Who is a good candidate for hair transplantation?

A good hair transplant candidate has a stable supply of donor hair AND stabilized hair loss. A great candidate for hair transplantation has these characteristics and is over age 40. Why? The older transplant candidate has a mature hair loss pattern that is unlikely to proceed significantly past a Norwood level 5+ (significant and complete balding of the frontal AND crown region).

Natural hair density in the donor region is largely driven by genetics. Hair loss stabilization, however, can be greatly influenced by individual patient efforts (ie using minoxidil and finasteride, etc). If you are a young man (under 25) with signs of significant hair loss, I recommend starting a regimen of medical therapy FIRST for at least 6 months, to include all available nonsurgical methods, Rx and low level laser.

A transplant will take 6-9 months before growth happens. In that time, if your hair loss recedes beyond the transplanted transition areas, you will have a bald ring that appears very unnatural, especially on a young man. Also consider the hair loss patterns of your close relatives. Your individual genetics will push your appearance in their direction. Therefore, you are very likely to require more than a single procedure throughout your life if you are significantly balding before age 25. Donor supply is limited and should be conserved so that you maintain a mature, natural hairline for a lifetime.