Most of us living in the 70s and 80s fondly remember the TV commercials with the pitchman saying “Remember, I’m not only the Hair Club President, but I’m also a client.” Sy Sperling the founder of the Hair Club for Men (and Women) recently passed away at the age of 78. A pioneer of not only the “pitch man” type of commercials, he was also influential in making Hair Loss treatment acceptable and popular.
What was Revolutionary about the Hair Club
At a time when hair loss treatment consisted of an ill-fitting wig or toupee, Sy Sperling revolutionized treatment through various “weaving systems” which combined one’s own hair with a mesh cap, which consisted of a weave with donor hair matching your own. Several times a year you would have to visit one of the hair Club locations for “maintenance” to keep the hair looking natural and groomed.
“By 1991, Hair Club for Men had 40 franchises. Men paid between $2,000 and $3,500 for the system and then $65 for maintenance appointments. Revenue reached $100 million annually.” Associated Press 1/20/20
The cost of the procedure was not cheap for that time, and for $3,500 in 2020 you can undergo an FUE Hair Transplant in Budapest, Hungary. But as with many Medical Procedures, the prices tend to decrease over time with the technology advancing. Either way Hair Club provided men with an alternative to hair loss.
How will Sy Sperling be Remembered?
With limited options in the 70s and Hair Loss treatment being somewhat of a taboo, Sy Sperling took the courageous leap of making it mainstream and widely accepted for those not satisfied with their balding scalps. Although his treatment is considered antiquated compared to today’s standards, Mr. Sperling can be considered a pioneer in the treatment of Hair Loss.
Thanks to Sy Sperling we have other options for restoring lost hair as well as being afforded the opportunities to fly to other countries for affordable Hair Transplants. If you are interested in restoring your lost hair, contact us in Hungary for a free consultation of the latest FUE Hair Transplant techniques. Rest in Peace Sy and thanks for your contributions to the industry!