How to Evaluate Hair Restoration Surgeons
Anybody who has observed the first signs of hair loss is sure to think of hair restoration surgeons. Hair loss, whether from a receding hairline or male pattern baldness, is more common in men than in women, and is a major cause of self-consciousness and stress. Hair treatment products may promise the world but often deliver negligible results, if any. Often, their most tangible effect is on your wallet, the hair restoration price is going to set you back but it does work for restoring your hair as opposed to many products which do absolutely nothing. For most people, a hair restoration procedure is the most viable option to regain their crowning glory. As such, evaluating different surgeons to find the best one for you is important.
Reputation – the most trustworthy doctors are usually the ones who have carried out numerous hair restoration surgeries. Experience counts because a botched procedure can result in wasted money, pain and side effects that can last for years. Checking for complaints against a particular surgeon may yield important information. One way to find an experienced surgeon is through referrals from your own physician or satisfied customers.
When meeting with the surgeon, ask to see before and after pictures of satisfied customers to determine the surgeon’s skill. Some surgeons may also have written and published important papers in their field of specialization. If this is the case, an article published in a peer-review journal stands the surgeon in good stead as it means his or her peers find the information valid and acceptable.
Thorough consultation – a consultation is the norm before a major procedure like hair restoration. The surgeon should be able to provide a quote and cost estimate for the operation and the type and amount of work that your scalp requires. Remember that post-surgery care is also subject to varying fees. The consultation is the best time for you to ask any questions you might have about the procedure, the surgeon’s experience and the benefits and risks of the suggested procedure. Approach doctors who charge flat fees with caution as each patient, and therefore procedure, is different.
Integrity – an honest doctor will give you an unbiased opinion of your hair loss treatment, regardless of how you envision your post-surgery self. A sales-oriented doctor will tell you what you want to hear no matter how unrealistic your hair-restoration goals are. A consultation should enlighten you of what the doctor can do for your hair loss and the potential results. A surgeon should not try to dazzle you with buzzwords and ambitious promises just to close a sale.
Specialization – hair restoration surgeons who specialize in the field have an edge over cosmetic surgeons who perform them as another part of his or her business. A doctor who devotes his or herself to this aspect of cosmetic surgery will have gained enough experience and patient exposure to know what is best for a certain patient and all the variables involved.
Professionalism – competition can be stiff in the field of hair restoration, and some doctors try to clinch a deal with a potential patient by running down other hair restoration specialists. However, badmouthing another person usually produces effects opposite to that which was desired. A professional doctor with solid skills, experience and reputation does not have to stoop to insult other practitioners in the hopes of gaining a client, nor would he pressure you into committing to his clinic.
The results of hair restorative surgery can vary widely. Some are impressive while others are less so. Self-education is very important when you are considering this form of surgery, of which there can be a large number of variations. Trustworthy hair restoration surgeons should be able to answer any queries you have and make you feel that you are in good hands.