Dear Friends,

I'm a 26 year old in Australia suffering hair loss. I have finally decided to come out of the dark and do something about it.

I have decided on a plan, but any further advice is much appreciated.

brief summary:
-26M, first hair loss aged 19
-Norwood Class 5A or 6
-Never seen a physician before, but tried some hair regrowth therapy two years back but failing miserably hence gave up.
-currently on oral minoxidil, not on topical minoxidil or finasteride (ever).

Plan:
booked for a consultation with a reputatable hair transplant institution in Sydney, but not until mid January. THis would be my first MEDICAL assessment. I feel that a hair transplant may change my life!

will commence on finasteride and topical minoxidil, to prevent further loss.

shave my head? i currently look like the picture on the norwood scale and very depressedd

read everything about hair transplant from hairtransplantnetwork and a few other sites.

try to arrange other appointments to get a second opinion and feel for surgeon.

awaiting a book online about hair loss called How to Beat Hair Loss = Dr. B White

Questions:

will shaving my head now compromise a hair transplant? I assume no. Did people find they were less depressed if they shaved their heads? I currently just cover with the side hairs and hold in place with massive hair spraying.

What is a reasonable cost? I've seen quotes from 5k to 15k.... (aussie dollars) Am I paying for expensive commercials?

does hair spray damage hair follicles?

any other suggestions?

skoom,

Welcome to our hair restoration forum community.

It sounds like you have done some pretty good research up to this point so hopefully you will find this information useful as well.

Firstly, I'd also consider adding Propecia (finasteride) into your regime. I know you are aware of it - but is there any reason why you have chosen not to try it? Propecia and Rogaine, especially when used together gives you the best medical chance to regrow hair and combat against future hair loss.

Secondly, select a hair transplant physician wisely. At this time, we do not recommend any quality hair transplant surgeons in Australia. Traveling abroad to undergo hair transplant surgery with the best hair transplant clinics is very common and appropriate especially since this is a lifelong investment. Hair transplantation is certainly a life changing experience. But selecting a quality hair restoration physician will make the difference between a positive or negative life changing experience. I recommend consulting with one of our Coalition physicians who are some of the best hair transplant physicians in the industry.

Considering your age and high level of hair loss, there may be some concern as to whether or not you are even a hair transplant candidate. Consulting with a quality hair restoration physician will help you determine whether or not your hair restoration goals can be met with hair transplant surgery.

If you want full coverage and decent hair density, you will need a great number a lot of follicular unit grafts to accomplish these goals. You will also most likely have to acomplish these goals in more than one hair transplant session assuming you have the donor hair density and scalp elasticity available.

As an example, I was a NW5A when I had my first hair transplant and would be a full NW6 today. I had 3 hair transplants total and 7550 follicular unit grafts. I now am very satisfied with my head of hair but it is still a bit thin but creates a nice illusion of hair density. The cost of this work was almost $30,000. The sound of that price is scary, but in my opinion, it was the best $30,000 I ever spent. But clearly, it was a commitment. You can find a link to my full hair restoration journey below.

But the donor supply is finite. Not everyone has as many follicular unit grafts available for transplanting in the donor area. Consulting with a quality hair transplant surgeon will be able to help you develop realistic expectations as to what you can accomplish with hair restoration surgery.

I hope this helps.

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

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.

Hey Bill,

Thanks for your advice and input. I am quite touched by your story and feel that i can reflect on so many aspects, and a few details and events were quite similar.

I first noted hair loss aged 19 but had a full full head of hair. I was quoted to be like some of those characters in Dragon Ball Z if anyone is familiar with them. I went through denial and failed therapies, resulting in poor compliance and further hair loss. The main reason I have become so proactive about this problem is that I've been hiding the last 6 months.... don't go out, fear going to work , don't talk to people anymore....every reflection from glass or mirrors I see I would check and make sure i'm 'covered' up.... but my NW5A is so severe I can't cover up.

So i'm booked for a hair transplant check, continue topical and oral minoxidil (any issues?) and picking up my script for finasteride tomorrow. (proscar 1.25mg daily)I don't want to be covering up anymore.

