Men and women with HIV experience hair loss like anybody else. Therefore, hair transplant surgery becomes a real consideration regardless of their condition. However, whether or not HIV patients are eligible for surgical hair restoration has justifiably generated a lot of discussion and views. The HIV virus is often a taboo subject that is often avoided but it certainly necessary to discuss with your hair transplant surgeon. So are patients with HIV eligible for hair transplant surgery? If the answer is yes, can they undergo the procedure with any hair restoration surgeon or will some refuse to operate on them due to some stigma or unknown reason?
Are HIV Patients Eligible for Hair Transplant Surgery?
Today’s modern hair transplant procedure is performed in a sterile, medical environment. Therefore, whether or not a patient is suffering from HIV is not at all a factor in determining the eligibility of hair transplantation.
However, there have been some reported cases where a surgeon has refused to operate on an HIV patient despite the fact that the surgeon and all of their staff would be completely protected during the procedure. These few cases have caused outrage within the hair restoration patient community, in particular with the prospective patient who was refused treatment.
Discussion about these cases on hair loss forums have led to strong support for the HIV patient however, there was some dissension because surgery exposes blood. Thus, some forum members expressed concern as to whether or not the surgeon and his or her staff could contract the disease during the procedure, especially in the event the procedure didn’t proceed perfectly.
However, these types of cases are far and few between and most hair transplant surgeons will perform surgery on HIV patients just like everybody else. There is no stigma, prejudice and no reason for hair transplant doctors to refuse HIV patients for surgery. Therefore, an HIV patient can definitely go through hair transplant surgery without any uncertainty.
Why Surgeons May Have Concerns Operating on HIV Patients
Hair surgeons feel that the only fear associated with HIV patients who are not diagnosed with AIDS is the contraction of the virus and other diseases. However, by taking the necessary precautions (which are taken normally whether a patient has HIV or not), the risk to surgeons and surgical staff can be effectively eradicated.
Why HIV Patients Should Consider Hair Transplant Surgery Like Everybody Else
A patient with HIV requires a zest for life and a positive spirit - and once you’ve decided to combat the deadly HIV retrovirus, you need to stay positive. Many individuals consider hair to be one of the most important physical features and losing it ultimately affects their overall personality and self-esteem. So fighting baldness by undergoing hair transplant surgery certainly helps to build a positive attitude for living a new life.
Does HIV Cause Hair Loss?
HIV does not directly cause genetic hair loss however, sometimes HIV related medication or stress can contribute to it. Treating hair loss and men or women with HIV can be treated in the same way as everybody else. Regarding surgical hair restoration, both FUE (follicular unit extraction) and FUSS (follicular unit strip surgery) are always performed using the necessary precautions whether or not a patient has HIV and can improve one’s appearance when done right in the hands of a skilled hair restoration physician.
How Does Hair Transplant Surgery Work for an HIV Patient?
The surgical hair restoration process is the same whether a patient has HIV or not. Hair is harvested from the donor area by using one of two methods (FUE or FUSS) and are then implanted into tiny recipient sites made by the surgeon in the balding areas. Hair restoration clinics always use a fresh set of equipment, hand pieces, drillers and machines which are immediately discarded after the procedure. The surgeon and their staff always wear the necessary protective gear which includes a surgical mask and gloves. Therefore, everyone is protected during the procedure as the necessary precautions are always made regardless of whether or not a patient has HIV.
Conclusion
As long as a prospective hair transplant patient is healthy, there is no reason not to undergo hair transplant surgery whether an individual is HIV positive or not. That said, the surgeon may decline you for the procedure for other reasons related to whether or not you are a candidate for the procedure. This has nothing to do with being HIV, but everything to do with whether or not a surgeon feels that they can achieve optimal results.
