Understanding Hair
Valued member
While not exhaustive, common conditions that hamper or make a hair transplant a non-viable hair restoration option.
Alopecia Areata
An unpredictable hair loss condition in every way possible. An auto immune condition can occur without previous hair loss, or in tandem with male pattern baldness. Can affect any area of the scalp, regardless of if genetically protected from the MPB gene. The hair loss can reverse, and the patches close randomly without outside stimulation. Alternatively, as a patch closes more patches can open. The longer the patches remain open there is less chance they will ever close. Treatments such as minoxidil are used, although there is no certified treatment for the condition.
If the donor region has alopecia areata patches it will impact the donor quality, as a result unwise to extract anything. Undergoing a hair transplant while alopecia areata is active, or been active now lying dormant for a brief period can increase the risk of a hair transplant failure. The normal trauma undergone having a hair transplant, medication, the extraction, and movement of hair, may induce alopecia areata to continue. This may not be immediate and could be months later. To reduce the risk. Ideally wait until the alopecia areata has not changed for a year or more. Although this would only minimise the risk, nothing can fully remove it.
DUPA
DUPA, or Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia. A diffuse hair loss pattern that affects the entire scalp, the top, back and sides of the head. The hair density over the scalp is low but often relatively uniform around the head, with the scalp visible through the hair coverage. The hair can be healthy calibre but often starting or has already miniaturised. While the diffuse pattern spreads over the scalp, an aspect such as the hairline is not determined by DUPA. For example, a strong hairline can remain intact while thin and the thinning continue back. While the condition can develop naturally, it is often a side effect of having cancer treatment.
A hair transplant is not a viable option when suffering from DUPA. With the diffuse hair loss effecting the entire scalp, the traditional hair transplant donor, sides and back of the head, is no longer a credible resource. Notwithstanding the reduction in hair quality (miniatured) resulting in the hair not surviving the procedure.
Trichotillomania
While this is not systemic disorder, Trichotillomania is classified as a medical condition. Trichotillomania is the plucking or pulling out of your own hair and can occur without consciously realising. This can not only affect the scalp hair but also eyebrows or eyelashes are common. The condition can start in the early teens and often triggered by trauma or anxiety. There are treatments available that involve learning to identify triggers that result in pulling the hair.
While there are no obvious concerns medically for performing a hair transplant. A large issue will be if the person continues to pull out the hair once it has grown. While it has no impact on the quality of the doctor´s work, it is common, doctors will not want to perform a procedure if there is a substantial risk the person will cause further hair loss.
Scarring alopecia
Scarring alopecia, or cicatricial alopecia, causes hair loss due to the formation of scarring over the hair follicles, and can lead to permanent hair loss. The area typically appears smooth and can be shiny, especially compared to the surrounding skin characteristics. The area can also have redness, flaking, or blisters. Scarring alopecia, often caused by inflammation, triggered by factors such as, infections, burns, and autoimmune disorders, for instance, Lichen Planopilaris (LPP). Treatment includes topical or oral medications to reduce inflammation, cortisones and antibiotics or antifungals to address infections.
While a hair transplant is potentially possible, there will be risks and complications. For example, it is essential to ensure the condition is stable and the inflammation has lessened. The scarred areas texture, vascularity, and location of the scar tissue need thorough assessment. Scars with poor blood supply may not support hair follicle growth successfully.
Folliculitis
Scalp folliculitis is a common skin condition where hair follicles on the scalp become inflamed, often due to bacterial or fungal infections. It can appear as small, itchy, red bumps or pustules, and can lead to scarring or hair loss. Scalp folliculitis can occur anywhere on the scalp.
A hair transplant is potentially viable, however, there are important aspects to consider, and the extent of the condition could make it unrealistic to have a hair transplant. One aspect that is central is to have the condition under control and your scalp in a healthy state. If the folliculitis is not healthy it adds to the risk of infection. Poor graft survival is common risk; any inflammation and infection can reduce the graft survival rates, as can severe scarring caused by untreated folliculitis.
Expectations
Expectations can be unrealistic or simply misplaced, regardless of the hair loss pattern. Such as hairline design wanting it too high or too low. A hair transplant is man-made, and the resources are finite. The best results are a combination of the natural hair characteristics and the ability and skill of the doctor and team. While a little cheating nature is possible, there are limitations, as a result, if you cannot be at peace with the boundaries it´s best not to start.
Ensure you conduct comprehensive research, speak with multiple clinics. Have an in-person consultation with the doctor and ask if it´s possible to meet a patient like yourself, that has a grown-out results. For instance, say you experienced keloid scarring, ask if the doctor has treated the condition, including the number of cases, and how successful were the results. Putting trust in a doctor that cannot show proof of previous treatment is a massive risk. There are doctors that focus on repairs and demanding cases. Research helps to narrow down the options, as a result makes the decision-making process clearer.
