We're getting to the end of the updates, and some things have changed. This is at 9.5 months, but I also decided to do SMP. There was a little stretching with one part of the scar in the donor area, and so I initially decided to do SMP to minimize its visibility, but Dr. Mohebi said it was safe to do the rest of the head at the time as well. So, that's what we did.

Because I don't ever intend to shave my head, I opted for a more aggressive measure with the pigments placed closer together than they would be if I did intend to shave. Since the result only lasts a few years, I can change my mind if I ever want to. I don't think I will, but I had no problem making this commitment since it wasn't forever.

If you look back at my updates, you can really see the big difference SMP made. I'm very happy with the results. It's hard to even see it when I look in the mirror, but it reduces scalp visibility significantly. With a few small exceptions, it basically looks like I have a much fuller head of hair when combed forward. When combed back this isn't the case, but I don't comb my hair back so this isn't a problem for me.

The only issue is that there are two areas in the front of the hairline that are a little thinner than I'd like. I knew SMP wouldn't be able to help with this. Also, the small area where the scar stretched a little too much is basically impossible to see when my hair is a little longer, but because I like to cut it shorter in that location it can be a bit of a problem. I figured I'd see how SMP worked and before moving forward with any further procedures, just in case I was wrong and it did cover up the problem. It definitely helped somewhat, but not as much as I'd like in those two circumstances. So to wrap things up I worked out a FUE plan with Dr. Mohebi to transplant a little hair into the stretched area and to reinforce the hairline to (hopefully) eliminate those problems.

So that's where I'm at now. I'll be ending the updates for the FUT procedure since things have changed a bit for me, but I'll be tracking results of the FUE during 2014. Hopefully by the end of the year everything will be perfect! I'm always cautiously optimistic, but after SMP I feel I'm really close to the results I wanted. Presuming I don't lose any/much more hair (if the finasteride continues to do its job) that should be no problem.