Will Microscope Always Show Miniaturizaton In Areas Which Will Go Bald?

You talk about masterplans… it seems to me that the only way a surgeon can transplant a hairline without it looking terrible in future is if a surgeon checks and finds that the area behind the transplant is never likely to go bald..

My question is whether when looking at someones hair… (e.g. a person in their early 30’s), under a microscope, would areas which are destined to eventually go bald always show up as miniaturised or is it possible that they will look completely normal but later in life still go bald?

I am just trying to understand how I hairline transplants can work long term, particularly for corner hairline recession.

Your questions is well founded on the principals of long term planning or a “Master Plan” when considering a hair transplant surgery.  We do everything in our means to determine possible future hair loss and look for “patterns”.  This includes a microscopic study of hairs (miniaturization study) as well as bulk measurements (measuring the quantity of hairs at different locations on the scalp).  We also take into account family history as well as a personal hair loss history, patients age, and medication use (Propecia/Rogaine).  Along with the experience of a doctor, we can give you a general assessment of possible “worst case” scenario or hair loss pattern to plan a possible surgery.  Sometimes you cannot see the miniaturization readily.  This does not mean that area may never go bald.  Doctors cannot predict the future, but we do our best with the information given.