Am I a good candidate for a hair transplant? (Photo)

Question

27 year old male whos been dealing with hair loss/thinning since 18. On 2.5mg finasteride daily since I was 22. Main issue is the thinning I have on the top of my head and I'm debating on if I want to go to turkey for a hair transplant but want insight to see if it's even necessary right now and if I'm a good candidate? And if so, how many grafts would be needed? attached images of my hair freshly shampooed and some with oily hair & in the light. Let me know, thank you!

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your detailed question and photos.

Based on your history of hair loss beginning at 18 and the fact that you've been consistently taking 2.5 mg of finasteride daily since 22, it sounds like you've done a great job stabilizing the progression. From your photos, you appear to have diffuse thinning, particularly in the mid-scalp and vertex (crown) areas, while your hairline appears relatively intact.

You could be a good candidate for a hair transplant, especially since your hair loss has stabilized with medication. However, a few key considerations:

Age and progression: At 27, you’re nearing the age where patterns of hair loss become more predictable, which is favorable for transplant planning.

Donor density: While I can’t fully evaluate your donor area from the images provided, the success of a transplant depends heavily on the density and quality of donor hair from the back and sides of the scalp.

Graft estimate: For the amount of thinning you display, you may need 1,500 to 2,500 grafts, depending on desired density and the area you wish to cover. A professional transplant surgeon would use precise tools to map this more accurately.

That said, if you're unsure about surgery or want to delay it, you might consider:

Adding topical minoxidil if you're not already using it

Microneedling or PRP therapy for additional stimulation

Revisiting your finasteride dose with a prescribing provider — 2.5 mg is on the higher side and could potentially be optimized

In summary, yes — you appear to be a reasonable candidate, but timing, expectations, and a solid plan to preserve existing hair are crucial.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry! Based on your photos, you're a great candidate for Neograft which is a hair transplant procedure. We would love to sit down with you in person and discuss your concerns and all your options. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to assist you in reaching your goals!

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. At 27, it's understandable to feel concerned about your hair thinning, especially since you've been on finasteride for several years. Before considering a hair transplant in Turkey, it might be beneficial to explore non-surgical options like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or exosome injections. These treatments can stimulate hair growth by enhancing blood flow and promoting cell regeneration in the scalp. Many individuals see positive results with these methods, which can help you assess your situation further. If you respond well, you may find that a transplant isn't necessary right now, or you could use these treatments in conjunction with a future procedure for optimal results. I love these treatments and see amazing results with my patients. I highly recommend. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Taner Karahan, MD · Answer

First of all everyone who thinks about HT must know about the main limitation in hair transplatation.Lifetime donor capasity is 'generally' between 6-8 thousand scalp FU grafts (LIFETIME!).Hair loss is progressive and you have a early onset of baldness,means it would not be a surprising if your baldness will get worse in future.It is very necessary to to have a long term plan for you too while trying to cover your current bald areas ..you must have donor reserve for rainy days in future.With your case (as far as I can see in the photos) 3500-3750 FU grefts would make a big improvement at the top if the implantations are done carefully with good delivery (in between existing hairs by using microscobe).I hope it helps..

Am I a good candidate for a hair transplant? (Photo)

Answers (4)

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