Is Age More Important than Donor Density in Hair Transplant Patients?

Hello Dr. Rassman and staff,

Doc thank you for your time, you speak your true feelings and I appreciate it. Ok, I started losing my hair around 19, which wasn’t very fun. Within a few months, I did start taking Propecia. I’m 21 years old right now, Propecia has been working for me but the damage was done early enough. I would say I’m a Class 3 on the Norwood Scale and would someday hope to change that. Personally I would love to have all of my hair back right now but it doesn’t look like that will happen too soon, but I’ll live. The hair loss process actually hasn’t been all bad; it actually has been a good humbling experience for me, although, in the end I plan on winning the battle.

I’m not really looking for a hair transplant in the near future, from what I have read on your website almost every 21 year old isn’t a good candidate. Although, is age always so relevant? I would think the biggest factor would be the donor density. Lets say you have two men who both have the same amount of hair loss (Norwood 4), one in his early twenties and the other in his mid thirties to forties. Wouldn’t a healthy 22 to 24 year old with a high density be a much better candidate than a person who is 35, 40 with an average density?? What’s your opinion on this, also where would someone go and get their hair density tested, would a dermatologist typical offer some type of test?

Donor density and where you are on the balding process are two different variables. Maturity of the balding pattern is also important for that 21 year old you referenced. There are no absolute rules with regard to having a hair transplant, but a bond between doctor and patient is critical in understand the meaning of all of the variables (age, donor density, hair characteristics, donor laxity, etc…) including the maturity and financial stability of the patient considering a hair transplant.