1. Any graft other than follicular units. Example: Minigrafts, punch grafts, square grafts, linear grafts, slot grafts, etc. These hair transplants can never appear completely natural because they will all have a tendency to look “pluggy”.

2. Follicular units not prepared by microscopic dissection. By its very definition, follicular units are dissected microscopically so as to avoid damage to the follicular root system. Unfortunately, some hair transplant clinics are claiming to use follicular units because they know that is what people want, but they are not using microscopic dissection. Or, some hair transplant clinics will dissect a few follicular units under a microscope, but then cut the majority of grafts without the microscope. Be sure you are getting 100% microscopically dissected follicular units.

3. Scalp reductions and flaps. Avoid these or be prepared to style your hair in unusual ways to hide the inevitable scarring. Do not be seduced by there claims of rapid improvement. Of course you want more hair and less baldness, but not if there is a chance your scalp won’t look normal.

4. Hair transplant salesmen, consultants, counselors, representatives, etc. In all likelihood they are receiving a commission if they can talk you into a hair transplant whether it's in your best interest or not.

5. Inadequately trained hair transplant surgeons. Many physicians who enter this field are "burned out" and are looking for the "easy job". Be sure they have acquired adequate knowledge into the science of hair growth and disorders if they are not dermatologists.

6. Hair transplant clinics who are not upfront about their prices.

7. Hair transplant clinics that do not have an adequate number of patients to maintain skills.

8. Hair transplant clinics that are more concerned about how you will look in 1 year than in 20 or 30 years. Remember, you must have a hair transplant that will look natural as you age. They should discuss Rogaine and Propecia with you to help you save your preexisting hair, whether you have a hair transplant or not.

9. The fantasy of a completely full head of hair after a hair transplant, if you have balded significantly. Hair transplants can help someone with advanced balding look great, but you may not have enough hair left to cover everything. Remember with a hair transplant we are rearranging hair, not creating new hair.