Chapter 1 - Defining a Hair Transplant Chapter 7 - Who gets Transplants? Chapter 2 - Follicular Unit Transplants Chapter 8 - Expecting the Best Chapter 3 - Suggestions for your Surgery Chapter 9 - Corrective Procedures Chapter 4 - Post Surgery Experience Chapter 10 - Learn to be Cautious Chapter 5 - Doing the Research Chapter 11 - Myths and Legends Chapter 6 - Setting Expectations Chapter 12 - Credits

Sophisticated techniques for hair restoration that achieve truly natural-looking results have only become available relatively recently. Unfortunately, many doctors practicing hair restoration are unaware of these advances. Widespread ignorance prevails throughout the medical profession on the subject of hair. Hair transplantation, as developed in the late 1950s, is still practiced with the large-graft techniques that produce a pluggy or patchy look.

In any field, advertising is an important way to educate the public, especially in the early phase of an industry's growth. Hair restoration physicians have used advertising for years. Because of the marketing in the late 1990's of Rogaine by Upjohn Company and Propecia by Merck, consumer awareness has reached a new peak. Many people want their hair back, as sales figures for Rogaine indicate. Good specialists in any field are hard to find, and understanding what your real options are can be very confusing. In surgical solutions, a mistake with the wrong hair restoration procedure or the wrong doctor can be a mistake for life. The problem that confronts prospective buyers is how to recognize a doctor's ability, honesty, and his or her standards in a specialized field where exaggerated claims abound.

Beware of slick brochures and claims that appear outstanding on the surface. Mentally subtract the glitz, and see if the written material has merit without the glossy pictures. Be dubious when literature displays beautiful women inappropriately. Do some research and see if the claims are accurate. If a brochure claims to condemn salesmen in the early presentation of the subject material, see if the medical group practices what they preach. Do they use salesmen as a primary advertising tactic? If the medical group invites you to meet with a doctor, do you actually get to meet with a doctor? Is the service personalized? Do patients have easy access to the physician after his fees are paid?

Recommended Resources

	Ask questions and get information on Hair Transplants in our Men's Forums and Women's Forums! Information provided courtesy of the New Hair Institute, taken from "The Patient's Guide to Hair Transplantation" William R. Rassman, MD and Robert M. Bernstein, MD