Rebel found a cause in medicine — finally
Dr Kashmal Kalan is the medical director at Alvi Armani South Africa
What training did you have to do to be a hair restoration doctor?
I was trained at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, where I gained valuable experience and skills in surgical specialities.
I then furthered my passion for emergency and trauma medicine by working at the Hillbrow Community Health Centre.
Through my specialised Alvi Armani training, I was personally selected and mentored by Dr Baubac Hayatdavoudi, diplomat of the American Board of Hair Restoration and internationally recognised as the world’s best hair transplant surgeon.
What drew you to practise cosmetic medicine?
I have always been interested in the surgical fields, with a lot of experience in trauma medicine. However, through my years of working, I found a passion in helping people who have issues with their selfesteem and self-confidence. I was drawn to Alvi Armani due to its global reputation for offering a blend of psychology and surgery that allows us to help people who wish to restore their image and self-confidence.
What would make someone a good candidate for hair restoration?
Anyone experiencing male or female pattern hair loss who has a suitable donor region would make an ideal candidate. We remove healthy follicles from the donor region using a technique that, in most cases, leaves virtually no trace of the extraction, and then transplant them to the recipient region where they can grow optimally.
The earlier a candidate spots and addresses the issue, the better. It’s wise to not wait until the hair loss has progressed too far. Do not fear having to undergo the surgery, as the results are truly life changing.
What would people find surprising about the work you do and the process of hair restoration?
People are most blown away by the results we’ve managed to attain — the client reviews, pictures, videos and testimonials of our celebrity and other clients speak for themselves.
What also catches their attention is the extreme need for attention to detail, as well as the levels of concentration that are needed throughout the procedure from the surgical team.
A major surprise and relief for most is how minimally invasive the procedure is. It has been tuned to a fine art now and has very mild levels of post operative pain.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I come from a family of doctors and growing up I vowed never to do medicine and be like my parents. I always had an interest in business. However, later I realised my true passion lies in helping people from a medical perspective and that is when my journey into becoming a medical doctor started.
What advice do you have for young South Africans when it comes to choosing a career?
Follow your heart and passion. As long as you do what you love, do it with honesty and integrity and do it to the best of your ability. Do not get caught up with social media trends and fads, they fade away. Focus on ensuring you have a good education as it is the stepping stone to opening many doors in your life. Whatever you choose to do, do it with all your heart and soul.