The most important decision you make when you decide to have a hair transplant is the choice of your surgeon.
There is a huge difference in the quality of hair transplantation at clinics around the world. Pick the wrong surgeon and you could be making a big mistake.
Around 10% of the work that Crown Clinic's consultant surgeon Asim Shahmalak carries out is 'repair work' – fixing the mistakes made by other surgeons in previous operations which are often carried out abroad.
Conducting a hair transplant – either the most popular FUE (follicular unit extraction) procedure or the more traditional FUT (follicular unit transplantation) method – takes enormous skill.
The real expertise comes in with the replanting of the donor's hair. A skilled surgeon will blend this in with the natural hair to create a completely natural look.
Maria Fowler, the reality TV star, is the latest star to be seeking 'repairs' to her hair transplant.
The former Only Way Is Essex star had a hair transplant at hair transplant clinic in Scotland which has since had its licence withdrawn following complaints from patients.
She in unhappy because the transplant has made her hairline too straight and looking unnatural.
Such a mistake is easily remedied in the hands of the right surgeon.
But the mistake Maria made was in not doing due diligence before having her transplant.
Committing to cosmetic surgery is one of the biggest decisions anyone will make in their lives.
There a number of checks you should make on a clinic before deciding to have a hair transplant. Here are the key points you need to address:
1 If the clinic is abroad and there is a problem with the procedure, do you have any kind of redress? Do you really want to take legal action in a foreign country?
2 If the clinic is in the UK, is the surgeon recognised by a respected medical body such as the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
3 Does the clinic have lots of recent testimonials featuring satisfied patients, as we do on the Crown Clinic website?
4 Any reputable surgeon will meet you personally before a hair transplant procedure so that you can plan the work together? Be very wary of any clinic which uses salespeople for the initial consultation so you only meet the surgeon when you have the actual surgery.
5 Take a look at the surgeon's work. If they have real case studies featuring excellent work that is a good sign.
Crown Clinic's Asim Shahmalak has treated a number of high profile celebrity patients. The TV doctor Christian Jessen chose Asim for both his FUT transplants – it is a powerful recommendation when a doctor chooses you for their transplant. They don't take any chances with their choice of surgeon.
Mr Shahmalak's other celebrity clients include Calum Best, Gogglebox star Chris Butland-Steed, football pundit Didi Hamann and Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts who all had FUE procedures at Crown Clinic.