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Is Transplanted Hair Permanent? - Tuesday, November 06, 2007

The reason why hair transplantation is often a viable option for those suffering androgenetic alopecia (genetic hair loss in the form of male pattern baldness - MPB or female pattern baldness - FPB) is because the transplanted hair is permanent.

By removing hair from the donor area (the sides and back of the head) in an area referred to as the "safe zone", a quality hair restoration physician that uses ultra refined follicular unit grafting  ensures that a patient receives a natural looking state of the art hair transplantation that lasts a lifetime.

The reason why a hair transplant lasts a lifetime is because the “safe zone” is permanent. The "safe zone" refers to donor area on the sides and back of your head that contains hair that is genetically resistant to Dihydrotestosterone ( DHT) - the hormone responsible for hair loss of those hairs genetically predisposed.  The donor hair in the safe zone are DHT resistant and therefore the transplanted hair follicles are permanent.

There have been numerous discussions recently on our hair restoration discussion forum about the “safe zone” and whether or not it really exists. There is a possibility as one gets older that this “safe zone” may potentially thin out. With age, testosterone lessens, which sometime causes this hair thinning. If this happens, certainly some transplanted hairs could thin out as well.  The good news is, however, that though this is typical as one advances in years…it is extremely rare that this thinning will be noticeable.

Donor thinning, however, is one reason why some hair restoration surgeons recommend the use of Propecia (finasteride) even for older hair transplant patients who have experienced hair thinning/balding. The use of FDA approved hair loss medications such as Propecia and Rogaine with Minoxodil may help prevent donor thinning over the years.  Adding ketoconazole 2% found in Nizoral shampoo and Revita shampoo might help minimized DHT to the scalp.