Hi folks,

Ive been reading this forum so some time and have been moved by the stories and support I can see this forum and others like it give to people suffering through the trauma of losing your locks.

Heres my story...

Started losing hair at 17. As the balding got progressively worse my self esteem deteriorated with it. At 27 I decided to do something about it and went to Ashley and Martin. Had little to no results from their extremely expensive treatments. Was told about hair transplants and had the first of 2 strip transplants with the National Hair Institute in Australia for 2500 grafts. Had a second procedure in the UK with Dr Stevenson for 1500 grafts. I was told that the second procedure would take the scar from the first so I would only be left with one scar, however, in the chair the Dr told me she would take a new line. Young, impressionable and believing doctors had your best interests at heart I agreed. I now have two linear scars which at the joins on the side of the head are extremely noticeable for hair shorter than a 6.

Due to the bad experience with Ashley and Martin which left me believing all non-surgical treatments were useless and designed to separate desperate men from their money I have not been on any medication since the transplants 7 years ago and my balding has progressed into the mid-scalp and crown. Its now becoming noticeable that I feel I need to do something about it as its beginning to look unnatural with a filled in hair line and receding behind it and I am (and have been since the surgeries) very self conscious about the scars.

I'm now in the situation where I think I only look good with very short hair but I can't cut it short due to the scarring from the 2 strip transplants. Looking for advice on the way forward and would really appreciate the communities advice.