Welcome to The Bald Truth

Hair loss is often dismissed as cosmetic—but for those living with it, it can feel like a devastating disease of the spirit. It impacts how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we move through the world. I know that firsthand.

I’ve spent the last 30 years trying to make this journey less painful for others. I’m the founder of the American Hair Loss Association, and the most widely read author in the world on the prevention and treatment of hair loss, including state-of-the-art hair transplant surgery.

My first book, The Bald Truth: The First Complete Guide to Preventing and Treating Hair Loss (Pocket Books/Simon & Schuster), became one of the first Amazon bestsellers when it was released in 1998. I later authored The Truth About Women’s Hair Loss (Contemporary Books/McGraw-Hill), which remains one of the only mainstream resources dedicated to women navigating this complex issue.

For 11 years, I hosted Spencer Kobren’s The Bald Truth on Westwood One Radio, reaching millions of listeners across the U.S. and internationally. Long before hair loss became a trending topic, I was having raw, honest conversations with people who were simply trying to understand what was happening to them—and what could be done about it.

In 1998, I began advocating for safer, more ethical surgical options—helping to usher in the widespread use of stereo-microscopic dissection and pure follicular unit transplantation (FUT/strip harvesting). In 1999, I introduced the Woods Technique—now known as FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)—to both North America and Europe.

FUE can be a powerful option for some patients, but it was never meant to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Over time, it’s been aggressively marketed as scarless, easy, and universally appropriate—when in fact, it has limitations that most consumers are never told about.

This publication is a continuation of the mission I began decades ago:

To offer clarity, not confusion.

To provide real support, not empty sales language.

To separate hope from hype in an industry that too often preys on fear.

This isn’t a space for salespeople, influencers, or agenda-driven commentary. It’s for people who want the truth—even when the truth is complicated.

No matter where you are in the process—just noticing early signs, actively weighing options, or researching on behalf of someone you care about—this space is here for you.

I’m here to help you navigate it—without the noise, and without the spin.