Hair loss is my most popular topic as a grooming writer. Or rather, hair regrowth and maintenance is my most popular topic, as there are highly effective ways to reverse male pattern baldness or prevent hair loss in the first place. This is a life-changing boost to a man’s self-confidence — much more so than most moisturizers, toothpaste tubes, or shampoos (not that I don’t love writing about those things, either). I feel an obligation to talk openly and proudly about hair transplants.
Sure, finasteride and minoxidil are very effective at regrowing hair, but they can’t replace all the hair you’ve lost without a transplant. My hair was receding badly, but the receding hair usually heals completely without intervention. When it comes to general thinning hair on the top of the head, without a transplant you can only really replace the hair you’ve lost in the past year or two, and you’ll need to continue using minoxidil and/or finasteride.
Nearly three and a half years after my hair transplant procedure, I’d like to share some of my results and my partner’s (he’s entering his eighth month as of the time of these photos), explain how our needs were different in terms of hair type, density, and shedding patterns, what to expect in terms of results, and give some tough advice on how you should approach hair transplants (and whether you should forgo them altogether).
Let me make one thing clear: there’s nothing shameful about going bald. In fact, I envy men who have embraced it better than I have. I have a bald father and brother, and both have handsome, polished crowns.
Where did you have your hair transplant surgery?
We both went to Turkey for hair transplants, similar to an anonymous GQ writer who did the same thing recently. Specifically, my partner Andre and I went to Dr. Serkan Aygin’s clinic. And if you want an up-front recommendation, this is it. Amazing results. Just the best.
The decision to go to Istanbul was not a difficult one. First, we live in Europe and it’s only a few hours flight away, which reduces the burden of a long-haul flight back home. Second, Istanbul has an amazing number of world-class doctors. Procedures that would cost $10,000-$30,000 in the US can be done for $3,000-$4,000 in Turkey. (FYI: If you want to get Botox for less than you can get in NYC: you can still save by booking a round-trip flight to Kansas to get Botox.)
In Istanbul, most world-class venues tend to cost between $2,000 and $5,000 including flights and hotel, so think carefully before you base your decision on geographic convenience. Not to mention that one in five men at Istanbul airport has just had the top of their head plucked. Not a single person will give you a funny look as you walk through security with a rosy, scabby scalp. I promise. It’s just weird that everything feels normal there.
