Dr. Bruce Allan

Q & A with Bruce Allan, B.Sc, M.D., Ph.D.

What is your philosophy on hair restoration?
The goal of hair restoration is to combine medical science and aesthetics to produce a natural, age-appropriate appearance in a man or woman who is suffering from hair loss. This may involve medical therapy, non-surgical hair systems or hair transplantation. However, the goal is always the same – to produce an aesthetically pleasing restored head of hair which will satisfy the patient and restore not only a natural appearance, but also the self confidence that comes with it.

What should hair transplant patients look for in a physician?
Men and women interested in hair restoration should seek out a physician who is empathetic and skilled in their discipline and craft. A skilled physician will not only be one who has experience in the field of hair transplant surgery, but also one who is aware of the physiology of hair growth and the alternatives that are available to the patient. An empathetic physician will be aware of the goals of the individual and the effects that hair loss has on their psychological well being and will be able to guide them in their choices and decisions.

What can a patient expect in terms of a natural look and density from hair transplantation?
The current technology of follicular unit transplantation has the ability to restore a very natural appearing hairline and restore density throughout the rest of the hair. With a skilled surgeon and technical team the goal is to produce a result which is indistinguishable from a natural head of hair.

What inspired you to become a hair transplant physician?
My experience in other areas of cosmetic surgery and my personal experience with hair loss and restoration had shown me the positive results in appearance and self-confidence that can be attained from skillfully applied cosmetic and restoration techniques. This inspired me to pursue this area of surgery to be able to provide a technology to male and female patients to augment other hair restoration techniques and to provide a technique that restores a patient’s natural appearance with excellent results.

What would you tell a patient considering hair transplant surgery?
Patients should feel comfortable that their physician has the skill and personality to properly guide them through the choices available to them. They must consider all medical, non-medical and surgical options before making as important a decision as hair transplantation. They must feel that their physician has their best interests at heart and has the skill to provide the results they desire while ensuring that their goals are attainable with the alternative they choose.

What is your approach to patient care?
I ensure that the patient’s goals are clearly discussed and all alternatives are considered. They must be clear on what the various alternatives for hair restoration can provide and they must clearly understand the specific technique of hair transplant surgery. I want to ensure that they are comfortable with the technique and that the results they seek are attainable. They must also be comfortable with me as their surgeon and be able to place their trust in me to not only produce the desired results, but also to care for them before, during and after the procedure.

What sets you apart from other hair transplant physicians?
I have experience in not only hair transplantation surgery but in other areas of cosmetic surgery. This has provided me with a sound base in both the medical and artistic aspects of this technique. I realize how life-altering a decision it is to pursue hair restoration techniques in general, and also, hair transplantation surgery specifically. I have many years experience in cosmetic surgery and understand the importance of helping patients explore and achieve their goals and am aware of the importance that cosmetic surgery has on physical appearance and emotional well being in terms of confidence and self appreciation. My research background helps me to continually explore and investigate new methods of helping patients achieve their goal of a naturally appearing head of hair.

How has hair loss affected you personally?
I began to experience hair loss at the age of 18 and was very “bald” by the time I was 30. My personal experience with the incredible results that Hair Club was able to attain in regards to hair restoration was instrumental in me pursuing an involvement in hair restoration techniques and surgery in order to be able to provide these services to my patients.

Do you often work with patients who seek help due to undesirable results from older technologies?
In many cases we encounter patients who have undergone hair restoration techniques which have since gone out of favour and have been replaced with modern techniques. These often provide a challenge to modify to provide a satisfactory aesthetic result, but the benefit of follicular unit transplantation is that it is very useful in “correcting” an unnatural appearance and once again restoring a natural-appearing head of hair.

Is it better to begin addressing hair loss early?
Hair loss should be addressed as early as possible. There are many techniques (medical, non-medical and surgical) which can be offered to arrest or slow hair loss and to restore a natural appearance. It is never too early to start.