When is a hair transplant not possible?

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    Surveyed from the published FAQs of 12 hair transplant providers. The percentage on each highlighted claim is the share of surveyed providers who make that claim on their own sites — it shows how common a claim is, not that it is true. Hover to see who.

    Also asked as: “In what cases can hair transplants not be performed?” · “In Which Diseases Hair Transplant Operation Can Not Be Done?” · “In which situations can hair transplantation not be performed?” · “To whom hair transplantation must not be performed?”

    A hair transplant may not be possible due to insufficient donor hair58%Stated by 58% of the providers we surveyed. Including Hm-Hairmedical, Hair Transplant Dubai Clinic, My Turkish Hair, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Hakan Kayıkçı, Dr. Cengiz Yaylacı, and 1 more.. Without enough healthy hair to transplant, the procedure cannot proceed.

    About half of clinics report that uncontrolled chronic conditions42%Stated by 42% of the providers we surveyed. Including Matu transplantācija * Hair transplantation * Пересадка волос, Lumia Clinic Turkey, Dr. Hilal Sağlam, and 2 more. like diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, liver disease, and hypertension can contraindicate a hair transplant. These conditions may complicate surgery or healing, making the procedure unsafe or ineffective.

    Approximately a quarter of providers indicate that underlying medical issues25%Stated by 25% of the providers we surveyed. Including Matu transplantācija * Hair transplantation * Пересадка волос, Dr. Cengiz Yaylacı, Dr. Hilal Sağlam. affecting healing can prevent a transplant. Alopecia areata25%Stated by 25% of the providers we surveyed. Including Moser Medical, Top Hair Loss Clinic, Hair Transplant Dubai Clinic., characterized by sudden patchy hair loss, is also cited by about a quarter of clinics as a reason to avoid the procedure. Acute organ failures25%Stated by 25% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Hakan Kayıkçı, Matu transplantācija * Hair transplantation * Пересадка волос, Dr. Hilal Sağlam. such as liver, kidney, and heart failure are mentioned by about a quarter of providers as conditions that preclude a transplant. Infections or immune system disorders25%Stated by 25% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Hakan Kayıkçı, Matu transplantācija * Hair transplantation * Пересадка волос, Dr. Hilal Sağlam. are similarly noted by about a quarter of clinics as factors that can impede post-transplant healing.

    A minority of providers mention certain scalp skin conditions17%Stated by 17% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Cengiz Yaylacı, Dr. Hakan Kayıkçı. that might prevent a transplant due to their impact on healing or hair growth. Active scarring alopecia (such as lichen planopilaris) is a common reason not to operate, because grafts placed into active disease can be lost; surgery is considered, if at all, only once the disease is inactive (Singh & Muthuvel 2021, PMID 34984092). Active hair loss17%Stated by 17% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Erkan Demirsoy, Hm-Hairmedical. is another factor cited by a minority of clinics, as it can compromise transplant results. Unrealistic expectations17%Stated by 17% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Erkan Demirsoy, Hm-Hairmedical. about transplant outcomes can also make the procedure unfeasible, as providers may refuse surgery if they believe the patient will be dissatisfied with realistic results.

    Some clinics decline patients who are HIV positive or have hepatitis C17%Stated by 17% of the providers we surveyed. Including Lumia Clinic Turkey, My Turkish Hair.; others treat them when the infection is well controlled. Discuss it with the surgeon. Intensive medication use17%Stated by 17% of the providers we surveyed. Including Matu transplantācija * Hair transplantation * Пересадка волос, Dr. Hakan Kayıkçı., including blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or chemotherapy drugs, can also prevent a transplant by interfering with healing. Lastly, severe hair loss with insufficient donor area17%Stated by 17% of the providers we surveyed. Including The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Hakan Kayıkçı. is noted by a minority of providers as a factor that can reduce transplant success, as there may not be enough hair to achieve desired results.

    What clinics say

    Claims from clinics' own websites

    In their own words — the 13 clinics whose published guidance fed this answer. 4 translated into English from the clinic's own language.

    1. If the patient has been diagnosed with "Alopecia areata", a hair transplant is not advisable.
      Moser Medical Vienna, AT
    2. If there is not enough hair in the donor area, the procedure cannot be performed. Translated
      Dr.Kinyas Hair Transplant- Istanbul Istanbul, TR
    3. … or significantly less hair on the donor area are generally not good candidates for this procedure.
      Hair Transplant Dubai Clinic Dubai, AE
    4. … procedure, the doctor examines the patient's general health, the restrictions are the same as for any other medical manipulation.
      Matu transplantācija * Hair transplantation * Пересадка волос Rīga, LV
    5. When the hair loss is still very active, the donor area is too weak or the expectations are unrealistic.
      Hm-Hairmedical Köln, DE
    6. A hair transplant is not possible if the skin is inflamed, or if the patient's expectations do not match reality, for example, in the case of an … Translated
      HairIn Clinic Liestal, CH
    7. Hair transplant procedures may not be suitable for individuals with conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) or Alopecia Areata.
      Top Hair Loss Clinic Athens, GR
    8. … hepatitis C virus and people with severe heart disease are not eligible for operation.
      Lumia Clinic Turkey Istanbul, TR
    9. The procedure cannot be performed if the donor area where the follicles need to be taken is not suitable.
      My Turkish Hair Zagreb, HR
    10. … to transplant. Therefore, for patients who have experienced total hair loss, hair transplant will likely not be a viable option.
      The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery Lynnwood, US
    11. When the nape area and also body hair are not suitable. Translated
      Mega Hair Trans Esenler, TR
    12. Hair transplantation may not be suitable for every patient. Certain health conditions and skin disorders can prevent or complicate the procedure.
      Dr. Hakan Kayıkçı Istanbul, TR
    13. Firstly, hair transplantation is not recommended for patients with serious health issues, particularly in cases of heart diseases, bleeding disorders, or immune system diseases. Translated
      Estetik International Bursa, TR