THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Sometimes we ignore advice for better or worse and its usually after we have made up our minds and are determined to go through whatever we have decided to do. It could be because we have been burned in the past, or that it’s how we are wired, but in most circumstances, we will stick by our decision.
With highly professional industries such as medicine, it is even more difficult to take advice, as we think all doctors abide by the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. Whether its for money or just sheer incompetence, not all outcomes are the same and can be life changing.
What are the “bad” and “ugly” aspects of a Hair Transplant?
Bad Doctors
When we use the term “bad” in referring to the doctors/surgeons, we are referring to their skill level and not their evil intentions. As with any profession, there are those who are highly skilled and blessed with talent, many who are average, and those who are just not very good. 99.99% doctors are most likely more intelligent then the average person, but when its in relation to their peers, there are those that rank at the bottom. There are many reasons for this, but in most cases, it comes down to poor training and a poor overall medical environment.
Sub-Standard Environment
The biggest problem that all hospitals, clinics and treatment centers face is the risk of Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI) or Nosocomial Infection. These are infections which are acquired when having a major or even minor procedure in a medical environment. Although a Hair Transplant is not a major procedure or invasive, there is always the risk of a HAI and further complications. The infection can occur in the best Hospitals, although the chances increase where hygiene and required procedures are not followed. Many clinics that offer inexpensive Hair Transplants suffer from having proper surgical theaters as well as using unsterile devices.
Focus on Quantity not Quality
A Hair Transplant, although not major surgery, is a medical procedure which must been done with care and precision. This cannot be achieved when the goal of the clinic is to get patients through the procedure like a car on the assembly line. A fair number of clinics are looking to substitute expedience for quality and are only looking at the bottom line. Many of these clinics provide inexpensive transplants and are in countries that do not have strict rules and regulations regarding medical procedures. This can occur in many Western countries as well but seems for widespread in countries which the clinics are not highly regulated and corruption is rampant.
The Younger the Better
As with any type of surgery or medical treatment, the younger and healthier a person is, the better the outcome. Of course, there are exceptions, but for majority of patients, the sooner you decide to have a transplant the better chance there is of having a natural looking head of hair.
The factors involved consist of the availability of donor hair and the chance that you will recover quicker with the transplant being successful. Obviously, a Hair Transplant is something which needs to be researched and studied, but when you decide that it is a viable option, the sooner you get it done the better. Most young adults who are losing their hair in a specific area, will still have full and thick hair elsewhere which can be used for the transplant. The older you get the more hair is lost as well as the hair not being as healthy as before.
From getting sick to bodily injuries, a younger person is in a better position to recover sooner and better. As we age our immune systems are weaker which translate into more complications from surgery as well as the inability for the body to properly heal. Most Hair Transplant clinics will not take patients who are older than 65 years of age. They will also not treat those with certain medical conditions or those who are unhealthy.
Bait and Switch
Many hair clinics will do whatever they can do lure unsuspecting patients to their doorstep. One of the biggest scams or methods is to use a reputable doctor in the country as the face of the clinic. This doctor will be used in all the marketing campaigns and material, but in many cases will only have a loose affiliation with the clinic. They might even show up at the initial consultation or before the surgery is performed but will never perform the surgery which is done by sub-par surgeons or even technicians. In many cases this information will not be made available to you and you will only learn of the issue after your surgery.
The best way to avoid this problem is to ask many questions during your initial consultation and if the answers are not satisfactory, then move on. Reviews from former patients are the best way to get a proper look into the goings on of the clinic and the problems that may occur. The patients who are not satisfied with their treatment are usually the ones that will write a review. If a clinic has a lot of positive reviews, then there is a good chance that the clinic will be up to your standards. Regardless of the reviews and marketing, do your research and don’t be afraid to ask specific questions. It’s a big decision to have a Hair Transplant and it is incumbent upon you to do the proper research.
What are the “good” aspects of a Hair Transplant?
Full Head of Hair
I hope I didn’t discourage you from getting a Hair Transplant, but all the above needs to be discussed to ensure potential patients are getting what they pay for and are taking the necessary precautions. With that being said, there is nothing better for hair loss then a proper Hair Transplant. Until the “magic pill” is created to grow a full and thick head of hair, a Hair Transplant is the best option if you qualify.
As discussed above, there are great clinics and bad clinics, as well as great doctors and bad doctors. If you do the proper research and due diligence, you will be able to find a doctor that can perform your Hair Transplant for an affordable price. There is no need to go to the ends of the earth to find an affordable treatment.
Many of the clinics in Europe offer a proper transplant for those looking to stay in their city or region. Unfortunately, the cost of a Hair Transplant in many of these Western European countries as well as the UK and Ireland can be cost prohibitive. A £15,000 or €13,000 hair transplant can be out of the question for the average person and prevent someone from a full head of hair. Fortunately for those in these countries and in the US, there is an option which does not sacrifice quality for cost.
The “great” thing about Hair Transplants is that they have been around for a long time and the technology and competition has created a way for those who are not wealthy to capitalize on the technology. The FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method has proved to be a vast improvement on the old technology of cluster transplants. With individual hairs being transplanted instead of groups of 10, the outcome of the procedure is more natural than ever.
Certain countries such as Hungary have become a destination for many medical procedures, especially Hair Transplants. The cost of flying to Budapest, Hungary to receive a high-quality transplant is in the range of 70% less expensive than in the above-mentioned countries. The doctors and clinics are all regulated and certified under existing EU laws, thereby guaranteeing a top-notch procedure and outcome.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly exist in all professions and services. Anything as important and serious as a Hair Transplant should be researched and understood before stepping into the game. Read through the information, reviews and articles to guarantee the best outcome for you.