Dr. Jonathan Ballon

Q & A with Jonathan Ballon, M.D.

What is your philosophy on hair restoration?
There can be no cookie-cutter approach to hair loss. The decision to recommend a particular treatment option is always based upon what I believe is best for the patient given his or her unique situation; this may not, at first, involve surgery. When the plan includes hair transplantation, I treat the donor area as a non-renewable resource to be used effectively and responsibly.

What should hair transplant patients look for in a physician?
Look for a surgeon who performs hair transplants full-time–not someone who “dabbles” in hair restoration as part of another practice. Your surgeon should openly take pride in his or her work, and offer you an opportunity to see “before” and “after” pictures as well as speak to several patients. If you must choose among several surgeons you feel are equally qualified, pick the one with whom you feel most comfortable. Did he/she spend sufficient time listening to you and answering questions to your satisfaction? Or did you feel rushed and pressured? Did you feel he/she was honest and candid? Did you sense self-confidence–but not arrogance? Do you trust this person?

What can a patient expect in terms of a natural look and density from hair transplantation?
A properly performed hair transplant should be so natural as to be indistinguishable from your original hair. It should fool not only your family, friends and co-workers, but other hair transplant surgeons. The ability to achieve good density (thickness) has improved considerably with the evolving state-of-the-art in hair transplantation. The vast majority of patients are very happy with their results.

What inspired you to become a hair transplant physician?
My career as a neurosurgeon, during which I performed thousands of operations on the brain and spine, was incredibly rewarding. I took great pride in the personal care and attention I provided to my patients. But long hours, an unpredictable schedule, and lack of personal time were taking their toll on me, as were the frustrations of dealing with a health care system which was increasingly unfriendly to both patients and their doctors. Considering a hair transplant for myself, I did some research and learned that the surgeons who perform hair transplants come from all walks of medicine. I then realized I had found not only a solution to my baldness, but a new career.

What would you tell a patient considering hair transplant surgery?
It is only natural for people to be a little nervous about any surgical procedure, but I try to reassure them that the experience is a surprisingly relaxing and pleasant one. If I feel that someone is a good candidate for hair transplantation, I tell him or her: “Do this for yourself–if it bothers you, that’s all that matters”.

What is your approach to patient care?
I always consider it an honor when someone chooses me to perform his or her hair transplant, and I feel it is my responsibility to see that their decision is one of the best they have ever made. My staff and I treat people as we would want to be treated ourselves, or as we would treat any member of our families. I believe that communication is essential to a positive experience, beginning with the consultation and continuing indefinitely; to that end, I give every one of my patients my personal cell phone number.

What sets you apart from other hair transplant physicians?
I suppose the obvious thing would be my training and experience as a neurosurgeon: I have the distinction of being the only hair transplant surgeon in the world who is certified by both the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. My original area of surgical specialization was ideally suited to my compulsive, perfectionist nature; I find it highly satisfying to apply that same precision and attention to detail, along with a lifelong artistic eye, to my second career as a hair transplant surgeon.

How has hair loss affected you personally?
Some men are comfortable with their baldness; I simply wasn’t one of them. I wasn’t ready to look that old, that soon. (My wife didn’t have a problem with my hair loss, but I did.) I wasn’t trying to look like I was 23 again–I just wanted to be a better looking 53.

Do you often work with patients who seek help due to undesirable results from older technologies?
I have performed many corrective surgeries, and they can be some of the most gratifying transplants for patient and surgeon alike. A patient with an unsatisfactory result should not necessarily assume that nothing can be done to improve the situation.

Is it better to begin addressing hair loss early?
Absolutely. There are thousands of bald men walking around who didn’t necessarily have to lose their hair, if only they had been proactive when they were younger. But hair transplantation is seldom the best way to begin addressing early hair loss. At Hair Club, we can provide you with options regardless of your age or where you are in the hair loss process.