The Best Candidates for a Hair Transplant

The best candidates for hair transplant are those who have realistic expectations and don't expect to look as they did 20 years ago or look like someone else. In addition, a hair transplant candidate has to have a good supply of donor hair in order for a surgeon to be successful. Ultimately, the cause and rate of hair loss influence whether a hair transplant will be successful.

Realistic Expectations

• Your surgeon can help determine if you have realistic expectations.

  You should have a thorough consultation with your surgeon so you both agree on what expectations are realistic. The best candidate is someone who wants to enhance his appearance and confidence for his own sake and is not trying to impress someone else, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS). Naturally, the condition of your hair and scalp will determine how successful the transplant will be, and your surgeon can help you understand how he might best improve your appearance even if he cannot give you back a full head of hair. Accordingly, your desire and motivation are key components in how successful surgery will be, according to the University of Pennsylvania Health System. You may need to undergo multiple treatments several months apart, with each lasting three to four hours. In addition, you should understand that hair loss often continues throughout your lifetime, so additional procedures may be necessary in the future, the ISHRS says.

Causes of Hair Loss

• Tight hairstyles, such as braids, can cause permanent hair loss or scarring.

  The causes of your hair loss also play a role in determining how successful your transplant will be, the ISHRS says. Although male or female pattern hair loss is the most common, other conditions can influence whether you are a good candidate for transplant surgery. For instance, if your hair loss is due to alopecia areata (a condition that causes loss of patches of hair), medication and not surgery is recommended. If you suffer from trichotillomania (hair loss due to compulsive plucking), you are not a good candidate for hair restoration. In addition, the degree and pattern of your hair loss dictate which procedure is best for you, as does the relative looseness of your scalp. A tight scalp can make alopecia-reduction surgery, a procedure in which bald scalp is removed and hair-bearing scalp is stretched over the excised area, very difficult.

Adequate Donor Hair

• The best candidate for hair transplant surgery should have enough donor hair on the back and sides of his head, which grows throughout life, according to ISHRS. The amount and condition of this hair is referred to as donor dominance. Also, the color, texture and amount of curl in the donor hair will affect the outcome of the surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Consequently, if you have little donor hair or are losing it then hair transplant surgery isn't a good choice for you.