The dermatologist diagnosed me with traction alopecia<\/a>, sometimes caused by tight hairstyles and other things that pull on your hair.<\/p>\n I started wearing wigs<\/p>\n I started wearing wigs<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Ethridge was self-conscious about her hair, but is delighted it has grown back.\u00a0<\/p>\n Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge<\/p>\n The expense motivated me to begin making my own wigs, which I started to sell to other women in the same position.<\/p>\n However, I still didn’t feel like myself because it wasn’t my real, natural hair.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Still, I felt it wasn’t enough. My attention turned to getting a hair transplant.<\/p>\n Want more Business Insider in your news feed?<\/p>\n \n Add BI in Google so our reporting is easier to find when you\u2019re searching for what matters.\n <\/p>\n I found a clinic in Istanbul<\/p>\n I looked into having the procedure in the US. The prices were upward of $13,000, and I didn’t have the budget.<\/p>\n I knew some people traveled abroad to get it done much more cheaply, and I considered Mexico<\/a>. I was put off because when I did my research, I didn’t find many testimonials from African Americans.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Ethridge no longer has to wear wigs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge<\/p>\n I collaborated with an international facilitator called Doctours<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, I was willing to take that risk. I wanted to be free of the wigs and hair wraps for good.<\/p>\n My head was shaved<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Ethridge is getting married next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Courtesy of Nicole Ethridge<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I’m getting married next year<\/p>\n I started going out with a wig \u2014 something I hadn’t done for nearly 20 years \u2014 and felt confident about my appearance. Now my hair is pixie length, which I love.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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