What if you’re not ready for Surgical Hair Restoration? 

Hair transplantation may not be the appropriate first step for younger men losing their hair.
A delayed approach to hair transplantation for a young male, even when the young man is
distressed by his hair loss and has expressed a desire for immediate hair transplantation may
be the right approach. Alternatives to hair transplantation can provide cosmetic improvement
until hair transplantation is likely to result in a satisfactory, long-term cosmetic outcome.

A man who begins to lose hair in his teen-age years or very early twenties finds himself
developing a "middle-age look", twenty years too early. The change in his appearance can
be a cause of great concern and even emotional distress. The "look" that a young man
presents to friends, colleagues, business contacts and potential sexual partners can make or
break his success in the social and business worlds-or he may believe this to be the case,
with negative effect on his self-esteem.

Issues that affect the decision for early hair transplantation:

Family history of male pattern hair loss-A young man whose close male relatives have advanced
male-pattern baldness is at high risk for experiencing moderate to severe hair loss as he ages.
Undertaking hair transplantation immediately may have the negative effects of depleting the
supply of donor hair [the hair at the back of the head that is used for transplantation grafts]
before the young man's hair loss has completed its course, and placing transplanted hair
inappropriately if the transplanted grafts end up being "islands" in the middle of balding scalp.

Patient's pattern of hair loss-Hair loss that begins at an early age is not predictive of how
much hair will eventually be lost, or the eventual pattern of hair loss. Recession of hair in
the temporal area (on the forehead, above the temples and eyebrows) may proceed no
further, extend over time to include more of the forehead, extend over time to include
the forehead and vertex or crown of the head, or extend over time to the maximum
degree of male-pattern baldness. Hair transplantation started too early may eventually
negate the long-term cosmetic benefit of hair transplantation.

What can you do if you're not ready for hair transplantation?

A young man concerned about his early hair loss will usually be offered alternative options for
cosmetic improvement, if he is urged to accept a delay in hair transplantation. The hair
restoration specialist will advise the young man regarding the best options for retaining
cosmetic appearance while awaiting hair transplantation.