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How can you assess the quality of a particular hair loss product? I have done some research myself for a hair regrowth supplement and I personally believe that this can help me regrow hair but, of course, it’s not an overnight course and I am still considering hair transplant surgery. How costly are hair transplants and how many procedures will I need?

Beware! The hair loss industry is rife with snake oil salesman making lofty claims about unproven and ineffective hair growth treatments.

For men there are only two clinically proven and FDA approved medical hair loss treatments. These are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). However, there are some credible natural alternatives available via our online store. It’s important to note that no alternative hair loss treatment is likely to be as effective as Rogaine and Propecia.

The cost of hair restoration surgery and the number of procedures a patient may require will depend on many variables including but not limited to the patient’s degree of hair loss, scalp/hair characteristics and the clinic the patient has chosen.

The best way to research hair loss treatments and hair transplant surgery is to frequent online hair restoration communities like our Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network.

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David (TakingThePlunge) Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

Get Proven Hair Loss Treatments at the Best Prices by visiting our new Online Hair Loss Product Store

Let’s face it; a hair transplant procedure is a luxury item. For the average guy or gal working to make ends meet, raise a family and prepare for the unexpected curve balls life can deliver, setting aside a few thousand dollars for a cosmetic procedure may seem an unattainable goal. Often, balding men and women desiring to take control of their hair loss simply wait and watch the years pass by hoping for “the right time” to come. Well, the right time may not be as far off as you think.

Some people choose to view surgical hair restoration as not so much an expense but an investment in themselves. If that’s the case for you, then a little financial creativity may have you seriously considering hair transplant surgery sooner rather than later.

Recently, forum member “RCWest” started a thread asking members to share the methods they used to finance their hair restoration procedures. To learn how hair transplant patients faced the high cost of surgery, follow the link, How did you finance your procedure?

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: hair transplant, balding, hair loss, hair restoration

Balding men and women considering surgical hair restoration as an option are often concerned about the costs associated with this procedure. Anyone who watches late-night television infomercials is probably familiar with how chain hair restoration clinics liken the accessibility of surgical hair restoration to that of lasik eye surgery or teeth whitening. While it may seem laughable to compare a $15,000 hair transplant to a $250 teeth whitening, the reality is that hair transplant surgery, along with many other cosmetic procedures, is becoming as commonplace as orthodontia in many parts of the world.

So how does the “average guy” (or gal) afford such a costly, elective procedure, especially in a stretched economy?

In his post, Hair Transplant Surgery: Only For The Weathy??, forum member “thunderball” challenges the notion that surgical hair restoration can be obtained on a middle class income. What do you think? Follow the link to voice your opinion.

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

Technorati Tags: Balding, hair restoration, hair transplant

My hair is thinning in the crown and the front. I’m not bald yet but I’m on the way. I’m interested in follicular unit hair transplantation and I’d like to know how much I can expect to pay, what is the risk of infection and how long for recovery?

Those are great questions! The cost of a hair transplant procedure will vary depending on your choice of doctor and how many follicular unit grafts you need. Without seeing photos of your hair loss, it would be impossible for me to speculate on your total cost but you can expect to pay around $4 to $5 USD per graft.

If you are experiencing thinning hair but not yet bald, you may want to explore non-surgical hair loss treatments such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride).

There are many variables that affect hair transplant healing, hair growth and recovery times and these issues can be better addressed by scheduling a free consultation with one of our recommended hair restoration physicians.

I highly recommend that you spend some time on our hair loss forum and social community researching our doctors, looking at before and after hair transplant photos and communicating with patients before making any decisions.

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David – aka TakingThePlunge
Assistant Publisher and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

If you are like most members of our hair loss forum community, you may be dreaming of the confidence a full head of hair once gave you. The bathroom mirror who used to be considered a friend, is now glaring back at you with a bald head and an unfriendly face.

Thankfully, today’s state of the art hair transplant techniques can produce results that mimic nature and restore a person’s confidence in their appearance. But is surgical hair restoration for everyone or is it just another impossible dream daunting our hopes?

To discuss the realities of hair transplant surgery including the necessary costs and risks involved, visit “Is Anyone Dreaming of a Hair Transplant?” You are encouraged to dream and encourage one another by offering our input and experiences.

