For many men, a trip to the barber is a routine affair. For James Besanvalle, it became a source of dread. The moment he truly began to loathe was the final reveal, when the barber held up the mirror to show the back of his head. That's where, from the age of 28, a bald spot on his crown stared back at him.
This anxiety persisted for six years, until September 6, 2025. On that day, just one day short of nine months after his procedure, the mirror showed something different. The shiny bald patch was gone. For the first time in a long time, James felt his confidence return.
The Transplant and the Long Road to Recovery
James underwent his hair transplant on December 7, 2024, at the British Hair Clinic with Dr Shuja Chaudhry. The initial process was surprisingly manageable, though not completely pain-free. The real challenge began in the months that followed.
Around one month post-surgery, he experienced shock loss, a normal but disheartening phase where transplanted and existing hair temporarily shed. "My hair loss got so much worse than it had ever been," James recalls. With his hair shaved for the procedure, he felt exposed and incredibly self-conscious.
Progress felt agonisingly slow. Even at the four-month mark, visible bald patches remained. Turning to Google for reassurance backfired, as he saw others with impressive growth at similar stages. "I felt deflated," he admits. The crucial lesson he learned was to avoid comparison and trust the process.
Thankfully, a turning point came just before the six-month mark. The patches began to fill in, allowing him to use cosmetic hair fibres less frequently. By the nine-month milestone, his confidence had solidified.
The Essential Maintenance Regime
A critical insight from James's journey is that a transplant is not a standalone solution. His £5,000 package included a 12-month supply of finasteride, a drug that blocks DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss.
He also added minoxidil to his routine, sourcing chewable tablets from Hims for £156 for a six-month supply. He takes both medications nightly, using an app called Medisafe as a reminder.
His maintenance toolkit expanded to include the Currentbody Skin LED Hair Regrowth device, which he uses for 10 minutes each morning. This red light therapy stimulates follicles and inhibits DHT.
The final element was Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment, included in his clinic fee. This involves drawing blood, separating the platelets, and re-injecting them into the scalp to activate dormant follicles. As someone who dislikes needles, James found it less daunting than expected, rating it easier than the transplant's numbing needles.
Final Reflections and a Confidence Restored
Looking back, James is astonished by his progress, noting that full growth on the crown can take up to 18 months. So, would he recommend it? Honestly, yes.
He praises the British Hair Clinic team for their constant support, from the initial consultation through the seven-hour procedure and aftercare queries. The lifelong commitment to medication is a serious consideration, as stopping would reverse progress, but for James, the trade-off is worth it.
The rewards are tangible: swimming without fear of hair fibres washing away, walking on a windy day without anxiety, and, most importantly, that dreaded barber's mirror moment now being a thing of the past. He has, unequivocally, got his confidence back.
