When and When not to go for Hair transplantation surgery

When not to go for hair transplantation (HT)?

If somebody is suffering from recent onset rapid hair loss, then hair transplantation is not a solution for his/her problem. Such patients should consult a dermatologist for medical therapy which may include medicines (both oral and topical formulations), platelet rich plasma, mesotherapy etc. However, once baldness has set in, then hair transplantation can provide permanent, natural, growing hair to cover the bald scalp.

Women should be thoroughly investigated for reversible causes for hair loss like iron deficiency, thyroid abnormalities, polycystic ovarian disorders, drug induced hair loss etc.

Patients with unrealistic high expectations of a full head should also refrain from HT. The surgery can produce a modest improvement in the grade of baldness, it does not give miraculous results in single sitting.

Patients having progressive alopecia areata, and progressive cicatricial alopecia (due to discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen plano pilaris, morphea) should also refrain from HT.

When to go for hair transplantation (HT)?

In the following clinical situations, HT should definitely be offered as a treatment modality by the health care physicians.

1. Male pattern baldness (MPB): All patients with male pattern baldness of Norwood-Hamilton grade ranging from I to VII, can undergo hair transplant after proper counseling about the methodology and expected results.
2.  Female pattern baldness (FPB): After ruling out medical causes and dermatological      disorders, women having advanced stages of FPB, can undergo hair transplant.          Ref: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20487684(Jiménez-Acosta F, Ponce I. Follicular unit hair transplantation: current technique. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2010 May; 101(4):291-306.       Stable scarring alopecia due to burns, injury, skin disease
3.  Stable vitiligo (on hair bearing areas)     
4. Scar camouflage (for face)