Harley Street Joins Charles Street

Harley Street is the name synonymous with the upper echelons of the aesthetic medical world. It has an unprecedented quality of hair transplant surgeons, cosmetic surgeons and aesthetic practitioners.

So why has Charles Street in Cardiff attracted the finest hair transplant surgeons from Harley Street as well as leading trichologists and clinic management?

The answer is simply the arrival of a new brand Head Quarters Hair Transplants Clinic – the home of hair transplants in Wales.

Head Quarters has been built on integrity, honesty and the drive to achieve the best possible hair restoration results for every single patient in terms of density and natural looking results.

The business was born out of a transformative experience that clinic group owner Xavier Rush had from having a hair transplant five years ago.

Former All Black rugby player and captain of Cardiff Blues, Mr Rush, now wants to help other men that are struggling with the often slow and painful process of going bald, and let them know that there are options available that work.

Mr Rush talks about his experience and the new recruit to Head Quarters

[L-R] Resident hair transplant surgeon Dr Ted Miln, clinic owner Xavier Rush, hair technician Julie Smith Geis, clinic manager Nell Brunwin, hair technician Donna Morris, hair technician Louise McDonnell (Image: Alex Lloyd Jenkins)

I had a 2000 graft FUE hair transplant five years ago, after 10 years of the slow, agonising process of going bald. Finally, hair loss is not something that I am concerned with anymore for myself.

It’s allowed me to get on with running businesses, feeling more confident in relationships and in everyday life. It’s taken years off the way I look and feel!

What was the most uncomfortable bit of the surgery and did it hurt?

It didn’t hurt – it’s more of a monotonous procedure than a painful surgery, but our surgeons use every technique to ensure maximum comfort. We have TVs in the operating rooms so patients can watch movies, listen to music and chat with staff.

Describe how you felt after your hair had regrown?

There are a few different stages to the recovery process. You leave the clinic feeling amazing because areas where you were bald, you now have hair. However, the new hair will shed quickly which is normal. Then you won’t start noticing fuller density until around five months. Then from five to 12 months, it just keeps getting better and better.

You reach maximum density at around 12 to 18 months and you look and feel better and more youthful than ever! The reaction from other people makes you feel incredible.

Xavier How did people respond to you after your Hair Transplant?

One of the main reasons I opened in Cardiff was the amount of attention I got from men that were worried about hair loss and were asking me about my Hair Transplant. It demonstrated that the demand was there in Wales. I was very honest and open about having a hair transplant. I think most men that have had a hair transplant are happy to talk about it as they are often pleased with their new look.

Xavier how long did it take you to launch Head Quarters Hair Transplant clinic?

After having a Hair Transplant myself I knew this was something I wanted to bring to Wales. I’ve spent the last 12 months getting the required registrations and choosing the right surgeon and Clinic Manager. Designing a modern state of the art clinic and bringing the latest technologies and systems to make sure we are giving patients the best possible results.

Xavier Why did you think Cardiff was the right location for a hair transplant clinic?

Baldness affects men everywhere. However, when I had my Hair Transplant there was no-where in Cardiff to get it done. People were having to go outside Wales to have this procedure and generally were choosing to go to Harley Street. Therefore, what I have done is take the best of Harley Street and bring it to Charles Street.

How did you find the right hair transplant surgeons to join Head Quarters?

This has been the most difficult decision throughout the whole process, choosing someone that I would allow to operate on my own head. I needed to find someone who has worked in the best clinics in the UK. The fact that our resident hair transplant surgeon resides in Wales means that patients can have continuity of care and aftercare.

Lots of the competitor clinics have many surgeons aligned with them but not employed and it’s about who is available on the day. I didn’t want to go down this route; I wanted someone I trust who cares as much about this clinic as I do.

Who is your resident surgeon and why did you partner with him?

Dr Ted is in his element when he’s performing hair transplant surgery. The joy I see him get from restoring patient’s confidence and recreating their natural hair line and their hair density made me want to partner with Dr Ted. He’s very meticulous and has an artistic hand coupled with an exceptional rate of productivity; these are the skills that you want in a specialist hair transplant surgeon.

