I am continuously updating this section with the key lessons I have learned during my hair loss and hair restoration journey.
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Lesson #1: FUE vs. FUT
These are both methods to extract hair from the donor area. The hair is placed in the recipient area the same way. One is not superior over the other. The approach depends on the results you want, or what your wallet can cover.
Lesson #2: Don’t wait
The longer you wait, the more hair you lose. Don’t wait to begin discovering what approaches work for you.
Lesson #3: Patience, patience, patience
Be patient. Having patience is easier said than done. Results don’t come quickly. Medications may take over three months to see results. Surgical results will take up to one year. All-natural alternatives are unproven and only be a placebo.
Lesson #4: Evaluate all options
There are other options that consultations with hair loss professionals will discuss. Based on my age and amount of hair loss, these options wouldn’t provide any additional benefits besides depleting my checking account.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections promote hair growth, but there is no scientific proof. Some Dr.’s will advocate this, and others won’t mention it. PRP treatments must be performed annually and can cost a few hundred dollars.
- A Laser Cap is the most expensive baseball cap you’ll ever purchase, upwards of $1,000. These caps have reportedly helped treat hair loss and promote thinning hair regrow thicker and fuller.
Lesson #5: Medication is cheaper than you think, and consult your doctor
Finasteride, a generic version of Propecia, has been found to regrow hair and help hair become thicker and fuller. Follow your doctor’s orders; more is not better. I am paying $16.36 per month for Finasteride and Rogaine.
- 5 mg costs me $1.50 per month. I cut the pill into 1/4’s and take 1/4 per day every morning. I was told not to cut them all at once, as they may lose potency.
- Rogaine foam cost me $44.59 for a three month supply on Amazon.
Compare this to today’s popular monthly hair loss-treatment-in-a-box subscription plans. Each plan offers a discount on your first 3-month purchase.
Roman – $35 for Finasteride and Minoxidal
Keeps – $40 for Finasteride and Minoxidal
Hims – $43.50 for Finasteride and Minoxidal
Lesson #6: Hair density
A hair transplant will not give you the same hair density you had when you were 20. The goal is to achieve a density that makes your hair look thick.
Lesson #7: Robots
My opinion is to stay away. This approach seems to have fallen out of favor. Unless the doctor uses this for 100% of their patients and has used it for several years, I wouldn’t consider this approach.
Lesson #8: It takes a team
Your doctor’s team is just as important as the doctor. They all work together to provide you with the best experience and results.
Lesson #9: Consultations are with salespeople, not doctors
Your consultation will be with a dynamic person who has probably has gone through a hair transplant or used other methods. Their experience lends to their credibility as a trustworthy source because they can relate to what you are experiencing. However, they are still trying to make a sale because they also have a family to feed.
Very few clinics offer to set up a time to discuss your treatment with the doctor.
Lesson #10: Seek experienced doctors
You have to wait a 12+ months before you see the full results of your hair transplant. Your doctor also has to wait 12+ months to see the results of their work. Only after they see the results can they make corrections to their process or procedures. The more transplants your doctor has performed means they hopefully have refined their technique and honed their skill. You don’t want to be a guinea pig.
Lesson #11: Certification
According to the American Hair Loss Association, “Currently hair transplant surgery or surgical hair restoration has no approved medical specialty board sanctioned by The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).“
I chose a clinic that appearance in the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS).
Lesson #12: Expand your search
Don’t focus only on doctors in your local area. Expand your search and set up virtual consultations outside your city or state. There are ways to travel cheaply. You can earn 100,000 points on the Marriott Bonvoy card by Chase. These points will pay for 2-3 nights in a Marriott hotel, depending on the class. Depending on the dates you travel, Delta Skymiles card from American Express is offering 35,000 miles. They are flexible and allow you to use cash and points to purchase your ticket.
Lesson #13: You
You place a huge part in the success of your hair transplant.
- You must have a sufficient donor area
- You need to follow the pre-operations rules
- You aspire to follow the post-operation rules
- You want to take steps to retain the hair you have
The goal is not to go back for another hair transplant.
Lesson #14: Be realistic
If your 40, you aren’t going to look 20. Be realistic and strive to look your best for your age.
Lesson #15: Be honest with yourself
It’s easy to lie to ourselves. I tried convincing myself of the FUT because of the cost. I grew my hair out and had it styled to see how I would look. I knew immediately in the barber’s chair that I hated how I looked. But I spent the next four weeks trying to convince myself otherwise. Ultimately, my husband set me straight and helped me to make the right decision.
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