Why Did You Get Into Hair Restoration?

I, as a first year medical student, am curious as to the reasons you went into hair reconstructive surgery. Too personal??

As a surgical specialty, hair restoration has got to have the greatest patient satisfaction of any (at least in my opinion). It is supreme for helping people solve a problem that bothers them. Some people are quick to say that “it’s just hair” or look at hair transplants as strictly a vanity issue — and while those people are certainly entitled to their opinions, I would disagree with this notion. Hair loss can be a nightmare for many, and the injury to one’s confidence can be substantial. As I’ve said before, hair can be as important to men as the lion’s mane is to the lion. It is what creates his majestic look.

I also recognized that there was a need for a better technology. I entered the business when plugs and scalp reductions were the ‘standard of care’ and immediately determined that this was not an acceptable standard of care for my patients. So I analyzed what had to be done and on the very first day, the very first surgery, I created a new standard. My practice’s personal standard of care (large session surgeries of small follicular unit grafts) has now become the industry’s standard of care. So satisfaction came not only from patients I directly treated, but also from thousands of other patients who I know benefited from what was then a revolutionary change in the art of hair transplant surgery. I take great personal satisfaction in knowing that I have made a difference and this industry has been good to me. It was uniquely backward and unrefined when I entered the field and I contributed to its modern day evolution. You can see my professional history on my CV for a full look at what I’ve done. I apologize in advance if this answer seems like a big pat on the back to myself, but hey, you asked. There’s no magic or myth about it — nothing too personal to share.