HAIR TRANSPLANT FORUM

Is it safe to transplant hair into thinning areas, or do you risk damaging existing hair in these regions?

If the existing hair is relatively dense and/or in good condition, most surgeons would prefer that you first try medical therapy for 6 to 12 months, to see if you can slow your hair loss or even restore some hair. If you and your doctor decide to proceed with a transplant, your doctor must be careful not to place too many grafts in this delicate region as this could lead to increased shock loss. Make sure your surgeon speaks honestly with you about the risk of shock loss and the possibility of limited re-growth if you choose to go this route.

If your hair is already very thin or unhealthy in this area, most surgeons would feel comfortable performing a transplant and implanting grafts into this region. Even if the existing hair is lost, the net benefit of having it replaced with permanent hair will be worth it.

Don’t forget that everyone has only a limited supply of donor hair on their scalp. You do not want to jump into a large procedure, particularly if you are not sure how your hair loss will progress in the future. A good doctor will discourage you from rushing into anything and will help you create a long-term plan for combating your hair loss.