Mixed-race, London based and balding. (please help!)

[CurlymixedUK]

Hi all, I'm completely new to this forum and would really appreciate some help. This might be a bit of a long post but I want to include as much relevant info as possible.

A bit about me: I'm 26, male, mixed ethnicity (Black and Greek), curly/wave hair type (curly hair when wet, frizzy-ish when dry) based in the UK near London. I've been experiencing hair loss for over 7 years now - I would say this has been stable for about 5 years. My hairline is basically non existent (I'd say I'm 2 on the Norwood scale). To cover up my hair loss I use hair fibres, but they always end up looking gross after a few hours once my scalp gets oily – I'm honestly just so sick of having to cover it up.

I'm looking for a permanent solution so I can get my confidence back and not have to be constantly anxious about the wind, rain or sweat exposing my scalp. Currently I'm considering an FUE hair transplant. Please can you guys help me to find a reputable doctor/clinic that has proven experience with curly or afro hair types? I have been researching different companies in the UK but a lot of them just seem to only post results of patients with straight hair – this is really discouraging. I'm going to continue doing research, but if anyone could share their success (or horror) stories then that would be extremely helpful.

I would also consider getting a hair transplant in Turkey, but a few people have told me that it's hit or miss and I could end up with a botched job. Ideally I would like to find a UK based clinic, though it'll be more expensive I'm more concerned with getting a result that I'll actually be happy with.

Thanks in advance.

MixedGuyUK

 

[Britanium]

Welcome 🤗 

Your best choices are going to be Dr Bisanga, Dr Mwamba, Dr Lapunzula + Dr Feriduni. If your considering anyone in the Uk then Dr Arshad has experience with Afro hair. But I would say the European options are far better IMO.

[Britanium]

Please do not consider Turkey, not for your hair type, you need a proven Dr for this and as less risk as possible. 

[JDEE0]

Listen to John, he's correct.

Bisanga would be my first choice personally, but all three are really good surgeons and they all specialise in Afro hair. Definitely don't go to Turkey or stay in the UK in my opinion, these 3 will serve you well.

[Future Hair Doc]

I'll echo what @JC71recommended. Welcome to the forum btw

[CurlymixedUK]

Hi @JC71 @JDEE0 @Dr. Suhail Khokhar  , thanks for the feedback so far. I’m currently browsing the forum for Dr Bisanga’s results as you have mentioned him the most. Though the results look encouraging, I haven’t come across his examples of hair transplants done on people with my hair type (curly/semi-Afro), only seen straight hair examples so far. I probably need to keep digging but if anyone can link me directly to any of those examples that would be great.

I’ll have a look at the other doctors mentioned too.

[Britanium]

1 minute ago, MixedGuyUK said:

Hi @JC71 @JDEE0 @Dr. Suhail Khokhar  , thanks for the feedback so far. I’m currently browsing the forum for Dr Bisanga’s results as you have mentioned him the most. Though the results look encouraging, I haven’t come across his examples of hair transplants done on people with my hair type (curly/semi-Afro), only seen straight hair examples so far. I probably need to keep digging but if anyone can link me directly to any of those examples that would be great.

I’ll have a look at the other doctors mentioned too.

Use the search bar and use Afro or curly as the key words along with whatever Dr. But also you can ask the Drs we mentioned to show and link you in to some results. They have them pretty well catalogued ! 

[Britanium]

Just for example:

https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/search/?&q=Afro Bisanga &search_and_or=or
 

you can narrow it down further.. 

[Britanium]

@sl @Raphael84may he kind enough to assist you further. 

[Melvin- Admin]

Dr. Bisanga is a fantastic surgeon one of the best.

[CurlymixedUK]

Hi @Melvin- Moderator - thanks for the reply. Is this based on any particular success stories you have in mind? (specifically related to my hair type). I have been using the filters to try and find examples but no luck so far - will keep searching.

[Ajamilo]

Here you have results of mwamba:
https://www.fueclinic.com/results/ 

[CurlymixedUK]

@Ajamilothanks, the results page only has one example of curly/afro hair transplant though and that’s on a woman  hmm.

[JDEE0]

4 hours ago, MixedGuyUK said:

Hi @Melvin- Moderator - thanks for the reply. Is this based on any particular success stories you have in mind? (specifically related to my hair type). I have been using the filters to try and find examples but no luck so far - will keep searching.

If you look around and google each doctors name and look on different forums too, then you will find some more results.

To be honest, there are a real lack of black patient posted results in general, and so you will struggle to find lots of patient posted examples on afro hair I'm afraid. If you ask the clinics directly, then they should be able to show you some more.

The only places you really find lots of patient results of afro patients are places like Asli Tarcan, but this is a hair-mill who routinely destroy donor areas and botch people's heads. Don't get caught up in the popularity of these sorts of choices due to your hair type is all I'm trying to say. Bisanga, Mwamba and Lupanzula really are the 3 best choices I around for afro hair in my opinion.  

