Is A Hair Transplant Permanent?
By Sara Wasserbauer | Published on August 16, 2010 | 0 Comments
Undergoing a hair transplant can be a significant prospect emotionally, logistically, and financially, so it’s natural for patients who make the decision to undergo this hair restoration procedure to want reassurance that it offers a permanent solution. As an experienced Diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery who has helped numerous patients in the San Francisco Bay area, Dr. Sara Wasserbauer has come across the following question on more than one occasion: Are hair transplants permanent solutions?
The answer, says Dr. Wasserbauer, depends on the needed treatment, and also on what folks define as “permanent.” According to Dr. Wasserbauer, hair that is taken from the back of the head (otherwise known as the donor area in transplant speak) is, in most cases, genetically designed to never fall out. Hairs in this region of the head may eventually grow thinner over time, but their nature is such that they are, for the most part, permanent. The hair that sits atop the head, by contrast, is far more prone to androgenetic alopecia – the medical equivalent of male or female pattern baldness.
Lasting a Natural Lifespan
When Dr. Wasserbauer talks about the longevity of hair transplant results, she prefers to explain that for the most part, the procedure will last “a natural lifespan” – particularly in the case of men. Since men do not typically experience widespread hair loss all over their heads, but rather, just in certain areas, the average male hair transplant should last a natural lifespan.
Women, by contrast, aren’t quite as lucky, as female pattern hair loss works differently than male pattern hair loss. Whereas male pattern baldness tends to follow a relatively uniform course, women can experience extensive hair loss all over the head, which can impact the donor area significantly. Without an ample supply of hair from the donor area, a woman’s chances of undergoing a successful hair transplant are limited. Furthermore, the progression of female pattern hair loss can often times upset the results of a transplant, thereby lending to the notion that not all procedures are actually permanent.
Dr. Wasserbauer tends to liken the phenomenon to a leaking bucket filled with hair. The larger, thicker hairs won’t escape through the leak, but many of the smaller, thinner hairs are likely to slip through the cracks. The same tends to hold true for hair transplant patients. They may experience thinning hair following their procedures, but those core patches of donor hair will generally stay firmly in place.
Containing that leak
Controlling hair loss is very much like repairing the above-mentioned leaky bucket. According to Dr. Wasserbauer, medications such as Rogaine and Propecia can certainly help stem the leak by stopping hair loss in its tracks, but as time goes by, some hair transplant patients may require follow-up treatment to account for ongoing native hair loss atop the head. In these cases, it’s important to understand that it’s not that the initial hair transplants didn’t work or last – it’s that the progression of hair loss eventually took its toll. The good news, however, is that an experienced hair restoration surgeon like Dr. Wasserbauer can always come to the rescue by way of a follow-up procedure.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.