I'm a Man and Am Losing My Hair Am I a Good Candidate for a Hair Transplant, What factors make me a good hair transplant candidate, Type and extent of hair loss

Are you one of the 85% of men struggling with hair loss? More than 80 million Americans are dealing with losing their hair, and many turn to hair transplants as a way to restore their locks. But is this type of treatment right for you?

At Honest Hair Restoration, in Tampa and Bradenton, Florida, board-certified physician Martin Maag, MD, and our compassionate care team know just how much losing your hair affects your life. That’s why we’re committed to offering only the best in hair restoration services. 

When it comes to hair transplants, Dr. Maag uses the follicular unit excision (FUE) method, which involves transplanting your own hair follicles to areas with thinning hair. This method offers significant advantages over other types of hair transplants, including less scarring, faster recovery, and better results.  

Though most men with thinning hair are candidates for FUE hair transplantation, it isn’t the right hair restoration solution for everyone. Keep reading to learn if a hair transplant could be the best option for you. 

What factors make me a good hair transplant candidate?

The only way to know for certain whether you’re a good candidate for an FUE hair transplant is to receive an honest evaluation from a medical hair loss expert, like Dr. Maag. However, there are some common factors that most hair transplant candidates share. Here’s a closer look:  

Type and extent of hair loss

One of the biggest factors in hair transplant candidacy is the type and extent of hair loss you have. Generally speaking, FUE hair transplants are best for men who have male pattern baldness with enough remaining healthy hair follicles for harvesting. The area receiving hair must also be healthy enough to help the transplanted follicle grow. 

Men who are completely bald or do not have enough healthy hair at the back and sides of their heads generally don’t qualify for a hair transplant. If this describes you, Dr. Maag can recommend other options that stimulate your hair follicles. 

The right expectations

It’s important you understand that hair transplants don’t offer immediate results, and the outcome may not give you the head of hair from your youth. A hair transplant will give you natural-looking results and more hair in thinning areas than you had before the procedure.

Most of the time, you can expect to see results about six to nine months after your hair transplant surgery, but this varies depending on different factors, such as your age and the extent of your hair loss. 

Dr. Maag and the team review your expected results with you during your consultation. To get the best results, Dr. Maag may recommend medications to help you keep your natural-looking results for many years to come.    

Health and lifestyle considerations

To be a candidate for a hair transplant, you also need to be in overall good health. Dr. Maag reviews your health history and may order additional lab work to check for underlying conditions. 

If you aren’t healthy enough to have a medical procedure or if your immune system is compromised, you may need to wait until your health conditions are treated and fully resolved before undergoing hair surgery. 

In addition, it’s important to consider how your lifestyle choices can affect the long-term outcome of your hair transplant. For optimal results, Dr. Maag recommends patients avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and abstain from using tobacco products. 

Eating a nutrient-rich, balanced diet, exercising, and managing stress with healthy coping mechanisms also improve your long-term results. In other words, what’s good for your overall health is also good for your skin and hair.   

An expert’s recommendation

Again, the best way to learn if you’re a good candidate for a hair transplant is to set up a consultation with Dr. Maag at Honest Hair Restoration. In addition to discussing your goals and reviewing your medical history, Dr. Maag inspects your scalp and current hair condition to create a customized set of hair restoration recommendations.

What if a hair transplant isn’t right for me?

As a doctor and not a salesman, Dr. Maag evaluates your candidacy with your best interests in mind. If a hair transplant is not the best option, Dr. Maag may recommend other hair restoration treatments that better suit your needs, including:

• Exosomal hair restoration
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Custom-blended prescription-strength medications
• Low-level laser treatments

Regardless of the type of hair restoration you choose, Dr. Maag and our team support you every step of the way, helping give you a fuller head of hair, so you look and feel your best.  

Ready to learn whether a hair transplant or other hair restoration treatment is right for you? Contact the Honest Hair Restoration nearest office in the Tampa Bay area to set up a consultation, or book an appointment online now.