Why don't many men consider hair transplants?

[wakka12]

Im guessing money is the main issue. Well why don't more men look abroad? Lots of the poorer east european countries have highly skilled doctors who perform amazing hair transplants for a fraction of the price you'd pay in richer west euro countries like Britain, Ireland or scandinavia. Yes you have to pay for foreign accommodation and flights but it still works out much cheaper, I know of recommendations of several latvian and polish surgeons who performed hair transplants on friends of mine with wonderful results, and it only cost them 2,000-3000 euro, where as you could pay 20,000 euro for the same results in ireland or britain.

Pain might be another reason, but personally If i was balding Id take several days of immense physical pain over the months and years of anxiety about balding.

What other reasons are there?
Have you considered a hair transplant?
They really get a bad rep, but if you search around for good reputable doctors the results you'll get from it will most likely be better than any amount of meds you take. And you have to constantly take meds and this cost will probably build uo over the years to be about the same as the hair transplant cost.

 

[flewsmcgee]

I am currently in the process of deciding if a hair transplant is right for me. Honestly its a combination of things. Money is important but it's actually lower on the list than you might think. Highest on my list is the loss of the ability to shave my head sly (which actually looks decent on me). Right below that concern is "will this actually look good?" and directly below that is "will this still look good in 10 years?". Another concern is just the mental energy of fighting hair loss which you are committed to once you get a hair transplant.

 

[wakka12]

I haven't researched hair transplant's all that much but Im almost sure you can get a certain type of surgery which leaves little to no scarring on the back of the head and as for the latter two problems, if you choose a skilled surgeon with good feedback from multiple clients (preferably somebody you know personally) who has performed hundreds of transplants then it will surely look quite good.

 

[Squirrell]

I find it kinda scary

 

[shookwun]

Because it's a big investment, and more then likely additional work will need to be done.

My first transplant cost me $9800 CND 2275 graft FUT

Second one I'm having a few weeks from now will cost me an additional $4500 1000 graft FUE

This doesn't include air fare, and accommodations. Add another 1800 for both.


If you're not willing to put money aside, and prepare financially for transplants, a hair piece would be in your best interest.

 

[wakka12]

I don't know about that, a good hair piece will cost 500-800 dollars and they only last 3-5 months generally. A hair transplant is a better investment I think

 

[shookwun]

I don't know about that, a good hair piece will cost 500-800 dollars and they only last 3-5 months generally. A hair transplant is a better investment I think

Long term wise, id tend to agree. But like anything their are many implications involved, considering male pattern baldness is progressive we cannot predict what will happen in the near future.

For those who are fortunate they continue to maintain, and transplants will be a viable solution.

Transplants are only a good solution if are financially secure, and are ready to play roulette for the inevitable.






DIY hair systems cost about $200. Most people with experience start at salons then branch out and do it them self. Having their hair cut in, but re-attached, and attached themselves.

From my understanding most people will go through a hair piece every 3-4 months. 200+75+25(cut in, and adhesives-glue) every few months 1200 a year on average.

 

[Coppal]

Tbh, a load of reasons, i'm 23 and I have the money for one but have decided against it for a couple reasons

One - I still have a decent amount of hair, and would get my hairline "fixed" which would be good for a while, but 5-10 years after the surgery i'm going to have filled in hair at the front and further recession, and it'll look...mental

Two - Like an above poster mentioned, I dont have a problem with getting a hair transplant now and then shaving clean with a razor in the future, as i've already done it once and quite liked it, but at 23 a good head of hair seems far more appealing to me, the problem IS, that FUE and FUT both will scar you, and if I do plan on taking it down with a razor in the future, even fue will leave pimple marks

Three - I dont want to go on propecia, and people have said without propecia forget a hair transplant all together

Four - I dont want to chase surgery

Five - Cost, I doubt many can just spend 1000s and not care

Six - It's all well and good to read loads of positive reviews of hair transplants and think its the answer, but try googling "I regret my hair transplant" etc etc and see how many people are upset and wish they never got one

