Is a hair transplant the best thing to do for my hair loss? Am I a good candidate for the procedure? Since hair loss is progressive, leading some to experience widespread baldness, hair transplantation might not be the immediate best option for people experiencing hair loss. Even those who are experiencing a reasonable amount of hair loss and are technically feasible to treat don’t always make for suitable patients. The social and psychological aspects of hair transplant surgery – and indeed hair loss itself – should be taken into account.

In this article we will review some of the factors or conditions that make someone an ideal candidate for hair transplantation.

There are a few key variables that any potential hair transplant patient must assess and consider:

• Do I have sufficient donor hair of a reasonable quality?
• Do I have a good understanding of all the processes involved (e.g. my surgeon is involved in every aspect of the procedure and does not delegate to technicians)?
• Does my surgeon understand the current stage of my hair loss (Norwood Scale)?
• What are my reasonable expectations?
• Do I have a healthy psychological profile, and are free from obsessive or body dysmorphic issues?

In certain cases, unsuitable patients may slip under the radar, which can be problematic for both them and the surgeon. At Modena Hair Institute in Orange County, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, we would advise any doctor or clinic to spend as much time as possible analyzing and understanding the potential patient before agreeing to carry out any surgical procedures – it’s not a process that should be rushed by either patient or surgeon.

Patients must also need to have frank, honest conversations with their surgeon so they have realistic expectations about their transplant and its results. It’s also the patient’s responsibility to consider all the facts, the procedure itself, and its outcome, so they can make a comprehensive decision about their surgery.

If all these points are addressed and adhered to, the long-term benefits will be greater for all.

Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.