If you’re worried about thinning hair, you’re not alone. By the age of 35 nearly two-thirds of all men in the United States will see some noticeable hair loss, and by the age of 50 around 85% of all men will have hair that is significantly thinned out. Right now about 35 million men in America are living with baldness or thinning hair. Thinning hair can affect your self-esteem, your work, your romantic life, and your entire sense of self. Fortunately, there are hair loss specialists who can help you find real solutions to your thinning hair problem. Here are some tips for finding the right person to consult with about how to treat hair loss and hair transplant and surgery possibilities.

1. Consider your own comfort level. It’s important that you trust any doctor or specialist you consult when it comes to your health and personal wellness. In fact, how comfortable you are with any kind of medical professional is as important a consideration as experience, training, and expertise. You want to pay attention to whether the specialist listened to all your questions and answered them fully, and whether or not they seemed willing to discuss different types of treatment for your thinning hair. Did your hair loss specialist spend enough time with you and fully explain the steps you would need to take to move on?
2. What training and expertise does your specialist have? If you’re speaking with a physician, what medical school did they attend and how long have they been practicing? Do they have experience in treating thinning hair in a clinical or residential experience, and if they offer hair transplant surgery where did they train and complete a residency? Do they hold a membership in any professional society related to hair loss treatment, dermatology, or surgery?
3. How much experience does your specialist have with thinning hair? You’ll want to ask how long the doctor has been doing hair restoration procedures, particularly surgical ones. If there’s a specific type you are set on, you might want to ask how many of that specific type your hair loss specialist has done. How many procedures does your doctor or surgeon do in a month? A busy practice usually means a capable doctor in high demand. Is hair restoration the only thing your physician treats?
4. Look for good references and recommendations. If you have friends with thinning hair who have had it successfully treated, be sure to ask. When you visit a specialist, ask for before and after photos of real clients. Do due diligence online to find out more about the reputation of anyone you’re considering getting surgery from.

Before you choose a hair loss specialist, be sure to consider what you want from your treatment, what you need in terms of experience and expertise, and whether or not you feel comfortable with the specialist you’ve chosen. Then you’ll have the best shot at solving your thinning hair problem and getting back the full head of hair you want.