This makes me a really bad candidate for HT, right?

[Gubter_87]

I am 23 years old, and first started noticing my hair loss around 17 - 18. Naturally, loosing my hair at such a young age has had a huge impact on my confidence.

I have looked in to hair transplants, but it seems that it is not a good idea for someone my age. But I have noticed there are a lot of doctor representatives and other knowledgable prople on this board, so just thought I'd tell my story and see what u guys think.

I have been on propecia minoxidil for the better part of the last two years, but hair is not thickening. It has probably halted my hair loss, which is positive, but I'm not happy with how my hair looks today - and as I see it a HT is probably the only option if one wants some hair back.

I am probably heading for a norwood 5a, and already have thinning in this whole pattern. Hair line is receeded to a norwood 3-3a.

So what would be realistic results and is it a really bad idea to consider a HT?

[Winston]

The best thing to do is to post some images of your hair. Make sure that they are clear under good lighting. Post some of your hairline, top, and sides. Age is a big factor but if you are on medication and can benefit from a hair transplant it is possible that you can be a candidate. It all depends on the individual case.

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

I would be glad to review your photos and discuss your options in hair restoration. Age is only one of the factors that should be used in determining how good of hair transplant candidate you are.

[CIT_Girl]

It's certainly not unheard of for physicians to perform hair restoration surgery on patients as young as you, but it is something that needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, knowing that you will likely progress to a later stage on the Norwood scale, you certainly don't want to go an aggressive route, and it's most likely not a good idea to even get started on the vertex/crown area at this point. Yet, if you've had success in stabilizing your hair loss on meds for the past couple years, and if you have realistic expectations (including the possibility that additional work may be necessary in the future), I think there are physicians that would certainly consider doing a little hairline/frontal work for you.

[Dr. Lindsey]

We work with young guys, but it is critical that you plan for the future. In particular, don't insist on a hairline that all your 23 year old friends have, as that will look GOOFY when you are 45 like me. And, if indeed you think you are going to NW5, you might be lucky and only need a little up front; or you may have both bad genes and bad luck and wind up like NW7.... Don't waste that donor hair. And, if you decide to proceed, go home and sleep on it before you commit.

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[Jack21]

I have erased my post. I do not wish to slander all physicians providing this elective procedure. Some are very ethical in their practices. Others, however, are not. My results have been disasterous.