Concerned About The Appearance of a Hair Transplant If Hair Loss Continues To Progress

If I have a hair transplant for my receding hairline will I look strange if I lose more hair behind it? I have limited funds and do not know if I will be able to afford a second hair transplant if I lose more hair. Is there a way that the hair transplant can be constructed so that this is never a problem?
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The issue of potential future hair loss is very important anytime a transplant is considered to correct a receded hairline. There is no way to do the transplant so this is “never a problem”.

These are the important considerations:

-age: the younger you are, the more likely significant progression of the hair loss is
-family history: the stronger your family history, ie the more men in your family with early or extensive baldness, the higher your risk
-willingness to take medicine: Finasteride gives you a high probability of keeping what you have; most men will have more hair five years after beginning it than we they started taking it.
-motivation: transplanting a hairline implies a commitment to restoring and maintaining your hair; think hard whether this is the right decision for you; going bald naturally or shaving your head are easy, cheap alternatives. I have my patients think it over and contact me later to schedule the surgery. I want them to be sure they’re making the right decision for themselves.

If someone gives all these factors adequate consideration, and pursues surgical hair restoration with realistic expectations and the necessary commitment, I find that the level of satisfaction afterwards is extremely high. To see people a year later with their new hairline and a confident smile makes is what makes my job so fulfilling.

Jerry E. Cooley, MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons
Member, American Hair Loss Association

Jerry Cooley, MD Jerry Cooley, M.D. was born in Springfield, Missouri and graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. After graduation, he worked in a research unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his medical degree in 1992 after graduating with honors. After a medical internship at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, he completed his dermatology residency at the University of Maryland where he served as chief resident. While in Baltimore, Dr. Cooley underwent intensive training in dermatologic surgery and hair transplantation. He trained in the office of Dr. James Vogel, a noted plastic surgeon from Johns Hopkins. During this time, he performed laboratory research on "cloning" hair follicle cells using cell culture. After residency, he established his practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although general and cosmetic dermatology are part of his practice, hair transplantation is his main focus. Dr. Cooley is board certified in dermatology and dermatologic surgery. Dr. Cooley is a member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons and recommended by the American Hair Loss Association. Visit Dr. Cooley's Website: www.haircenter.com

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