
Q: What is your opinion on having a hair transplant to restore the hairline and then wearing a hair system behind it to regain the appearance of a full head of hair? K.Y. – Hackensack, New Jersey
A: It is my personal feeling that one should not use a hair transplant to supplement a hair system, especially at a young age. We have occasionally performed this procedure in older men and women.
In my view, a main purpose of a hair transplant is for it to be low maintenance. The combination of a hair transplant and a hairpiece is extremely fussy.
In addition, hair systems cause traction alopecia (hair loss from constant tugging) and the hair loss will become permanent over time, limiting the ability to have a hair transplant in the future. If one needs to have the high density of a system — i.e. for a career — then just use the system. It will give you more long-term options.