I personally feel hair transplants are good for men who are older and haven't lost much hair, and have had quite stable hair loss for a while, I know a guy who got one done from being near enough bald, and it looks pretty good on him, not a thick mane, but definitely a big improvement, he's about 45-50

 

[Swoop]

I think more and more people actually start doing hair transplants. The data also says that the hair transplant market is rapidly growing. I also got a feeling it's getting more "normal". I mean it's normal that someone gets a rhinoplasty when his nose is crooked or whatever. So why wouldn't it be normal that someone fixes his recession or makes a long term plan to actually get some hair on his head? I have a feeling it's getting way more mainstream. Many "celebrities" these days go for a hair transplant too.

The 2015 hair restoration practice census, published by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), showed that hair transplantation is an increasingly popular treatment for hair loss. The biennial survey found that 397,048 procedures were performed in 2014, an estimated increase of 28% over the previous survey, published in 2012. Three prior surveys found increases of up to 12%, so the rate of surgical hair restoration seems to be accelerating. Since 2006, the number of procedures worldwide has increased 76%, with the estimated global hair restoration market now valued at approximately $2.5 billion annually.

The problem earlier back in the days with hair transplants was that they were horrible on a aesthetic level. Many people have been scarred and ended up looking like a clown. That image still exists for some people I guess.

These days however a hair transplant can look natural as hell and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It's crucial to go with someone who is skilled and ethical obviously. Some people still make the mistake of not doing that and end up with a bad result.

Advancements like FUE have made hair transplant surgery more attractive too because it's seen as less invasive, not as brutal and there is no linear scar.

Yes it's an investment. One of the best investments I have ever made though.

 

[Hairloss23]

Because imo 90% don't look very good, if you're past NW2 then most Hair transplants look very bad and very thin. Also a lot of guys don't know if they're AA will ever stop maintaining for them in which case the nightmare continues. Regrowth is 1000 times better than a hair transplant because in the event that you do go bald you're not left with a nice lovely hairline with the biggest bald patch in the world behind it. It will also look more natural because it is your own hair growing where it should be. A LOT of hair transplant's fail on the temple points and the hairlines itself can often look fake as well. If you're <under NW2 and getting a hair transplant then go with an experienced one who can dense pack the hairline, Feriduni or Rahal would be best I reckon.

 

[shookwun]

Even if it doesn't last, so what? Id rather have fifteen awesome years of my life through a transplant, and some medication then not taking anything, and skipping the transplant all together. 10-15,000 over fifteen years is peanuts for the return value of being emotionally happy with yourselves. If I continue bald, i'm willing to accept my decision happily, and move on. Where as if you don't do anything all together you will still be miserable from day 1 until the end.

Those that get transplants are atleast buying time.

Worst case scenario If I were to rapidly bald, id schedule and work with my surgeon accordingly to evenly distribute grafts all over so I can age gracefully, and maintain a conservative head of hair.

As far as im concerned 10-30,000 over thirty years is peanuts for the comfort you get out of it.



Or you could be bald, and bold with your defeatist attitude.......but we all know how that plays out.:laugh:

 

[Hairloss23]

Well yes admittedly the maintenance of a hair transplant is not the main reason I would not jump head first into a hair transplant, most don't look natural and it is important to make sure your loss is at least stabilised before you go in for a one. That means I would have to wait 2 years and even then if I had stabilised they would still probably turn me away for age. They're getting better and cheaper but still quite expensive and a lot of the surgeons are very dodgy, it is an industry where you can't just go to your local surgeon across town, if you don't visit a well respected, approved surgeon then the chances are you will get a crap transplant. Also can't help but think 2 years from now there will be some improvement in the growth stims market beyond minoxidil, I am already regrowing not on commercial treatments so I would be very surprised if there wasn't a commercial treatment by then. If all that fell through however then a hair transplant it would be.

