9 Signs It's Time to Take a Hair Restoration Program

Losing hair can one of the worst things that can happen to our physical appearance. A big portion of self-confidence is tied to one’s hair condition, and most of us will do anything to maintain a healthy head of hair. Unfortunately, hair loss is a condition that can’t be controlled for many. Genetics, aging, gender, and other factors play a huge role in one’s hair loss probability. It’s no wonder why hair restoration has become a multimillion dollar industry; not all are willing to suffer increased introversion and the other effects of hair loss on one’s well being.

But just because the treatment and technology is available doesn’t mean anyone can become a suitable candidate for hair restoration procedure. If you are planning to invest in permanent hair loss treatment, take note of the factors that make one a good candidate, and check if you perfectly fit the bill.

You are a Good Hair Restoration Candidate If…

 

Hair loss runs in your family

The dreaded male-pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is a genetic disorder that affects mostly male patients, although this can be found in women as well. Balding begins above the temples and recedes gradually until it forms an “M” shape.  Since it’s still not possible to reconfigure one’s DNA, you can’t do much about it if  hair loss runs in the family. The good news is that this makes you a perfect candidate for hair transplant, since no amount of dietary and lifestyle change can make you retain your hair.

 

You have severe hair loss classification

Let your doctor enlighten you on this one since it’s he who will classify your hair loss severity. For women, it’s Class 3 on the Ludwig Scale, while it’s Class 7 on the Norwood scale for men. These are the cases in which hair loss greatly affects your personal appearance. Your doctor will also examine if you have enough donor hair to supply your current and future transplant needs.

 

You have explored other treatment options

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Hair transplant is not necessary in some cases. Taking medications such as Rogaine may already be enough in solving your hair loss problem. You should also consider other factors such as stress, diet, and sleep loss. Making adjustments on the aforementioned may end your balding woes and save you the cash needed for transplant procedure. If medication and lifestyle change are not having any effect, then go ahead and speak to your doctor about hair transplant surgery.

 

You have lost hair due to burn or trauma

Stress and trauma can do nasty things to our body and results to unfortunate conditions such as hair loss. People who have experienced severe emotional trauma can lose their hair at some point, especially in the absence of counseling. There is a condition called Telogen effluvium that stems from major trauma or shock. Serious accidents such as car crash or major surgical procedures can produce emotional stress, wreaking havoc to your hair follicles and causing your hair to fall out. In cases that counseling and lifestyle change refuse to work, hair restoration becomes the likely solution to cover up hair loss. Those who have lost their hair due to burns really have no recourse other than hair restoration.

 

If you’re 30 years old or older

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Hair loss can happen to younger patients, but doctors are not quick to sign them up right then and there. There are patients as young as 18 years old. They experience immature hair loss and the shedding of hair will continue as they grow older. Patients younger than 25 are not advised to undergo treatment because at this stage, it’s not practical to get a hair transplant since the pattern can still change over time. Letting the hair loss progress for the meantime can save you the cost of multiple procedures in the future. Medical therapy such as finasteride and minoxidil are recommended for younger patients to retain existing hair while waiting for their hairlines to mature.

 

You have lost your hair to due face lifts and other cosmetic procedures

Face and brow lifts can result to temporary or permanent hair loss. The hair can be destroyed due to incisions that are not parallel to the hair follicles or the follicles itself can be destroyed due to undermining. Other factors that can contribute to related hair loss include excessive skin tension, disruption of the vascular network in the skin, and distortion of the normal hairline.

In the case of permanent damage, transplanting skin with healthy hair follicles to the affected area is the easiest solution. If hair loss is extensive and you need to cover up a large area, the surgeon can cut a portion of your scalp that contains hair and place it on the balding spot.

 

You are willing to adapt a healthy lifestyle

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Recovery from hair transplantation doesn’t end at the clinic. The success of your transplant will depend on factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management. Adopting a healthier lifestyle strengthens your immune system, which makes recovery faster and less prone to infections.

 

You have a healthy immune system

It’s not advisable to undergo hair restoration procedure if you have serious medical conditions that can produce complications. These issues should be resolved before signing up for hair transplant. You need to get your doctor’s approval for long-term conditions like diabetes. It may be necessary to create a customized treatment plan for you.

 

You have sensible expectations

Although most hair transplant procedures have stellar results, there may be cases that the outcome may not meet the expectations. There are cases where hair loss may still continue even if they’re on medication. Having realistic expectations means that you are willing to make adjustments in terms of hairstyle and hair growth. The amount of donor hair that can be transplanted to your bald spots is not unlimited so you may not get the full growth or thickness that you are expecting.

 

If you think you qualify for hair transplant, schedule a free consultation with your surgeon and discuss your options and expectations. Your surgeon should be able to explain everything you need to know in this initial consultation.