I appreciate the advice to seek for a surgeon overseas, but I don't know if it is suitable to travel. Also I believe it might be easier to establish continuity of care with surgeon/unit locally in Australia. They convincingly advertise that they are trained overseas with cutting edge techniques.... whether or not its true i'll wait for the consultation.

Cost is always an issue but I am prepared for it. If HT is done good, the rewards seem priceless.

I was wondering about the following and wonder if you can share with me:

Over what time period did you have 3 HT?

Why three different surgeons?

Suitability for HT for me? Because I may lose even more hair and HT won't cover up the bald bits?

Do people still use topical minoxidil after HT? As i believe its benefits are limited after prolonged use. It seems lifelong finasteride daily is everyone's management plan.

Can anyone advise on whether or not shaving my head will impact my residual hair follicles? I heard a theory that i need to protect them from rain hail and shine...hence leave my remaining hair. Myth?


I've tried to put in a pic. Any comments?

further info...
Black thick wavy hair from donor sites..
Oriental descent

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skoom,

Your hair loss situation looks a lot like mine however, the area of hair loss in your crown doesn't seem to be as severe - at least not yet. My hair loss was "wider" in that area and my hair loss extended to a lesser norwood 6.

I had 3 hair transplants in approximately a 2.5 year period. Click on the links provided in my hair loss and hair restoration journey below to a detailed account of each hair transplant procedure including why I selected a different hair transplant surgeon each time.

In my opinion, you are most likely a candidate for a hair transplant as long as you develop reasonable goals and expectations.

As I suggested, I'd seriously consider Propecia (finasteride) in addition to using minoxodil. Topical minoxodil is a proven treatment, but I honestly haven't heard or read anything about taking it orally. Honestly, I can't see how oral minoxodil would be effective at all since it doesn't combat DHT, but only increases circulation to the scalp when applied topically.

Shaving yuor head will not impact your natural hair at all. Hair loss is genetic. If the hair doesn't grow back after shaving your head, it is because it wasn't going to grow back anyway. Shaving one's head does not cause hair loss - nor does it make hair grow back thicker or faster. These are all myths.

Please remember that physician selection is key. At this time, we do not recommend any first-rate hair transplant surgeons in Australia. I would just have for you to undergo hair transplant surgery and 1 year later be dissatisfied with your decision. I'm not stating that there aren't any quality physicians in Australia - but the risk is greater with unknown clinics.

I hope this helps.

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

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.

hi skoom,
oral minoxidil is a very strong blood pressure medication. so unless you have high blood pressure you should not be taking oral minoxidil. are you taking the oral minoxidil under a doctors supervision and instruction? if not it could be dangerous. as a side effect oral minoxidil does grow hair on your scalp.

Thanks for all ur input.

I have commenced on finasteride and will wait a few months before judging efficacy.

I was taking oral minoxidil under the advise of a previous hair loss advisor. The side effect can be hair gain which i guess is the aim. I have also commenced on 5% topical minoxidil.

I guess the battle has just begun...

Thanks for all your input and advice.

Just spent a bit more time on the site to read about other members' experience and opinion...

it appears that most have 3 HTs before they are happy with the outcome ( i was hoping for one only to be honest....) But it seems to depend on goals and expections, hair characteristics, future loss and time in general.....*big sigh*

I've tried to look for complications/adverse outcome and only come across recent debacle in September with member MM and Dr. Rose which is of an interesting read.

Any other general complications/adverse outcomes? I'm sure the surgeon will explain and answer questions but that's not until next month!

I've started on finasteride, topical minoxidil (all generics and not the common brand names as i believe it is the active ingredient that matters and i save a lot of money...like lots of money) will get ketoconazole shampoo next time i visit the pharmacy.

Just hard to not reflect and bash myself in the head in not starting finasteride earlier... will it work i don't know...but most of my hair is now gone. (sorry guys just having a philosophical whinge)... Although it's late...could it ever be too late?

Bill from that simple picture above do you think i'm a 5A or a 6? Feel more comfortable to know where i stand.

Finally will shaving my head affect my appointment with the surgeon? I guess it would be good if he can assess my hair characteristics...(i would hope to think that i have medium to coarse wavy hair that is thick and abundant.... but i'm no expert) What if i posted a photo here? possibly a bad quality image.

Losing hair is so sad...

Thanks for reading and advice. Cheers

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