Am I Too Young for a Hair Transplant?
For most people, the teen years are the awkward ones - when
our looks are just starting to grow in and fit the rest of our bodies and our
hormonal changes make for things like acne to deal with. The teen years are
also pretty intense emotionally as children progress into adulthood and start
to realize the definitions of ‘normal’ set forth by society. This can turn into
an especially delicate topic when there are weights, acne, hair loss, or other
issues that don’t fit into the definition of the norm present.
The argument has been made that teens will grow out of this
‘awkward phase’ and into their true self over the next few years. This has left
numerous discussions around going to extremes to correct issues such as
cosmetic surgeries at that age. Many people sit on either side of the fence in
the debate.
When it comes to hair loss and a family history of baldness
though, is opting for this surgery early on a bad thing, or a good thing to
stop it in its tracks? That was the point made in a recent article
from The New York Post. The piece detailed how many teens today are opting
for pretty pricey hair transplant procedure so they can enjoy a full head of
hair. Sums totaling 17K were stated to have been paid.
Many of these teens admittedly had the bill footed by their
wealthy parents, but according to doctors interviewed for the article, the
number of young teen boys coming to their offices for hair transplants has
almost doubled in the last year.
While the article does touch on the topic of young men
having low self esteem and wanting to look better in societies eyes, it didn't
provide more information on whether or not this is healthy to have done at this
age.
The best advice, as always is to talk to a professional and
have a consultation with a doctor to understand the underlying cause of your
specific hair loss issues before deciding which treatment method is best for
you.
Hairfear - 06-12-2015
Frequently asked questions about hair transplant procedures
How much does a hair transplant cost?
Hair transplants can vary in price based off of the area in the world that you are interested in getting a hair transplant as well as the size of the area where you may need a hair transplant. Experienced doctors in the United States will often charge some of the highest prices for a hair transplant worldwide and this is why so many travelers make the move to other parts the world like Turkey, India, Thailand, Mexico...etc for their hair transplants.
Will a hair transplant hurt?
Although hair transplants may look like a particularly
unpleasant or painful experience is actually very little discomfort involved
with the surgery itself. Hair transplants are always done under an anesthetic so there's absolutely zero pain during the treatment itself. Many people actually relate the process as being very similar to going to the dentist for filling or root canal. Mild pain can persist over the course of postop treatment but he generally just resumes for a few days.
Who can deliver the best surgery?
It's usually best to consider working with surgeons who have and IAHRS certification or international alliance of hair restoration surgeons recognition. IAHRS can often deliver recommendations for the best surgeons in each particular area.
Is this scarring noticeable?
Any type of hair transplant will require the use of incisions throughout the scalp. There can also sometimes be a small scar from the donor area towards the back of the scalp. Asking to look at photos of the surgeon's previous work will help you to see roughly how bad the scarring could be. In most cases an experienced professional can limit the look of scarring and noticeable marks from the surgery.
How long does it take for the hair to grow?
In most cases hair growth will start within eight months and you can start to see a full effect from the hair transplant after a full year. The initial signs of growth can usually start between 3 to 4 months after the surgery.
Are the results permanent?
The hair follicles that are transplanted are generally the ones which are genetically resistant against the symptoms of baldness. As long as you receive hair loss treatment later in your life after the symptoms of balding have started to subside, you can have a better chance at permanent results.
While everyone know you've had surgery?
If you want to limit the chance that people may find out about your surgery it's important to give at least three weeks of healing as the surgical area will be affected and red just after surgery. After around a month of healing it can look far less noticeable. You could consider wearing a hat while time passes or opting for some extra time off if possible.
How long should I rest after surgery?
It's recommended to rest for at least a few days after surgery so that your body can recover. Trenton to over exert yourself and limit sexual activity, running in the gym for around 10 days after surgery.
Is it possible to lose more hair as a result of surgery?
There is always a chance of shock loss which happens when the hair is weak and miniaturizing after the surgery. As long as the surgeon is choosing the correct hair follicles and performing the surgery well it's possible to minimize the chance of this happening however.
Will I need another hair transplant?
The need for another transplant really depends on the individual. With a solid foundation surgery and working to potentially bolster results with drug therapy, you can improve the stability of the hair that was transplanted as well as prevent further loss. Getting a hair transplant early
on in your 20s or early on in life could lead to needing long-term transplants as hair loss can be progressive.
