Doctors Pushing Transplants to Norwood Class 2 Patient

Dear Dr. Rassman,

I’m a 22 year old male. I’ve been thinning since the age of 17, to my knowledge (probably a little prior) and have maintained my hair, somewhat, it’s thinner as time goes by but i have used lexington’s lasercomb for 9 months and have not lost any more hair and my crown actually got thicker,
but the front has stayed the same (no complaints). I would classify myself as a NW2, but no bald spots, just much thinning in a NW5 pattern, you can clearly see the pattern if you look for it, but i am wanting to get an HT to give myself a natural look. I visited a clinic here and they say with 1500 to 2000 i would be okay, and i agree but only if i do not continue to thin.

I am just concerned that, although i am maintaining quite well right now, would under going a procedure induce loss? I would think without treatment, yes? But how many individuals are on a treatment and halted their loss, but still have shock loss? Ideally, I would like to get this done, and maintain the results, but my concern is that I’ll lose my natural standing hairs and the HT will look horrible and pluggy and i’ll need to play “catch up”. What do you think? I realize I’m young, but if it wasn’t for being able to control my loss, i’d not consider an HT, as that would be ridiculous if you can’t maintain your hair prior at this point.

Thanks for your time.

If you are a Norwood Class 2, then I find it a poor practice for a doctor to recommend transplants in someone at your age. You are correct to be concerned about hair loss and the things that might go wrong. Starting too early is just asking for trouble.

Shock loss following a hair transplant occurs more often in patients under 30 years old, more so if they are not on Propecia (probably 80% risk). You may not have a noticeable improvement from doing a hair transplant at your age and may only see the down side without seeing any short term benefits. Better to wait until you can determine your true pattern of hair loss.

With what you are telling me, I might think that the doctor is thinking more about his/her car payment rather than your hair and what is best for you. Once you start this process, you are committed for life on a hair transplant timeline without a Master Plan. I am not saying that your doctor is unethical, but I’ve heard about these types of situations before. Please read more about doctor ethics in past blog entries:

• Doctor Availability
• Marketing and Ethics
• The Truth About Cheap Hair Transplants