John McDonald is a well-spoken, savvy, charismatic husband, father, businessman, and pastor. He has no problem taking center stage and speaking in front of people. Because he is in the actual spotlight during worship services, his wife started noticing his thinning hair, especially on top of his head, when he looked at the floor.
John explains,
"I started balding, so my forehead became a five head, turning into a six head, and eventually a seven head.
My wife would say ‘Your hair is thinning.’ I said, ‘It is, and once it gets there, I'm not going to fight it; I'm going to shave it off.’ She said I wouldn't look good bald."
John's wife wanted to send him to Turkey, which is known for specializing in hair transplants. I told her that I'm not going to a foreign country to get that done. And we would go back and forth, explained John. I said, no, it's okay we're going to stick to when it goes, it goes.’
The 44-year-old is not alone when it comes to male pattern baldness.
"Approximately 80 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience hair loss in their lifetime,"
says Jack Abrams, MD.
Dr. Abrams, a double board-certified surgeon, recognized for successfully introducing the most advanced ophthalmic laser technologies to Nevada for two decades, is the founder of Abrams Aesthetics & Hair Restoration. The impetus to launch this practice was due to intensive research after a family member was suffering from major hair loss. Dr. Abrams wanted to help others.
"Hair restoration that I witnessed in a close family member helped with their self-esteem and self-confidence,” said Dr. Abrams. “It was an incredibly rewarding experience as they regained a sense of control over their appearance."
Dr. Abrams has gathered the most advanced hair restoration technology to provide the first and only ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant center and NeoGraft system in the state of Nevada.
"With advanced robotic technology, we are able to provide the most gentle, viable, and natural hair transplant surgery without using blades or sutures,” shares Dr. Abrams. “With the advent of robotic surgery, hair follicular grafts are transplanted one at a time, in the most accurate and consistent technique using artificial intelligence."
Due to his wife's persistent nudging, John changed his mind about shaving his head and sought out Dr. Abrams for a hair consultation. He knew Abrams because he previously performed John's Lasik eye surgery. I said, "I trust Dr. Abrams, I know Dr. Abrams, I'll let Dr. Abrams do surgery on me."
They scheduled the outpatient surgery for last summer in Abrams' clinic. "I took a prescribed Xanax, they shaved my head, marked it up, and put headphones on me,” remembers John. “The next thing I knew, they woke me for lunch. I ate then took another Xanax and was done four hours later."
Dr. Abrams explains how the surgery also involved PRP-platelet rich plasma injections. "The results of the hair transplant were enhanced for John by adding simultaneous PRP treatment, which provided essential nutrients for the transplanted hair," says Abrams.
The surgery took six hours and John recovered at home for three days. The hair started to grow about three months after surgery. Now 11 months later, John admits he likes what he sees in the mirror, and so does his wife.
"Regardless of whether we're conscious of how we look, we are still subconscious of how we look. We still consider how we are perceived by others,” said John. “For men being able to have hair ... the reality is about trying to hold onto those two hairs and comb them over to make them cover your whole head, and that's not a confidence builder. My wife tells me my hair looks so much thicker. She runs her fingers through my hair."
John has advice for others who might be interested in a consultation at Abrams Aesthetics & Hair Restoration (www.abramsaesthetics.com). "If you have an insecurity and you're considering it, there's nothing to fear. It's non-invasive, the healing process is really quick, and when they're done, they'll have a better outlook on themselves and be more confident talking to other people."