Hair loss is a common problem that affects many people around the world and one of the primary causes of hair loss is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink, leading to hair thinning and eventual hair loss. One of the most popular solutions for people who are suffering from hair loss is Hair transplantation. However, one question that makes many people worried and frequently ask is whether DHT affects transplanted hair.
In this article, I am going to discuss the relationship between DHT and transplanted hair. I will try to provide the best available information that can help individuals make informed decisions about hair transplantation and will come to the conclusion that whether or not DHT affects the transplanted hair.
What is DHT?
DHT is a derivative of testosterone, and it is produced by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT is responsible for the development of male characteristics during puberty, such as facial hair and a deep voice. on the other hand in some people, DHT can cause hair loss. As individual ages, the levels of testosterone and DHT in their body tend to shift, which can be reflected in the changes they experience in muscle mass and overall sexual health.
This is particularly evident in men, as these hormones play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of masculine traits and sexual function. The gradual changes in hormone levels can have a significant impact on a person’s overall health and well-being, and may not be immediately noticeable.
How DHT Causes Hair Loss?
DHT affects hair follicles by binding to the androgen receptors in the hair follicle cells. This binding causes the hair follicles to shrink and produce thinner hair. Over time, the hair follicles become smaller, and eventually, they stop producing hair altogether.
Before moving into the topic that does DHT affect transplanted hair, I am going to briefly explain what hair transplantation is.
How Does Hair Transplantation work?
Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure where hair follicles are removed from one area of the scalp and transplanted to another area where there is hair loss. The transplanted hair follicles are typically taken from areas of the scalp that are not affected by DHT, such as the back and sides of the head.
Types of Hair Transplant
There are two main types of hair transplantation available. The first one is (FUT) follicular unit transplantation and the other one is (FUE) follicular unit extraction. In FUT, a strip of skin containing hair follicles is removed from the donor area, and the hair follicles are extracted and transplanted to the recipient area. In FUE-type hair transplant, hair follicles are removed individually from the donor area and transplanted to the recipient area.
Does DHT affect Transplanted Hair?
The short answer is no, DHT does not affect transplanted hair. The reason for this is that the transplanted hair follicles are taken from areas of the scalp that are not affected by DHT, and therefore, they are not susceptible to the effects of DHT.
However, it’s important to note that the surrounding hair follicles in the recipient area may still be affected by DHT, which means that over time, the transplanted hair follicles may be surrounded by areas of hair loss. This can result in a less natural-looking appearance as the transplanted hair follicles will be surrounded by areas of thinning or balding hair.
To prevent this from happening, many hair transplant surgeons recommend the use of medication such as finasteride or minoxidil to help slow down or stop the effects of DHT on the surrounding hair follicles. This can help to preserve the results of the hair transplantation procedure and maintain a natural-looking head of hair.
Conclusion:
DHT is a hormone that can cause hair loss in individuals with androgenetic alopecia. Hair transplantation is a popular solution for hair loss, and the transplanted hair follicles are not affected by DHT. However, The question of whether transplanted hair follicles are prone or resistant to DHT is not straightforward. There are several factors to keep in mind before going to a conclusion. The first factor is that Existing hair is susceptible to DHT. If hair is removed from a non-permanent donor area during an FUE hair transplant, it may be prone to DHT. Males with diffuse patterned alopecia (DUPA) are not good candidates for hair transplant and their donor hair may be further weakened by DHT. Donor’s hair is generally resistant to DHT, but it cannot be said with 100% certainty.
