Because approximately 80 million people in North America suffer from sudden or progressive hair loss, there are a variety of surgical and non-surgical hair restoration procedures on the market. Many people think that anyone experiencing hair thinning is automatically a good candidate for a hair transplant. However, certain factors mean that your FUE hair transplant cost might not be worth the money because it would give disappointing results. The only way you can be sure of the right treatment is to consult a hair renewal expert. They are trained to assess your hair loss with a close analysis of your scalp and existing hair as well as critical questions about your situation. Once you’ve seen a specialist in person, you can determine the best course of action for you.

Here are some general guidelines to get an idea of whether you’ll be a good candidate for FUE:

Your Gender:
It’s easier for hair transplant surgeons to treat localized hair loss, most commonly experienced by men with androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness). With bald patches in specific areas, the remaining hair at the back and sides often stays thick and full because it’s naturally resistant to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone responsible for causing male pattern baldness. These dense donor areas can supply thousands of hair follicle grafts for transfer without showing obvious depletion. This allows for redistribution, which appears to increase the number of follicles. For women, who typically have thinning hair throughout their scalp, it can be challenging to figure out where to harvest grafts from in a way that won’t result in visible spaces. The process is more time-consuming, requiring advanced knowledge and strategy.

Your Age:
Someone who has just started to lose hair is not usually the best candidate for a surgical restoration, as hair loss often continues for many years. People in their 20s and early 30s aren’t typically certain of the pattern and eventual progression of their balding. The danger of placing grafts too early is that they can be incorrectly distributed and not match up with hair loss patterns as you age. For instance, creating a low, youthful hairline early on can leave you with more space appearing at the crown later and not enough viable follicles to fill it in.

A mature hairline isn’t as low or thick as a 20-year-old’s hairline, so waiting to create a subtle, age-appropriate restoration will provide longer-lasting satisfaction. The general rule is that men should seek a transplant after losing hair for more than 5 years.

Scalp Laxity:
The tightness of your skin is also a factor. Hair can more easily be removed if your scalp is loose as opposed to tight. People who’ve already had an FUT hair transplant (strip harvesting) will have less scalp laxity, though FUE can fill in their scars. You’ll need an assessment to determine the state of your scalp.

Density:
This refers to how many hairs you have per unit of the scalp area. In a hair transplant, follicles are typically taken from the back or sides of your head. If you have a higher hair density in that area, you’ll have more hair available for a transplant. If you have thin hair, there may not be enough follicles to harvest. It’s essential that you be realistic to be ultimately satisfied with your results. You can expect a denser, fuller look. However, for many people, thin, evenly distributed strands will be their best-case scenario. The trick is to create the appearance of more hair, but returning to the locks of your teens or 20s won’t be possible.

Hair Type and Colour:
Patients with thick, coarse hair often get the best results, because the texture and shape cover more scalp and give the appearance of thickness. Hair transplants are also more successful if you have a similar skin colour to your hair, as this disguises thin areas while hair is growing.

Trauma and Burns:
If an injury or burn caused your hair loss, you could be an excellent candidate. However, your FUE hair transplant cost will be a better investment if the hair fallout has completely ceased and your scalp is fully healed.

If you’re considered to be a good candidate for an FUE transplant, your financial investment will be calculated based on the number of grafts that you need. If your surgeon decides that FUE may not be for you, they will recommend alternative options, which will affect the price.