At What Stage of Hair Loss Do I Need a Hair Transplant?
탈모 단계에서 모발 이식이 필요한 시점은 언제일까?
 

For many people, hair loss is a self-confidence-dampening concern.

While it happens as part of the natural aging process, it can be accelerated by a variety of causes, including genetics, lifestyle, stress, and other factors.

There are many ways to treat hair loss, but hair transplantation is the most effective way to reverse hair loss that has already occurred.

But at what point is it appropriate to consider hair transplantation?

 

 

1. Hair loss stages are used to determine whether you need a hair transplant

The point at which a hair transplant is necessary varies from person to person, but it’s usually based on the Norwood-Hamilton stages of hair loss.

The stages are divided into seven levels of male pattern baldness, and the following criteria can be used as a guide.

 

•  Stages 1 and 2 :

This is the initial stage, when the M-shaped baldness starts very subtly and can be seen as a general hairline change.

At this stage, you should consider medication (minoxidil, finasteride, etc.) or lifestyle changes rather than hair transplants.

• Stage 3 :

M-shaped baldness or thinning hair at the crown of the head.

At this stage, you can consider a hair transplant, but it should be done carefully as medication can also slow down the progression.

• Stages 4 and 5 :

The bangs or crown are getting wider and wider, and the chances of the two areas being connected are increasing.

If you have enough healthy follicles to transplant, it's time to consider a hair transplant.
 

• Stages 6 and 7 :

The hair loss is quite advanced and the crown and bangs are connected.

In this case, you'll need to make sure you have enough follicles to harvest from the occipital region (back of the head) before proceeding with a hair transplant, and it may be difficult to increase the density.

 

In other words, if your hair loss has progressed beyond stage 3 or 4, you should strongly consider a hair transplant.

However, if you are still in stage 2, you may be able to undergo a hair transplant earlier if you are under a lot of psychological pressure or have a congenitally wide forehead.

 

 

2. When medication can help vs. when a hair transplant is needed
 

There are two main ways to treat hair loss: medication (finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil, etc.) and hair transplantation.

•  When medication is effective :

If your hair loss is in the early stages (stage 1 or 2) and you still have hair, medication can slow the progression of hair loss.
 

 

•  When hair transplantation is necessary :

If the hair follicles have already been completely destroyed and no longer produce hair, medication alone will not work.

In this case, a hair transplant will be necessary to plant new hair follicles.

 

In particular, if you have an excessively wide forehead and need a hairline correction, or if you have severe hair loss in the crown area, a hair transplant may be a viable solution.

 

 

3. What to look for when considering hair transplantation

Before you decide to have a hair transplant, you should consider the following factors

• Occipital (back of the head) hair follicle condition :

Hair transplantation involves taking hair follicles from the occipital region and transplanting them to the balding area, so you need to have enough hair in the occipital region.

If the density of the occipital area is too low, there may not be enough follicles to transplant.

• The rate of hair loss :

If you are still losing hair, it is possible that the surrounding hair will continue to fall out even after the transplant.

Therefore, you will need to continue your hair loss treatment after the surgery. 
 

• The experience and skill of the surgeon :

Hair transplantation is not just a matter of planting hair, but a delicate operation that takes into account the natural density and orientation.

It’s important to have an experienced surgeon perform the procedure to ensure a satisfactory result.

 

 

4. Conclusion

When you need a hair transplant depends on your level of hair loss, psychological burden, and the condition of your occipital hair.

In general, it is recommended to actively consider hair transplantation for hair loss in stages 3 or 4, and even in stage 2, if the stress is severe, it can be done early.

However, if your hair loss is still progressing, it's important to make a careful decision in combination with medication.

It’s best to consult with a specialist to find out exactly how fast your hair loss is progressing and what your current condition is, so that you can choose the best treatment for you.
 

 

 

Writer: Dr. Ko

· Graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles· Regular Member, the Korean Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (KSHRS)· Regular Member, Korean Association For Laser, Dermatology And Trichology (KALDAT)

· Consultant, Portal Site NAVER-Hidoc Medical Consultation· Former Director of Motion clinic

· Director of New hair institue, Seoul.