Does hair transplantation work after chemo?

Question

I lost my hair do to chemo and when it came back it is really thin. Most of my hair is on the top and it is thinner underneath. I have extensions now but the top of my hair is thinnimg too. Would hair transplantation work to restore my loss?

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

You can have a hair transplant surgery after chemo but it depends on your donor hair.  Keep in mind hair transplant surgery cannot make a thin hair look more full overall as the surgery is basically rearranging the hairs that you already have.

Adam Hamawy, MD · Answer

It is not unusual for hair to initially grow back thin after chemotherapy so it is best to give your hair at least a year to recover.   After that it will depend on the quality of the donor hair you are planning to transfer.  If the hair is still thin, scalp stimulation with corticosteroids and PRP treatments can improve the quality of donor hair as well as treatment with Minoxidil.    I would delay the transfer until after the donor site has been optimized as much as possible.

Keith Durante, MD, FACS · Answer

As a rule of thumb I usually wait a minimum of 9 to 12 months following remission.However at this time if the hair is growing in patchy or very thin then I augment the situation with vitamins, PRP injections and low laser light therapy to help improve the quality of the hair prior to a transplant and sometimes this may even replace the need for a hair transplant.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

hi pahairI'd encourage you to see a hair transplant physician. The answer to your question is - maybe.Individuals who have thin hair all over are not usually good candidates. The hair in a hair transplant must come from the same person and usually comes from the back of the scalp.  If that density is not high enough or the thickness and quality of that hair is not ideal, a transplant is not possible. Also the front area (called the recipient area) needs to be thin enough. Please see a hair transplant surgeon for guidance.  Although we don't yet know if surgery is an option, treatments like minoxidil and low level laser have helped many patients of mine with permanent chemotherapy induced alopecia (PCIA). Hopefully this information provides a bit of help for you.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

If you are in remission, then It depends on the degree of your hairloss, the donor hair available, the quality of your hair and so on.  I it's best to seek an opinion of a hair transplant specialist  and do a consult for advise.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

For thinning hair, hair transplants generally are difficult for achieving a full look. Alternatively, you can consider Scalp Micropigmentation which works very well and is not a surgical procedure, see web reference below for an example.

Does hair transplantation work after chemo?

Answers (6)

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