 

[Swoop]

I have the exact same mindset Shookwun and Freddie. I'm young now so I want to enjoy a proper hairline now which makes me happy. Time flies by fast and you can't go back in time. If I'll go bald in a few years from now then to hell with that. I'll just shave it down. Time is one of the most crucial things in life. At least for me.

Like you said Fred, you only have one youth.

Besides that who knows what will happen in the future.. It's uncertain. Perhaps Dr. Nigam will come up with a cure for us all .

 

[Funkymonk1]

I think the big thing for me is that there is currently no code of conduct or regulation for surgeons who do hair transplants. Neither do you need a certificate or qualification to perform the operation. Basically anyone with an MD after their name can perform a hair transplant! It's tempting to go for the cheapest transplant you can find considering the cost but do know what you're getting? You really should do your research first to find a trustworthy surgeon with a proven record of quality successful operations and if that means paying a bit more so be it.

 

[shookwun]

Its not until you go through both sides of the spectrum do you realize how big of a difference & impact a transplant has on the quality of your life. Almost feel like you are re-born, transcending into the person you should be rather then living the whole 'shell of your former self' life style.

Their is no life hiding behind a comb over, contemplating actions, and limiting yourself from actives and your full potential.



I say this from experience, and those that have been in the same boat and have bit the bullet will agree with me. Stop wasting time, and do it already.

 

[beany007]

I have had a hair transplant, one of the best things i ever did. Seriously receding at the front and it was rebuilt in Malaga (Dr Nestor Pissano) July of 2015. 6 months later and its starting to fill out. It cost me £4500 for 2500 grafts (FUE) done by Vinci Hair Clinic.
There is hardly any pain, only when the injections go in to numb the area is the time when i felt something. granted, after the procedure it was a little awkard moving around as your head feels really tight and you dont want to knock out any grafts, but as long as you take it steady you will be fine.
some of the graphs started to grow immediately, maybe 15% of them which made it look like i was thinning rather than balding. But now after 6 months its really starting to fill in. My wife used a magnifying glass on the transplanted area and she can see hundreds of tiny white shafts that are currently growing, so the next 3-4 months is an exciting time. But even if they dont grow, it looks 100 times better now.
I use 1mg of finasteride taken before i go to bed and rogain on a morning and night (1mm each) i also use shampoos that assist the hair in growing.

hope this helps.

I do have a concern about finasteride though, i was going to mention on here where you all get yours from as mine is £140 for 90 days. I am sure i can get it cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Swoop]

First of all, they do look natural in almost all cases if you pick a top surgeon like I or shookwun did.

And so what if they don't look perfectly natural? It's all we have. You wouldn't be saying all this if you were a NW5 at 23 years old like I was.

No my hair loss wasn't stabilized, but who cares? I was already bald, it couldn't get worse than that.

As Swoop says, no one knows what the future holds. There might be jack for the next 5, 10 years, possibly more.

If I had waited, I would have spent my mid-twenties to my early thirties as a slick bald man (a loser in the eyes of society).

No thanks. On the forum HLH, you can read posts from 1999 talking about a cure coming out in the next 5 years.

Here's one from 2002: http://www.hairlosshelp.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=10&threadid=13191

"I hear a cure's coming in the next 3-5 years!"

Look at what year it is, besides FUE megasessions having become the norm, we still have no better treatment than minoxidil and finasteride.

One must be delusional to think a cure will arrive within the near future 5-10 years. Especially if one is aware of all the implications in Androgenetic Alopecia and stays objective and doesn't think from a emotional standpoint. Sure, a miracle may always arise, but what are the odds for that to happen? Nihil, nada, almost zero.

We can be considered lucky if current pipeline treatments match minoxidil/finasteride. In terms of cosmetic regrowth nothing is going to deliver the same as what hair transplants can deliver currently. That is from the current pipeline treatments.

The next generation, those will be perhaps the people that will pluck the fruits of a potential very good treatment that will banish Androgenetic Alopecia for once and for all.

