Determining Candidacy for a Hair Transplant

A hair transplant procedure involves the relocating of hair from one area of the head to a balding or thinning area of the head. Contrary to what some people believe, a hair transplant doesn't involve growing any new hair; it simply means relocating hairs that are already on one's head.

Unfortunately, not everybody is a viable candidate for a hair transplant Palo Alto or any other area. There are some specific criteria a doctor must look for when determining whether or not a person would make a viable candidate for such a procedure.

The Person's Age

The potential patient's age must be taken into consideration when it comes to determining candidacy. That's because, the older the patient is, the more noticeable the transplant pattern generally appears to be. Of course, age alone is not usually enough to disqualify a person from getting a hair transplant, but it's still something that must be taken into consideration along with other factors.

Baldness Pattern

The type of baldness the person is currently suffering from must also be taken into consideration during an initial assessment, as some patterns of baldness are easier to work with than others. Furthermore, the person's likelihood of further balding in the future must also be considered, as future balding will need to be planned for.

In some cases, when future balding is expected, it may be necessary for the patient to schedule follow-up procedures in order to keep the hair looking natural. However, this will need to be discussed with a doctor.

Hair Quality and Quantity

The prospective patient's hair quality and quantity is also important in determining whether a person is a viable candidate for a hair transplant or not. Generally, those with thicker hair have more successful transplants than those with fine, brittle hair. Furthermore, those who have more hair also have more to work with during the transplant procedure, which is why having the transplant done as soon as balding starts to become a problem is so important. The texture of the hair can also come into play.

Certainly, doctors must take many different factors into consideration when determining whether a hair transplant is right for them. In many cases, it is, but it's still important to meet with a doctor to find out for sure. From there, a well informed decision can be made.