For those struggling with significant hair loss, a hair transplant can seem like an ideal solution. Hair transplants involve removing healthy hair follicles from the back and sides of your scalp and transplanting them to areas of thinning. The transplanted hair then continues growing naturally in the new location.
However, while hair transplants have high success rates and can produce very natural-looking results, they don’t work for everyone. Certain medical conditions or health factors may make someone an unsuitable candidate for a hair transplant procedure.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The major types of hair transplant techniques
- Medical conditions and other factors that can prevent hair transplant candidacy
- Risks associated with getting a hair transplant when ineligible
- Questions to ask your surgeon to assess your eligibility
- Alternative hair loss treatments for those who can’t get a transplant
Understanding the key reasons a person may not be a good candidate can help avoid complications and ensure the best outcome.
Overview of Hair Transplant Techniques
There are two major techniques used for hair transplantation:
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
- A strip of hair follicles is surgically removed from the back of the scalp.
- Individual follicles or small groups are then extracted for transplanting.
- Leaves a linear scar where the strip was removed.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
- Hair grafts are extracted directly from the scalp one at a time using a small punch tool.
- Less invasive, no major scarring, but more time consuming than FUT.
In experienced hands, both methods can successfully restore hair. The technique chosen depends on factors like hair type, availability of a donor area, and scarring preferences.
Let’s look at the key reasons someone may not be eligible for either transplant method.
Medical Conditions That Can Prevent Candidacy for Hair Transplants
Though a relatively simple procedure, a hair transplant does represent surgery. As such, certain medical conditions involve risks that may make a transplant inadvisable.
Cardiovascular Disease
Those with heart conditions are at increased risk when undergoing anesthesia. The stress of surgery also raises heart rate and blood pressure.
Diabetes
Difficulty healing and increased infections are more likely in those with uncontrolled diabetes.
Autoimmune Diseases
Diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis that involve the immune system attacking the body can interfere with healing.
Skin Conditions
Diseases that affect the scalp skin like psoriasis or eczema may prevent successful transplantation and healing of hair grafts.
Blood Disorders
Disorders like hemophilia that impact clotting and increase bleeding risks can create complications when undergoing transplant surgery.
Cancer
A history of skin cancers like melanoma requires precautions when undergoing skin procedures. Those currently on chemotherapy may not heal well.
Psychological Conditions
Mental health conditions like body dysmorphic disorder, depression, or unrealistic expectations require evaluation to determine if a transplant is advisable.
Other Factors That Can Disqualify Candidacy for a Hair Transplant
In addition to specific medical conditions, other factors may also indicate a person is not a good candidate for a hair transplant procedure:
Age Under 25
Hair loss patterns are often still developing in early 20s, so surgeons usually recommend waiting until at least 25.
Unrealistic Expectations
Individuals seeking an unrealistic level of density, hairline shape, or coverage not achievable for their situation may need counseling rather than a transplant.
Lack of Donor Hair
Those with very minimal hair in donor areas have insufficient follicles to transplant.
Multiple Previous Transplants
After several transplants, donor areas become depleted. Each transplant can yield diminishing returns.
Scarring Conditions
Those prone to keloid or hypertrophic scarring may not heal well from the transplantation procedure.
Ongoing Hair Loss Conditions
Some types of hair loss like female pattern baldness may progress despite transplants, requiring multiple future procedures.
Smoking or Drug Use
Tobacco and illicit drugs can prevent proper healing. Patients may be advised to quit prior to surgery.
Blood-borne Diseases
Diseases transmitted via blood like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C require special precautions and may prevent surgery.
What Are the Risks of Getting a Hair Transplant When Ineligible?
Undergoing a hair transplant when your health profile or medical history makes you an unsuitable candidate does come with some dangers:
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Poor Growth of Grafts: Preexisting conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders can prevent transplanted follicles from taking hold and growing normally.
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Infections: Medical issues that compromise the immune system or healing ability raise the risk of infections developing in the scalp after surgery. Infections can permanently damage hair follicles.
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Excessive Bleeding: Clotting disorders and other conditions can lead to bleeding beyond what is expected during a normal transplant procedure. This may require additional interventions to get under control.
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Abnormal Healing: Conditions like keloid scarring may cause transplanted grafts to heal over with thick, raised scars rather than normal hair growth.
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Need for Additional Procedures: Transplants may fail or only provide partial results for those with conditions causing poor healing or growth. This often necessitates additional correction procedures.
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Psychological Distress: Patients with unrealistic expectations or body dysmorphic disorders often remain unsatisfied with transplant results that a normal person would be perfectly happy with. This can lead to regret and negative emotions.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon About Your Candidacy
Don’t assume you are automatically eligible for a hair transplant. Instead, ask your surgeon the following questions:
- Does my current health profile or medical history raise any red flags regarding my eligibility?
- Could any of my medications like blood thinners or steroids impact my transplant outcome?
- Are you aware of any conditions I have that could interfere with healing or graft survival?
- Do you foresee needing to take any special surgical precautions given my health background?
- Could my ongoing pattern of hair loss limit the success of a transplant long-term?
- Do you recommend any additional testing like bloodwork before determining my candidacy?
- Am I currently at an optimal age to get the best results from a transplant procedure?
- Do you recommend any lifestyle changes like quitting smoking before transplantation?
Complete honesty about your full medical history is essential when consulting with a surgeon. This allows them to make the most informed determination about your candidacy.
Non-Surgical Alternatives if You’re Not a Candidate for Hair Transplants
The good news is that even if transplant surgery is not a possibility for you, other options exist to treat hair loss:
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Medications: Minoxidil, finasteride, spironolactone, and other prescription medications can help slow hair loss progression.
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Low Level Laser Therapy: Devices like the FDA-cleared iRestore laser helmet use red light to stimulate growth.
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Micropigmentation: Tiny deposits of pigment implanted into the scalp can create the look of a buzzed haircut.
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Scalp Microneedling: Microneedling tools can be used to stimulating collagen production and improve absorption of hair loss treatments.
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Hairpieces & Toupees: High-quality wigs, hair systems, and toupees provide immediate aesthetic results while covering thinning areas.
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Changing Hair Styles: Styling choices like bangs, layers, and volume-boosting products can help cover problem areas.
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Embracing It: For some, accepting hair loss and opting to shave their head provides confidence and liberates them from constant efforts to hide thinning.
The Bottom Line
While the majority of people suffering from hair loss are great candidates for transplants, some health factors and medical conditions can limit eligibility. Understanding the reasons someone may not be suitable for a transplant procedure allows you to consider alternatives and avoid complications.
Ask your doctor plenty of questions and be fully transparent about your health history. This gives them the information they need to make an accurate determination about your candidacy. But even if not eligible for transplantation, effective options still exist to treat hair loss.