Is White or Grey Hair Eligible for Transplants?

Hair transplantation is an amazing way to restore natural hair and get rid of baldness or thinning hair. People across the globe are embracing this revolutionary hair loss treatment to get their confidence back. However, there is a question that we hear from many of our patients, and that is, “Is white or grey hair eligible for transplants? Can the colour of the hair be a bar for hair transplantation? This blog is going to unveil the truth for our readers and let them make informed decisions.

In order to experience the best hair transplant in India or elsewhere, you should get all your answers from your doctor before the procedure. Once you are confident about the procedure and can set realistic expectations, only then should you proceed with it.

Can White or Grey Hair Be Transplanted?

This is the most common concern for people with greying or white hair who want hair transplants for a transformed look. According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS), grey or white hair can be transplanted safely and successfully. Many people have the misconception that when their hair turns grey, they are no longer healthy. The rationale for successful hair transplants is to move healthy hair follicles from the donor area to the recipient area to promote healthy hair growth. Transplantation of grey hair can be successful, as grey hair is healthy and produced by healthy hair follicles.

Why Does Our Hair Turn Grey?

Melanocytes present in hair follicles produce melanin, which is the source of our hair colour. Both the quality and quantity of melanin are determined by genes inherited from your parents. At a certain point in life, the melanocytes may reduce melanin production or completely stop, leading to greying or white hair. Decreased melanin production leads to grey hair, and total absence can cause white hair.

Other Causes of Grey or White Hair:

• B12 Deficiency
• Hormonal Disorders
• Poor Diet
• Alcohol Consumption
• Smoking
• Harsh Chemicals in Hair Products
• Conditions Such as Pernicious Anemia, Albinism, etc.

Why Do Melanocytes Reduce/Stop Producing Melanin?

The exact reason why melanocytes reduce or stop producing melanin is not known yet. However, there can be a biological clock controlled by genetics that determines when melanocytes stop or reduce producing melanin. We all know that getting grey is a sign of normal ageing. However, some greying of the hair is also associated with various diseases or congenital abnormalities. Generally, greying of the hair starts at about age forty to fifty, but some people may experience it as early as their 20s and 30s. By age 35, nearly 25% of men and women can experience grey hair. By age 50, greying can be seen in about half of the population. Fair-haired individuals may notice less greying. People with black or brown hair often experience greying as a “salt-and-pepper” appearance. The process of greying generally starts at the temples and gradually spreads over the entire scalp.

With age, the sebaceous cells may reduce the production of lubricating oil. It may cause grey or white hair to be dryer compared to pigmented hair. Taking the right care of your hair after transplantation is important to ensure good hair health.

Is Hair Transplantation Safe and Successful for Older Patients with Grey/White Hair?

Age or hair colour are not the sole factors that determine whether a person is eligible for hair transplants or not. The factors doctors consider for a young patient’s hair transplant eligibility are also the same for an older patient. In order to determine whether a person with grey or white hair is eligible for transplants or not, doctors determine factors like the cause of hair loss, overall health, medical history, scalp condition, pattern of hair loss, and goals of the patient.

Before undergoing a grey hair transplant in India or elsewhere, one should discuss the final outcome with the doctor to set realistic expectations. A patient whose hair is still in the grey process but is not totally grey should discuss the possible appearance after the hair transplants.

Will the Hair Colour Match After the Transplants?

The fear of colour mismatch is common in grey hair transplants, especially if the patient has grey hair only in selective areas of the scalp. If you have white or grey hair in certain areas of your scalp, the transplanted hair may be of a different colour than the previous hair in the recipient area. In order to avoid colour mismatch, you should plan your grey hair transplants with the No. 1 hair transplant clinic in India. When it comes to successful hair transplants, many people simply visit Saraswat Hospital and consult Dr. Satya Saraswat and Dr. Preeti Saraswat. Both doctors are reputed in this field and have more than 19 years of experience. Together, they have successfully performed more than 13,000 plastic and cosmetic surgeries. Both Dr. Preeti Saraswat and Dr. Satya Saraswat are diplomates of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ABHRS) and members of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS).

The hair transplant doctor needs to plan the entire hair transplant procedure with precision and accuracy. If grey hair follicles are transplanted, they will continue to grow as grey hair. Many doctors prefer to use the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method to randomly collect healthy hair follicles individually from the back or side of the head. In this way, doctors can prevent colour mismatching, and the newly transplanted hair will perfectly blend in. Based on the requirements and goals of the patient, doctors may also perform follicular unit transplantation (FUT) or both procedures.

Conclusion

The success of a hair transplant procedure does not depend on the colour of the hair. So, if your hair is greying, don’t worry; consult with the best hair transplant doctor in India and then proceed with the surgery. Make sure your chosen hair transplant doctor is skilled, experienced, and has recognition in the field. Whenever it comes to the best hair transplant in India, many people come to Saraswat Hospital. So, if you are looking for ways to make your grey hair transplants successful and avoid colour mismatch, contact Saraswat Hospital today and consult with Dr. Satya Saraswat and Dr. Preeti Saraswat.