Are Hair Transplant clinics targeting vulnerable young people via Instagram ads?

This week, it was reported on BBC Breakfast that a number of hair transplant clinics are targeting vulnerable young people through the use of social media advertising, in particular young men.

The BBC conducted research into hair clinics targeting young people who are vulnerable and may not necessarily need a hair transplant.  The BBC found that clinics are targeting male influencers and celebrities who are then promoting the surgery to their followers.  More often than not, these social influencers do not need a transplant and should have been advised of alternative methods to prevent hair loss.

Hair clinics are also using targeted ad’s to promote their treatments, to young men in particular.  Psychologist, Becky Spelman spoke of how young people are more impulsive and can be more influenced to book a transplant without carrying out the necessary research ie speaking to past patients, asking questions and making sure that the doctor/clinic is accredited.

Dr Bessam Farjo and Dr Greg Williams of the Farjo Hair Institute (an award-winning hair transplant clinic in Manchester and London) shared their thoughts on the subject during the feature.

Dr Bessam Farjo said “I find it increasingly common that people are seeking to have these procedures even earlier at a younger age perhaps because of the number of celebrities, actors, footballers who are having it done and making it public.”

The feature touched on how Dr Bessam Farjo of the Farjo Hair Institute is constantly being asked to fix ‘botched’ hair transplants.

Dr Greg Williams said “There are clinics where it is not a doctor making an incision in the skin, a non-medically trained person and there need to be steps in place to change that.  Hair transplants are often seen as cosmetic surgery because it effects the hair but hair loss for male and female, genetic hair loss, is a medical condition.”