I wanted a hair transplant surgeon who puts the patient’s wellbeing as top priority. As a clinic owner, the patient’s safety and happiness is paramount – I trust Dr Ted with all of our patients.

Introducing Head Quarters Clinic Resident Hair Transplant Surgeon

Dr Ted has joined Head Quarters from Harley Street (Image: Alex Lloyd Jenkins)

As a leading Hair Transplant surgeon in the UK, tell us what your story is?

I studied medicine at the University of Bristol where I developed a keen interest in surgery. I was elected president of the university’s surgical society and we ran all sorts of events and workshops for other students interested in surgery. One of these was a surgical exchange program between Bristol and Cardiff Universities. This was when I got my first taste of Cardiff.

I loved the atmosphere here and the friendliness of the people. When it came to choosing where to work after getting my medical degree, Cardiff was the clear choice.

As a doctor, I’ve been privileged to work in some excellent departments with some wonderful teams including trauma and orthopaedics, general surgery, colorectal surgery, liver surgery, general medicine, cardiology and psychiatry. I was in the process of starting out in Cardiff when I came across Xavier and we joined forces with the common ambition of creating the best Hair Transplant Clinic in Wales and the south west.

Dr Ted why did you choose to work for Head Quarters Hair Transplants Clinic Group in Cardiff?

I see enormous potential with Head Quarters (HQ). Living in Cardiff, I have long felt that Wales is underserved in terms of hair transplant clinics.

One of my goals for the clinic is to build a truly world-class centre for treating and researching hair loss in all its varied forms. Xavier shares my vision and passion and there is a real synergy of ideas, yet completely different and complementary skill sets and professional networks which makes it a very exciting opportunity indeed.

Ted talk me through your clinical team in the clinic?

I work alongside a team of experienced surgical assistants. They all have years of experience and they have been handpicked for their dexterity and attention to detail. Their job is to trim and sort the extracted hair grafts under microscopes and to delicately place them into the recipient sites.

Ted Will a hair transplant hurt?

It is all done under local anaesthetic so the procedure itself shouldn’t be painful. I use a very gentle anaesthetic technique and often the only discomfort people feel is the first injection of local anaesthetic. When the local anaesthetic wears off in the evening after the procedure, your scalp can feel a bit sore – people have described it as feeling a bit like sunburn, but this usually settles down with paracetamol.

Ted Will the results look natural?

Yes. I take great care and pride in creating natural-looking results.  This is achieved by only using finer single hair grafts on the hairline and making the pattern of the hair irregularly irregular which mimics nature. The multi-hair follicular unit grafts are placed behind the singles to great density. There is far more artistry that goes into creating a natural-looking hair transplant than people realise. When I make the recipient sites, I pay great attention to the depth, angle, direction, density, and geometry so that the implanted follicles grow hair in the most natural way possible.

Ted Can I get paid leave off work for a hair transplant?

Typically no, as is an elective procedure. Most people can find space in their schedule and we can discuss with you the best time to get it done to work around your job and other commitments. Having it done on a Thursday or Friday is popular – this makes use of the weekend for the first couple of days after the procedure. Thereafter, the patient can use a combination of annual leave days and techniques to disguise the fact they’ve had a procedure if they need to. We find especially these days patients tend to be totally open about what they’ve had done.

However we have noticed recently that some larger companies have it in their policies and do allow paid leave for the procedure, best to consult your HR department and contract.

Medical Tourism is on the rise and a lot of Welsh and UK citizens are taking a plane journey to undergo Hair Restoration surgery the dangers of this have been reported in many mainstream media including GQ Magazine, Daily Mail and Telegraph to name a few. Our research shows that a lot of hair transplant surgeons have to deal with patients coming to them with poor results from hair transplants they have previously had abroad… Have you noticed this and if so how do you handle it?

I would caution anyone about going for cheap “all-inclusive” hair transplant deals abroad. In the UK, we’re used to a minimum standard of quality and service in healthcare. This varies enormously in some of the countries where hair transplants can be cheaper.

