For veteran magnificence publicist Wally Montes de Oca, the selection to pursue a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant wasn’t nearly restoring a youthful hairline. A journey that started with genetic hair loss at 21, Montes de Oca’s determination to pursue a hair transplant additionally marked a definitive second the place he stopped the cycle, regained management and cast a brand new path ahead.
“Getting a hair transplant final yr was about extra than simply fixing one thing; it was about reclaiming part of myself. For therefore lengthy, I felt like I needed to settle for hair loss as my actuality, however I lastly reached a degree the place I needed to take possession of my hair story. It wasn’t about chasing perfection; it was about doing one thing for myself and placing within the time to grasp one thing that had at all times felt out of my management.
Previously yr since my process, my confidence has reached new heights, and truthfully, getting my hair transplant feels prefer it was the spark that set off a series response of excellent issues. Weight reduction, relationship—even intercourse. It’s wild to say, however sitting in that surgical procedure chair for 9 hours might need been the key ingredient to getting guys to truly take a second take a look at me. The previous yr has genuinely been top-of-the-line of my life, and I give a whole lot of credit score to my hair—and the arduous work I’ve put in to maintain it wholesome and powerful ever since.
I’ll be sincere, I by no means had extra nervousness in my life than throughout the weeks main as much as my process. What made it bearable was understanding that I had the help of my buddies, particularly Jen, who was by my facet, and Sander, who let me use his condominium to get well. And naturally, all my buddies in magnificence who supported me each step of the way in which.
For me, the bottom a part of this journey was mistakenly setting my alarm for six p.m. as an alternative of 6 a.m. the morning of my process. That small mistake threw my complete morning into chaos and shot my nervousness by the roof earlier than I even arrived. One other low level was getting all of my hair buzzed off earlier than the process.
I at all times hated having quick hair as a child, so this took me again to a foul place. However, it was additionally a reminder of why I used to be there: to cease a bald head from being my future.
For context, my physician stated I’d want 2,500 grafts to fill my crown space, however in the long run they had been solely capable of harvest about 1,600 grafts as a result of my donor space—the again of my head—was too skinny. They warned me of this chance, nevertheless it nonetheless stung to listen to, particularly understanding I’d have to attend virtually a yr to see outcomes. 9 hours later, I used to be on my means and armed with an inventory of post-procedure care ideas: no exercises, no sweating, no hats, no hair dye, no solar, after which watching my grafts fall out about 10 days later. As soon as that part handed, it was off to the races, one strand of regrowth at a time.
Earlier than
After
Montes de Oca’s hair loss primarily impacted the crown space, which was restored utilizing 1,600 hair grafts.
One factor I actually missed the mark on earlier than my transplant, and shamefully so, as somebody who’s labored in magnificence for nearly a decade, was upkeep. I didn’t wash or take away buildup correctly, and in my earlier 20s, my solely objective was straight hair, which meant a whole lot of warmth injury and avoiding washing. Even earlier than making the choice to get a transplant, I fell into the lure of at-home remedies from Hims, however these by no means labored for me as a result of I wasn’t constant.
Now I wash and situation my hair on daily basis—I like RŌZ Basis Shampoo & Conditioner—and I exploit a finasteride and minoxidil spray with ketoconazole and biotin. Then, I high it off with oral minoxidil prescribed by New York dermatologist Robert Finney, MD. I additionally see him repeatedly for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) scalp injections, in addition to Scalp Stim Professional, a remedy he developed that mixes choose substances in a singular method to maximize regrowth and keep long-term hair well being.
One other mistake I made was not having a hair-care routine in place beforehand, which was one thing Dr. Finney additionally taught me. I want I’d began experimenting with topical hair-growth remedies lengthy earlier than I ever thought-about a transplant, in order that the process felt much less like my solely possibility. Besides, I can’t put a value on my happiness. And a yr later, I’m pleased with my outcomes.
At any time when somebody asks me for recommendation about their hair, my reply is at all times: Do what makes you cheerful. Getting a hair transplant isn’t for the weak—it’s costly, emotional and requires endurance. However for me, it was price it. Be sure your physician has completed a fellowship in hair transplantation and has an accreditation from a related board or society, just like the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgical procedure (ABHRS) or the Worldwide Society of Hair Restoration Surgical procedure (ISHRS).
As we speak, I see myself in a courageous new gentle. I by no means thought I’d be somebody who would get a hair transplant, however that was the value to pay for the end result: a fuller head of hair and the arrogance to tackle something that got here after. Past simply hair, I realized that I’m the principle driver of my very own happiness, and that discovering confidence usually means taking dangers for your self. I’ve developed a complete new relationship with my hair, and I’ll do something to care for it. This expertise additionally gave me a brand new perspective on life: Happiness comes from taking management of your personal story, and realizing that you just’re the one one within the driver’s seat.”
