More Men Undergo Hair Transplants in Lieu of 'Miracle Treatments'

by Alexandra Kilpatrick

It appears that male hair loss sufferers are giving up on trying miracle pills and internet potions to reverse their condition.

There has been a 260 percent increase in men asking for hair transplants and a 180 percent increase in men travelling abroad for less expensive procedures, according to a recent WhatClinic.com opinion poll of hair experts.

HuffPost UK Lifestyle spoke to Hair Restoration Blackrock’s medical director Dr. Maurice Collins to find out why this surge of male interest has occurred in the hair transplant industry.

“Two factors, the technology of hair transplantation has improved dramatically over the last 10 years,” Collins told the Huffington Post. “A good hair transplant carried out by a trained team of technicians and a specialist hair transplant surgeon should not be noticeable, not even to one’s barber.

“The old toilet brush style transplants of the 70s are definitely a thing of the past. Secondly, the likes of James Nesbitt and Wayne Rooney going public has helped remove the stigma of having a hair transplant. Men in their 40s, 50s and 60s are still unlikely to talk openly about their hair loss concerns, but men in their 20s and 30s are much more open.”

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) occurs when a strip of hair follicles is removed from the scalp and transplanted to the front of the head, while follicular unit extraction (FUE) transplants individual clusters of one to four hairs, which leads to better results and less scarring.

A recent poll showed that 78 percent of cosmetic surgeons confirmed that male interest in cosmetic surgery was on the rise. About 89 percent claimed they believe that men are more conscious of their appearance than ever before.

“The drugs that are currently available (Minoxidil and Finasteride) can arrest hair loss for a limited number of years but do not reverse hair loss,” Dr. Collins told the Huffington Post. “Hair transplantation takes existing hair from the back of the head and plants it on top and at the front. It restores a hair line and fills in the gap, but it is not a cure. It is likely that if a cure is found it will come from stem cell research.”

Turkey is the top destination for British men travelling overseas for hair transplant procedures, due to the lower starting prices of 2,600 dollars and affordable flights. While India boasts much lower average prices starting at only 1,270 dollars, the flight costs likely deter patients.

Dr. Collins comments that hair transplants are not the only option for those with hair loss.

“Only one in four men who visit HRBR proceed to have a transplant,” Collins told the Huffington Post. “For those who choose not to have a transplant, the first option is to accept your hair loss and shave your head. Many men are not too worried about their hair loss and look great with a shaved head – think Andre Agassi or Bruce Willis. Others are not suitable candidates. For example, they may not have enough donor hair for transplantation. The donor hair comes from the back of the head, which is immune to hair loss. Budget and age are also factors.

“Many men benefit greatly from taking Minoxidil and Finasteride. The synergistic effect of taking both drugs can arrest hair loss and strengthen the existing hairs for a number of years, which has the effect of more hair, as if the patient has new hair. Young men will often opt for this option for a number of years before considering a hair transplant. Lastly, as patient may not be suitable if their hair loss pattern is not yet established, meaning it would be too soon for a transplant. Men in their mid-thirties and older, where their hair loss pattern is established are more suitable than those in their 20s.”

For men with hair loss considering hair transplants, Dr. Collins suggests doing your research before undergoing treatment.

“Shop around, compare a few clinics,” Collins told the Huffington Post. “Don’t go for the cheapest. You get what you pay for. Look for a clinic that is run by trained surgeons. Look for experience and qualifications. The industry is currently unregulated, meaning anyone can set up a clinic, a GP, a nurse, a salesman. Make sure your consultation is with the surgeon who will carry out your transplant, not a salesperson. If the consultation is free then it’s a sales pitch not a consultation. Look for patient testimonials on the clinic website.”

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about hair loss and how to treat it, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!