This story is based on an interview with Nicole Ethridge, 39, a Southern Marylander who works in finance and is also an influencer. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My hair had always been thin, but I first noticed it coming out soon after the birth of my daughter, now 19.
It was mainly at the front, which made it noticeable. I was self-conscious and particularly hated going to hairdressing salons, where it was impossible to hide the problem.
The dermatologist diagnosed me with traction alopecia, sometimes caused by tight hairstyles and other things that pull on your hair.
I started wearing wigs
I started wearing wigs that mimic your hairline. They were expensive, ranging from $300 to $700, but they don’t last forever. I’d go through as many as nine a year.
Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge
The expense motivated me to begin making my own wigs, which I started to sell to other women in the same position.
However, I still didn’t feel like myself because it wasn’t my real, natural hair.
I tried every treatment under the sun, such as creams and ointments. They included an FDA-approved over-the-counter hair growth supplement. I didn’t have high hopes that it would work, but it actually brought some of my hair back.
Still, I felt it wasn’t enough. My attention turned to getting a hair transplant.
I found a clinic in Istanbul
I looked into having the procedure in the US. The prices were upward of $13,000, and I didn’t have the budget.
I knew some people traveled abroad to get it done much more cheaply, and I considered Mexico. I was put off because when I did my research, I didn’t find many testimonials from African Americans.
Turkey seemed like a better option, and I saw that a lot of patients who looked like me were going to a particular clinic in Istanbul.
Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge
I collaborated with an international facilitator called Doctours, who connected me with the clinic and arranged my treatment and hotel accommodation. As an influencer, I paid 50% of the quoted $2,600 cost.
My flights were extra at $1,250, and I traveled in August 2025. Although I was excited, I was nervous on the airplane because my friends told me I was taking a risk going to Turkey.
Nevertheless, I was willing to take that risk. I wanted to be free of the wigs and hair wraps for good.
My head was shaved
The only parts of the process that hurt were the injections to numb my scalp. I was fully awake, lying down, either listening to music or being alone with my thoughts.
The medical team extracted individual follicles from the back of my head and moved them to the problem area. It’s optional, but I chose to have my head fully shaved beforehand because I wanted the experience to be more sterile.
Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge
I came back the following day for a specialized hair-washing treatment. They advised me on upkeep. All in all, I spent four days in Istanbul.
My hair started to grow back within four months, but there wasn’t a wow factor at that stage. There was a huge difference at the six-month mark.
I’m getting married next year
I started going out with a wig — something I hadn’t done for nearly 20 years — and felt confident about my appearance. Now my hair is pixie length, which I love.
My fiancé and I are getting married next year. It makes me happy to think I’ll have a nice head of hair for the wedding.
Maybe I’ll have a bob by then. It doesn’t matter, though. I finally feel happy with how I look and feel.
