Hair transplant before & after photos
75%
44 reviews
Worth It Rating Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Hair Transplant Cost $12,700 average cost

Who is a Good Candidate for Hair Transplant?

I am 21 years old, and I began losing hair when i was 19. The area around my hair line is very thin now. I was wondering, is hair transplant is an option for me right now? Who should ideally consider having hair transplant done?

Sort 12 expert answers by:
+1

Good Candidates for Hair Transplant

There are certain qualifying factors to be a candidate for hair transplant. Being old enough (over the age of 24, generally) is one of them. This is due to the progressive nature of male pattern baldness. Restoring density to your hairline at the age of 21 would not serve you in 5 years when your hairline continues to recede beyond the new/permanent growth. This would create a cosmetic deformity deemed worse, by most, than the initial hair loss. It is advised to use temporary methods for the... more
Sanusi Umar, MD
Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+4

Anyone is a good candidate for hair transplant surgery but consider other options

The key to determining good candidates for hair restoration surgery is estimating what the patient's hair loss pattern might be. Once hair is transplanted, it will not fall out, though the native hair will continue its loss.In a young person such as yourself, it is difficult to tell what your eventual pattern of hair loss might be and your transplant may create an unnatural appearance as you lose more hair.You can usually get away with a small transplant to provide slightly more density in... more
D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

What Age for Hair Restoration

The best candidates for hair restoration are men whose final hairloss is predictable. As a 21 year-old man, the final extent is not predictable at this stage. I would strongly advise against hair restoration at such an early age. The problem is that if you see a surgeon and he/she performs a procedure and then you lose much of the hair behind that transplant you will have an unnatural appearing transplanted hairline in front of your receding hairline. Then you will have to deal with... more
Andrew Kaufman, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

It is best for you to wait to have a hair transplant

A good surgeon will wait until your ULTIMATE pattern of loss is established! If you are showing thinning now, you may have extensive hair loss in the future. Therefore, you want to avoid having hair transplants now.Otherwise you could have the grafts sticking out in the front of your head without enough donor hair to finish the job (Joe Biden). You should also investigate flaps with a surgeon who is very good with that technique.
Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Age of candidate for Hair Transplant

Typically age 21 is too young for hair transplant because you don't know where your hairline will settle. Patients that have a hair transplant too early often regret it later in life. I typically wait until a patient is in their late 20's to do it.
Jack Fisher, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Transplants or flaps in a 21 year old? Consider with caution.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances emotionally or professionally, a commitment to hair restoration surgery that would restore a juvenile hairline has to be considered on a highly individualized basis for someone of your age . The family history is usually very important . Being the first in the USA to perform flaps, starting in 1975, I worked on many young men who had only frontal baldness then. Most progressed to having a thick flap result in front and hard to style baldness behind... more
Sheldon S. Kabaker, MD
Oakland Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Who is a good candidate for hair transplantation?

At age 21, you would be a good candidate for hair transplantation.  You probably will need more grafting in the future because you are likely to lose more hair.
Kenneth L. Stein, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Candidates for hair transplant

Men with hereditary thinning are candidates for hair transplant but the most predictably good outcomes are in men with their hair loss pattern somewhat defined and relatively stable. In very young men (under 25-30) the main danger is that a hair transplant will look unnatural over time if the surrounding hair continues to thin as it very well may. I would consult with an expert on hair loss and consider medical therapy first (Rogaine and/or finasteride) to help slow down your hair loss.... more
Daniel Berg, MD
Seattle Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Who is a Good Candidate for Hair Transplant?

Without seeing you it is going to be difficult to tell what you are a candidate for.  Typically, our younger men and women have had success with our Luce treatments to help control the hair loss and also take those weaker telogen hairs and make them stronger and healthier, which will make your existing hairs thicker in your thinning areas.
Jon E. Mendelsohn, MD
Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hair Transplant Candidate

In general, patients under the age of 24 or so are best not treated with a hair transplant, due to the high risk of considerably greater hair loss. At such a young age, medical treatments like Propecia, laser light therapy, and PRP (platelet rich plasma) are what is recommended. Furthermore, when doing a hair transplant on a patient in his early to mid 20s, the incisionless FUE (follicular unit extraction) technique is usually preferred.
Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best candidate for hair transplant

Male pattern baldness in an otherwise healthy individual is the ideal candidate and the most typical.  However our practice does alot of work on womens hair loss which is quite common. We also do quite a few eyebrow transplants on people who for any number of reasons may have too thin eyebrows. Corrective work for facelift and other scars also gets superb and very rewarding results. Truthfully any healthy individual who has a realistic need for transplanted hair can benefit.... more
Richard Galitz, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best candidate for hair transplantation

The best candidate for hair transplants to treat male pattern baldness is an individual whose ultimate extent of hair loss is established or clearly predictable. From what you describe, I would advise you not to do any surgery at this time. However, see a surgeon who can document and follow the progression of your baldness and possibly prescribe medical treatment such as Propecia.
Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.