Wondering when the right time is to have hair transplant surgery? Hair loss affects two-thirds of American men age 35 and younger, making it more common than most think. For most individuals suffering from hair loss, it can be very emotional which makes individuals more eager to undergo hair loss treatment. There are several options to treat hair thinning and loss, but when is the best time to have a hair transplant?
What To Expect From A Hair Transplant Surgery Consultation
During an individual hair restoration consultation, our expert hair restoration specialists are able to determine whether it’s “the right” time for an individual to have hair transplant surgery.
There are many different variables that determine an individual’s eligibility, the first one being that the person is healthy. Once hair loss and health history are reviewed, the thinning or balding areas of the scalp are examined. Examining the scalp will help our surgeons determine how much hair loss has occurred, if other measures have been taken, and the quality of donor hair. Hair transplant options are then discussed, and a proper plan is made.
Beginning Stage of Hair Loss and When to get the Surgery
Typically, if an individual is under 30, they are still in the beginning stage of hair loss. During this time, it is usually not the best time to undergo hair transplant surgery. A hair transplant during this stage of hair loss may be too early because hair loss generally has not plateaued. A hair transplant surgery relies on harvesting “donor grafts” which are taken from the back of the patient’s head and transplanted to the thinning or balding areas.
If a hair transplant is done early, the patient risks distributing too much hair to areas that may not be as affected by hair loss, leaving curtain areas of the scalp looking too dense. Usually when in the early stages of hair loss, the hair loss pattern or the severity of the hair loss cannot be determined. It is best to start topicals or oral medication in the early stages to slow down and prevent hair loss.
Hair Transplant Surgery Options
Once an individual is determined to be an appropriate candidate for hair transplant surgery, the two hair transplant techniques are discussed and is ultimately up to the patient unless told otherwise. Patient’s hair restoration options are between the FUT (follicular unit transplant) or FUE (follicular unit extraction).
FUT or more commonly referred to as “the strip method”, requires a strip of the scalp to be taken from the back of the head and is dissected into individual hair grafts. This results in a linear scar on the back of the head. When done properly by a specialized hair transplant surgeon, this scar typically heals very well and can be easily camouflaged with slightly longer hair. Each follicular unit is then dissected and prepared for implantation.
The FUE technique is done using NeoGraft, which uses the most advanced technology in the hair transplant industry to extract and implant each follicular unit. This technique does not require a linear scar or sutures, making recovery time faster.
Both hair transplant techniques deliver life changing results with minimal downtime. If you’re someone considering a hair transplant or are in the early stages of hair loss, Utah Hair MD offers a variety of surgical and non-surgical options.
For more information about hair loss, hair restoration and hair transplant surgery, please contact our Draper or Layton, Utah office at (801)776-2220.