Matt Iulo at Headstrong NY versus His Hair Clinic 10-21-2014

[hairhair98]

Telling young people they should proceed very carefully with something like this, and that they should pursue less permanent options first, is a very useful message. However, you come off as stubborn when you say things like 'anyone who treats a young person is unethical', or imply that no young person should ever get smp.

To your credit, i feel you do have an open mind in regards to new ideas, and are giving SMP a much more fair critique than you were several months ago, even if you still personally dont like it.

I know you can link me to threads of young guys that have had SMP and are ecstatic about the results. Thats great for them, but its the ones that have SMP with bad results that we will never hear about.

Ok, but why let bad clinics take that option completely off the table for young guys?

SMP (as well as HT) compatibility goes on a case by case basis, especially for young people. At the other forum we tell people that they probably shouldn't do it if it looks like they dont really need it. However, for many young guys it is past the point of just needing a little concealer, and in those cases SMP can be appropriate, and far less risky than a HT.

I completely understand where you are coming from in regards to not wanting to see young guys make mistakes on impulse, but your language often comes off as making it seem like SMP is a 100% mistake for anyone under 25... which clearly isn't how it is.

One thing about SMP that surely you must agree on though. Sometimes although you and i will never agree. Reading Topcats thread even if you view it as anti SMP bias. It will make that reader ask questions that he would never have originally asked. It will make them think and research SMP deeper.

I have no problem with discussing the negative aspects of SMP, i think it's important that the drawbacks of SMP (of which there are many) should be known to anyone that is considering it.

The problem i have with that thread was how you and TC were stating your speculations as facts, and then applying them to all SMP organizations. Implying that no matter where they had the treatment, it would make them a laughing stock to their friends, they would never get women, and it would eventually turn blue.

There is a good message at the heart of that thread, but it is lost in a sea of fear-mongering rhetoric (mostly from TC).

While i share your concern about not wanting anyone to make a mistake... either by the clinic they choose, or by SMP itself... i am also just as concerned about people who could improve their lives with it being led away because of bad information... and in that sense i feel that thread may do more harm than good.

 

[topccat29]

I €™m for any young guy that wants to try this to have a few dots tattooed on his head and assess it for a year if he truly feels he wants to go down that route. It keeps him safe and if he likes it then that's his business.


Whenever anyone asks me for my opinion or advice it €™s always tempered with €¦ €¦ €¦.could this person potentially commit suicide because of something I advised him to do €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦ €¦.I think others should take the same approach.

 

[ProHeadStrong]

Coopman may be anti-SMP but he is the most logical and reasonable so far, if not open minded.

The thing I disagree with you about is your obsession with age limit. Should their be an age limit on taking Finasteride? Surely you wouldn't want 25 year old taking hair loss medications with side effects so serious that permanent erectile dysfunction is one of them.

TopCat mentions that he doesn't want a young person to commit suicide, god forbid if I was ever at the end of my rope, Taking Finasteride which has medically proven unreversible medical side effects many are sexual would definitely be a reason to even think along those lines.

Getting a bad SMP job is not the end of the world, it could be lasered off, yes it is painful and there is some scarring but is reversible if done properly.

I don't disagree that places like Phuket Hair clinic should not exist, but they do not represent the quality clinics like Headstrong, HIS, DaVinci Shapiro, who produce very good work.

The problem is, neither you or TopCat has never seen SMP up close and personal. I have, and I have had it done. I have also seen many hair transplants up front.

TopCat seems like he set in his ways, and men and women will continue to lose their hair even while TopCat stands on his pedestal and tells young people to adapt and adjust. Simply mind boggling the size of the ego. The Hair Loss industry will flourish while Top Cat spams every Hair Forum with his lack of knowledge crusade against SMP. Fact.

 

[topccat29]

I stated that young guys should test it if it something they really want to do.

How can you not agree with that.................it reasonable advice and it keeps them safe.

 

[ProHeadStrong]

TopCat you have also stated many laughable things (I should make a list) that guys who have SMP or as you put it dotted up heads will have problems getting women.
Well, you can be a fly on the wall when I go out and you tell me whether not socializing is a problem. Bottom line, you will do anything and say anything to discredit SMP w/o fact. Sorry but words that describes your stance is ignorance, jealousy, and bias.

 

[hairhair98]

Getting back on topic, i just found out that HIS changed their guarantee policy by reducing the coverage to only 1 additional session... which is the same as several other SMP companies and might remove that section from my comparison depending on whether or not Headstrong offers a guarantee.

 

[ProHeadStrong]

Wow. I thougt that guarantee was HIS's top selling point, besides their work. If you want PM for Matt's email address you would be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Coopman]

Proheadstrong

Although i stated under 25, primarily im focusing on young guys. 25 was just a good milestone.

Debating the pros and cons of Finasteride will just open up a can of worms. Its been done countless times before.

