This is the second part of the “Are Hair Transplants Permanent?” topic. The first part was Are Transplanted Hairs Permanent?
As we discussed in the previous blog post transplanted hairs are mostly permanent. However, the result of a hair transplant is the sum of the transplanted hairs and the existing hairs. In fact, the existing hairs contribute more to the final appearance than the transplanted ones, because transplanted hairs are limited in number. Let’s say 5000 hairs or 6000 hairs or 7000 hairs, but there are tens of thousands of on our head. When we look at our appearance, most of it is attributed to the existing hairs, the transplant is just a small part of this appearance.
Since hair loss is a progressive problem, after a hair transplant we continue to lose hair, the appearance we receive after the hair transplant deteriorates within years. With that regard, even though we assume most transplanted hairs are permanent, the appearance is not permanent since the remaining hairs continue to shed. And since the appearance we have is a sum of the hair transplant and the existing hairs, it means what we see as a result after a hair transplant can’t be permanent because hair transplants don’t prevent hair loss.
To prevent hair loss we have to use medication to reduce hair loss. Medication is the treatment of hair loss, hair transplants are the treatment of baldness. This is the most important principle to understand with regards to hair loss and its treatment. So, we have to make the distinction between treating hair loss which can only be done by taking medication and trying to solve baldness which is the consequence of hair loss. Hair transplants are only a partial solution to baldness but treating hair loss can only be done via taking medication. These medications are finasteride and minoxidil. These two medications are the the two main weapons used against hair loss.
