Is it safe to have a hair transplant at age 19? I am from India. If yes, how many grafts would be suggestable? (Photos)

Question

I'm of 19 and I've been experiencing hair loss from the past 4-5 years. I've been using finasteride solution from the past 3 years along with tablets too. I've also used Mintop solutions too. Now its high time and I've totally fed up. I am planning to have hair transplant this summer vacation as I find it right time as I am a student.The given pics show how bald I am.Considering my family members, my dad is bald(I think he started to loose hair in his early 30's) and he is 50 now. Thank you.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you are considering a cosmetic surgery it would be in your interest to see a doctor for an examination to make sure you would be a candidate for surgery.

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear Varun G,
Thank you for posting this question. This is a very important issue in the field of hair restoration surgery.  The problem with transplanting a young person, such as a 19 year old man, is that we don't have a good idea of how much hair loss is going to occur over the next several decades.  As the saying in our field goes, "the good thing about hair transplant results is that they are permanent....the bad thing about hair transplant results is that they are permanent."  If, despite efforts to slow the hair loss, you progress to a Class 6 or 7 within the next 10-20 years, the original work done will still be along your hairline.  As this is not a pattern of hair loss typically found in nature, it is an unusual appearance that can be socially crippling later in life.  Therefore, approaching a frontal hairline reconstruction in a younger person should always be approached with caution and prudence.  
Fortunately, recent advances in technology have expanded the ways and effectiveness of preventing hair loss.  Finasteride (eg: Propecia) has been around since about 1998 for hair loss.  More recently, the science of low-level laser therapy (eg: LLLT) has advanced such that a majority of those who use a high-quality LLLT device can expect the progression of their hair loss to dramatically slow down or appear to stop altogether.  In younger people, especially those under 25, there is a decent chance that some of the miniaturized follicles will become thicker and return to terminal (eg: thick, non-thinning hair).  Other therapies that have shown promise include platelet rich plasma (eg: PRP), and placental stem cell therapies are also being studied as ways to control the progression of hair loss.
Personally, I require men under 24 to undergo at least 8 months of preventive therapy to see if the progression of the hair loss can be controlled with LLLT or PRP. I hope this information is helpful to you.Kind Regards,Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

Most probably you have a androgenetic type hair
loss.I advice you to have a FUE operation with 2500 grafts. Hair transplantation would cover all bald spot in one session of operation and you would have a good, successfull result

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

A male who is 19 should not have a hair transplant or a hairline advancement surgery because if you do and develop balding behind the corrected hairline, you will not look normal. If you get a hairline advancement surgery you will see a scar. If you have a hair transplant before your balding pattern become evident, then you will be chasing hair transplants for the next decade. You should wait until your potential balding pattern becomes evident, which is 25 years of age. Build a Master Plan for your hair loss with a good doctor.

Is it safe to have a hair transplant at age 19? I am from India. If yes, how many grafts would be suggestable? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: 19 years old with hair los

Answer: 19 years old with hair los

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is it safe to have a hair transplant at age 19? I am from India. If yes, how many grafts would be suggestable? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: 19 years old with hair los

Answer: 19 years old with hair los

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Transplant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.