Hair loss, such as male pattern baldness, is a natural part of the aging process. However, unlike gradually going gray – which can make older people look more dignified – balding can adversely affect your self-esteem and cause you to miss out on various opportunities in your professional and personal life. If you’re hoping to reverse thinning hair and ditch the wigs, hats, and other accessories you’ve been using to hide the extent of your hair loss, hair transplant surgery could be your ideal solution. Here’s how you can tell if you’re ready to take the next step in permanently reversing hair loss with advanced surgical techniques.
1. You Are Willing to Be Patient
While hair restoration can provide exceptional results, it doesn’t happen overnight. It helps to have realistic expectations for what happens after hair transplant surgery, including the fact that the newly transplanted hair does not immediately pick up the hair growth cycle. However, your reward for seeing the complete hair transplant timeline through to its conclusion will be a full, healthy head of hair that you can style any way you like.
2. You Have Sufficient Donor Hair
Cutting-edge hair transplant surgery techniques involve removing small bundles of hair follicles from a donor area and transferring them to the thinning or bald spot. In most male pattern baldness patients, these donor sites are usually on the back or the sides of your head, so you’ll need to have enough hair in these areas to provide coverage for the rest of your head. Unlike the approaches used in the past, modern hair restoration methods are minimally invasive and do not leave patients with noticeable scarring. When performing hair transplant surgery, your surgeon will carefully place each transferred hair follicle so that it will grow in a natural-looking pattern and direction.
3. You Are in Good Overall Health
Though hair restoration surgery is a safe, low-risk procedure when performed by a qualified, experienced physician, you should still be honest with your doctor about your health history, including any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you regularly take. Some medical conditions might interfere with your healing process, and hair loss is a known side effect of several specific medications. To ensure the best results, be upfront with your hair surgeon about any previous surgeries or existing health issues before committing to surgery.
4. You’ve Done Your Homework
Before undergoing any surgical procedure, it’s worth your time to do the research and become a more informed patient. Some questions to ask during your consultation with a hair loss specialist include:
- Am I a good candidate for this surgery?
- What should I expect during recovery?
- Should I take off work while I’m healing?
- What procedure do you recommend for me?
- After surgery, how should I care for myself to ensure my ideal outcome?
5. You Are Ready to Improve Your Quality of Life
Some people hesitate to get cosmetic procedures because they worry about what other people might think. However, don’t let anyone else hold you back from a decision if you feel it’s the right choice for you. Getting a hair transplant could provide the spark you need to pursue your dreams and achieve your full potential.
Explore Your Hair Transplant Surgery Options in San Francisco
If you have become preoccupied with your thinning hair or hair loss has affected your relationships and self-confidence, our experienced team of board-certified dermatologists is here to help. At Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco, we always take time to give each patient a thorough consultation so you feel comfortable with all your options before committing to a decision. Reach out to us today to learn more about hair restoration surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area.
