‘Diary of a Hair Transplant’: A Journalist’s search for David Cassidy Hair

How far will one journalist go for the story?

March 2009

Diary of A Hair Transplant is a witty but practical guide for the millions of bald, bothered and bewildered men out there searching for the holy grail of new hair - without a map.

Fifty-something entertainment journalist Brian Beacom started losing his lovingly blow-dried locks in the early seventies and so began the long, long search for some way of getting them back – and with them some semblance of the David Cassidy style of his hair heyday.

Diary of a Hair Transplant begins with the writer undergoing treatment at the Farjo Medical Centre in Manchester, but he flashes back through a personal thirty-year journey in search of a hair solution.

He talks about all the lotions and potions, the devices and weird advice he tried before taking the step, in 2008, to have the transplant.

He takes the reader through the range of the surgery on the market – and cites many celebrity examples of the good and bad choices.

Skillfully combining just enough medical facts with big dollops of humour and self deprecation, this easily-read book is perfect for every receding reader.

Brian explained: “By the time baldness loomed I didn't know where to turn. And the journey in search of a solution is a lonely one, given that men like to ridicule those with less hair. And I made a lot of false starts.

“It was only during the transplant process that I realised men like me were crying out for a book that offered not only information but empathy - and hope.”

He adds: “Surgery isn’t the holy-grail to all hair loss – a transplant is a serious undertaking – but it certainly represents hope for millions.”

Brian Beacom was operated on by Dr Bessam Farjo, who carries out more than 300 similar operations each year at The Farjo Medical Centre. Dr Farjo also consults with patients in London’s Harley Street.

The Farjo Medical Centre has helped transform the lives of many people including Extras and Eastenders actor Shaun Williamson, former England rugby player and Dancing on Ice Champion Kyran Bracken and Dragon’s Den judge Duncan Bannatyne, OBE.

Brian has contributed to radio regularly over the years, written two celebrity biographies and is currently working on the life story of showbiz legend Stanley Baxter.

He's also working on a book of (allegedly) hilarious stories from the weird and wonderful world of Scottish theatre that will shock theatre society to the very core. Or at least cause a few curtains to twitch.

Published by Phantom Publishing on March 10, 2009. Paperback original £6.99.

www.diaryofahairtransplant.com