Dr. Tulián: "Surgery is the best solution for hair loss, but there are also effective medical treatments."
Dr. Adolfo José Tulián Pagnone is a trichologist specializing in solving hair loss problems and performing micro-graft procedures. He leads the Hair Medicine Service at the Plastic Surgery Unit (UCP) of Juaneda Hospitals, where he consults at Clínica Juaneda.
Dr. Tulián has extensive experience in this field, which many patients avoid due to fear of complications (highly unlikely) or high costs. However, these issues are more common in certain countries offering such services as "medical tourism" at low costs but lacking high-level teams like those at Juaneda Hospitals.
The solutions offered by Dr. Tulián are safe and suitable for all ages and genders:
“We have been treating patients of both sexes, starting at 18 years old, for a long time. We assist individuals who decide to improve their aesthetics and address their hair problems from that age onwards.”
Not all hair loss solutions are necessarily surgical (such as hair micro-implants).
“Many patients come to the clinic asking what surgery entails and how much it costs, only to be surprised when they find out their problem can be resolved with a simple medical treatment,” explains Dr. Tulián.
In fact, he adds, “there are medical treatments [non-surgical, pharmacological only] specifically designed to resolve hair issues. With a few months of adherence and patience, these treatments deliver very good, healthy results without requiring surgery.”
The most common causes of alopecia are hormonal, but there are also mechanical causes, such as traction alopecia (caused by excessively tight hairstyles). Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a specific evaluation of each patient, which can only be done in a specialized consultation.
“Given the importance of properly assessing each patient,” Dr. Tulián explains, “we request lab work and conduct a study to pinpoint the exact cause of their hair loss. With this information and the patient’s medical history, we determine the best course of action for their problem.”
While surgery is a safe and effective solution, “whenever a solution that meets the patient's expectations can be achieved through more conservative treatments, we prioritize those. Surgery becomes the last resort, but it always delivers the best results,” he emphasizes.
Surgery should not be a cause for concern in terms of pain or cost:
“Surgery requires a bit of effort—spending a few hours in the clinic and enduring some minor discomfort. But it’s a minor procedure. Many patients say it’s simpler than getting a tattoo or less complicated and painful than visiting the dentist,” Dr. Tulián points out.
More problems arise in countries that initially became popular for their seemingly lower costs and the appeal of combining the procedure with tourism.
“However, in many cases, the reconstructions were not satisfactory,” Dr. Tulián warns.
“Many patients return from these countries feeling devastated because they encounter problems at home. Some didn’t even receive preventive antibiotics to avoid conditions like folliculitis or pseudo-folliculitis,” he explains.
Post-operative care is another major issue.
“Many patients return without any knowledge of how to perform post-surgical care or proper washing techniques because no one explained it to them. Worse yet, some experience significant complications after returning,” says Dr. Tulián.
When these problems arise, “it’s not uncommon for desperate patients to come to the clinic, unable to contact the facility where they underwent surgery. What initially seemed like a financial saving can lead to serious health issues.”
Even the supposed financial benefit of traveling to these countries is no longer valid:
“Prices have dropped significantly in Europe and are now comparable. It’s no longer worth traveling so far. Here, the solutions are not overly expensive, and we offer post-surgical care, follow-ups, and monitoring that provide security and peace of mind,” he concludes.
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