Hair Club for Men: Where to Buy
What Is Hair Club for Men?
Hair Club for Men is a hair restoration company that rebuilds thinning and balding scalps with non-surgical systems and surgical transplants. Sy Sperling founded it in 1976 from a single New York City storefront, and it now operates as HairClub with more than 100 centers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Despite the name, the brand treats both men and women.
It targets hair loss from pattern baldness, alopecia, and age-related thinning. The promise has held for nearly five decades: walk in with visible scalp, walk out with natural-looking coverage. Customers pick a bonded hair replacement system, a surgical transplant, or laser scalp treatment, all under one roof.
The “I’m Not Only the President” Commercial
If you watched late-night TV in the 1980s or 1990s, you saw Sy Sperling. His catchphrase, “I’m not only the president of Hair Club for Men, I’m also a client,” turned him into one of the most quoted infomercial pitchmen in advertising history. The ad worked because it was plain: real before-and-after photos and Sperling talking straight to the camera.
Those spots ran for nearly 20 years and made the slogan one of the most iconic catchphrases on television. The New York Times later called Sperling an original TV pitchman who understood that vulnerability sells better than polish. He had already sold the business to Japanese manufacturer Aderans in 2004 for about $210 million, and it rebranded soon after. Sperling died in 2020 at age 78 in Boca Raton, Florida.
How HairClub Services Work
The company matches the treatment to the cause and severity of thinning. Every new client starts with a free consultation, where a hair specialist evaluates the scalp and recommends a plan. The main service categories:
- Xtrands+: the flagship non-surgical system. A custom mesh base is molded to your scalp and fitted with real or synthetic strands matched to your color and texture. You return to a salon every four to six weeks for upkeep.
- EXT surgical restoration: transplants follicles from donor areas to thinning zones. It is permanent but costs more and needs a longer recovery.
- Scalp therapy: low-level laser treatment and topical hair regrowth products that slow loss in the early stages of alopecia.
How Much Does It Cost?
The company does not publish prices, because it quotes after an in-person evaluation and every case differs. As a general range, non-surgical systems run $600 to $3,000 for the initial fitting, plus $50 to $150 per salon visit. Surgical restoration starts around $4,000 and can top $15,000 depending on the number of grafts. Financing through third-party lenders is available at most centers.
Is HairClub Worth It? What to Expect
Reviews are genuinely mixed, which is a healthy sign. The loudest praise is about that first fitting, when someone who has combed over a bald spot for years finally sees a full head of hair in the mirror. The common gripes are cost and upkeep: visits every four to six weeks add up, and skipping them lets the bonded hair system lift. After the 2004 Aderans takeover, some longtime customers also missed the small-business feel of Sperling’s original centers.
One thing most reviews skip: the result depends almost entirely on the stylist doing the install. Two clients using the same Xtrands+ product can walk out looking completely different, so if yours looks off, ask for another stylist before quitting the process. People with eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin should request a hypoallergenic adhesive up front, since most centers stock one but will not offer it unless you ask. Weighed against pills or a shaved head, the honest draw of Hair Club for Men is a reversible, customizable option with no surgery and no daily medication. For a medical device alternative, see our sibling review of Inogen One or browse other as-seen-on-TV brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hair Club for Men still exist?
Yes. It rebranded as HairClub and runs more than 100 centers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, serving both men and women with bonded systems, surgical restoration, and scalp treatment.
How does a HairClub system work?
A specialist takes a mold of your scalp, then builds a custom mesh base fitted with real or synthetic strands. The system is bonded to your scalp with a medical adhesive and styled to match your natural look. Visits every four to six weeks keep it fresh.
What is the average cost for HairClub?
Non-surgical systems generally cost $600 to $3,000 for the initial fitting, plus $50 to $150 per visit. Surgical options range from $4,000 to $15,000 or more. A free consultation provides a personalized quote.
Who was Sy Sperling?
Sy Sperling founded the company in 1976 after struggling with his own thinning scalp, and he became famous for the catchphrase, “I’m not only the president, I’m also a client.” He sold the business to Aderans in 2004 and died in 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida.
Is the HairClub system permanent?
Non-surgical systems are not permanent. They need upkeep every four to six weeks and periodic swaps as the base wears. Surgical transplants are permanent, though results vary with donor availability and scalp condition.