Bill Seemiller
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Social Network and  Enhanced Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos  on YouTube

Technorati Tags: bald, hair transplant, hair restoration, Bill Seemiller

Good day. I would like some information regarding the cost of FUE hair transplantation, any possible risks involved with this type of surgery, and where the best clinics are   located. Also, I was advised that I might need around 2,550 grafts or hairs transplanted, but I can’t remember which term was used. What’s the difference exactly?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a still a relatively new hair transplant procedure. Due to some of the inherent limitations of the technique at this point in time, performing an otherwise standard-sized megasession can be a somewhat risky venture. Safely transplanting 2,500 grafts would most likely take at least two days to accomplish, and could wind up costing twice as much as a FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation). You should also become aware of the distinction between the proposed graft number and final hair count: the former will invariably be lower than the total amount of hairs moved, as naturally occurring follicular units are largely divided down and modified after dissection.

FUE is an extremely delicate, time-consuming process, so yield may be compromised if too much is being attempted too quickly. There is also some degree of scarring associated with the procedure. It won’t produce a linear strip scar, but tiny, feint “dots” may be visible upon close inspection. If an inexperienced hair transplant surgeon uses improper technique, especially with a punch tool greater than .9mm in diameter, the patient could end up with a “moth-eaten” look in the donor area reminiscent of plug extraction, which can potentially be worse than a strip scar. There are other physiological factors/obstacles that may come into play during FUE work, possibly more so than in a traditional strip surgery. Many prominent hair restoration physicians have emphasized the importance of overall scalp “cooperation”.

There’s no doubt that men and women with hair loss considering surgical hair restoration are concerned about cost. After all, hair transplant surgery is an expensive investment and should be considered carefully before jumping in, especially if multiple procedures are needed to meet your long term hair restoration goals.

Hair transplant costs will vary depending upon the number of grafts needed, the type of procedure requested (follicular unit hair transplantation – FUT or follicular unit extraction – FUE), and the amount a clinic charges. However, since clinics often charge different amounts, patients often ask, “is cost is an indication of the quality of work they do?” In other words, does the expression “you get what you pay for” apply to hair replacement surgery?

Hair loss forum member “gryphon” recently started a topic comparing prices from several leading hair restoration clinics and offered his opinion. To view his and other opinions or to share your own, click here.

Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, hair transplant, hair restoration, Hair transplant costs, hair replacement, Hair loss forum, hair restoration clinics

This hair loss question was answered by  Dr. Glenn Charles of Florida  who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.   His professional answer is below.

Do all the good doctors require you shave your head before hair transplant surgery?

There are some great hair transplant doctors who require the patients shave the hair and other excellent hair restoration doctors who do not require shaving. One thing for sure is that the surgery is easier to perform if there is no hair to work around.

The question is what is more important? Making the surgery easy for the doctor and staff or keeping the patient happy even though the surgery may take a little longer. When a hair transplant megasession of densely packed grafts are placed into an area that has existing hair, there is often the development of postoperative shock loss and significant thinning hair. This can be very upsetting to the patient. Some physicians may choose to require shaving prior to surgery to avoid the potential patient complaints. Interestingly enough I have heard that some doctors actually charge more if the patient does not shave.

Dr. Glenn Charles, D.O.

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Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, hair transplant doctors, hair restoration, hair transplant megasession, shock loss, thinning hair

We get hundreds of hair loss related questions sent to us on a weekly basis and we do our best to answer them all in a timely fashion. Below, we’ve highlighted some important and controversial hair restoration topics for your review and posted the answers in our news and blogs.

Feel free to ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by emailing help@hairtransplantnetwork.com.

The Reality of Today’s Hair Loss Treatments

Can Rogaine Speed up Transplanted Hair Growth? (answered by Coalition member Dr. Robert True)

Knowing You’re Getting the Hair Transplant You Paid For

Do Lesser Known Surgeons Produce Quality Hair Transplant Results?

What are your Thoughts on Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?

Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair restoration, Dr. Robert True

While many hair restoration physicians offer free consultations for prospective patients considering hair transplant surgery, others charge an initial consultation fee.

While balding men and women would rather meet with doctors free of charge, doctors who charge a consultation fee argue that they’re being paid for their time to educate and help hair loss sufferers develop a long term hair restoration plan, some of which may never even schedule with them for surgery. On the other hand, doctors who offer free consults argue that providing free consults is not only part of the job, but it cultivates more patients for them.

This topic was recently discussed and debated on our hair loss forum. To join in the debate, visit “What’s with the High First Time Consultation Fees?”

Bill Seemiller
Associate Publisher/Editor

Technorati Tags: hair restoration physicians, hair transplant, balding, hair loss, hair restoration