9 Hair Transplant Myths and the Truth About the Procedure

Hair loss impacts millions of people, around 85% of men and 33% of women will experience hair loss at some point [1]. Despite the fact that millions experience hair loss and effective treatment options are available, many myths about hair transplant procedures persist. Hair transplant myths can add stress to those experiencing hair loss, resulting in unnecessary fear. They can cause individuals to delay or avoid seeking treatment that may be beneficial.

Allow us to debunk some of the most common hair transplant myths and replace them with the facts. The truth is that help is available, and if you have hair loss, you have more treatment options and reasons for optimism than ever before.

1. Only Young People Should Pursue Treatment

Sadly, many believe that hair transplant procedures are only for the young. In truth, age is not a limiting factor for a successful hair transplant procedure. Individuals ages 25-70 are generally good candidates for hair transplant procedures. If you are under the age of 21, it is typically wise to postpone treatment. Hair loss patterns vary greatly and cannot be challenging to predict. These unknowns can impact procedure success.

2. Treatment is Only for Men

While hair loss is more common among men, it can impact anyone. And, any person with hair loss can benefit from a hair transplant procedure. Regardless of where your hair is thinning, those with male or female pattern baldness are equally good candidates for successful hair transplant treatment.

3. You Must be Wealthy to Afford Treatment

A persistent myth surrounding hair transplant procedures is that the price makes them unaffordable for everyday people. In fact, Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair restoration are some of the more popular and least expensive hair transplant approaches and they offer excellent results. Additionally, since hair transplant is nearly permanent, paying just one time for a treatment is more cost-effective than paying over and over for repeated temporary treatments.

4. Treatment is Painful

Fears about pain result from myths plaguing hair transplant procedures. A hair transplant procedure should not involve significant pain. You will be awake while the procedure is performed with local anesthesia to curb any discomfort. After the procedure, over-the-counter medications are typically capable of controlling any residual pain. Any pain or discomfort should resolve in two to three days. The incisions made to retrieve donor hair for the FUE method of hair transplant are so small (0.7-0.8 mm) that they can be expected to heal extremely quickly. Don’t let fear of pain hold you back from pursuing a hair transplant procedure.

5. Treatment Utilizes Body Hair or Donor Hair

This myth has little basis in truth. You will never receive a hair transplant of someone else’s hair as this could lead to rejection. Similarly, the use of body hair on the scalp is not recommended and performed only in very rare cases. Rather, already existing roots in areas of the head that retain hair are used for transplant procedures. Using hair from the head of the client results in more natural and effective treatment; it will be your hair, just better.

6. Treatment Offers Instant Results

We all wish hair transplants to thicken hair could offer instant results; however, the hair growth cycle makes that impossible. Just as your normal hair takes time to grow, so will transplant hair. In as early as five months, transplanted roots will begin to grow hair. The new hair will continue to grow, thickening for about a year and a half before stabilizing. While you won’t see a full head of new hair immediately after transplant, you can look forward to over a year of consistent hair growth.

7. Treatment Offers Temporary Results

While hair transplant results are not immediate, they are long-lasting. Hair transplants differ from most other cosmetic procedures in that they are nearly permanent, a benefit to the client who needs only go through and pay for the procedure once. When treatment is complete, patients can move forward with increased hair growth and confidence, not additional treatments.

8. Treatment Results in an Unnatural Appearance

The idea that transplanted hair will look unnatural is outdated and untrue. The goal of a hair transplant procedure is natural-looking hair and thanks to advances this is achievable. Our surgeons are meticulous in adjusting the angles of hair grafts and determining follicular placement to ensure natural-looking hair that can be styled any way a client desires.

9. Post-Treatment Growth Medications are Required

Transplanted hair is permanent natural hair; it will not require any special medications, shampoos, or attention post-treatment. The only reason you would take hair growth medication after a transplant is if you took them prior to the transplant with successful results. In this case, you’ll continue to take the medication not for the benefit of the newly transplanted hair but for continued growth of the hair that remains pre-treatment. Your hair care routine should become easier and simpler, not more complicated, post-treatment.

The Truth About Hair Transplant Procedures

The truth is that hair transplant procedures are better than ever before. They can help men, women, older, and younger people. They can help most of those suffering from the stigma of hair loss to envision a more confident future. Is this you? We’d love to share even more truth about hair transplant with you and help you determine the best procedure to suit your unique needs.

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Many people experience hair loss, and effective treatment options exist, but myths about hair transplants persist. These misconceptions can increase stress and fear for those affected. This infographic debunks common hair transplant myths and presents the facts.