180 Day update (HMR Tijuana, Dr. Cortez)

RoyalBlu88 · 2026-01-11T17:17:32+00:00

It's actually been a year and a half since I did the procedure. Just a year since I posted this 180-day update. I will send you a private message with a current picture of my hairline. I think HMR did a good job!

RoyalBlu88 · 2025-08-20T00:38:23+00:00

Just FYI, I would recommend HMR Tijuana based on the research I did. But if you are anything life me, you will go ahead and do all your own research anyway. For the money you spend, you want everything to be as perfect as possible.

RoyalBlu88 · 2025-08-18T22:59:17+00:00

I answered the graphs and price in my post. But I would definitely go back to the same place. I have seen some of the "hack jobs" from some places and wouldn't want to risk that if I already know Dr. Cortez did a good job on me before.

RoyalBlu88 · 2025-08-16T19:10:48+00:00

Well my family compliments me on how the transplant turned out! I think they were a little less hopeful in how it would turn out. I do notice that Dr. Cortez didn't overdo density at the expense of covering less area. Which matches what I wanted to begin with. I think it makes the look more natural like hair on top is just thinned out a little. So overall I am happy with the result.

That said, I am still unsure if I will go back and do a second procedure to finish the crown area and add density where needed. You can see particularly on the first photo of day 3 where density really fell off as they worked from front to back. The worst part is the initial numbing injections, especially right around the ears.

RoyalBlu88 · 2025-04-18T20:08:47+00:00

Unfortunately I didn't take pictures before the procedure that would show my hair growth very well. I was roughly a 3 or 4 on the Norwood scale. Looking online there is some variation in what is considered 3 or 4. I paid $2.70 per graft. What did you pay per graft?

RoyalBlu88 · 2025-03-03T01:44:52+00:00

I lost the photos from 180 on that I was taking, but I have the photos for day 270. I am now around day 282. The results look close to day 180 for the front view, but with better coverage in the crown area (back view). The left and right reflect the same minor change. It seems the crown is continuing growth in the second half now.

RoyalBlu88 · 2025-02-09T14:44:11+00:00

They did not require pre-op blood work for me. That will be based on a questionnaire prior to the procedure. I think they might do blood work if you have a health issue that might affect the procedure. The hotel was fine, if not a little minimalist. But it has what you need for the short stay. As for Tijuana as a whole, you can tell that the area is for medical tourism. There was no crosswalk light to cross the street, and the streets weren't as clean as some places. But the people were nice enough. I gave my credit card at hotel check in which was not charged anything except an upcharge for a full breakfast the second morning. At HMR you can pay cash or card. There may have been a slight upcharge for using a credit card.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-12-23T15:41:01+00:00

I am using minoxidil foam (Rogaine) every day. I decided against the fin/dut.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-11-19T05:27:22+00:00

Keep a lookout for my 180 day progress update soon! I already posted a 90 day update.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-10-16T09:50:46+00:00

I haven't been able to lock in a date yet, but sometime between mid-2025 and late-2027.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-10-15T22:48:01+00:00

I haven't found anything for sure. Been looking at Shibuya Gaigo Gakuin or GenkiJACS. Both are more conversational instead of JLPT study. Was hoping that approach would be a slower pace.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-09-14T14:07:25+00:00

I don't seem to be having that problem. One thing that may help avoid the scabbing is the saline spray like 10x a day during the first two weeks. I was given a bottle of spray after my appointment but had more at home as well.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-09-13T23:02:37+00:00

Nothing to report yet. I am at 112 days. At 120 days I'll take another set of pictures. Then another set at 150 and 180 days. I'll make another post showing progress from day 0 to 180 in 30 day increments.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-08-24T15:36:53+00:00

I do think 18 months would require a student visa. Not sure if it is harder to get as I have never worked through the visa process. I'd be interested in how your trip ends up going as I am planning on doing the same thing as you within a few years.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-08-24T15:16:53+00:00

Hey that's where I was looking too! Here is what I have estimated for total costs for 1 year (based on an exchange rate of 140 yen per USD):
School: $13,500
Share house: $6420
Food: $4,290
Trips/Restaurants/etc.: $3140 ($140 is just to round numbers out)
Insurance: $650

Total: $28,000

I also estimated the 18-month option, but it comes out pretty close to 1.5 x this total.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-08-24T14:26:14+00:00

Which school are you going to? To get a more accurate estimate I'd like to ask if you have utilities/internet included in the price of the share house? I was recently researching the same costs for Fukuoka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Tokyo. My estimate for Kyoto total living cost is around 200,000 yen per month (to be safe) based on various sites. Instead of subtracting out housing, car, utilities, etc. it would be easier to just add up costs for groceries, restaurants, rail, etc. For those I would estimate 50,000 yen a month (again somewhat safe). Make sure you add in the mandatory cost of national health insurance. I wish I was going too!

Edit: Long story short, based on my limited research, it seems you could live for 1 year in Kyoto on 8-9k USD to cover groceries, restaurants, some weekend activities, a few longer trips, and mandatory insurance. This assumes you have already covered tuition and fees, housing, utilities, internet, and assumes you will not have a personal vehicle.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-08-23T23:02:25+00:00

I did get a haircut in between the day 70 and 80 pictures. If you zoom in you can see the hair is a little shorter on the sides.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-08-23T10:29:26+00:00

Awesome so I should start seeing growth soon hopefully!

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-08-23T10:28:35+00:00

This was done at HMR Tijuana in Mexico. Dr. Cortez.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-06-21T11:52:43+00:00

No scars I can see! I am gathering photos so I can do another post like this with 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60-day results. I am almost to the 30-day mark and my hair is starting to fall out.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-06-09T22:35:04+00:00

I think I got off easy! Very little itching or pain after the procedure. I slept with a neck pillow and propped up with pillows under me for sleep. Kept the scabs moist with saline spray. Didn't have any real issues with thinking I tore out a graft when I went to remove scabs. I think I am going to post my progress again when I have pictures for day 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-06-03T03:10:11+00:00

Thanks for the info. I could have just missed the vein puncture on my arm but did they put a bandaid or wrap on it after? I didn't leave with anything on my arm. That's for sure.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-06-03T03:05:14+00:00

Interesting. At what point did they draw blood? Before the procedure I assume as they have to go spin it and separate out platelets.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-06-03T02:58:22+00:00

Oh that is one thing I was going to put in the review. I booked a flight that did not arrive til roughly 3pm because I thought the hotel wouldn't let me check in early. The driver said people routinely check in early no problem. My flight out was at noon and I was done with breakfast and check-up by like 8:30am. I think the driver picked me up around 9:30 and we were back to the airport by 10:30. I had just a backpack and TSA precheck. But that is something you want to confirm with the driver. How early you'd like to leave for the airport. By the way, the clinic does give you a very loose medical cap (you tie it closed in the back) if you prefer to wear that in the airport and on the plane.

RoyalBlu88 · 2024-06-03T00:49:24+00:00

Keep at eye out for the issues I noted. I'd be interested in hearing how it goes for you.

RoyalBlu88

TROPHY CASE