FUE hair replacement can be carried out at any age. However, a conservative approach is advised by My Hair Clinic when advising young patients. Some of the reasons are:
• The hair loss may progress further.
• Hair restoration at a young age could be the beginning of a lifelong journey of surgeries if the hair loss progresses.
• Young patients may desire a too low hairline when going for a hair transplant, which may appear unnatural later in life or leave an un-natural result in the long term
• Unrealistic expectations.
WHAT CAN YOUNG PATIENTS DO ABOUT HAIR LOSS?
My Hair Clinic recommends using Finasteride 1 mg (or ¼ of a 5 mg Proscar tablet which is cheaper) and/or Minoxidil 5%. Approximately 50% of patients may benefit from these medications. While some patients may see early results, it can at times take 8-10 months for the medication to show its effects. If no effect is observed the medicine should be discontinued. Both kind of medical treatments may have side effects.
The possible side effects of taking Finasteride 1 mg can be impotence, decreased libido and testicular pain . However, they are temporary side effects and usually occur during the first few months but subside with continued use. Finasteride may also prevent shock loss in young patients. For this reason, the medicine is strongly recommended for patients less than 35 years of age, if they plan to undergo a hair transplant, whether Follicular Unit Extraction or FUT. Preferably, Finasteride should be started minimum 1 month ahead of the surgery.
Finasteride 1mg is also sold as Propecia.
IF WAITING IS NOT AN OPTION
In medicine, there are no hard and fast rules. An individual assessment is required. We may accept the patient for an operation after an individual assessment of age, hair loss and desired end-results. A conservative approach is advised, including a small transplantation, higher hairline and lower density. This is to ensure that the donor-area is preserved, as long as possible, to account for future hair loss. This may not give a dramatic cosmetic change in a single procedure, but it can potentially prevent a very bald look at a young age.