Hair is one of the defining features of a person’s look, so it’s easy to understand that those with hair loss want to know if a hair transplant is right for them. People can lose hair because of everything from bad genes to chemotherapy treatments for cancer. However, deciding to have a hair transplant is a big decision that should be discussed with an experienced, board certified doctor.
How do you know if you’re a good candidate for a hair transplant? Before deciding whether to go ahead with the procedure or not, you’ll have an initial consultation with the doctor. During this consultation, the doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and examine the area where the hair needs to be transplanted to. If necessary, he will discuss other options with you that he thinks might benefit you better than a hair transplant.
What are disqualifying conditions?
Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies for a hair transplant. The following are some conditions that might disqualify you:
No hair in the donor area. Hair is usually taken from the back of the head because it tends not to fall out. So it goes without saying that an insufficient amount of hair in the donor area will disqualify a patient.
Autoimmune diseases. As with most medical procedures, hair transplants have a risk of infection. Patients with compromised immune systems will have a tougher time fighting off these potential infections. In this case, a hair transplant is too risky.
The cause of hair loss can easily be treated. Certain conditions like thyroid imbalances and side effects of certain medications can cause hair loss. A hair transplant will likely be possible if these conditions can successfully be reversed.
Age. Younger patients (under 25) are not good candidates because their hair will likely continue to shed long after the procedure. This means that they will need future hair transplants. While age isn’t an automatic disqualification, many doctors are still reluctant to perform hair transplants on younger patients.
Other considerations
The doctors at Jefferson Facial Plastics are highly experienced in hair transplants and will be able to help you decide if this treatment is right for you. During the initial consultation, the doctor will show you before and after pictures of patients who had a similar procedure done so you can get a good idea of what your outcome will be. If you are both pleased that a hair transplant is right for you, you’ll then be able to schedule the procedure.
Recovery time
Recovering from a hair transplant is generally painless. The gauze wrapped around the transplant area will be removed within 5-10 days. Your activity will be limited to prevent bleeding from the incision area. The doctor will advise you when you can resume normal daily activity.
Don’t wait, contact us today!
Call Jefferson Facial Plastics today to schedule your consultation with one of our highly experienced board certified cosmetic surgeons. As soon as you walk into our office you’ll know why Jefferson is considered the premier cosmetic surgery practice in the greater Philadelphia area.