I have encountered some truly awful results from patients who had the procedure in certain countries abroad – hairlines too low, unnatural “hair plug” appearance, depletion of the donor hair at the back of the head giving rise to a “moth-eaten” appearance. And then there are the accounts you hear and photos you see of unsterile operating rooms with multiple patients in a single room and staff sharing instruments between patients. I have even been told of a patient contracting hepatitis C.

A lot of patients come to see me because they are unhappy with the result they had abroad. One lad was so ashamed, he came wearing a wig because he was so embarrassed about the sparse, course and unnatural hairs that had been placed low on his hairline.

Most of these results can be corrected or improved with a quality hair transplant, but tragically in cases where the donor hair has been completely denuded or destroyed, there is nothing that can be done to bring that hair back again.

I come across so many patients who wish they had come to a reputable clinic in the first place and saved themselves the money and the emotional anguish of a bad hair transplant which often costs significantly more to fix than if they had come to me in the first place.

Head Quarters can take you through every detail and tell you exactly what Dr Miln and the team can achieve for you, at your consultation (Image: HQ Hair Transplants)

How do you ensure that the results match clients’ expectations?

This is key. I consult all my patients prior to the day of surgery and spend a long time understanding their ideas, concerns and expectations. I explain to them what treatments are possible and work with them to put together an appropriate treatment plan. The patient is heavily involved throughout the process.

Even on the day of surgery, the patient is awake and I calmly talk through everything that is happening to reassure them. We have a comprehensive pre-operative and post-operative instruction document which explains everything that can be expected at every stage so there are no surprises.

Will the results look natural?

Yes. I take great care and pride in creating natural-looking results.  This is achieved by only using finer single hair grafts on the hairline and making the pattern of the hair irregular to mimic nature. The multi-hair follicular unit grafts are placed behind the singles to great density. There is far more artistry that goes into creating a natural-looking hair transplant than people realise.

When I make the recipient sites, I pay great attention to the depth, angle, direction, density, and geometry so that the implanted follicles grow hair in the most natural way possible. We expect full growth to occur between 12 and 18 months.

Ex All Black and Rugby Star Mr Xavier Rush shows his before and after photos of his Hair Transplant here:

Clinic group owner Xavier Rush benefited from a hair transplant five years ago (Image: Alex Lloyd Jenkins)

You have been open for two months now – how have you found things so far?

Mr Rush: The response has been overwhelming. In the first two months of business, we are already fully booked up for 4 months! Surprisingly a lot of our business so far has been people returning from abroad with substandard hair transplants.

Often, people that have hair transplants abroad don’t receive any aftercare and sadly they don’t realise how poor quality their results are until after a year, which is why more educational pieces are needed on medical tourism in relation to hair transplants in the mainstream media. This is also a big reason why we have negotiated brilliant finance packages.

Dr Ted why Hair Transplant Surgery?

It’s a fascinating blend of medicine, artistry, psychology, a geeky love of gadgets and an obsessive attention to detail.

It’s a really beautiful technique and I find it amazing the transformation you can achieve for people. One operation typically takes all day and during that time I find you really get to know your patient and you meet some fascinating characters who I have learned all sorts from.

I love being part of a new and unusual specialty. There are still not many hair transplant surgeons in the UK and of the ones who are serious about it, I like to think we’re a fairly close-knit bunch. We come from the most eclectic set of backgrounds imaginable, but I think all doctors who dedicate themselves to hair transplant surgery share a certain creative and independent streak and it is very stimulating to exchange ideas and experiences.

Ted How are you different from any other Hair Transplant surgeon across the UK/ Globally?

Every Hair Transplant Surgeon would like to be seen as the world’s leading Hair Transplant surgeon. I pride myself on ethics and integrity and continual advancements as I am a perfectionist.

Unfortunately there can be an undercurrent of unscrupulous doctors, who think that hair transplantation is easy or that they can make a quick buck. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I am dedicated to attending conferences and courses internationally to keep up to date and to incorporate the very latest and best techniques into my practice.  I have a creative flare and I’m constantly thinking how systems and techniques can be improved to give people excellent results. I am fiercely ethical – I will not operate on anyone if I am not confident of giving them an amazing result. Sometimes saying no to people who are not suitable is one of the hardest parts of the job.

