I'm attempting a photo gallery update this time, so that I can include more detailed photographs!

Month 5 has arrived and I have seen a healthy amount of thickening. Exciting times indeed, which makes the whole doldrums a worthwhile sacrifice! Every week sees subtle changes in the behaviour of the transplanted hairs as they continue to determine their growth pattern and direction.

When examined closely, my hairline doesn't yet seem to be growing as densely-packed as the grafts were transplanted. In photos it looks fine, but in real life, it's still a bit transparent. Although, when running my fingers across the entire front of my hairline, I can actually feel fresh stubble, which indicates that new hairs are continuing to break through the skin all the time. My hairline has continued to thicken since month 4, and now looks pretty sturdy when viewed from straight ahead (well, from a reasonable distance) and looks great in photographs, which I'm very pleased about!

Behind enemy lines, there are a few patches that haven't seen much growth yet. So I've got my fingers and toes double-crossed in hopes that those areas will fill-in, given more time. I'm still in relatively early stages, so I know that more patience is required! It's rough though -- even when hair is growing well, we'd still like to fast-track those optimal results that lie just out of reach!

Aside from the nice growth spurt, I'm still battling numbness across the entire recipient area, although the donor area continues to improve, gaining a little more sensation month-by-month. The recipient area is still discolored pink and is shinier than the rest of my skin (this is more noticeable under fluorescent lighting and in close-up flash photography). Minor dimples in my skin are visible where the hairs were transplanted. But I guess all of these things will smooth over as more healing takes place and as the hairs get further in their maturation process.

Due to popular demand, I have included pictures of the stretched scar on the left side of my head this time. The width of the scar and the hairs growing through it don't seem to be improving, but at least the redness has faded a bit more since last month. The scar on the right side of my head seems fine. I have steered away from shaving the sides of my head due to this stretched part of the scar. Normally, I would have shaved down several months ago, but I wanted to give this trouble-spot maximum healing time before I shave down to a #3 guard to see how it looks.

Overall, I'm very happy with my progress at month five. I anticipate more hairline thickening as well as further growth in the patches that are still lagging behind in the month ahead!

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My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Rahal

Mane Attraction,

I think that you are doing great. You must be thrilled. The results are holding up very well, especially considering that you have only just touched on 5 months. As, you have already explained, you hope for a lot more maturation.

When looking at the photos, especially the close up of the hairline, it is obvious to see that the hairs are still very fresh and are lacking structure, which will undoubtedly come over the next few months. Also, Im sure that the stubbled follicules that you are feeling now, will also mature and grow in and your HT will go from strength to strength.

Great write up. All is looking very promising. Keep us updated!
Raphael!

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Meds
1.25mg Finasteride
3000mg MSM
Vitamin C
Omega 3
Nizarol

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Rahal

Looks good and a long way to go.

Raphael: Thanks for the feedback! Yes, it's certainly a game of patience waiting for the maturation process to kick in. From reading many of the patient blogs on this site prior to having my HT, I knew exactly what to expect on a month-by-month basis, so I know I'm where I should be -- but that doesn't make the waiting game any easier!

Byehair: Cheers! I'm glad you approve and share all of my sentiments.

Any comments/feedback on the wide section of my donor scar would be appreciated. Is it likely to improve in the coming months? And have there been any other cases of donor scar stretching being confined to only one section of the scar?

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My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Rahal

Looks great Mane!

Dr Rahal did a great job with your hairline.

Congratulations!

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1st Transplant: 5,485 grafts with Dr Jerry Wong

2nd Transplant: 3,100 grafts with Dr Jerry Wong

3rd Transplant: 5,035 grafts with Dr Sanusi Umar

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Wong

Mane, your hair looks very nice, and that too at only 5 months! I am sure it'll get even better over the next few months.

No problem Mane:
You picked the best doctor on the planet. His results are like 95% home runs, 4% really good and 1% decent.

Plus his care, artistry and concern for the patient are about as good as it gets.

I have met with him on three occasions and always came away impressed.

It seems like most scar issues resolve themselves over the first 12 months.