Hair Transplants: Can Be Great but Aren't Necessarily the Be All End All Solution

Let's educate ourselves on the realities of hair thinning and restoration. When it comes to maintaining a full head of hair, it's important to learn about the science behind hair loss before forming any beliefs about the best solution. While hair transplants can boost volume, they don't address the underlying causes as to why you lost your hair in the first place, therefore you will continue to lose hair even after a transplant if you do nothing. Hair transplants will not protect your remaining hair in-between the implants to cease from shedding and that is what this blog is about. To educate you well, so that you have a choice earlier, rather than run your hair into the ground thinking that one day, you will have a transplant and your problems will be over.

With knowledge, you can choose to do something earlier rather than later OR do it better..

 Understanding Testosterone and DHT

Testosterone is a well-known hormone that plays a key role in energy, muscle mass, and overall vitality. However, an enzyme that we all have, called 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent hormone being the culprit of male pattern hairloss if ones follicles are sensitive to DHT.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

We have moved into a new era where it is now recognised that women aren't alone when it comes to lowered hormone production. Men's concerns are also being addressed and men of varying ages are now being given testosterone replacement therapy, being prescribed by either G.P's or Naturopaths. If a man doesn't see himself being predisposed to genetic hair loss, he may not have hair thinning concerns. If on the other hand he is aware his hair may be thinning or believes he may have hair thinning genetics, it's worth paying attention to this blog and being mindful of where your hair future lies. Perhaps book to have a scalp analysis.

Genetic Predisposition

If you're genetically prone to male pattern hair loss, your follicles are more sensitive to DHT. Even if you maintain healthy testosterone levels, the conversion to DHT can accelerate hair thinning. This can start as early as the age of 19 but we want you to know, nowadays you have a choice with options and don't necessarily have to put up with going bald if you don't want to.

A Little More on the Genetics Side of Things

If dad lost his hair and uncle and grandad also, the writing is pretty much on the wall, you are possibly next in line, unless you are lucky enough to have skipped those genetics, which is possible. If you're losing hair on top and both mum and dad have plenty of hair, you can assume your hair loss genetics then came from mum's side. "She has plenty of hair though" you may say. This is due to the fact a female doesn't produce high enough amounts of testosterone to have shown more drastic hair loss. That's the reason.

DHT's Impact:

DHT only targets hair follicles on the top of your head, causing them to shrink, over time, leading to hair miniaturisation and eventually hair loss. The hair around the sides and back of your head are not sensitive to DHT. You won't lose that.

The Donor vs. Thinning Hair

One of the reasons hair transplants work is that they use the hair not sensitive to DHT, this being the hair from the back and sides of your head, or even chest hair for those concerned about scarring. These areas are naturally resistant to DHT. However, the hair on the top, which is affected by DHT, continues to thin.

This Means You Will Have Ongoing Thinning Even After Your transplant-it's not rocket science is it?

Your remaining hair on top will likely continue to shed despite the transplant. The new, transplanted hair does not protect the remaining hair from DHT’s effects. If you choose to do nothing after an implant, you need to understand you will continue to lose hair. Another concern is, If a man undergoes a hair transplant too soon, before his pattern is fully established, the transplanted hair remains where he was once receding, yet the surrounding hair on the top continues to thin. This leads to an unnatural appearance, where the transplanted hair forms isolated patches, resembling what we refer to as the 'Koala ears' effect.

Consider Stabilising Your Thinning Hair Before Considering a Transplant

When you are aware of your hair thinning, stabilising your growth before considering a transplant, may ensure natural, long term results rather than a patchy, unnatural appearance. It pays to be mindful that instagram infuencers can be butchers, bakers or candlestick makers wearing a lab coat, telling you that putting rosemary in your pillowcase will save your hair. Question and research everything is our best advice and look for documented clinical and research papers, not allowing people to take advantage of making money from you for something that is not going to activate dormant follicles whatsoever. Some products on the market have made problems worse with scabbing and irritating the scalp. We've seen it, If this happens to you, cease use immediately and I'd suggest seeing us for an analysis and help.

