If you’ve been watching your hairline recede or seeing more skin than hair covering your crown area, you may be wondering if it’s time to consider a hair transplant. Intellectually, you know that once a significant amount of hair loss begins, it doesn’t stop on its own. This is especially true of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common form of hair loss in both men and women. In men, this condition is also known as male pattern baldness. But human nature being what it is, some men may be inclined to wait and see if—as well as how quickly—it progresses before taking the first step in exploring their hair restoration options.

To answer this question at the outset, there is no single “right” time that applies across the board. However, there is an optimum range for each individual, depending upon your stage of hair loss, overall health, age, personal goals and other circumstances. Within these considerations, there are ways to help you determine when a hair transplant is advisable.

Factors to Consider When Deciding It’s Time for a Hair Transplant

Your age — To set the baseline, male pattern baldness affects up to two thirds of men in the United States by age 35, and can begin as early as age 18. Almost 85% of men experience thinning hair and a more extensive degree of loss by the time they reach age 50.

Dr. Marco Barusco—Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Tempus Hair Restoration—advises against hair transplant surgery for those under the age of 25. The reason is because a hair transplant relies on using donor hair from the back of the head. If performed too early, the donor hair may be distributed too heavily in one area, leaving too little to be transplanted later, when needed on another area of the scalp as hair loss progresses.

Moreover, the male hairline continues to change up to approximately age 29. Younger men may believe their hairline is receding, when in fact it’s evolving into what is known as a mature hairline. This occurs when the hairline moves back about a half inch to one inch from where it used to be. A mature hairline forms the “M” shape that distinguishes the male hairline from the female oval hairline shape. Waiting for the hairline and hair loss to stabilize allows a hair restoration surgeon to better predict future hair loss and plan the transplant accordingly, ensuring a natural and long-lasting result. 

According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), there are two main reasons young men should wait before undergoing a hair transplant procedure.

1. Family history of male pattern hair loss—if you rush into hair restoration surgery, you may prematurely use up the hair follicles that are typically used for transplantation. It may be smarter to wait until your hair loss more fully develops before seeking hair restoration. This is not to say that one should go bald before a transplant is done; what ideally should be accomplished is stabilization of one’s hair loss before initiating a surgical procedure—especially at a young age. Patients who hastily seek out hair restoration surgery may find that the transplanted grafts end up being “islands” in the middle of a balding scalp.
2. Your hair loss may not get worse. Hair loss that begins at an early age is not always predictive of how much hair will eventually be lost, or the eventual pattern of hair loss.  Sometimes, hair loss on the forehead, above the temples and eyebrows may not advance any further. Seeking hair restoration surgery at this juncture might be premature.

Being able to recognize the difference between developing a mature hairline and early-stage male pattern balding may be difficult. Signs to look for include excessive hair shedding, extra hairline recession at the temples and short hairs beyond your hairline.

Although transplantation surgery isn’t advisable for young men, there are proven non-surgical treatments available to prevent/slow further loss and promote growth. Finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) are the two most popular. Caution: Propecia is not for use by women and children.

On the other end of the scale, men over age 50 can be appropriate candidates for a hair transplant if they have enough donor hair available and are in good health.

Your health — While we’re on the subject, being in good overall health is key to achieving the best outcome—or even being able to be considered for a hair transplant by an ethical surgeon. Those with type 2 diabetes need to have their condition under control, and get clearance from their primary medical care provider for the procedure. Tell your hair restoration surgeon during your consultation about any health conditions, as well as prescription medications that you take. A conscientious surgeon will ask about your medical history—as well as many other areas —during the consultation. Our blog post—“The Importance of Consultation Before Hair Restoration Treatment”—covers this crucial, yet often overlooked, topic in detail.

The impact that hair loss is having on your self-confidence and quality of life — Assuming you’re within the typical age range of 30 to 45 years old, the time to consider a hair transplant is when your hair loss is having a negative impact on your self-image and quality of life. While you may have been more tolerant of hair loss during its earlier stages, seeing a balding man in the mirror every day may be more disheartening now.

Our blog has cited numerous scientific studies and surveys concluding that society treats balding and bald men harshly in a wide range of areas—from their worth in the job market to the dating scene. Men with significant hair loss are perceived by others as older than their actual age, less successful, less vigorous and less virile. With the notable exception of some buff, bald action movie stars, balding men tend to be relegated to society’s sidelines. If you feel that you’re becoming more invisible as your scalp becomes more visible, unfortunately, it isn’t your imagination.

How you feel about yourself affects your health. Our blog post—“What You Need to Know About Male Hair Loss and Health”—covers how low self-esteem is strongly linked to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. You have the right to live a happy, fulfilling life. If hair loss is diminishing your quality of life, it’s time to take action to pursue an appearance that makes you feel better about yourself and your place in the world.

Choose Your Surgeon Wisely for Your Hair Restoration Journey

If you are concerned about hair loss, any time is the right time to schedule a consultation for a diagnosis and treatment options. You have important issues that need to be addressed, and the sooner you have definitive answers and a path to treatment, the better the opportunity for a positive outcome.

Ultimately, choose your surgeon based on experience, results and integrity. Dr. Barusco’s long list of accomplishments, his notable artistic ability and his successful surgical team make Tempus Hair Restoration a renowned practice. Contact us to schedule your free virtual consultation. Dr. Barusco conducts every consultation himself, giving you the opportunity to learn your options in the comfort of your home – or any location, on any internet-enabled device. 

Dr. Barusco conducts consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese. For your greater convenience, Tempus Hair Restoration offers a two-night complimentary hotel stay to out-of-town clients who travel 100 miles or more to our Port Orange, Florida, surgical center. No matter how far the distance, we welcome the opportunity to help you on your hair restoration journey!