Ted why did you choose to work at HQ?

I see enormous potential with HQ. Living in Cardiff, I have long felt that Wales is underserved in terms of hair transplant clinics. I have operated on many welsh patients in London and there has been the ridiculous occasions when both the patient and I have travelled to London from Wales, sometimes even on the same train! Cardiff is a highly desirable metropolitan city and it must be the only capital city in Europe without a dedicated hair transplant clinic. One of my goals for the clinic is to build a truly world-class centre for treating and researching hair loss in all its varied forms. To do this, we need a team of doctors and allied health professionals. Having worked as a doctor in Cardiff, I can reach out to my professional colleagues to build a great team. Xavier shares my vision and passion and there is a real synergy of ideas, yet completely different and complementary skillsets and professional networks which makes it a very exciting opportunity indeed!

Ted A lot of Hair Transplant surgeons have to deal with patients coming to them with poor results wanting their hair transplants fixed after picking a fast and cheap option here or overseas… what are your experiences here?

I would caution anyone about going for cheap “all inclusive” hair transplant deals abroad. In the UK, we’re used to a minimum standard of quality and service in healthcare. This varies enormously in some of the countries where hair transplants can be cheaper. I have encountered some truly awful results from patients who had the procedure in certain countries abroad – hairlines too low, unnatural “hair plug” appearance, depletion of the donor hair at the back of the head giving rise to a “moth-eaten” appearance. And then there are the accounts you hear and photos you see of unsterile operating rooms with multiple patients in a single room and staff sharing instruments between patients. I have even been told of a patient contracting hepatitis C.

A lot of patients come to see me because they are unhappy with the result they had abroad. One lad was so ashamed, he came wearing a wig because he was so embarrassed about the sparse, course and unnatural hairs that had been placed low on his hairline.

Most of these results can be corrected or improved with a quality hair transplant, but tragically in cases where the donor hair has been completely denuded or destroyed, there is nothing that can be done to bring that hair back again.

I come across so many patients who wish they had come to a reputable clinic in the first place and saved themselves the money and the emotional anguish of a bad hair transplant which often costs significantly more to fix than if they had come to me in the first place.

Ted how do you keep your finger on the pulse in terms of latest technologies and techniques?

I am actively involved with the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery as an affiliate member. I attend their meetings and conferences twice a year. I also attend the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery annual congress. Last year was in Los Angeles and this year is in Bangkok. I make a habit of visiting other clinics – a few months ago we were in Belgium to buy a state-of-the-art punch device which improves the quality of the hair grafts as they are extracted.

Ted how do you ensure that your results match clients expectations?

This is key. I consult all my patients prior to the day of surgery and spend a long time understanding their ideas, concerns and expectations. I explain to them what treatments are possible and work with them to put together an appropriate treatment plan. The patient is heavily involved throughout the process. Even on the day of surgery, the patient is awake and I calmly talk through everything that is happening to reassure them. We have a comprehensive pre-operative and post-operative instruction document which explains everything that can be expected at every stage so there are no surprises. Myself and the clinic manager are available over the phone or email for any questions and patients have peace of mind knowing we are a local clinic and they can come in and see us if needed.

Ted Is maximum density what all men are asking for?

Patients often do a lot of reading and sometimes come requesting a certain number of total grafts. People often want ‘maximum’ density. It’s important to remember that a hair transplant moves follicles from the back and sides of the head to the area that is are needed. If covering a small areas, density can be as much as you can physically fit in. If covering a large area of scalp with a finite supply of donor hair, sometimes a compromise has to be made to the density. Alternatively, a smaller area can be covered with fuller density. There are numerous techniques and additional treatments which make the most of what is available. It is always worth having a detailed consultation with a hair transplant surgeon to discuss your unique situation.

Ted How long does a hair transplant take?

All day. We like to start at 8am and for an average case we’re usually finished between 4-5pm. Larger cases can go on longer including a second day of surgery.

Ted from consultation to waiting list how long until I could book in for a hair transplant?

