If you or someone you know is experiencing hair loss at any early age, you may be wondering if there’s a minimum age for receiving a transplant. Hair loss is usually associated with older men and women, so the available options for someone younger aren’t always clear.
While there isn’t a specific age requirement for receiving a hair restoration, most hair restoration clinics, including Bosley, generally won’t recommend the procedure if you’re under the age of 21.
Why Does Age Matter for a Hair Transplant?
Your hair loss pattern will continue to mature as you age. So the younger you are, the less predictable your hair loss condition is. If you have a procedure at an early age and continue to lose hair as you get older, you’ll likely need to have another procedure down the line to address any additional baldness.
In general, there are several reasons you shouldn’t undergo hair restoration surgery too early:
- The extent and rate of your hair loss may change.
- A restoration of your hairline to its original position will look unnatural as you age.
- A hair transplant won’t restore your original density; a hair transplant can only redistribute existing hair.
Hair Transplant Under 21
In cases where hair loss is permanent and not progressive, such as scars and congenital areas of alopecia, the procedure can be performed on someone under the age of 21.
Setting Expectations
If you are considering getting a hair transplant at an early age, it’s important to have realistic expectations of the results. Listen to Bosley physician Dr. Deutsch explain why it’s important to design a hairline that will match what your hair loss expectation is going to be as you grow older.
Are You a Candidate?
Since hair loss can vary widely, we can’t tell you if you’re a good candidate for a hair transplant without a diagnosis of your hair loss condition. If you’re concerned that your age will affect your ability to have a hair transplant, schedule a consultation with a Bosley counselor for a free analysis and discussion about your options.
