How to Choose a Hair Transplant Surgeon

One of the last high-profile holdouts of the passe comb over look, a certain New York City real-estate mogul was invited to appear on the final season of the Oprah show for a hair makeover.

The host of 25 years, who had already convinced an audience of men to give up their comb overs and go au naturel, did not have the same luck with our anonymous mogul.

Luckily, these days most men with ‘hair issues’ who need hair restoration or hair transplant surgery are open to exploring their options.

According to Jerry E. Cooley, MD, president of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), hair loss is a very common medical condition, affecting 50% of all men and more than 25% of women worldwide.

Says Dr. Cooley, “So, it’s no surprise that more people are talking about their hair loss and not feeling embarrassed anymore to admit that they’ve turned to hair restoration surgery to correct it.”

While women tend to seek out cosmetic surgery primarily for breast augmentation, liposuction or breast reduction, men seek out hair surgery or cosmetic surgery for hair restoration. One figure estimates that by the age of 50, 50% of all men will experience some stage of hair loss.

Most causes of hair loss, or male pattern baldness, which has been called the ‘silent epidemic’ are genetic. Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss for men and will manifest itself with a receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown of the head.

If you are in the market for hair implants or a hair transplant, how do you choose a hair transplant surgeon that will meet your cosmetic, financial and aesthetic needs?

Choose your physician wisely.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the number one decision is to never choose a doctor solely on the basis of cost.

The ASAPS recommends that you “entrust your face or body to the plastic surgeon with whom you feel most comfortable.”

Next, choose a specialist or hair transplant surgeon who exclusively devotes himself to hair surgery.

Ideally, the surgeon will be board certified in his field and have admitting privileges to perform the procedure in an acute care hospital, in case of emergency.

Facilities should be accredited by a recognized accrediting body, state-licensed or Medicare-certified.

Although you may be swayed by large national companies with glitzy advertising and beautiful women, be wary of large companies which may employ doctors on a percentage basis.

Choose a practice where you will be the only patient or one of two on any given day.

Be cognizant of the fact that there are different types of hair transplant surgery. Micro-follicular unit transplantation is the most up-to-date and accurate form of surgery.

Ultimately, the surgeon, his technique and artistry, as well as the team performing the surgery will largely determine the quality of the hair transplant.

And lastly, make sure that the hair transplant surgeon you choose is more interested in your well-being and how you and your hairline look, rather than how his bottom line looks.

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