Indications and Contraindications for Hair Transplant

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to aid in the identification of factors that will affect the outcome of hair treatment and to highlight conditions that may make patients appropriate or poor candidates. Consultation of the hair transplant (HT) patient begins with a thorough and open discussion of the patients’ concerns and goals for treatment. Despite the benign effects of alopecia on physical health, hair loss patients can suffer significant psychosocial distress including decreased self-esteem, decreased satisfaction with their self-image, and decreased sexual quality of life [1, 2]. This distress may manifest in depressive symptoms and less frequent social engagement [3–5]. Experiments on the perceptions of alopecia also indicate that balding patients are more likely to be rated by others as less attractive, likable, and successful compared to non-balding peers, underscoring potential difficulties with finding romantic relationships and employment [6–8].