This story is based on an interview with Nicole Ethridge, 39, a southern Maryland resident who works in finance and is also an influencer. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My hair has always been thin, but I first noticed it shortly after my daughter, now 19, was born.
It was mostly in the front, making it visible. I was embarrassed and particularly hated going to hair 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 the hair.
I started wearing wigs
I started wearing wigs that mimic your hairline. They were expensive, between $300 and $700, but they don’t last forever. I suffered up to nine a year.
Ethridge was embarrassed by her hair, but she’s glad it grew back. Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge
This expense motivated me to start making my own wigs, which I began selling to other women in the same position.
However, I still didn’t feel like myself because it wasn’t my real natural hair.
I’ve tried every treatment under the sun, like 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 back some of my hair.
However, I felt that it was not enough. My attention turned to hair transplantation.
I found a clinic in Istanbul
I considered using the procedure in the United States. Prices were over $13,000 and I didn’t have the budget.
I knew some people were traveling overseas to do it cheaply, and I thought about 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.
Ethridge no longer has to wear wigs. Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge
I worked with an international facilitator called Doctours, who put me in touch with the clinic and arranged my treatment and hotel accommodation. As an influencer, I paid 50% of the listed cost of $2,600.
My flights were $1,250 extra and I traveled in August 2025. Although I was excited, I was nervous on the plane because my friends told me I was taking a risk by going to Turkey.
Nonetheless, I was willing to take that risk. I wanted to free myself from wigs and headbands for good.
My head was shaved
The only parts of the process that hurt were the injections to numb my scalp. I was wide awake, lying down, either listening to music or 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 completely shaved beforehand because I wanted the experience to be more sterile.
Ethridge is getting married next year. Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge
I returned the next day for a specialist hair wash treatment. They advised me on the interview. In total, I spent four days in Istanbul.
My hair started to grow back after four months, but there wasn’t much of a wow factor at that point. There was a huge difference after six months.
I’m getting married next year
I started dating in a wig – something I hadn’t done in almost 20 years – and I felt confident in 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 that I will have beautiful hair for the wedding.
Maybe I’ll have a bob by then. But that doesn’t matter. I finally feel satisfied with how I look and feel.
Gn bussni