It’s September and we have only been open a month and we are currently fully booked until mid November. The waiting list between initial consultation and date of surgery is usually about 6 weeks. The time around Christmas is usually popular so if anyone would like to make use of the holiday break to recuperate, we would recommend contacting us soon.

Ted what’s the recovery rate on a hair transplant?

The dressings are off the next morning and things can be a bit sore for a few days, but some people manage to return to work a few days after the procedure depending on their work. 2 weeks is more typical. Until then, it can be noticeable that you have had something done and there are some restrictions on heavy lifting, hats you can wear, exercise, etc.

Ted What are your long term goals?

I want to fully establish hair transplant surgery as a legitimate and respected medical specialty. I want to build a group of amazing clinics and design a surgical system that improves the results and patient experience. I want to become the “go to guy” for hair loss problems locally and drive up standards internationally. I wish to engage in research and development – there is some exciting work happening with follicle cloning and I am inspired by success stories such as the use of cold caps to prevent hair loss following chemotherapy. I believe great ideas happen when you surround yourself with great people from different walks of life and I want to involve other dedicated specialists to collaborate with to benefit patients. With success comes the opportunity to do pro bono work for people who would really benefit from from a hair transplant but who can not afford it, such as burns victims or cancer survivors. In the future I would consider setting up a charitable foundation for such work. I am inspired by projects like The Little Princess Trust where people can donate their hair to be made into wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy. Also, the great work of Operation Restore where ISHRS hair surgeons travel to disadvantaged areas of the world to operate on trauma victims who have lost parts of their scalp in road traffic accidents, etc.

Another goal is to integrate the fragmented hair loss industry and provide solutions to the NHS for better diagnosis and treatment of alopecias.

Ted talk me through a day in the life of the clinic?

On a typical day, the patient arrives at 8am. We go through any last minute questions and complete the consent process. We take some clinical observations such as blood pressure and pulse in the patient’s dedicated pre-operative assessment room. The patient comes through to the operating room. The hair is trimmed as needed, the scalp is cleaned and local anaesthetic is injected. The rest of the morning is taken up with the painstaking process of removing the hair from the back of the head. After a short break for lunch, the recipient area is injected with local anaesthetic then tiny pinpricks are made into the scalp under magnification. After that, our highly trained surgical assistants place the hairs into the recipient sites. There are usually a couple of consultations in the afternoon where I meet people with hair loss to discuss their options.

Ted What advice would you give any man looking to have a hair transplant?

Do your homework. Make sure you always meet with the doctor prior to the procedure. Hair loss is a long term condition and a hair transplant should be done as part of a treatment plan to that anticipates future changes to give the best outcome possible.

Ted What should a patient expect in a hair transplant consultation?

The focus should be on the condition of hair loss. You should be given a clear diagnosis. A common condition is androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) but there are other rarer causes that should not be missed. Multiple treatment options should be discussed and appropriate treatment or combination of treatment agreed upon. A hair transplant is medical procedure and as such there are risks and benefits which should be discussed. You should feel under no pressure or obligation to have a hair transplant and should be free to make your own choices. I offer medical treatments and I am experienced in both FUE and FUT which enables me to offer the right option for the patient’s unique set of circumstances.

Ted What age do you have to be to have a hair transplant?

My general rule is 25 and older. The reason for this is that, although the transplanted hair should last a lifetime, the native hair can continue to recede behind the new hair line. After 25, it is easier the judge how progressive the hair loss is and anticipate progression more accurately.

Ted What advice would you give to a guy who is losing his hair in his early 20’s?

Even if it is inadvisable to have a hair transplant at this stage, there is still a lot we can offer. There are treatments that can prevent the hair loss getting worse and thicken up the hair that is already there. We can start planning for your future hair transplants and how to get the best value out of out of your donor area over your lifetime. We work closely with an expert trichologist who assists us with managing hair and scalp conditions. She has a huge wealth of experience and can help enormously with young patients starting to experience hair loss. If you are young and committed to tackling your hair loss, you, more than anyone else need to come and see us.

Xavier talk about turning people away if they are not suitable for a hair transplant or if you don’t think you can get the best results? To men worried about their friends or colleagues laughing at them or being cruel what would you say?

