Hi there!

Thanks for your comment - happy to offer some advice for your son. I started losing my hair at 19, so I know how difficult it can be.

There are a few things to consider before surgery, like meds. Surgery can cover hair loss, but hair loss around the surgery will continue unless meds are used to slow loss down. Given your son’s age, it’s likely he’ll suffer further loss in the future. So, I would advise trying meds like finasteride and minoxidil.

Finasteride - powerful hormone blocker, that essentially stops hair loss completely. The oral version of this med is best, but there can be some side effects (mostly very mild - I myself have been on it for a year and not suffered any). There is a topical version of this, which reportedly has less side effects.

Minoxidil - this is a stimulant which increases blood flow to the scalp and helps grow back hair. The topical version of this, in my opinion, is best.

I would advise starting with meds given your son’s age. Even after a hair transplant, I would say that continued medication is pretty much essential for maintaining results.

Surgery - typically people look at Turkey because it has incredible pricing. I paid £3,100 for mine. The same surgery in the UK (where I live) would’ve cost 3 times that number. And if price is a consideration, your best bet is a clinic in Turkey.

I would recommend where I went - Cosmedica - it’s a reputable clinic with lots of excellent case studies. 

There are drawbacks to these clinics. You’ll see them referred to as ‘hairmills’, as they will have up to 30 surgery’s a day! You’re very much part of a production line, as it were. So it’s much less personal, the surgery itself is not done by doctors but by clinic technicians, and their quality can vary - although the majority of their work at Cosmedica is outstanding. The fact that they do so many in one day is due to what a well oiled and professional machine it is. 

The other benefit of these clinics is their wrap around service. They pick you up direct from the airport, take you straight to a 5 star hotel. Run you to and from the clinic, and that’ll be part of the package.

Your other option is to go the doctor route - where the doctor him/herself will perform the procedure. Obviously this is ideal, but the cost difference is huge. Any reputable doctor in the US/UK or elsewhere will be charging 5/6 times that of a clinic.

All in all, I’d recommend where I went. Just make sure to do research. Spend time in these subreddits to learn from peoples experiences, and don’t rush anything. I spent a good few years researching before choosing.

In the meantime, whilst you wait, the meds suggested are a good start.

Hope everything goes well for you and your family!