Have thinning all over my scalp, suitable candidate for a hair transplant? (photos)

Question

I have thinning all over my scalp and was wondering if im a suitable candidate for a hair transplant.

Christine M. Shaver, MD · Answer

If you have thinning throughout your scalp then you are classified as DUPA (Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia). DUPA should not receive hair transplant and would benefit most from medication (finasteride, minoxidil). If your donor hair is thinning then it means your transplant would thin too. You need to have stable/non-thinning donor hair to be a successful hair transplant candidate.

Emrah Cinik, MD · Answer

Looking at the photos, there is thinning rather than general hair loss; however, this affects both the donor and recipient areas, so you are not a suitable candidate for a hair transplant though your hair does require treatment.

I recommend starting a combination of treatments such as:

finasteride
minoxidil
dermaroller
exosomes
PRP.

I recommend starting a combination of treatments such as:

finasteride
minoxidil
dermaroller
exosomes
PRP.

Marco Barusco, MD · Answer

Looking at your pictures, it looks like you may have what is known as DUPA (Diffuse, Unpatterned Alopecia). Patients with DUPA have thinning on the entire scalp, including the donor area, which is the area of hairs that is supposed to not suffer from thinning and that is used for hair transplantation. To diagnose this, a detailed exam of your scalp is required, by a doctor with experience in hair loss. DUPA can mimmic regular hair loss, but patients with DUPA are usually not good candidates for hair transplantation. Treatment can improve hair density and prevent further thinning. Let me know if I can help by seeing you for a consultation, but it would have to be in person. Good luck!

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hair transplant procedures can be highly effective for individuals experiencing hair loss. However, suitability largely depends on the cause and pattern of your hair loss, as well as the availability of a good quality donor area.Hair transplants are typically most successful in treating pattern baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia), which is characterized by bald spots or thinning in specific areas. If your hair thinning is diffuse, meaning it's occurring all over your scalp, it might be due to other conditions like thyroid issues, nutritional deficiencies, or stress, which might not be best addressed by a hair transplant. Hair transplants work by relocating hair follicles from a 'donor area' (usually the back or sides of the scalp where hair growth is still robust) to the thinning or balding areas. If your hair is thinning all over, it might be challenging to find a suitable donor area.

Kulakarn Amonpattana, MD · Answer

Dear quazy,
Hello I'm Dr. Wipawan Vathananai, a co-worker of Dr. Kulakarn Amonpattana, from BHI Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand. Regarding your concerns, hair transplantation in patients with thinning hair could be a bit trickier and more complicated comparing to patient with good donor density. According to your photos, I would like to ask if you've been taking any medications like finasteride, dutasteride, or minoxidil.
Best regards,Wipawan Vathananai MD

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Generally hair transplant are not for hair loss such as yours, it is usually for hair loss in specifics areas. I suggest seeing your Primary Care Physician first and get some bloodwork done and eliminate other causes. Best of luck to you.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Be sure to see a doctor to rule out reversible causes of diffuse loss and causes other than androgenetic alopecia. Generally speaking, an individual with diffuse thinning would not be a candidate for hair transplantation. This is reviewed on a case by cases basis so be sure to see an expert and review. A good scalp examination is mandatory.

Have thinning all over my scalp, suitable candidate for a hair transplant? (photos)

Answers (7)

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