Alopecia Areata
An unpredictable hair loss condition in every way possible. An auto immune condition can occur without previous hair loss, or in tandem with male pattern baldness. Can affect any area of the scalp, regardless of if genetically protected from the MPB gene. The hair loss can reverse, and the patches close randomly without outside stimulation. Alternatively, as a patch closes more patches can open. The longer the patches remain open there is less chance they will ever close. Treatments such as minoxidil are used, although there is no certified treatment for the condition.
If the donor region has alopecia areata patches it will impact the donor quality, as a result unwise to extract anything. Undergoing a hair transplant while alopecia areata is active, or been active now lying dormant for a brief period can increase the risk of a hair transplant failure. The normal trauma undergone having a hair transplant, medication, the extraction, and movement of hair, may induce alopecia areata to continue. This may not be immediate and could be months later. To reduce the risk. Ideally wait until the alopecia areata has not changed for a year or more. Although this would only minimise the risk, nothing can fully remove it.
DUPA
DUPA, or Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia. A diffuse hair loss pattern that affects the entire scalp, the top, back and sides of the head. The hair density over the scalp is low but often relatively uniform around the head, with the scalp visible through the hair coverage. The hair can be healthy calibre but often starting or has already miniaturised. While the diffuse pattern spreads over the scalp, an aspect such as the hairline is not determined by DUPA. For example, a strong hairline can remain intact while thin and the thinning continue back. While the condition can develop naturally, it is often a side effect of having cancer treatment.
A hair transplant is not a viable option when suffering from DUPA. With the diffuse hair loss effecting the entire scalp, the traditional hair transplant donor, sides and back of the head, is no longer a credible resource. Notwithstanding the reduction in hair quality (miniatured) resulting in the hair not surviving the procedure.
Trichotillomania
While this is not systemic disorder, Trichotillomania is classified as a medical condition. Trichotillomania is the plucking or pulling out of your own hair and can occur without consciously realising. This can not only affect the scalp hair but also eyebrows or eyelashes are common. The condition can start in the early teens and often triggered by trauma or anxiety. There are treatments available that involve learning to identify triggers that result in pulling the hair.
While there are no obvious concerns medically for performing a hair transplant. A large issue will be if the person continues to pull out the hair once it has grown. While it has no impact on the quality of the doctor´s work, it is common, doctors will not want to perform a procedure if there is a substantial risk the person will cause further hair loss.
Scarring alopecia
Scarring alopecia, or cicatricial alopecia, causes hair loss due to the formation of scarring over the hair follicles, and can lead to permanent hair loss. The area typically appears smooth and can be shiny, especially compared to the surrounding skin characteristics. The area can also have redness, flaking, or blisters. Scarring alopecia, often caused by inflammation, triggered by factors such as, infections, burns, and autoimmune disorders, for instance, Lichen Planopilaris (LPP). Treatment includes topical or oral medications to reduce inflammation, cortisones and antibiotics or antifungals to address infections.
While a hair transplant is potentially possible, there will be risks and complications. For example, it is essential to ensure the condition is stable and the inflammation has lessened. The scarred areas texture, vascularity, and location of the scar tissue need thorough assessment. Scars with poor blood supply may not support hair follicle growth successfully.
Folliculitis
Scalp folliculitis is a common skin condition where hair follicles on the scalp become inflamed, often due to bacterial or fungal infections. It can appear as small, itchy, red bumps or pustules, and can lead to scarring or hair loss. Scalp folliculitis can occur anywhere on the scalp.
A hair transplant is potentially viable, however, there are important aspects to consider, and the extent of the condition could make it unrealistic to have a hair transplant. One aspect that is central is to have the condition under control and your scalp in a healthy state. If the folliculitis is not healthy it adds to the risk of infection. Poor graft survival is common risk; any inflammation and infection can reduce the graft survival rates, as can severe scarring caused by untreated folliculitis.
Expectations
Expectations can be unrealistic or simply misplaced, regardless of the hair loss pattern. Such as hairline design wanting it too high or too low. A hair transplant is man-made, and the resources are finite. The best results are a combination of the natural hair characteristics and the ability and skill of the doctor and team. While a little cheating nature is possible, there are limitations, as a result, if you cannot be at peace with the boundaries it´s best not to start.
Ensure you conduct comprehensive research, speak with multiple clinics. Have an in-person consultation with the doctor and ask if it´s possible to meet a patient like yourself, that has a grown-out results. For instance, say you experienced keloid scarring, ask if the doctor has treated the condition, including the number of cases, and how successful were the results. Putting trust in a doctor that cannot show proof of previous treatment is a massive risk. There are doctors that focus on repairs and demanding cases. Research helps to narrow down the options, as a result makes the decision-making process clearer.
