Hair Implants - Pros and Cons

[buddtholomew]

When faced with the realities of thinning hair an implant is a viable option. Alternative options range from letting nature take its course to shaving the head completely bald. Prices are reasonable and I'm sure it does wonders for self esteem. How natural do implants look? Also, am I going to wonder whether others know I have had a procedure done? Interested in opinions from those who have researched implants and either decided they were not an option or moved forward with the surgery.

Oh yeah, its for my friend as I have a luscious head of hair.

[Benko]

I would suggest a trial of chinese herbs + eclipta (ayurvedic i.e. Indian medicine herb).  He should see results in perhaps 2 months, though it will probably take much longer for full growth.  Stuff is not very expensive and there should be no side effects. 

[dualstow]

Oh yeah, its for my friend as I have a luscious head of hair.

lol. I do hope your friend finds a permanent port-follicle strategy.

[amdda01]

I wear a full-cap hairpiece (wig) and have been researching hair replacement options forever.

Here's the skinny:

1. Hair transplants

* Two types : FUT (strip) & FUE (scarless)
* FUT typically provides best density, but you're left with an ear-to-ear scar on the back of your head
* FUE is scarless, but more $$$
* Doctors only display their best work; plenty of procedures gone wrong
* Results not guaranteed (i.e., shock loss, additional grafts required)
* Takes almost a year to see end result
* Cost depends on # of grafts; for a Norwood 7 (extreme baldness), expect $30,000 and up
* Drugs are usually required (min/fin)

2. Hair system (piece)

* Two types : Partial (topper) and full-cap (complete wig)
* Instant and guaranteed results
* Virtually undetectable if attached and styled properly
* Very affordable ($240/topper to $450/full cap)
* Daily/weekly maintenance required
* Guaranteed results
* Always have the option to ditch the piece later on

3. SMP (Micropigmentation)

* Hair "tattoo" that provides buzzed look
* Restricted to a specific look (buzzed)
* Typically works better for ethnic skin tones (African American, latino)
* Cost: $3500 (Norwood 7)
* Two types: Permanent & Temporary
* Permanent: Offered by 3 clinics in the US; long-term results unknown
* Temporary: Only offered by 2 clinic in Europe; 6-12 months
* Results not guaranteed; depends on skill of practitioner

4. Shaved head

* Look depends on shape of head and ethnicity; most white men don't look good unless accompanied by a tan and fit body
* Minimal expense (razors, shaving cream)
* Minimal maintenance
* Less desirable by women, in general

[buddtholomew]

Thank you for the excellent overview of available treatment options amdda01.

[annieB]

That was a great analysis.

[iwealth]

I wear a full-cap hairpiece (wig) and have been researching hair replacement options forever.

Here's the skinny:

1. Hair transplants

* Two types : FUT (strip) & FUE (scarless)
* FUT typically provides best density, but you're left with an ear-to-ear scar on the back of your head
* FUE is scarless, but more $$$
* Doctors only display their best work; plenty of procedures gone wrong
* Results not guaranteed (i.e., shock loss, additional grafts required)
* Takes almost a year to see end result
* Cost depends on # of grafts; for a Norwood 7 (extreme baldness), expect $30,000 and up
* Drugs are usually required (min/fin)

Drugs should only be "required" in that you'd ideally keep the remaining non-transplanted hair. If your hairline continues to recede, it'll only do so behind the transplanted hair which I imagine could look a bit strange.

Also, a lot of guys will travel across the country or even out of the country to use the best HT surgeons. Skill and experience matters here big time.

Disclaimer: I've not had work done but would not hesitate down the road if necessary

[amdda01]

Traveling is definitely an option.

I investigated Dr. Path and Pong in Thailand ($2/graft) as well as Dr. Radha in India ($1/graft).

More info:

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/e ... plant.html

[WildAboutHarry]

Oh yeah, its for my friend as I have a luscious head of hair.

Was your friend's hair sadly lost in a boating accident?

[Pointedstick]

I'm going bald and my plan is to just adopt the Breaking Bad look. No sense in fighting the inevitable, I say.

[MachineGhost]

When faced with the realities of thinning hair an implant is a viable option. Alternative options range from letting nature take its course to shaving the head completely bald. Prices are reasonable and I'm sure it does wonders for self esteem. How natural do implants look? Also, am I going to wonder whether others know I have had a procedure done? Interested in opinions from those who have researched implants and either decided they were not an option or moved forward with the surgery.

Hair implants are ALWAYS obvious and it does not just hide quietly in the background.  It projects an insecure image to the viewer.  It's like a Mickey Rourke or Burt Reynolds facelift...  obvious and terrible.

Has your friend you tried DHT blockers?  What about the Theradome? http://www.businessweek.com/articles/20 ... ith-lasers

I'm currently experimenting with an anti-grey hair protocol so don't really have any experience to shed on hair-loss other than that there are many alternative therapies that seem to work.

[gizmo_rat]

I'm going bald and my plan is to just adopt the Breaking Bad look. No sense in fighting the inevitable, I say.

I like that plan.  Probably because it's my chosen plan as well! 

I commandeered the dog's clippers as soon as I noticed a bald bit, started off with a #5 and worked my way down year by year as it spread. This coming year will be a #1 year, Breaking bad in about 2 years I reckon.
Oddly my self image hasn't caught up, walking through the town I occasionally fail to recognise the evil looking bastard reflected back in shop windows.

http://youtu.be/lk8jfcwWNiE?t=54s