Quality Hair Transplants - Or, You Get What You Pay For
Hair transplant surgery is the number one cosmetic procedure chosen by men.
While women more often choose liposuction, breast augmentation or reduction, men opt for hair restoration.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, hair loss affects approximately 60 million men and women.
By age 50, half of all men will experience some hair loss.
If the procedure is done properly it will be a rewarding experience for the patient.
Conversely, if done improperly, it can become a patient's worst nightmare.
So, how does one choose wisely and evaluate the cost of hair restoration surgery? Consider these facts: The gold-standard of medical hair transplant surgery is called 'follicular unit transplant' and you should inquire whether your surgeon is familiar with this procedure.
An inexpensive or poorly done hair transplant may cost you more in the long run.
The transplanted hair may not grow, and you may need to repeat the procedure, most likely pay more, and have less donor area to work with.
This is the best of the worst case scenarios.
Many doctors perform corrective surgery on patients who exhibit visible scarring from past procedures and may be limited as to what he can do.
It is not uncommon to find clients with large, visible scars.
If FUT is performed correctly, scarring is minimal and may not be visible to the casual observer.
Hair restoration surgery is labor intensive and requires skilled staff who earn an above average wage.
Would you rather pay less and get less experienced staff when your hairline depends on it? Cutting tissue under a microscope is not easy.
Would you be worried if inexperienced staff were assigned to you? Less experienced staff may not adequately prepare or place the tissue as well as more experienced technicians.
Some hair grafts may not survive.
Misplaced tissue will create an environment where the hair will not grow, causing the need for additional surgeries, additional costs and extreme frustration on the part of the patient.
Some practitioners may lower their costs by performing multiple surgeries on the same day.
This translates to more revenue for the practice but may not translate into better care for you, the patient.
Again, think twice before you make cost your primary motivation for hair restoration.
The following are some helpful hints when it comes to pricing and choosing a hair transplant procedure:
While women more often choose liposuction, breast augmentation or reduction, men opt for hair restoration.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, hair loss affects approximately 60 million men and women.
By age 50, half of all men will experience some hair loss.
If the procedure is done properly it will be a rewarding experience for the patient.
Conversely, if done improperly, it can become a patient's worst nightmare.
So, how does one choose wisely and evaluate the cost of hair restoration surgery? Consider these facts: The gold-standard of medical hair transplant surgery is called 'follicular unit transplant' and you should inquire whether your surgeon is familiar with this procedure.
An inexpensive or poorly done hair transplant may cost you more in the long run.
The transplanted hair may not grow, and you may need to repeat the procedure, most likely pay more, and have less donor area to work with.
This is the best of the worst case scenarios.
Many doctors perform corrective surgery on patients who exhibit visible scarring from past procedures and may be limited as to what he can do.
It is not uncommon to find clients with large, visible scars.
If FUT is performed correctly, scarring is minimal and may not be visible to the casual observer.
Hair restoration surgery is labor intensive and requires skilled staff who earn an above average wage.
Would you rather pay less and get less experienced staff when your hairline depends on it? Cutting tissue under a microscope is not easy.
Would you be worried if inexperienced staff were assigned to you? Less experienced staff may not adequately prepare or place the tissue as well as more experienced technicians.
Some hair grafts may not survive.
Misplaced tissue will create an environment where the hair will not grow, causing the need for additional surgeries, additional costs and extreme frustration on the part of the patient.
Some practitioners may lower their costs by performing multiple surgeries on the same day.
This translates to more revenue for the practice but may not translate into better care for you, the patient.
Again, think twice before you make cost your primary motivation for hair restoration.
The following are some helpful hints when it comes to pricing and choosing a hair transplant procedure:
- Make sure the doctor you choose is a specialist, meaning all he does is hair surgery.
Do not choose a plastic surgeon that performs hair surgery only a few times each week.
Additionally, the surgeon should have a minimum of 5 years hair transplant experience. - Choose a small practice which does not employ doctors on a percentage basis.
Opt for a practice where you will be the only patient, or one of two on any given day. - Select a practice that will give you an estimate in cost per hair, not cost per graft or follicular unit.
The reason for this is that practitioners can manipulate grafts and follicular units.
No one can manipulate hairs. - Ask questions regarding how many hairs it will take to fill in an area and get a good idea of the density in that area.
You may need a second procedure on areas that are completely bald or on new areas that have lost additional hair since the surgery. - Discuss your options with your physician and set realistic expectations for your outcome, based on individual preferences, health status and budget constraints.
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