Ted To any men out there that may be suffering with their mental health due to hair loss and lack of confidence what advice would you give?

We see so many patients whose mental health is affected by losing their hair. I’ve been fortunate enough to have experienced working in mental health and received some really excellent teaching and mentoring. During a consultation, I always try to get an understanding of how the person is affected by their hair loss and I certainty build this psychological component into my assessment and management plan. Sometimes, how a person feels about their hair loss is affected by previous life experiences and emotional trauma. We work with CALM, a mental health charity who can help. Mental health problems can also be a cause of hair loss. Trichotillomania is a condition where people have an urge to pull out their hair. Sometimes people do it without realising it. This can be a real challenge to treat but we have access to the right professionals who can help.

Ted What are your thoughts on the growing market for hair Transplants in turkey?

I am reluctant to generalise about any particular country because wherever you go, there will be good clinics and bad clinics; good doctors and bad doctors. In the UK, clinics are regulated and doctors are bound by the General Medical Council’s standards of Good Medical Practice and appraised as part of a process of ongoing revalidation. Some other countries regulatory standards are much laxer meaning unscrupulous clinics can cut corners. We have seen some horrendous results from hair transplants done in unscrupulous clinics – unnatural hairlines, poor density, “plug-like” appearance, irreparable damage to the donor area, scalp necrosis, even hepatitis C contracted through poor hygiene practices, non-sterile facilities and sharing instruments between patients. We also hear stories that doctors are not involved in the operations. The patients are heavily sedated and we hear accounts of patients being operated on my unskilled refugees or taxi drivers!

Ted Discuss best times of the year to get a hair transplant?

The winter is a popular time. People make the most of the Christmas holidays to recuperate. A proportion of patients use the new year to bite the bullet and take action on something they’ve wanted to get done for a while. There isn’t a best time of year as such. There are extra considerations if patients wish to travel to a hot country immediately after surgery, but the results are just as good at any time of the year. Predictably we get more teachers getting it done during the summer holidays.

Ted How to plan a hair transplant into your calendar in terms of holidays and events?

During the consultation I always ask about upcoming events. The end result is usually at around 12 months following the procedure. If there is a big wedding or event coming up, we aim to schedule to allow for as much growth as possible in advance if this. Similarly, we need to consider the post-operative recovery period. A lot of people who have hair transplants live busy and successful lives and fitting in recover can be a challenge. One of our patients makes films around the world and at one point we were seriously considering scheduling the operating between two trips to Africa spent living amongst a tribe! We get a lot of sportsmen and can usually fit around their season. Actors can be tricky – their appearance can affect the roles they’re offered and they need enough time between contracts to have the surgery.

How much does a hair transplant cost?

Dr Ted: It depends on a number of factors including the technique (FUE or FUT), and the number of grafts required. We are able to keep the costs down to some extent because our overheads are lower than in London, however we use the best equipment and staff, so our prices do reflect that.

Does Head Quarters Clinic offer payment plans for a hair transplant?

Mr Rush: Yes, we offer monthly payments for your convenience starting at £89 per month helping you to spread the cost. This is also to ensure no patient has to go somewhere else due to cost and compromise on quality. In conjunction with our specialist finance provider, Medifinance, we are pleased to offer a more affordable way for you to fund your treatment – personal loan options from 12 to 60 months, from £1,000 to £12,000 as required with a low APR*.

The benefits of financing your treatment include:

• No delay in receiving the treatment you want and no major outlay of funds
• You can spread the cost over a period that suits you.
• The discreet application process is completely managed securely online with a quick decision via Medifinance.
• You can apply at home, at a time that suits you

Please note, finance approval is subject to status, and terms and conditions apply. Head Quarters Hair Transplants Ltd are an appointed representative of Medifinance Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

*APR is dependent on your personal circumstances.

How can someone book an appointment?

Mr Rush: If you would like to book a complimentary consultation to discuss your hair loss, you can click here and fill out a short contact form that takes seconds to complete. Or you can call and speak to our clinic manager Nell Brunwin who will be able to answer all your questions. Full patient confidentiality is guaranteed.

For more information on Head Quarters, call 02920 099 385