· What are the risks associated with having a non-doctor perform a hair transplant surgery?
The knowledge to perform a hair transplant goes much further than the technic itself, and of course, everybody can learn and do it regarding the technic. But the problem is what is behind the technic such as the correct diagnosis of alopecia type, to be able to recognize whether the patient is a good candidate or not is an ethical medical duty, and also the procedure itself: the knowledge of anatomy, the ability of pharmacokinetics (action of medicines and anesthesia in the human body), how to manage complications during the procedure that can happen since this is a surgery and people tend to forget this. Those are just a few examples of hair transplants being done only by an experienced doctor.
· What are the factors behind a successful operation?
The success of a hair transplant surgery depends on many factors. I would put in the first place to manage the patient's expectations and make the patient understand that sometimes the problem will not end with a single hair transplant, and the medical treatment and a second surgery could be required in the future. And overall that the doctor will not be able to make your hair look like it did at 20 years old. A correct diagnosis, the doctor experience, the team experience, the technic and devices, the conservation solutions, the post-operatory care (that is a duty of the patient), the patient's will to perform medical treatment are all conditions that contribute to a successful hair surgery.
· How permanent are the results? Could the patient need a second procedure after a while?
A hair transplant is a permanent procedure. The hair follicles without DHT receptors (no thinning process) are reallocated from the occipital and lateral area to the top. Those hair follicles will come with the same genetic information, and they will remain lifelong in the new area.
However, when a patient is submitted to a hair transplant, the alopecia is still in evolution, and the existent native hair can fall in the future. This is the reason that medical treatment must always be complementary to a hair transplant and can postpone as much as possible a second intervention to restore the loss of the remaining native hair. But a double hair transplant sooner or later must be considered for a patient submitted just once.
· Which patient profile is the right fit for the operation?
There are many things to consider when accepting a patient for a hair transplant. In my opinion, there is a general idea that everyone can be submitted to a hair transplant, and this is far away from the truth. The hair transplant, unfortunately, is not for everybody. There are physical aspects (age, diseases) that are contra-indicated, psychological aspects that have a tendency to be ignored by the doctors but are fundamental, and last but not least, a positive balance between donor area and bald area. The donor area must always be enough to cover the patient's needs without damaging the donor area. To manage this bank donor is one of the essential abilities of a hair transplant doctor.
· How should a patient choose the right doctor and the clinic?
First, the patient must choose a doctor and a clinic with experience and not be taken by advertisements with "wonderful" unrealistic cases and fake promises.
The experienced doctors in this field will suggest many times not the most straightforward solution for hair restoration (conservative hairlines, medical treatment, second intervention), and the patients have a tendency to run away and to accept clinics and doctors that promises all in one day and sell the idea that the problem is solved forever and in an easy way. This is not true, and they will be victims who will regret that choice for sure.
· Can you talk a bit about your experience in the field?
My experience in this field started in 2016. However, my training was very intense during those early years. I was 100% dedicated and concentrated in this field, performing around 200 surgeries per year. The training intensity allowed me to absorb excellent knowledge and time to perfect the technic.
· Is there anything you would like to add?
The hair transplant industry moves millions nowadays, and in the last years, the fall in hair transplant costs allowed many people to now consider to be submitted to one.
