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Dr. Karen Owen Written by Matilda H. Updated on 14 Jan 2024
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What is the best age to get a hair transplant?


Dr. Karen Owen

This text was written according to the highest scientific standards and reviewed by medical experts. Find out more about our quality assurance.

Written by Matilda H. Updated on 14 Jan 2024

Hair loss is a common but life-altering condition that can affect anyone regardless of age. Since hair transplants are one of the best treatments for hair loss, many people wonder when they should opt for one. Read on to learn all about the best age to undergo a hair transplant procedure to make an informed choice.

Fast Factssvg

Eligibility 18-65 age range
Preferred age Above 25
Other recommendation Finasteride or Minoxidil
Methods FUE, DHI and FUT

What is the best age to get a hair transplant?

This is one of the most asked questions hair transplant doctors receive from patients. Typically, doctors provide an age range of 18 to 65 during which patients are eligible for a hair transplant. However, the more nuanced answer depends entirely on hair loss patterns.

Average age of patients at first hair transplant

While you may become eligible for a hair transplant when you turn 18, most hair restoration experts do not perform procedures on patients below the age of 25. That is because patients below the age of 25 lack a stabilized hair loss pattern. Since their hair loss pattern is not developed, they may continue to lose hair as they age, rendering the premature hair transplant redundant. 

With those considerations in mind, most doctors recommend oral or topical medication such as Finasteride or Minoxidil to stabilize hair loss patterns for younger patients. Once your hair specialist is confident about your pattern, they can perform hair transplant procedures that age flawlessly.

What are the consequences if I am too young and get a hair transplant?

We have mentioned how hair doctors prefer patients above the age of 25 for hair transplants. This has more to do with the predictability of their hair loss pattern than their age itself. 

Since hair loss is a progressive condition, when younger patients who lack a stabilized balding pattern get a hair transplant, it might not age gracefully. This is because when you are in your 20s, it is harder to determine how your hair will recede as you age. 

Age of people interested in a hair transplant

 

If you continue to lose hair in other areas as you grow older, the results of previous hair transplants will suffer, leaving you patches of hair and an unfinished look. You might even have to receive another hair transplant to salvage the results. So, before you rush into getting a hair transplant at a younger age, it is important to explore other options to avoid the risk of short-term results

Fortunately, a hair transplant is not the only hair loss treatment out there. Your doctor might recommend oral or topical remedies such as Minoxidil and Finasteride to slow down hair loss until you are ready for a transplant procedure.

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Can I be too old to get a hair transplant?

You might be too young to have a hair transplant but what about being too old for one? While it is hard to put a cut-off age limit to it, the possibility of getting hair transplants at advanced ages depends on the severity of hair loss

According to statistics, the most common age range to get a hair transplant is 30 to 39. This is the age bracket where most people have a stabilized male balding pattern and enough healthy hair to act as a donor region. 

Hair transplant is still a viable option for you if you are past your forties, given that your hair loss is not too advanced. Hair transplant procedures such as FUE, DHI and FUT require some healthy hair follicles from the donor region i.e. the back and sides of the head. 

These are extracted in the form of grafts. As you grow older, you might not be able to yield enough grafts to restore your hair density. Unfortunately, acquiring hair grafts from someone else’s body is not a possibility as your body will reject foreign DNA.

Summary

In short, getting a hair transplant at a very young age can be counterproductive and yield unsatisfactory results. Meanwhile, undergoing one at an older age when your hair loss has advanced drastically can also be futile due to the declining number of healthy hair follicles. 

For long-term results, you need to get your hair transplant procedure as soon as your hair loss pattern stabilizes. Consulting a hair transplant specialist at the first signs of hair loss can help you make the right choices in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 24 too early to get a hair transplant?

What is the average age of people getting a hair transplant?

Sources

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