Dear Dr Epstein,
Thank you very much for taking time to review my case. I do appreciate your response and the emails you sent me, plus the illustration of the proposed treatment.
I am a 32 year old female from the UK. For years I have been experiencing male type hair-loss and I have lost most of my hair
on my temples. The quality of my life has deteriorated significantly due to this condition and I would be grateful for hope of restoring my hairline. Looking at the photos I understand this is possible. I have close up pictures of my hairline and I will send them to you. I would be very grateful for a consultation, diagnosis and recommendation of what can be done and when.
I am definitely interested in having this procedure done; I would love to speak to one of your UK patients; would you kindly forward this email to Roxy so that she can arrange such a meeting for me. If she needs me to call her to discuss this rather than write an email I am happy to call; please let me know.
Yes, we can put you in touch with several patients who live in the UK.
I have a number of questions I would love to discuss with you if possible; do you take calls from prospective patients? (If this is difficult due to your other commitments I am happy for us to correspond via email until I come to New York for my procedure).
By all means, please feel free to call me this afternoon on my cell phone or tomorrow in my office.
In terms of my concerns I am wondering about the following:
1. Can I have FUE rather than strip method please?
This is not something typically performed on women, due to several reasons: Women tend to have already a low donor density and a high need for as many hairs as possible; and women have no trouble concealing whatever scars are present, typically scars that are 2 mm in width or narrower. You can read much more about FUE versus strip/fug procedures in the attachment.
2. Can this procedure be done with my hair long?
(Shoulder length) as long as you would like it.
3. Will there be any shock loss in the adjacent areas?
I feel that with the experience I have in working with women that I have developed techniques for minimizing any shock hair loss, while maximizing the numbers of hairs that can be placed between existing hairs. That being said, there is always a risk of some shock hair loss, but this has happened in only a very very small number of patients of mine, and none in the past 4 years since I further refined my technique.
4. Will I have any small scars or marks in the recipient site (hairline)?
None
5. How long will it take for the scabs and the redness in the recipient site to completely disappear?
Typically 7 to 8 days for all crusts and most pinkness, but this can sometimes take 10 to 12 days - but you will have no trouble concealing the crusts in as soon as 3 days after the procedure.
6. Will I have small bald spots at the donor site (back of the head) or will you be taking individual strands from all over my head?
Only a fine line donor site scar.
7. Can I get reasonable density with one procedure?
Some of this depends upon the exact thickness or density of your donor area, but you should have a nice cosmetic improvement.
8. What is the estimated cost?
(Rough guide) I really need to have Roxy answer this question as she will provide you with a more accurate estimate of fees.
Sincerely,
Jeff Epstein, MD