Greenlantern2020

My hair loss journey began 10 years ago as I started on a daily (1mg) finasteride and (topical) minoxidil. After extensive research, I decided to get my hair transplant at HMR Tijuana Mexico with the Cortez brothers. Nearly two years later after multiple conversations, I can say that I personally did not like my experience. The day of the hair transplant I was extremely nervous and Dr. Cortez did not have the most reassuring temperament, but was nice to begin with. Everything went well during the extraction process as I conversated while the staff while they watched a soccer game (the distraction can be good or bad/ you can judge that for yourself). We had lunch and soon after began the implantation process. This is where I began to feel very nervous. After Dr. Cortez made the incisions, he began implanting my hair follicles and I began to hear grunting and groaning. It continued for about an hour, and this point it was not just grunting and groaning but it sounded like straight up frustration. I asked him if everything was okay and he replied "You have a very dense cranium, I am trying my best to implant the hairs". Well my anxiety before was probably a 6 or 7 it was now surely a 10! Mind you, when I am anxious I freeze so I was not moving around, just overthinking a lot in my mind but trying to stay as calm as possible. We ended up going a little longer than expected as it was 8 hours for 1,750 grafts. I was glad things were over and immediately began the recovery process. Below are pictures of my recovery process. Some key points I would like everyone to keep in mind: I only had one Cortez brother, not both so fatigue might have been a factor. I did have some shockloss in the donor zone but for the most part recovered. I do have a spot the right side that he overharvested but it's noticeable only to myself. He may have under estimated the grafts needed for the procedure. He gave me a very linear hairline even though I wanted a widows peak. Although we agreed to give me a widows peak, he drew it but barely gave me more than a few hairs in that zone. To be fair, perhaps some of the hair grafts in that area and overall did not survive. I personally believe the force he put into my head diminished some of the survival rate of the follicles. Although I am happy to have more coverage, I do think it could be better and I will be going to another doctor in 2023. My biggest problem with the actual result is that he gave me a permanent "comb over". No matter how hard I try my hair online looks "normal" and is not sticking up unless I comb it to the right. Perhaps he was trying to flow into my temporal peaks. But then again, he did not want to do my temporal peaks so what is the long-term goal of this hairline design? I've noticed this tends to be his style as some of his procedures show a linear hairline with a slight comb over. At the end of the day I just wanted to voice my opinion on my experience. I will advocate for anyone that goes to the Cortez brothers or any doctor in general is to have a specific game plan laid out. More importantly to know and understand where and how they plan to implant your hair follicle directions especially on the hairline. This can drastically effect your hair style choices and overall attitude of the result just like myself. Once again, I know some might believe this is an "amazing" result or others may say it's "not very good" or maybe even somewhere in between. I simply wanted to report my experience now that I have had a couple of years to think about it. I do not completely hate it, but I am not happy with it either.

Dense skin? I don't know my Spanish isn't the best. That's all I got out of it. In any effect, not a fan.

I had some spots that corrected, however, one patch that I rarely take pictures of that is still there. Moreover, I'm just not a fan of my personal experience with HMR including the linear hairline they always tend to do

100% agree with this. This was my own experience.

My HMR experience was not the best not the best.... Density is not what I expected. When he was implanting my hairs he kept complaining that I have a "dense cranium". He put a lot of pressure to fit in the grafts and I do honestly believe that affected my yield (maybe it's my fault lol). He also gave me this comb over look where my bangs only look good when I comb it to the right side. My hairline is very straight even when I told him to give me a widows peak. Honestly, I think this clinic is overrated. But then again this is just my personal opinion and experience.

My hairs were implanted to the right of the hairline. It's frustrating to me personally because I like my hair slicked back but only wants to go to the right. What I HAVE noticed, is that other patients that went to this doctor have a very similar hair design. I was just curious if this might be some kind " philosophy" I was not aware of.

My hairs were implanted to the right of the hairline. It's frustrating to me personally because I like my hair slicked back but only wants to go to the right. What I HAVE noticed, is that other patients that went to this doctor have a very similar hair design. I was just curious if this might be some kind " philosophy" I was not aware of.

Is there a philosophy in terms of hair follicle directions on the hairline? I've seen certain doctors favor the "comb over" look as a hair follicle implantation method. Is this a standard practice? Case by case basis? Or just a general practice depending on the doctor? Does it take away from the versatility of hairstyles? What is your overall thoughts and opinions on this look? Just curious to hear people's input on this often overlooked topic.

