A Bargain Hair Transplant? Not Quite! (with Photos)

The following comes from Dr Paul Cotterill in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

Here is an example of why proper training and regional workshops are a pretty good idea:

I saw this patient in my office yesterday that was referred to me for assessment. This 38 year old fellow ( Class IV-V ), had a transplant 4 weeks ago in Ludhiana, India. He felt that the procedure didn’t go very well.

On examination the crown had been transplanted with 60 – 65 punch grafts that were 2-3 mm in diameter and the distance between grafts was 1 – 1.75 cm, very irregularly, across the crown. Peri-folliculitis was evident and residual crusting on some of the grafts. There was up to 7 hairs in some of the grafts. The grafts were removed via FUE from the occipital area. The procedure took 1 hour and he was told to return next month for a second session of the same. The cost – $500.00 for both sessions.

I have swabbed for C&S what I could, cleansed the scalp, started an antibiotic and suggested Propecia, with follow up in 1 week. He would like further sessions to the crown. He needed a proper consultation as to planning and the consequences of starting the crown in a 38 year old with certainly further thinning in the future. Further sessions at this point are unwise. I will be following up with him closely.

Dr. Cotterill has given me permission to repost these photos. It is unfortunate that people treat a hair transplant procedure as if they’re just getting a haircut. This is surgery! You want to do your research and know what you’re getting into. How could anyone recently get the old, ugly plugs of decades past? It’s disturbing on many levels. So he only spent $500 on 2 sessions to get this look. Now how much time and money will he have to spend to try to undo this foolish mistake? A bargain indeed.

Click the photos below to enlarge.