THERE'S no doubt that today’s man is an image and fashion conscious creature these days.
In fact, recent figures show that Irish men are fourth in the world when it comes to spending money on grooming products such as skincare, waxing and minor cosmetic treatments.
While our men were once content to rock the rugged look, the 2021 male is happy to hand over his hard-earned cash for treatments which were traditionally considered to be female territory.
A price on your head
As well as taking better care of their skin and physiques, more and more Irish men are turning to the hair transplant in order to retain their youthful looks and their overall appearance.
This treatment, which was once considered a vanity project to be mocked, is increasingly becoming mainstream - so much so that Irish celebrities include Louis Walsh and former Westlife member, Brian McFadden, have chosen to go public about their own experiences.
The procedure, known as Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS), which is performed across the globe, is undertaken at a medical facility and is conducted by a qualified surgeon.
After the scalp is thoroughly cleaned, an anaesthetic is applied to numb the area.
The surgeon will then remove a strip of skin measuring between six and 10 inches from the scalp and then tightly close the wound so that the existing hair covers the entire area.
Alternatively, the Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) method can be used whereby tiny holes are made in the scalp to allow small, pre-prepared hair follicles to be inserted which will then blend with the existing, natural hair.
Depending on the venue and surgeon chosen and the extent of the work, hair transplant customers can expect to pay between 3000 and 12000 Euros.
Celebrity favourite
Hair Restoration Blackrock in Dublin performs a number of hair restoration techniques and was the choice of music manager and television personality, Louis Walsh, who underwent the procedure at the salon.
Louis says, ‘With TV today, everything is high definition , and people notice every little thing.
"It’s called maintenance. It’s not a wig or a syrup of figs or an Irish jig, it’s just me, with my own hair, feeling better."
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Maurice Collins, the Hair Restoration Consultancy uses state of the art technology to perform high standards of hair restoration in a comfortable and modern setting.
Hair transplants are big business for qualified surgeons, with over 10 dedicated facilities within Ireland and, many of these venues are taking the technology a step further by using Booksy’s appointment booking and management tool to help them meet demand while ensuring safety guidelines within their premises.
You raise me up
At 69 years of age, Louis Walsh is fairly typical of the male demographic now seeking youth-restoring treatments such as hair transplants, however, this is by no means the sole domain of the over 60s.
Male pattern baldness is incredibly common (and has occasionally been mentioned by a notable sufferer - Prince William.
Recent figures show that 49 per cent of Irish men under 30 say that they have experienced some form of hair loss - something which can very much impact on personal confidence.
While men in the 50 plus age range are most at risk, Westlife singer, Brian McFadden, made headlines when he opted for a hair transplant procedure at just 39.
The star was praised by fans for his honesty when he shared his hair transplant journey in the media.
Brian said: ‘The last few years, my hair has been thinning and receding due to my lifestyle and the general stresses we go through in life.
"It’s been really making me self-conscious and uncomfortable so I decided to do something about it’.
No longer the domain of the rich and the famous, hair transplants are fast becoming the norm for men who are determined to look their best in as natural a way as possible and, across the globe, some 650,000 men choose to invest in their future this way every year.
Conclusion
While hair transplants can certainly provide a solution to premature male pattern baldness, it is of course, always important to bear in mind that this is a surgical procedure and, as such, not something that should ever been taken lightly.
As with any surgery, always consult with a professional before committing to a treatment.