Whilst i respect that there are side effects to Finasteride, it is in this day and age the main weopon to maintain peoples existing/native hair.

Would i reccommend Finasteride to someone under 25. Yes i would, but i would advise them to research the pros and cons of Finasteride before jumping into bed with it. Let their education be the key to their decision.

Would i reccommend SMP to someone under 25. I would not reccommend it, but it is an option for that individual.

So why the difference? Why would i reccommend FIN to someone under 25, but not SMP?

Although the risks of sides are low, i think 2% according to research papers i have read. If their are sides then they should go away once usage of the drug is discontinued.

But what about these young guys under 25 whom have decided they are going to undergo SMP.
If they have researched SMP, fully aware of the pros and cons. Let them do it. But if they are undecided or appear emotionally unstable then an ethical SMP practitioner should turn them away.

But for the ones that do go ahead with it. I really think they need to be advised that it is in their best interests to proactively prevent further loss of their native hair. And that means being on Finasteride.

The more native hair they have, the more likely their SMP will remain undetectable to the touch. Girls want to feel stubble when they rub your head. If it is always smooth alarm bells may ring.

Also by maintaining their existing hair. It gives them options for the future. Maybe SMP was great for them at 25, but now that they are 30, they want real hair and opt for a hair transplant. If you are maintaining your existing hair then results from FUE could meet their new expectations.

But with these young guys, nobody knows how quickly they advance through the Norwoods. Some young guys may get SMP at 22 when they are NW4 and then 3yrs later they are NW7. If they have no financial income and cant pay for further SMP as well as necessary touch ups, things are not going to be good.

Now we know the usage of topicals could be detrimental to the longevity of SMP, so i feel that any young guy if they really want SMP should always be advised to be on Finasteride and take the necessary research to make that choice.

Lastly and this is something i really do not want to happen. The public although very few are becoming aware of SMP.

What happens if a SMP Clinic, decides to attract additional income they decide to market their work on nationwide television.
If a SMP Clinic decides to go down this route, then it shows one thing. MONEY! Thats what they are interested in. They do not give a damn 5cents about their existing Clients they want as much as this golden pot as possible.

If and when that happens suddenly the general public will become aware of this and that is not in the interests of all SMP clients.

Exposure to television publicity is detrimental to those guys whom do not want to be busted for having SMP. Granted some guys will tell the world they have dots tattooed on their heads, good for them they have the confidence, but generally they will be those guys whom are a little older.

But what about those young guys whom want it to be a secret?

Suddenly the SMP procedure is being broadcasted to the worldwide audience in a big way.

I hope for the life of me that no SMP Clinic ever goes down that route (just my opinion). If i was a SMP patient watching the SMP procedure on television with my friends and family, i have no doubt that they would be questioning why i always shave my head to the skin.

So there we have it. There are guys out there that have SMP, some of us that add a little concealor and some that wear hairpieces. We do not want to get exposed and that is such a big fear for some of us.

EDIT: I have edited this post because i posted something that asked Headstrong would they broadcast SMP on television. I have removed this because i have realised that this is unfair and that any SMP Clinic has a right to publicise their work. My judgement was based on the fact that i personally would not want SMP to be broadcasted if i were to undergo such a procedure. This is was an unfair question of me to ask.

I have no problems of reputable SMP Clinics making money from their work. If they are producing exceptional results and provide the necessary assistance and advice that is of the highest ethical standards.

I do have problems with only those Clinics that do not achieve the above.

I spoke with loose tongue. '''h;h;;hI have now corrected that.

 

[hairhair98]

Further recession and TV ads also applies to HTs. If getting busted by an advertisement is a deal breaker for someone, then they should move along because HT ads exist and SMP ads are here and growing. SMP is instant, cheaper, and reversible when compared to a HT... but it isn't real hair and has drawbacks.

I think we are all pretty much on the same sheet of paper now, and the rest is just pros/cons to HT's/SMP/meds which could go on forever.

 

[Coopman]

Hairhair

Totally agree that this applies to HT's as well.

With the TV ads. If i had SMP i would not have the balls to admit to people that i have had the procedure. So in fairness that skews my judgement. Anyone please take note of this from my previous post.

Its just the stigma attached to baldness that forms part of our society, that maybe pushes my judgement more towards what other people will think of someone whom wears concealor, has SMP, wears a hairpiece or has had a HT.

But my judgement is made up of my personality and im unique in that way, just like others.

We all have our views here and just like somebody here said to me. Some, if not all of us here want what is best for that individual. Maybe somewhere we all meet in the middle.

 

[Coopman]

NOTE: My post at 4.07pm has been edited.I made an unfair statement.

