mm76,

The simple answer is that hair loss continues to where the genes have programmed it to. Hormone levels of course, contribute to the liklihood of further loss which is why it can be slowed down or even stopped by using Propecia.

But no, not everyone will end up a norwood 7. Otherwise, everyone suffering from male pattern baldness would be completely bald.

Best wishes,

Bill

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Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

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To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

Thanks for the reply. "where the genes have programmed it to" - we have no means of finding out what this is do we?

mm76,

Not that I know of my friend. There is a genetic hair loss test by HairDX, but I think that only tells you if you are susceptible to male pattern baldness - not how far it will progress.

Family history of hair loss can be used as a guide, but it's not absolute.

The mysteries of hair loss - frankly, I'm disappointed in the advancement of available non-surgical hair loss treatments. When I was young and before any hair loss, I swore that by the time I was old enough to lose my hair (of course, hoping I wouldn't), that there'd be a cure by now.

Bill

__________________
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

View our hair loss articles on EZineArticles.com

Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Subscribe to our Newsletters | How We Recommend Physicians

-----

To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

Yeah I kind of figured it would not be possible. It would be great, though, to know - it would really help in planning a HT.

Informative great thread. Once again thank ylu Dr. Feller you are one of the VERY few I would ever let to touch my scalp Bald bull love the pic brings back a lot of memories.

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You only live once...

I am another transplant recipient who is experiencing loss of transplanted hair. Needless to say, it is very worrisome. I had two scalp reductions and a lot of work done by Dr. Dorman in the early 90's. I have had two " touchups" done by Dr. Hasson early this decade. The hair grew beautifully at first and I was thrilled with the results. About two years later I noticed the thinning. The most noticeable area where I am losing hair is the right forehead. This is solely transplanted hair and it is becoming increasingly difficult to conceal. This is the area that needed the "touch up". I discussed this with Dr. Hasson but he seemed to think I was imagining it. Well, the continuing loss indicates I must have a vivid imagination. I don't relish yet another transplant session that may last just a few years as well. Where do I turn?

I should add that I am 59 years old and I take Propecia. It does not seem to make any difference. I was over 40 when the original transplants were done. Much of my hair is not grey yet.

htloss, I see that you haven't been online for a while. I just found out I have the same problem. I'm losing my transplanted hair after 5 HTs over the past decade. I'm wondering if your loss has worsened or stopped. I'd appreciate it if you let me know. Thanks.

Hi victim

I am sorry to hear that you are also losing transplanted hair. It is so frustrating and maddening to lose hair that cost you a great deal of money and in my case at least, considerable pain and suffering. I think it is mostly the transplants that I had in the early 90's that are dying off. The newer ones that I had after 2000 ( I had two "touch -ups" done then ) seem to be doing better ( I cannot be completely sure of this). The odd thing about it was that the fallout began in front of my head on the right side and spread to the left gradually. I still have one small patch that is thicker, although the right side is definitely thinner. I am hopeful that most of the fallout is over, but I cannot be sure. It helps that my hair tends to be coarse. It helps to make things look more thick. If I had fine hair, I would be hooped.
I chatted with two other guys a few years ago who were having the same problem. One believed that this problem was not uncommon and that it was the transplant industries "dirty little secret".
I spent over $18000 on hair transplants, including two scalp reductions. Scalp reductions are no longer done. My transplant surgeon told me that they stopped doing them because they were barbaric. The real reason is that they don't work. The scalp just stretches out again. We were used as guinea pigs for an unproven procedure !
I now have thin hair on most of my scalp and a growing bald spot on my crown. The back of my head is a mess of horizontal scars that make getting my hair cut tricky. I certainly cannot get it cut short as it looks just awful. I recently discovered that when I had to switch to a new barber and he forgot what I had told him about my scalp.
I would be very interested to hear your story.