After having an unsuccessful transplant in Turkey I had ended up spending tons of time and Monday on microblading, products and potions to get eyebrows back as lol the grafts but a few that grew straightforward, fell out and did not return.
I had seen Dr. Epstein's reviews prior to that initial procedure but at the time I thought "ow hard can it be, they do hair transplants all the time in Turkey!" And the prices as 90% less than prices in the US. Well, sometimes you get what you pay for and after that experience my attitude has complete May changed. If something is important to you, find the best person in that field and go there.
So here's my day 2 review, you can find Day 1 on YouTube if you look.
So far my swelling is worse around the eyes than yesterday but I haven't had any pain, just numbness around the donor area which is a strange feeling. I'm expecting the bruising to come in soon but so far I'm not THAT scary looking.
I travelled across the continent for both my consult and surgery on different dates. Again, I'll never make the mistake of saving a few dollars and expecting spectacular results. The staff was very responsive via email, if you're coming in for a consult and you run cold, bring a sweater.. I was frozen. The consult was short but thorough and they were confident that my situation could be improved so I was hopeful.
The day before surgery they contacted me with a time to arrive and went over some paperwork, medications, shape and concerns.
The staff was friendly and professional.
Dr. Epstein's marks the donor and makes the incisions for graft placement and his team of technician removes the donor hairs and places into the incisions under his indirect supervision. He will come in the operating room several times to review and make recommendations to his team and adjustments.
We breakers for lunch which was complimentary. I didn't think I would be hungry but I had no problem eating and opted for a smoothie bowl as I have to refrain from exercise over the next 6 days.
They sent me back to my hotel with pain killers, a pill to help with sleep and antibiotics. I haven't needed the painkillers at all.
I'll be reviewing my experience on YouTube as well as where I stayed. What I brought with me etc.
Hope this helps!
If I can finish off by saying...
Lessons I've learned:
- don't follow trends that can't easily be unreversed. Ie. early 2000s brow trends and microblading
- most of the time you get what you pay for, do your research. Read studies that have no conflicts and understand the limitations of the procedure.
- be clear about your most important expectation and bring photos that resemble your face shape/ ethnicity.
- trust your doctor, most want the best results for you just as you want for yourself. You're living proof of their competency and skill. Poor outcome will reduce the number of patients that will visit them in the future.
Updated on 24 Jul 2022:
My iPhone doesn’t recognize my face today lol. It’s a sign swelling has made my face slightly more unrecognizable - even my eyelids have eyelids! Fingers crossed it doesn’t get much worse than this but I have a good 13 hours of travel and connecting flights ahead of me so let’s see how that affects the healing process. Wish me luck!
Ps. I’m not wearing makeup in any of my current review photos. I’m closing in on my 40s and I’m grateful for my skin and I don’t feel the need to cover it up.
Updated on 27 Jul 2022:
The back of my head feels very tight due to the healing. I’ve washed my hair once so far but I figured I would hold out to wash again on Day 6 because I think the natural oils could help with keeping the scalp from feeling to dry and irritated.
Still a lot of bruising around the eyes, I bruise quite badly to begin with so it’s not too shocking. The graft location is very dry though so I’ve been worried that the skin will flake and the grafts will leave with it. I contacted Dr. Epstein’s team and they said I can wash my face and start using moisturizer on them tomorrow to dislodge the scabs.
Updated on 29 Jul 2022:
I’m slow to heal but I knew this going into the surgery. The expectation is you should be looking normal with slight bruising around Day 5 but I’m still pretty bruised and day 7 and up until I received an email from Dr. Epstein this morning I was not going to work away the crusts from the brows. After I received an email stating that I can start trying to wash them away I gently patted them with water and cleaner, rinsed and applied moisturizer to soften the dead skin making it easier to remove.
Here is a picture of day 6 and 7 with 24 hours so you can see the crusts!
Updated on 9 Aug 2022:
I read on google that there are two stages prior to the final outcome:
1. Heartbreak
2. Ugly duckling
I’m 2.5 weeks post op and I think I’m somewhere between. The hairs are falling and the ones left are uncontrollable resulting in a patchy look. I’m getting married in a few days so I’m hoping by then the situation is at least manageable for the makeup artist.
Updated on 16 Dec 2022:
Trust the process, train your brow hairs and trim them regularly. I’m finally at a place where I’m ok with my eyebrows.. yes, I wish they were actual brow hairs but I’m so much happier than I was prior. There are still some gaps that I’d really like to be filled but due to my lack of donor hair I do not think it would be wise for me to get another transplant. I did write to Dr. Epstein’s office this week and did not receive a response back yet so we’ll see what they recommend. I’ve been using moustache wax before bed to train the brows overnight and I actually trim the brows when they have wax on them so I can easily see which are the long, out of place hairs.
After 6 months I’ve changed my review to worth it!
Best of luck to all of your keep your brows hydrated, do not pluck them, use scissor and derma planning razor to shape them!