Are hair transplants only for older people?

Hair loss doesn’t wait until you're 50. The most important factor is the stability of your hair loss and the quality of your donor area, not your age.

Do hair transplants look fake?

Modern techniques like Micro FUE create natural-looking results that mimic your own hair’s growth pattern. Hairlines are custom-designed to match your facial structure and density.

Is everyone a candidate for a hair transplant?

Not everyone is. At Boston Hair Restoration, we assess donor hair quality, scalp health, and medical history to ensure surgery is the right choice. If a non-surgical option is better, we’ll tell you.

How long do hair transplant results last?

Transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to hair loss, so results are typically permanent. Untreated areas may thin over time, but combination therapies can help maintain overall density.

Is a hair transplant painful?

Most patients describe it as feeling similar to a dental visit. Thanks to local anesthesia and minimally invasive tools, discomfort is minimal. Many patients nap or stream shows during the procedure.

Hair Transplant Myths Debunked | Boston Hair Restoration®

By Jason Sorgi, PA-C, MPAS

Still believe hair transplants are painful or fake-looking? Let’s clear the air.

Hair restoration has come a long way, but outdated myths are still holding people back from exploring life-changing solutions. At Boston Hair Restoration®, we believe patients deserve clarity, not confusion. Below, we’re setting the record straight on the most common misconceptions we hear every day in consultations.

Myth #1: Hair transplants are only for older people

Reality: Hair loss doesn’t wait until you're 50, neither should treatment.

Whether you're in your 20s or 60s, the key factor is stability of hair loss and quality of donor hair, not age. We tailor treatment plans to each stage of hair loss, and younger patients often benefit from early intervention strategies that preserve long-term options.

Myth #2: It’s only for men

Reality: Hair loss is an equal opportunity confidence killer.

Women make up a growing percentage of our patients, and we specialize in treating female pattern hair loss with discreet, effective transplant strategies. No completely shaved heads, no cookie-cutter plans, just results that help women feel like themselves again.

Myth #3: It’s a one-size-fits-all solution

Reality: Your hairline is as unique as your fingerprint.

From density to texture to future hair loss patterns, every transplant is meticulously planned. We customize every step, number of grafts, and hairline design specifically to you.

Before and after hair transplant photos showing a Black male patient with a marked hairline pre-surgery and visibly fuller, natural-looking hairline post-surgery.

Myth #4: Everyone is a candidate

Reality: We don’t perform surgery unless it’s the right move.

The best outcomes come from matching the right patient to the right treatment. That’s why we assess donor hair, scalp health, medical history, and goals before recommending surgery. If we think a non-surgical option will serve you better? We’ll tell you.

Myth #5: The results look fake

Reality: Bad hair plugs are a thing of the past.

We use advanced techniques like Micro FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) to mimic your natural hair growth patterns. Hairlines are custom-designed to your facial structure, density is strategically placed, and our results speak for themselves. If you’re picturing doll-hair, you’re thinking 1990s, not 2025.

Myth #6: It requires high maintenance

Reality: Once your new hair grows in, it’s yours, wash it, cut it, style it.

Outside of simple post-op care in the first weeks, transplanted hair doesn’t need special products or treatments. It behaves just like your natural hair because... it is your natural hair.

Myth #7: Results only last a few years

Reality: Transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to hair loss.

That means they’ll keep growing, even decades later. While untreated areas may still thin over time, our comprehensive approach (which can include PRP, finasteride, and the Laser Cap) helps future-proof your hair.

Myth #8: It’s too expensive

Reality: What’s the cost of hiding under hats for the next 20 years?

While hair restoration is an investment, it’s one that pays dividends in confidence, time, and long-term value. No more spending on temporary fixes. Plus, we offer interest free financing options to make treatment more accessible.

Myth #9: Recovery takes forever

Reality: Most patients are back to work in under a week.

Expect some redness and scabbing early on, but full healing happens fast. We provide detailed post-op instructions and check-ins to ensure everything stays on track.ure that patients are fully aware of what to expect both during and after the procedure.

Myth #10: The procedure is painful

Reality: It’s more Netflix-and-numb than blood and bandages.

Thanks to local anesthesia and minimally invasive tools, most patients say the discomfort is no worse than a dental visit. Some even nap or stream shows during the procedure. Recovery? Depending on your occupation, you’ll likely be back to work within a few days.

Bonus Myth #11: Finasteride Will Ruin Your Sex Life

Reality: The risk is low, the science is clear, and topical options make it even safer.

Let’s address a question we hear all the time, and for good reason.

Finasteride (also known by the brand name Propecia®) is an FDA-approved oral medication used to treat male pattern baldness by lowering dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for follicle miniaturization. It’s a cornerstone of many non-surgical hair restoration regimens and is often used alongside PRP, LLLT, or hair transplants for long-term success.

But yes, we get it, people worry about the side effects, especially sexual ones. So here’s what the evidence actually says:

The Concerns

Some men report issues like:

Lower libido
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased semen volume

These side effects are listed on the label and do happen, but they’re rare.

In a meta-analysis of over 4,400 men, just 1.5% of those taking finasteride for hair loss reported sexual side effects, compared to 1.2% in the placebo group. That’s a difference of just 0.3%, and most cases resolved either spontaneously or after discontinuation.

For comparison, SSRIs (used to treat depression and anxiety) are associated with sexual side effects in up to 59% of patients, including delayed orgasm, anorgasmia, and erectile dysfunction.

The Nocebo Effect Is Real

Here’s where psychology meets biology: Studies have shown that men who are told about potential sexual side effects are much more likely to report them, even when taking a placebo. This is called the nocebo effect, where negative expectations alone can trigger symptoms.

In one study, men informed about sexual side effects reported them three times more often than those who were not.

Want to Lower the Risk Even More?

Try Topical Finasteride.

This newer, compound-formulated version is applied directly to the scalp. Studies show:

Comparable effectiveness to oral finasteride for reducing local DHT
Significantly lower systemic absorption, which means a much lower risk of side effects
A great option for men who are cautious about sexual health or previously experienced side effects

At Boston Hair Restoration®, we’ll help you determine the best fit, whether that’s oral finasteride, a topical option, or a combination with therapies like PRP or LLLT. Our goal is to preserve and restore your hair without compromising your quality of life.

Not sure what you need? Book a complementary consultation and we'll help you navigate the best path forward.

10 Hair Transplant Myths Debunked by the Experts at Boston Hair Restoration®