplant is always exciting, as the prospect of being able to grow a full head of hair once more is amazing for those who have experienced hair loss. However, there are other considerations beyond your age.

• Your Medical History: Your medical history is a crucial factor. There may be medications you are taking that prevent a hair transplant from being a good idea, for example. Also, if you smoke, this could impact the results.
• Your Donor Hair: For a hair transplant to succeed, there must be a suitable donor hair area. However, there is the possibility of using another candidate for the hair follicles, but this is rarer.
• Expectations: You must have realistic expectations before going in for a hair transplant – while they can be incredibly effective, you must recognise that results take time and vary from patient to patient.
• The Cost: Hair transplants are quite expensive, so be aware of this. It’s better to pay more for a highly qualified surgeon than pay less for worse results.

Can You Get a Hair Transplant Too Early? In Summary

Yes, you can get a hair transplant too early. Here are the key factors to take away:

You should wait until you are 25 before getting a hair transplant.

• While you can legally get a hair transplant at 18, it is not recommended.
• There is no upper age limit regarding hair transplants.
• Other factors affect whether you can undergo a hair transplant, such as a suitable donor area.

Do you think you’d make a good candidate for a hair transplant? Here at Harley Street Hair Clinic, we take pride in delivering the results our patients have dreamed of. To see what we can do, check out our patients gallery.

 

Sources:

1. https://patient.info/mens-health/male-pattern-baldness