Till that time I'm going to enjoy my hair and try to maintain what I have. Eventually that's the best you can do anyway. Again, time flies fast.

 

[Hairloss23]

Note: I said Growth Stimulant, already they're are trials for Bimatropost, Histogen, Sammumed and other growth stims or hair restoration treatments. I'm not sure where Fred got "cure" from in my post.

 

[Dench57]

I think a lot of transplants can look unnatural unless you get a good result from one of the best. The hairline especially can often scream transplant. I wear my hair longish and style it forward so nobody ever sees my hairline, I'd hope that would make a hair transplant less obvious if/when I decide to take the hair transplant plunge.

 

[what]

I turned 44 last summer. I survived far longer than i ever anticipated (noticed in mid 20's i was receding) and now I'm finally entering NW3 territory and it "looks" like my pattern will be mainly frontal loss, with a caveat, of course. I've recession in the corners and noticed my frontal core has been diminishing in width (just about 10% remaining of original hairline) and is thinning out. It's starting to impact my looks, making me look older and tired. So, i've an interest in treating it. I would think I'm nearly an ideal transplant candidate, advanced age, minimal loss and probably could be fixed up to look 100% non-balding. I have money, so finances are not an issue. But, i'm hesistant to get a hair transplant and here's why:

1. And this is the main reason holding me back - I don't know how extensive my loss will get. As i menitioned i've held up well but, my front has taken a beating. Frontal loss is a non-issue as it's easily fixable, but the crown is not. So far my crown looks good, but (there's always a but) I notice my whorl doesn't have as much hair as it used to, the gap has increased in size. There is no noticeable bald spot but it's definitely not where it was even 5 years ago. So, maybe something is cooking there. The top of my head, in general, has thinned a bit. It's not visible thining but, based on touch i can tell it's taken a hit. So, I don't know what's going on and the fear of going full NW5-6 in the next 10 yrs, or even less, prevents me from pulling the trigger. Losing it at the crown would make a frontal transplant look weird, IMO, and is keeping me from taking the plunge. I've seen guys who reach their late 30's and then within 5 years they go significantly bald. So it's very possible it could happen. If i knew it was going to stay contained to just frontal i would go ahead with hair transplant, but the uncertainty is troubling.

2. My donor is not the densest hair ever - probably considered average. Plus my hair diameter i think is probably considered thin. Never measured it but it's pretty fine and brown/blonde in color. Most of the good results i see are from people with dense donor and thick diameter hairs. So, i don't know how well i would fare, even with good growth from a dense transplant.

3. Related to number 1, i'm not willing to take propecia. Tried it, had horrible side effects. I'm not messing with it. I can take minoxidil but that gives me sides too. There is always an adjustment period for me where it's making me feel light headed and dizzy for weeks on end. It's not pleasant and that's on once a day dosing. It affects my blood pressure which is what causes the dizziness. So, i hesitate to take it. So, basically my male pattern baldness will progress unabated.

4. This is a minor issue, but still is in play: I wouldn't want people to know. My workplace is a gossip mill. The overhead lighting is brutal and hats are not really something that is acceptable as it's a professional environment. The recovery period from hair transplant would be nearly impossible to hide from people. Especially if i went fue and shaved my head. I cringe to think of the chatter that would generate. This wouldn't hold me be back from a procedure, but, it's just another factor which adds up with the others.

5. Results are not guaranteed. Even the best surgeons have the occasional flop.

I'm on the fence and the reasons above are the main reasons why. I haven't done a in person consult yet, so, that would be something i need to do to get a better idea of my prognosis. I'd need a doctor who'd give me an honest assessment and would do a thorough miniaturization mapping. Docs i'd consider: Konior, Cooley, H&W, Rahal

Anyway, just thought i'd share my 2 cents. You guys who are young and going through this have my deepest sympathies. It's not an easy thing at any age but being young is just flat out unfair.