I decided to take advantage of consulting with one of the more well-respected hair transplant surgeons around. I live only 30 mins. from Dr. Pistone's Marlton, NJ office, so I decided to have a consultation with him. I knew in advance that I was not a candidate for hair transplantation surgery (not enough hairloss), but nonetheless wanted to pick his brain about some strategies, plans, etc. regarding keeping what I have. It turned out to be one of the most enlightening and educating experiences I've ever had at a doctor's office. Read on if interested.
First, the consultation is FREE. No charge, no obligation. I figured I 'd get maybe 5, 10 minutes tops. Well, I got a full HOUR!
Now, you do not speak to Dr. Pistone. Instead, I spoke to his assistant Ernesto A. Altomari. Ernesto's card says he is a Hair Restoration Designer & Educator. Ernesto told me he's studied hairloss for many years, mostly in Europe, where he claims treatments and procedures are better than here in the USA. Also, Ernesto has his own "hair volumizing " procedure he does at his salon in Elkins Park, PA. I know it's been discussed on this board by some and many have had it and were quite pleased with it. Ernesto also cuts and styles hair. He was very informative, patient, and kind.
He brought me into a large office, and explained to me the hair growing process. There were two charts on the wall, one an anatomical hair chart, the other a large Norwood balding chart. I asked him where I was on the Norwood chart. He said to be patient, I would know exactly where I was by the end of the appointment. After explaining the hair cycle, Ernesto told me that most of the hair loss drugs, from finasteride to minoxidil to topical spironolactone & azelaic acid do work, but mostly on the crown of the head, NOT on the frontal region. He said if I was using any of those products and felt they were working, to keep right on using them, but he didn't think any of them would work on the temples. In case you're wondering, he felt the very best thing out there for preventing any further hairloss is finasteride, hands down. He felt Propecia was a great drug at preventing loss of hair. He did not think minoxidil was good at filling in the temples. Just his opinion, mind you. I'm not saying it's true or that I believe it, but that was his opinion when I asked him.
He then examined my hairline. He wipes your hairline with rubbing alcohol, shines a bright light on it, gives you a mirror to see what he's doing, and traces your current hairline, and where your hairline used to be. I could actually see the small hairs where I used to have regular hair! Amazing. He took measurements and said I had receded 1" on my right side and 1-1/4" on my left side in a pie-shaped type of recession.
He then uses this device which examines the thickness of your hair. He combs your hair back and places the device on your scalp. The monitor is in front of you and you see for yourself your hair's thickness. It magnifies your hair for you so that you can see the individual hairs growing from the scalp. I saw on my frontal receded areas the smaller, thinner hairs and as he went further back they becamer fuller and thicker. He measured every area of my scalp like this.
Afterward he takes a picture of your hairline and places it in a file. He'd like for me to come back in six months to see if the hair loss has progressed, if at all. He didn't seem to think it would. By the way, he said I was a Norwood 1+, meaning a bit more than a 1 but not yet a 2. He said the only area of my hair that was thin was the frontal sides, everything else was very thick and showed no signs of thinning. I asked many questons about what are good hair prodcts to use, tell me about some of the studies he's done in Europe, how much does normal transplantation surgery cost, etc. He also showed me photos of some of the hair transplants done by Dr. Pistone. Very impressive work. He said Dr. Pistone is truly an artist at designing hairlines, and it shows. The hair transplanted on his patients looks very natural and great.
I took his business card, thanked him very much for all the time he'd given me, and left. A 1 hour consult completely FREE. Did not try to sell me one product!!! Did not try to sell me one service!!! Told me I WAS NOT a candidate for hair transplant surgery. Told me to continue on whatever regimen I was on since it seems to be working. No pressure, no hassle. Answered all of my questions thoroughly. A great office visit. I recommend to anyone in the area to take full advantage of the free consult.
First, the consultation is FREE. No charge, no obligation. I figured I 'd get maybe 5, 10 minutes tops. Well, I got a full HOUR!
Now, you do not speak to Dr. Pistone. Instead, I spoke to his assistant Ernesto A. Altomari. Ernesto's card says he is a Hair Restoration Designer & Educator. Ernesto told me he's studied hairloss for many years, mostly in Europe, where he claims treatments and procedures are better than here in the USA. Also, Ernesto has his own "hair volumizing " procedure he does at his salon in Elkins Park, PA. I know it's been discussed on this board by some and many have had it and were quite pleased with it. Ernesto also cuts and styles hair. He was very informative, patient, and kind.
He brought me into a large office, and explained to me the hair growing process. There were two charts on the wall, one an anatomical hair chart, the other a large Norwood balding chart. I asked him where I was on the Norwood chart. He said to be patient, I would know exactly where I was by the end of the appointment. After explaining the hair cycle, Ernesto told me that most of the hair loss drugs, from finasteride to minoxidil to topical spironolactone & azelaic acid do work, but mostly on the crown of the head, NOT on the frontal region. He said if I was using any of those products and felt they were working, to keep right on using them, but he didn't think any of them would work on the temples. In case you're wondering, he felt the very best thing out there for preventing any further hairloss is finasteride, hands down. He felt Propecia was a great drug at preventing loss of hair. He did not think minoxidil was good at filling in the temples. Just his opinion, mind you. I'm not saying it's true or that I believe it, but that was his opinion when I asked him.
He then examined my hairline. He wipes your hairline with rubbing alcohol, shines a bright light on it, gives you a mirror to see what he's doing, and traces your current hairline, and where your hairline used to be. I could actually see the small hairs where I used to have regular hair! Amazing. He took measurements and said I had receded 1" on my right side and 1-1/4" on my left side in a pie-shaped type of recession.
He then uses this device which examines the thickness of your hair. He combs your hair back and places the device on your scalp. The monitor is in front of you and you see for yourself your hair's thickness. It magnifies your hair for you so that you can see the individual hairs growing from the scalp. I saw on my frontal receded areas the smaller, thinner hairs and as he went further back they becamer fuller and thicker. He measured every area of my scalp like this.
Afterward he takes a picture of your hairline and places it in a file. He'd like for me to come back in six months to see if the hair loss has progressed, if at all. He didn't seem to think it would. By the way, he said I was a Norwood 1+, meaning a bit more than a 1 but not yet a 2. He said the only area of my hair that was thin was the frontal sides, everything else was very thick and showed no signs of thinning. I asked many questons about what are good hair prodcts to use, tell me about some of the studies he's done in Europe, how much does normal transplantation surgery cost, etc. He also showed me photos of some of the hair transplants done by Dr. Pistone. Very impressive work. He said Dr. Pistone is truly an artist at designing hairlines, and it shows. The hair transplanted on his patients looks very natural and great.
I took his business card, thanked him very much for all the time he'd given me, and left. A 1 hour consult completely FREE. Did not try to sell me one product!!! Did not try to sell me one service!!! Told me I WAS NOT a candidate for hair transplant surgery. Told me to continue on whatever regimen I was on since it seems to be working. No pressure, no hassle. Answered all of my questions thoroughly. A great office visit. I recommend to anyone in the area to take full advantage of the free consult.