I have been to Dr. Cortez and this is what I will say: Make sure you are not double-booked with another patient and tell him exactly how you would like your hairline to look like (hair follicle direction included). If not, you will likely end up with a very horizontal/ flat hairline that favors one side (comb-over design). It just depends what you like, but keep these small details in mind.

I can only speak on my experience, but I am one of the few that was underwhelmed by HMR. The hair follicle directions are frustrating (look up videos and most people have a straight hairline with a comb over). Density could have been better. When he was implanting my hair I heard him very frustrated and he blamed my "cranium" for being "dense" so the implanted hair was not setting in. Very scary to hear that. I gave it over a year and I just was not entirely happy with it.

Hi all, I know HRN has a list of approved doctors that have been closely vetted. However, I am curious to hear what people think about Dr. Luis Nader (Reynosa, Mexico) and his overall artistry and body of work? If there are any patients of Dr. Nader, please feel free to comment below your overall experience and satisfactions with the final result. Thanks in advance! I personally just want to soften my hairline and add density. Anywhere between 500 to 1000 grafts.

I 100% know my transplant angles sucks but I was trying to speak a little more positive about it lol. Okay, thanks I will use hairspray

My hair transplant left me with a cow lick that favors the right side. Any advice of at home procedures or remedies that would help change the hair follicle directions to a more "slicked" back hair style? Should I use some form durag, special comb, etc? Thank in advance!

Maybe so, but if you look up El Tio Juan Carlos, his nephew mentioned the same thing. Overall when you see people's videos from HMR one side is always a bit more harvested. Not adding to the fear factor, because a great portion of people recover well. However, in the initial stages it can be tough.

HMR is notorious for overharvesting one side of the head more. I went there so I would know. Although, mine did recover with time/ minoxidil on the donor zone after 3 months. Give that a try in the near future and see if that works for you. Good luck!

Thank you, I will look into Nader. I originally went to HMR for my first procedure and I was not impressed by their work.

I know it's best not to narrow things down based on region, but I would like to stay with California or Mexico. Can anyone direct me to a clinic that is highly regarded for adding density and or temporal points? Most doctors have quoted me anywhere between 500 to 1200 grafts so it's not a large procedure. Any suggestions based on personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all, I am pretty sure this thread has been created before but I figured I would add to it. Please comment down below a short list of doctors that you would recommend for someone who is looking to reconstruct temporal points/ peaks. Thanks in advanced!

Yea, I don't entirely hate my hair but just wish the yield had more density and the angles were a bit better. My surgeon advised me not to the temporaral points, but quite frankly it's probably because he's not experienced enough. I was thinking about going to Dr. Diep. Any thoughts on his work?

Great input! I appreciate the thoughts. You know, my hair doesn't look all that bad, it's just frustrating getting the correct style and "fighting" the "cowlick" the Dr. gave me. But in the right setting I can get it to work but it always favors the right side. Perhaps reconstructing my temporal peaks would help as well?

Hi all, I have posted before, and I apologize ahead of time if it seems like I am a bit of a complainer. But as we all know here, our hair is very important to us. For awhile after my HT I was not sure why my hair was so hard to style some times. I think I found the culprit: hairline design/ directions of follicles. It kind of of irritates me that it seems like I have a "permeant" comb over, as combing it to the right side seems to be only way hair falls easily and naturally (I would ideally like to slick it back evenly). My questions are (bare in mind I know I need to consult with a DR. but I appreciate all advice): 1. Is it still possible to train the hair follicles some how (2 years post op)? 2. Would a Dr. have to remove the implanted hair and reposition the directions? 3. What a small procedure for density help alleviate the hair directions?

I am overall fine with the hair procedure, although, I have a bit of a "cow-lick" with the hair follicles leaning more to the right. Sometimes if frustrating when I want to comb my hair back. Would a 2nd hair transplant with alternate directions help? I just don't want to remove hair grafts and implant them again,

A very thoughtful response. Good point, in fact I think it's a coin toss myself lol. If I do go back for a 2nd I think it would be bit more density and perhaps temporal points.

Well aware or it, that is why I am on Fin, oral minoxidil, minoxidil foam and Ketoconzle 2%. Based on dad and older bros probably stage 3-4.

Dr. Cortez (HMR). I added some more pics to see before and after.