Comparing before & after hair transplant results

[Understanding Hair]

When clinics publish their results, they obviously want to showcase their qualities and best work. When patients record the process, they are often more graphic as they document the healing progression and throughout the stages of hair growth until fully matured. Significantly, it is essential to confirm the veracity of the images and information regarding hair restoration.

Here are a few helpful hints to consider when comparing "before & after" hair transplant results.

• Confirm that the pictures are not altered or enhanced. For example, adding a shadow or adjusting the contrast to make the hair density appear fuller.

• The person has no concealer products in their hair, masking the fullness of the transplanted hairs and giving a false impression of the result.

• Confirm that the results are by the doctor you are interested in. It is imperative if a clinic has multiple doctors listed as working there. But in general, it is essential to confirm as doctors do move.

• Had the person had any previous hair restoration surgery? If so, how long ago, how many grafts were used, what was the technique, and what was the original hair loss pattern before any work?

• The number of months after the procedure were the images taken.

• Details of the patient, age, and any hair loss medications they were using, the number of grafts used. The more information you can gather, the better your ability to evaluate the quality of the hair transplant.

• When possible, see pictures of the graft placement to confirm the graft distribution and the surface covered, the graft placement quality, and the density of the grafts.

• The lighting of the “before and after” images is similar. Changing the lighting can alter the perception of hair thickness. Different lighting conditions can distort the look of the hair density. They are, ideally, taken in natural sunlight.

• The angle of the head is similar in both the before and later images. Changing the image angle can give a false impression of the hair coverage.

• The hair state is the same in each set of images, for example, with wet or dry hair and no fixing sprays or gels. Also, styling is similar, not deliberately exposing the hair loss in the “before” only to neatly style the hair in the “after” images to maximise the look. Keep the pictures comparable with each other.

• Hairline images: combed to expose the line and temples. Also, check the hair density; the hair needs to be brushed back and kept up, not back and flat against the head, as this can give a false impression of the thickness.

• With any images or video with a comb in the hair, the comb should part the hair rather than gently brush over it.

Good researching!

 

[Bigmac]

Nice post that will help newbies understand what they need to look for while researching.

 

[scottishwilley]

When reviewing hair transplant results, ensure the images are unaltered and from the doctor you're considering. Look for consistency in lighting, angles, and hair state between before and after photos. Check patient details like age, graft count, and any medications used. Always consult with a dermatologist for expert advice on hair restoration.

 

[Fred2023]

@Understanding Hair - excellent write up and recommended reading for anyone starting out. I wish I had read this before starting my journey simply just to manage my expectations as to what is a reasonable outcome. As you have highlighted patients as well as the clinics can be tempted to show their 'new hair' in the best possible conditions and with styling products.

 

[josh145]

I’m enjoying reading these educational posts.