Hair thinning is quite common, but the appropriate treatment varies depending on its cause. Hair transplant may be a good solution for those individuals who have experienced irreversible hair thinning; however, it is certainly not the first solution for all cases.

It is vital to determine what has caused your hair thinning, whether it is getting worse, and which medical or surgical treatments would suit you best before taking any decisions about hair transplantation. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a correct diagnosis should be made before effective treatment could be started.

Understanding the cause of hair loss
There can be various causes of hair loss. Certain cases are reversible if the underlying cause is known and treated, while other cases can become chronic or progressive.

Some common causes are:
• Androgenetic alopecia: Also known as male-pattern or female-pattern baldness. It may result in a receding hairline, thinning of hair at the crown, widening of the part line, or general thinning.
• Stress-related hair loss: Major physical or psychological stress, illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, or even a high fever can cause shedding of hair temporarily in some patients.
• Nutritional problems: Lack of certain nutrients like iron may also contribute to hair loss in some people.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, thyroid problems, hormone imbalance, auto-immune conditions, and skin conditions of the scalp can cause hair loss.
• Medicines: Some medicines can be a contributing factor towards hair loss.
• Hair and scalp damage: Certain hairstyles that put strain on the scalp or repeated chemical or heat exposure can also result in hair damage.

Hair transplant should never be considered as an alternative to diagnosis. Hair loss that is abrupt, patchy, itchy or scaly should especially be evaluated medically before seeking any kind of cosmetic procedure.

What is a hair transplant?
Hair transplant surgery involves relocating healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp to another where there is thinning or baldness. Donor sites are generally less affected by pattern hair loss.

Two methods are widely practiced:
• FUE: Single follicular units are harvested from the donor site and transplanted into the thinning site. There are usually small, dot-like scars at the donor site.
• FUT: A strip of skin from the donor site is removed, and follicular units are harvested from it and implanted. A linear scar could result.
It is worth noting that the NHS highlights that both techniques are performed in hair transplants and that it is essential for a well-qualified and experienced surgeon to recommend which procedure would be suitable for an individual.
What the aim should not be to transplant as many grafts as possible. A well-thought-out technique considers face dimensions, donor-hair availability, hair characteristics, predicted pattern of hair loss, age, and realistic expectations of density.

When should you consider a hair transplant?
Hair transplant surgery can be considered in case of permanent hair loss, healthy donor area, and failure of the conservative approach to reach the patient's objectives.

A professional consultation is recommended in case:
• You are suffering from male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss.
• Your hair loss condition is stable or you have made a detailed assessment of its future progression.
• You have sufficient amount of healthy donor hair on your head or its sides.
• You do not suffer from an active infection, inflammation, or scalp disease.
• You realize the essence of a transplant procedure and know that it involves redistribution of hair but does not produce new hair follicles.
• You have realistic expectations regarding possible outcomes.
• You will follow recommendations after the surgery and will visit all follow-up visits.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, two main criteria of hair transplant candidacy are sufficient amount of healthy hair that can be transplanted and ability to grow hair in the affected area.

When a transplant may not be the right choice
Hair transplant surgery might require delay, rethinking, or abstaining from performing in particular cases. Hair transplant surgery should not be performed if the reason for the hair loss is unknown, if there is high instability of hair loss, or the donor hair amount is insufficient for the natural look of the transplanted hair.

About Dr Kiran Chotaliya
Dr Kiran Chotaliya provides hair-transplant consultations in Pune for people experiencing hair loss. During consultation, he assesses the individual’s hair-loss pattern, scalp condition, donor-hair availability, and treatment goals to help determine whether a hair transplant may be suitable. Learn more about Hair Transplant