Is the donor hair that comes from the safe donor area or zone actually permanent or will it thin out over time as you age?

Question

Christine M. Shaver, MD · Answer

Hair taken from the donor zone is considered to be permanent and should resist the changes related to androgenetic alopecia (genetic patterned baldness), i.e. not be lost. That said, through the natural aging process, overall hair diameters may decrease over time making the donor area appear thinner.

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

Yes, the donor hair from the SDA (safe donor area) is permanent. These hair follicles do not miniaturize in response to DHT exposure, unlike the rest of the scalp. The basic reason for this has to do with the sensitivity of androgen protein receptors found on the follicles.
The permanent nature of the grafts from the safe donor area is the reason why these hair follicles are used in hair transplant surgery, as they will not thin or fall out due to age. 
If you are interested, I’ve provided more information about the safe donor area in the article below. At my practice, the Dr.U Hair and Skin Clinics in Los Angeles, we have observed the safe donor area to be dynamic and variable across different individuals, not a fixed region. 
By shaving the scalp, it is clear where the zone of permanent, stable hair follicles reside versus areas that are progressively being affected by miniaturization.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Do hair transplants and flap hair thin with advanced aging. Yes! At age 70-80 there is some thinning.  Having done both hair transplants and flaps for almost 50 years and followed by patients with both I can tell you that most if not all have some thinning in advanced age. Cary Grant had thinning of his hair with less density at age 70 that he did at age 40 though he had the same hairline.  There is less thinning with flaps if a properly done because there is far greater density that can be achieved with hair transplants and no texture change.

Sait Gokhan Bircan, MD. · Answer

Hello, 
Under good care and supervision they are permanent. That's why that area is used for the extraction of the grafts.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  Yes hair in the donor area or zone is usually permanent. If anything is could thin out but that would be much later in life. Best wishes.Dr. T

Gaurang Krishna, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hair taken from the permanent zone or present at the permanent zone ( Donor Area) stays lifelong and are not affected by balding process or male pattern baldness however they are not immune to aging process so when you age even these hair becomes thinner and weak. The overall diameter of hair reduces so appearance wise it looks lesser or thinner.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The donor hair in the donor zone is permanent and last a life time. We usually tell our clients that as long as you have the hair in the donor area, you will also have the transplanted hair.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

The hair in the donor area usually lasts your lifetime; however, you can expect to see reductions in hair caliber as you are and in extreme situation the donor area does undergo senile alopecia in elderly people.

Is the donor hair that comes from the safe donor area or zone actually permanent or will it thin out over time as you age?

Answers (8)

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Answers (8)

More Hair Transplant Questions

I'm turning 23 soon and depressed about hair loss. What stage of baldness am I in and what can I do about it? (Photos)

I think I have a failed transplant, should I go for another hair transplant? (Photos)

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