[CurlymixedUK]

20 minutes ago, JDEE0 said:

If you look around and google each doctors name and look on different forums too, then you will find some more results.

To be honest, there are a real lack of black patient posted results in general, and so you will struggle to find lots of patient posted examples on afro hair I'm afraid. If you ask the clinics directly, then they should be able to show you some more.

The only places you really find lots of patient results of afro patients are places like Asli Tarcan, but this is a hair-mill who routinely destroy donor areas and botch people's heads. Don't get caught up in the popularity of these sorts of choices due to your hair type is all I'm trying to say. Bisanga, Mwamba and Lupanzula really are the 3 best choices I around for afro hair in my opinion.  

@Ajamilothanks, the results page only has one example of curly/afro hair transplant though and that’s on a woman  hmm

[CurlymixedUK]

@JDEE0 yeah, I definitely won’t be fooled by millions of IG followers and slick marketing - those are the places that make me the most suspicious! Just want to make an informed decision based on actual proven results. I’ll contact some doctors over the next few weeks and ask to see an extended portfolio of results. In the meantime I might start taking finasteride… apparently most doctors recommend taking it after a transplant anyway. 🤔

[Britanium]

29 minutes ago, MixedGuyUK said:

@JDEE0 yeah, I definitely won’t be fooled by millions of IG followers and slick marketing - those are the places that make me the most suspicious! Just want to make an informed decision based on actual proven results. I’ll contact some doctors over the next few weeks and ask to see an extended portfolio of results. In the meantime I might start taking finasteride… apparently most doctors recommend taking it after a transplant anyway. 🤔

This is the best approach 👍🏽 Feel free to PM anytime you need help or guidance ! 

[Ajamilo]

1 hour ago, MixedGuyUK said:

@Ajamilothanks, the results page only has one example of curly/afro hair transplant though and that’s on a woman  hmm

hmm true. You will find north african \s there tho. But anyway i went to him 4 month ago to lower the hairline so i can update you on pm if u wish 

[Melvin- Admin]

6 hours ago, MixedGuyUK said:

Hi @Melvin- Moderator - thanks for the reply. Is this based on any particular success stories you have in mind? (specifically related to my hair type). I have been using the filters to try and find examples but no luck so far - will keep searching.

For me, there’s a few afro specialist, Mwamba, Bisanga, and Diep. They have the most cases with afro hair. 

[Raphael84]

Thanks for the support and reference guys.

Hi @MixedGuyUK 
Welcome to the forum. You have certainly found a place that will allow other individuals in a similar position to offer honest and independent advice and I have no doubt that this will be a big source of support moving forward.

Without seeing any of your photos or being able to understand the extent of your curl, it is true as detailed above that there are less cases shared for afro hair and many of those that are, are female patients.
Afro hair represents a smaller percentage of patients and as you will see has been well discussed on the forum, only a small amount of patients allow their photos to be shared which is understandable, but also a shame in some cases as it is essentially other patient´s photos that would have guided them.

In terms of working with curly hair, it does present unique challenges and therefore requires specific expertise. The natural shape and design of afro hairline can be vastly different than caucasian and asian patients (this may or may not be the case with yourself with Greek lineage). As opposed to the mostly straight follicle of Caucasian and Asian patients, typical characteristics associated with afro/curly hair follicles are that the hair tend to be thicker and tightly curled. Such curvature of the hair extends below the scalp. The natural curvature of the follicle can be significant, often to the extent that the follicle when removed is actually in the shape of a letter C, meaning that it is essential to have a surgeon who has knowledge and experience of working with curly hair.

A profound understanding of the punching and extraction protocol is essential when FUE is the most appropriate technique, as due to the curvature of the hair, transection presents a higher risk. Another crucial element is that your surgeon must  have the appropriate punches and tools to best handle and manipulate afro hair.

For the same reasons that the characteristics of curly hair present unique challenges, when a restoration procedure is performed correctly, these same hair characteristics offer great benefits. The naturally thicker and curlier hair can achieve an impressive illusion of density with a lesser graft count compared to most other hair types.

As you have mentioned that you are 26 and have essentially lost your hairline, you are still a younger patient and with the long term always being priority, Dr. Bisanga would request further details regarding a potential hair loss preventative medication regimen to ensure the best scenario for you.

If you would like to send me an email containing photos and any relative details - ian@drchristianbisanga.com
This will allow Dr. Bisanga to review your case and have a better understanding of the extent of your curl. Dr. Bisanga would then be able to provide his recommendations moving forward and also share other relative case examples.

Thanks

[CurlymixedUK]

12 hours ago, Ajamilo said:

hmm true. You will find north african \s there tho. But anyway i went to him 4 month ago to lower the hairline so i can update you on pm if u wish 

That would be great if you could pm me - thank you!