 

[Dr Arvind]

Dear Coopman,That was a lengthy reply. But I agree with 80% of the points. Its a long time I read a logical and not a rant. To all readers, I would recommend to read in detail except for one point -Age. The more important thing is awareness. I wouldn't do a hair transplant on a 60 year old guy but would do for one in his 20's if the younger person is more aware of the intricacies involved. Of course, I agree hopefully ht doctors will not be waiting at midnight to catch drunk prospective patients .

 

[ProHeadStrong]

Hey Coopman you are a funny bloke. And I mean that in a very positive good way.

I totally agree with you that if a client appears to be unfit psychologically for SMP that the ethical thing to do is not treat them.

I am not promoting where I had my treatment, but I had this conversation with my practitioner. If a client is so nervous and not stable enough to have the procedure, then he wouldn't treat him. I 100% agree with you.

I will give you an example on how I think you are correct. Extremely obese patients who opt to go for lapband surgery or any kind of bariatric surgery are required to go for a Psychological examination prior as part of a consultation, as the Doctor wants to make sure that they are psychologically suitable for the surgery. SMP is not as drastic but either way both produce results that are meant to boosts ones confidence.

I do respectfully disagree with you about Finasteride. I too have done my research and even my General Practitioner will not prescribe it.

If given the option at age 25 to have SMP or take Finasteride, I would definitely opt for SMP. The long term short term effects of Finasteride require possible further medical treatment, for erectile dysfunction, seeing a specialist like a Urologist to try and reverse that. That is costly and can take an emotional toll on one's manhood. I wouldn't jeopardize my ability to have children to keep my native hair.

I embraced my hairloss, and I shaved my head for many years, which made me a good candidate for SMP. I would like to debunk the myth about running your hand over someone's head and feeling nothing. Every person who receives SMP are different Norwood scales. I happened to be a 6/7, however I do have sprouts of hair on my scalp that can be felt upon touch, others have diffuse thinning, and have stubble coupled with SMP, so not everyone has a baby smooth feel to SMP.

Just last night, I had a lady whom I met at a party rub my head, nothing was said.

It is funny about the age thing, at age 25 I had a few Hair Transplant Doctor's turn me away because I wasn't done balding. Interesting on the ethics of Hair Transplant Doctors.

But when all is said and done, SMP works for me. I am much happier. And in the end, that is all that counts.
I think it is fair to say that any kind of Hair Loss remedy is about profit, that is Business 101, but you also have to add the ethics to it, that is what differentiates the good from the bad, and unfortunately if one Hair Transplant Doctor, or SMP Clinic are in it just for the money and have no moral compass or artistic ability, then people cast judgement on the treatment in general, whether it be SMP, FUE, Strip, or anything else.

 

[Coopman]

Dr A

Thank you for your reply. Most Mediteranean islands that cater for the drunken exploits of The younger generation, always have these tattoo parlours located amongst their nightlife.
I would not be surprised if they appear in India in reference to the more westernised Goa region.

When i was about 21 i fell victim to them. I was in an intoxicated state and following encouragement from my so called friends. I thought it would be a great idea to have a tattoo of Betty Boo on my backside.

Well the next morning that great idea became a regretful one. I had a hard time explaining to girls that i was in relationships with. "Why do you have a tattoo of Betty Boo on your bum?"

I wonder how many of these after dark tattoo artists now undertake facial tattoos to their intoxicated clientelle.


ProHeadstrong

Im glad SMP has worked well for you. Having already embraced hairloss by shaving your head, i agree makes you a good candidate.

I have now seen over a hundred SMP results online and one interesting point that i have never heard make mention is "Head Shape".

Some guys rock the buzzed or bald look. They have the right facial features to look just as attractive bald than with hair.

Unfortunately some guys dont. Their head may look too large, they may have a round face. Would people in this category be more likely to get busted?

When i look at all SMP results online, all patients appear to be slim/athletic build. I dont see any guys having SMP whom could be considered fat.

What im trying to say is that SMP looks artistically good on people whom rock the buzzed look. But if you dont rock the bald look, peoples eyes will become more focused on the top of someones head. Could SMP possibly be less camouflaged in these individuals.

My experience approx 10yrs ago i shaved my head. Every girl i knew said i looked awful and told me to grow it back. I dont have the right headshape to rock the bald look. Im a good looking guy (if i may be modest). But if i had SMP back then, every person told me i looked awful. I dont know if i would have been able to hide it.

I guess some balding people are less lucky than other balding guys. I remember about 4 years ago. Some young guy who was about 21. Looked at my photos online of my rogaine results and made a comment.
This guy was a NW6 and he said he wished he had my hair as he would be able to use Concealor. I was a NW3-4.

To hear such a young guy make such comment was quite emotional in a way. I have worked as a Teacher (no longer) for about 10yrs. Maybe the reason why im so vocal on SMP for young guys is because of this. I just dont want these kind of people doing something without doing the necessary research.