The need for hair restoration is not necessarily limited to middle-aged and older people. Some individuals start losing their hair very early in life. Teenagers in Miami can book a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Epstein to evaluate their hair loss status and find out if they need hair restoration surgery now or in the future.
Many teens have signs of hair loss that affect their confidence and self-esteem. There are early signs of male pattern baldness that many teenage boys would like to address before they hit adulthood. However, it is important for teens to proceed carefully if they are interested in hair transplant surgery.
Why Hair Restoration May Not Be Right For A Teen
While some surgeons will occasionally perform a hair transplant on patients in their early 20s, it is best for a young person to wait a while before deciding on surgery. Dermatologists suggest that teenagers postpone surgery until they are in their mid-20s or even older, for a number of reasons.
One of the major reasons to wait is because it is difficult to discern the hair loss pattern at a very young age. A 19-year-old can have a hair transplant, only to lose a considerable amount of additional hair over the next few years.
This means they will need another procedure to correct any additional baldness that has developed. Since the transplanted hair is permanent, if the person continues to lose hair, then it will affect the new pattern of hair growth and may look very peculiar.
What Causes Hair Loss In Teenagers?
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes a person to lose patches of hair from their scalp. The immune system attacks the hair follicles, mistaking them for foreign invaders. It leads to hair loss on the scalp, over the eyebrows, facial hair, and eyelashes.
Genetics
Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are sometimes common among teenagers who suffer from androgenetic alopecia. It is a genetic hair loss disorder that affects the hairline and causes general balding.
Thyroid
Thyroid problems can lead to overproduction or underproduction of thyroid cells. It can be enough to jump-start a hair loss problem in a teen and leads to hair thinning all over the scalp. Fortunately, it is reversible through proper treatment.
Lack of Nutrition
Lack of nutrients in a teen’s daily diet can affect hair health. These days, children often suffer from dietary imbalance and do not eat enough nutrient-rich foods. Hair loss is common among teenagers who have deficiencies in:
- Vitamin A, E, C, D, E
- Zinc
- Iron
- Folic acid
Daily meals that incorporate these nutrients can help regrow hair and form stronger follicles.
Excessive Use of Hair Dyes and Styling Products
Chemical treatments can weaken hair follicles, causing them to break and split. Teenagers who love to dye their hair and frequently use straighteners and curling irons may have to change their look in order to reverse hair loss. Daily styling treatments can deteriorate hair health and lead to hair loss and hair thinning.
Why Is There A Demand For Hair Restoration Surgery Among Teens?
Some people might lose their hair at a young age due to their genes. Since some teenagers have been dealing with hair loss for years, people might wonder why there seems to be an increase in demand for hair restoration surgery among the present generation.
It might be that social media culture plays a crucial role. These days, people regularly take selfies or are featured in friends’ group photos. These circulate online and can affect a teen’s self-esteem.
It could also be that teenagers nowadays are more knowledgeable of their options. Their parents might also be willing to pay for the procedure.
Additional Options
Whether or not surgery is appropriate for a teenager is really up to the surgeon they are working with. When the surgeon advises postponing a hair transplant, a teenager may have other options than simply wearing a hat or wig and hoping for the best.
There are some effective hair loss treatments such as Propecia (finasteride), a pill that is taken once a day. There is also laser light therapy which is now an at-home treatment that can be extremely effective.
In the crown area, in particular, Rogaine (minoxidil) can be effective but needs to be applied twice a day, daily. Patients should know that its results will wear off if they stop using it.
Confirming that the cause of the hair loss is actually male or female pattern baldness can help teens and surgeons surgeon determine the most appropriate treatment option. For example, if they lose hair due to lack of nutrition, it is usually better to adjust their daily diet than to use minoxidil or finasteride.
If the hair loss is sudden, it could be due to telogen effluvium, a temporary shedding of hair that occurs when the body has a shock or a lot of stress. Hair lost due to telogen effluvium usually grows back on its own after a few months.
Is Hair Transplant Safe For Teenagers?
If a teenager needs hair transplant surgery, the surgeon will factor this into their health conditions, dietary status, and overall health. They typically approve of hair transplant in teens if the child has a medical condition for hair loss or reduced hair due to predictable reasons.
Surgeons can proceed with a hair transplant if the child and their parents approve of the procedure. Of course, it is always best to diagnose the condition for hair loss and try other treatments before opting for a hair transplant. If the reason for the hair loss is stress or malnutrition, they are curable through lifestyle changes.
Cases When A Teen Can Benefit From Hair Restoration Surgery
While a surgeon will almost always recommend that teenage patients wait several years before having a hair transplant, some cases are special. Hair loss that occurs because of a severe burn or a scar on the scalp can be treated with a hair transplant, no matter how old or young a person is.
This type of hair loss is limited to a specific area and does not usually spread across the scalp as a person ages. If a teenager has areas of baldness because of a burn or scar, it can be worth it to explore how hair restoration can help out.
Learn More About Hair Restoration Surgery
Dr. Jeffrey Epstein has been performing hair transplants for more than 20 years. He can evaluate the state of your teen’s hair loss and help decide if the surgery is appropriate at the moment. For a teen hair transplant consultation in Miami, call (305) 666-1774.
