Do hair transplants last a lifetime?

This all depends on the individual’s hair loss pattern and donor management. The donor area, even though the grafts extracted from this region are in most cases genetically resistant to male pattern baldness and supposedly permanent, they may be vulnerable to the aging process and DHT. Hence with time, the transplanted hair follicles may become miniaturised or even die. Therefore, there are no guarantees that a hair transplant with last a lifetime. Careful planning by a hair restoration physician and the patient will help avoid any potential future mishaps.

One way to help prevent future hair loss and hold onto those transplanted grafts is the use of hair loss medications such as Finasteride and Minoxidil.

Finasteride:

Finasteride (commonly known as Propecia) blocks the formation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Minoxidil (which you might recognize by its patented name, Rogaine) is available over-the-counter. By dropping it onto your crown twice daily, it increases blood flow to the hair follicles, thus strengthening and thickening them.

Donor Graft Area

Grafts are typically extracted from the safer donor region which is located on the back and sides of the head.

Hair Loss Pattern

If the hair loss pattern progresses into the donor area, any grafts that were taken from this area will die off if no preventative measures are in place.

Lateral Humps dropping

If a persons hair loss pattern continues, the lateral humps or sides may drop down, exposing baron scalp with an island of transplanted hair on top.

Hair Transplant Planning

It is important to think ahead when considering hair restoration surgery. With careful planning it may be possible to make a hair transplant last a lifetime.

With the uncertainty of hair loss patterns, it is advisable to research all the possible risks involved being choosing hair restoration surgery.