Question:
My son had a hair transplant at the age of 21. Sadly today, he is as bald as he was before. I remember consulting with a doctor before his operation and his advice was for my son to have his operation when he reaches his 25th birthday when his bald patch is more prominent and his scalp is more mature. Now I regret the operation because it has not helped him at all and made things worse. The scar at the back of his head where they took hair from has developed into a keloid. Please advise me what to do.
Answer:
Though qualified surgeons have made a case for hair transplant surgery as a viable solution for some younger balding men, the majority of young hair loss sufferers aren’t good candidates for surgical hair restoration. Young patients are more susceptible to aggressive future hair loss and due to a finite donor supply, their often unrealistic goals of keeping their natural hair density isn’t possible.
Hair transplant surgery is a procedure where hair is moved from one place to another however, it does nothing to stop balding from continuing. Thus, it’s highly important for young balding men to consider non-surgical hair loss treatments such as Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil) to help stop the progression of male pattern baldness. In some cases, these drugs can even strengthen existing hair and stimulate new hair growth.
Keloid scars can occur for a number of reasons including due to less than optimal closure techniques or a patient’s healing characteristics. Since a qualified surgeon will remove the first scar in a second procedure along with a new strip containing hair follicles, there is a chance that the second scar won't be keloid.
In my opinion, consider non-surgical hair loss solutions that might possibly prevent future hair loss. Start researching hair transplant surgery and learn about the benefits, risks, and limitations of the procedure. All notions that a “full head of hair” can be restored or that a single procedure will solve all hair loss problems need to be eliminated. Begin researching physicians and consult with a few that impress you the most. Physician members of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians have a proven track record of producing excellent ultra refined results. To see our standards for Coalition membership, click here. To begin researching hair replacement doctors, visit our hair restoration forum.
I wish the best and a successful hair restoration for your son.
Bill - Associate Publisher