Maintenance Matters:

It is crucial to continue with ongoing therapies whether through medication or advanced aesthetic hair loss treatments. Caring for your scalp, reducing inflammation and sensitivity to DHT is critical for preserving your remaining hair and holding onto your implants which at times can be lost through an inflammed scalp. Various factors like stress, diet and gut health, plus environmental influences can contribute more than is recognised, to scalp inflammation, which in turn can further hair loss.

Advanced Hair Follicle Stimulation Therapies

Advanced therapies in hair restoration have gained and continue to gain significant global recognition, earning numerous awards for their groundbreaking contributions to medicine and aesthetic innovation. These scientific research breakthroughs go beyond conventional methods, incorporating regenerative medicine, bioengineered technologies, and precision-based techniques for next generation hair restoration.

For example: 

Exosome Therapy:

“Exosomes are tiny cell-to-cell communicating vesicles packed with growth factors, cytokines, and signaling molecules. Look at them as experienced supervisors, dominating in a workshop, instructing cells to work and do what they are meant to do. "No sitting down on the job, get active like the other good workers and produce healthy hair." They then increase follicular activity and strengthen existing follicles, creating a healthier scalp environment. Thanks supervisor! Unlike traditional treatments that simply slow down hair loss, exosomes actively boost hair growth by stimulating dormant follicles, improving blood flow, and reduce inflammation, whilst aiding follicles be less sensitive to the effects of DHT. This makes them a powerful, non-surgical option for men looking to maintain and restore their hair before considering a transplant.”

A Comprehensive Approach to Hair Restoration

No single treatment can address every aspect of hair thinning. An integrated strategy may include:

Medical Treatments:

Minoxidil and Finasteride medications that address hormonal effects and support hair follicle health. Prescriptions for Finasteride or oral Minoxidil are obtained from your G.P., and more recently Dutasteride, where your G.P or hair restoration Doctor will discuss the side effects of these medications when deciding if they are right for you.

Topical solutions of Minoxidil can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies.

You may like to make yourself aware of possible side effects, ask your G.P as well as you may like to research medical data. These products are best to go in through the skin than orally but care must be taken. For example Minoxidil is highly toxic to cats, its liver cannot break it down and could lead to fatal poisoning after the first lick. Wash hands after application and keep it well away from anywhere your cat may visit, including your pillow, or where you lie on the Netflix couch. A cushion could be lethal to a cat while grooming itself where you've been lying. I wrote this hoping I may help a cat lover like myself. Currently, not all minoxidil products, including Rogaine, purchased over the counter, have warnings about pet toxicity on their labels. A study published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association highlighted this concern, noting the absence of such warnings.

Cosmetic Solutions:

Procedures that enhance the appearance of fullness, such as scalp micropigmentation.

Advanced Follicle Activation Therapies:

Cutting-edge treatments like our exosome's derived from human stem cells therapy that combine multiple benefits.

Lifestyle, Scalp Care and Gut Health

Reducing inflammation through proper scalp care, stress management, a balanced diet, not always possible, therefore vitamins that are absorbed well into the body are essential to maintaining healthy hair.

Final Thoughts

Let's clarify. While hair transplants can improve volume by relocating DHT-resistant hair, they do not prevent the ongoing thinning of your remaining native hair on top. Understanding the role of testosterone, its conversion to DHT, and the importance of early, proactive care can make a significant difference. An early analysis is especially beneficial if you're genetically predisposed to male pattern hair loss.

By combining traditional treatments, advanced stimulation therapies, internal health plus dedicated scalp care, you can create a well-rounded strategy to maintain a healthier, fuller head of hair.

It's best to consult with a hair restoration specialist to develop a personalised plan that addresses your unique needs and believe them when they instruct you to continue with therapies that will maintain your new transplants plus reduce losing your own remaining hair.

If your concerned or unsure, we advise to book a scalp analysis with us or a hair restoration specialist, no need to over think or worry, just do it, you'll feel better once you know.

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