zo1279

it is funny because I was reading this and was like this is totally what i do! But I don't think it is healthy for the toppik to constantly be on your scalp...so I have to massage it off by usually picking at the toppik to get it off my head (sounds worse than it really is).

I have used Toppik for at least 7 years now (I'm 31) and I will admit it is definitely a challenge. I put it in my hairline (Norwood 3 ). From time to time I would get a few comments here and there but I would dismiss them quickly and no big scene was created thankfully. In terms of dating...it is tough...I pretty much NEVER let anyone (let alone a girl) touch my hair...I just say I have gel in it and don't want to mess it up. I am though constantly in my head making sure I don't reveal my secret (i.e. i use toppik) to any of them. In terms of sleeping over...it definitely will leave a residue on the pillow case but this can be avoided in the morning by wiping it off...I am a pro at it now. Overall I would never stop using it as it saved me and my 20's and early 30's now too. It is a challenge however when I am getting ready in the morning as I always have Toppik on around her and when she sleeps over or we go away on vacation, I can't just walk around without it bc obviously she will be like what?! So getting ready in the bathroom is challenging and will always be but just the inconvenience you have to put up with and I am willing (and/or have to) deal with it. Hope this helps!!!

Try Toppik (hair concealer)...works wonderfully.

I agree with what everyone told you above...in addition, what I used to and still do (as I am losing my hairline) is to use some Toppik (hair concealer) in the area...believe me...it makes SUCH a difference and your confidence increases. Granted this is not a permanent solution, but it can buy you a lot of time and save you some heart ache like it has done for me. I literally would not leave my house when i started losing hair...but then I found toppik and it saved me...it saved my 20's (I'm 31 now) and I am very thankful for it. Look into it!

I was thinking about taking propecia 0.5 mg every day to see how I react to it. Has anyone done this? I think that is probably the best way to take it...to approach it very slowly, then if no sides...up it to the full 1 mg...and then if u see some sides then you pretty much know where you should be (i.e. around 0.5 mg). i think this is a better approach than just taking the 1 mg then downgrading to 0.5mg if u see sides. any opinions??? Thanks!

i think you would extremely benefit from using a concealer...I use TOPPIK...at least for now especially if money is an issue as you indicated above. It literally changes your whole appearance and due to the fact that you at least have some hair throughout your head it will work wonderfully...u should at least try this...it could hold you over while you save up some cash...

Looks great...congrats...keep us posted!!!

Great. Thank you very much for your detailed response!

Hey Everyone, I have definitely narrowed it down to 2 surgeon's (both in NY) with the help of everyone here and my consultations with them. I am a Norwood 3 with hairline issues...I use Toppik which allows me to leave the house and works well I think but when i come out of the shower i am like OH MAN! It literally scares me to see my head without concealer...hence why i want to get a HT now to start fixing it. I have a few questions still lingering that perhaps you can all help me with: 1. I was told to get on Propecia- Now...for one should i take propecia and wait to see what it may do for me before I get a HT? Is this what most of you do? Or should i just take it simultaneously with a HT? Please advise...I am gathering that since my hairline is the main cause for concern it won't truly help. Another question about Propecia...when everyone says they see some growth...does this mean actual new hairs or just that their existing hair is getting stronger? Because I have coverage on my crown and top of my head (just not great in hairline)...but I feel they seem to be not as dense as they used to be...so by going on Propecia does this strengthen them back to the way they used to be? Or does it just hold them in place and not to fall out? what have your experiences been? 2. The scaring-FUT- I usually like to get a haircut every week if I can to just clean up the sides to usually like a 3 clip. In regards to the scar...would it show through on a 3 on the sides? Please advise as to what is the lowest clip you guys go to without it being noticeable. Thanks in advance everyone for helping me make a better decision!

I understand...but it is more of a dosage...in addition, it could be also mind over matter in that I would rather take the name brand than the generic.

Thanks...but I wanted to probably start with Propecia and not the generic...can anyone give me what the best rates are? Thanks.

Hey Everyone...quick question...considering filling my propecia prescription...I wanted to see where everyone gets it filled (i.e. which pharmacy) in order to get the best price. Please let me know from your experiences which pharmacy has the best prices. Thanks!!!

Hey Everyone! I recently had a consultation with Dr. Dorin of True & Dorin. First off...the place was really nice and quite professional. The consultant that I met with initially was really nice and professional and answered some of my many questions as he also had the procedure done which obviously gives him credibility. Then I saw the Dr. and he too was great. He was very patient with me and my random detailed questions that I had. He determined that I am around a Norwood 3 give or take. My issue is my hairline and how we need to rebuild it and the frontal 1/3. He said I would need around 1,700 FU's, which is pretty much what the other Dr's that I have met with indicated. I know it is a debate as to whether Dr's shave the recipient area or not but he does not, which to me in a big issue because I don't want to have anymore down time than I really need (meaning I don't want to have to take 6 months off from work to re-grow my original hair that was shaved down). Granted perhaps this shouldn't necessarily be a big selling point as I should and am more concerned with results and clearly Dr. Dorin has those results especially his specialty seems to be hairlines. The question I guess I have is that he indicated that I will need the 1,700 grafts and that will provide nice coverage/density but I would probably have to come back for a touch up to increase density if I so chose too. The question is...has anyone had approx. 1,700 give or take Fu's in their hairline area and wasn't satisfied with the density? (this is not a question of Dr. skill but more of realistic expectations because I don't want to go in thinking something that is not feasible and be ultimately disapointed for no reason). Just curious to see how this amount of FU's will truly look as pictures are hard to truly tell. Also, I am looking to perhaps chat with any True & Dorin patients...so if that is you please feel free to respond to this thread or PM me! Thanks!!! Thanks!!!

wow great work! Thanks Spex! I would love to have FUE because there are no visible scaring as noted above but FUT still seems to be the best thing for large grafting sessions. I gather FUE will be the future of HT's in that there is a way to avoid a long scar. I have heard though that there is a much lower yield for FUE than FUT as noted by a lot of Dr's threads including Dr. F.

Thanks for all of your replies everyone...much appreciated!!!

Hi Everyone...I am well versed in FUT vs. FUE...but the quick question I want to know is scaring. FUT yields a thin white scar perhaps from ear to ear from what I see and read. But FUE scaring...how does this work? I see those red dots the procedure leaves behind but when they heal are they visible...i know they probably are not when the hair grows in but underneath the hair if you were to say shave your head is this still visible? Reason being I really am trying to avoid a large scar and if i could get away with FUE (as I need my hairline filled in) I'd rather that with minimal scaring. Please advise...thanks!!!

I am always curious...perhaps Dr. Lindsey can elaborate in regards to why exactly the area has to be shaved? Why do some docs do it this way vs. not shaving the area? Obviously I am sure there are medical reasons as hopefully Dr. L can explain for us but from a cosmetic stand point it is horrible to have to shave half your head...how can patients cover this? I know with my hair short i would have to ultimately shave my entire head to match and revealing the big scar at inception. I understand however that you have to look ugly before you turn into a butterfly but can this ultimately be avoided? Thanks in advance!!!

I agree with everyone...ur hair is quite good considering your age! I think you should try a concealer to see if that helps give you some artificial confidence it so brings me! I would recommend using Toppik on the crown and hairline and I guarantee you will be happy...and probably happy enough to buy you many years like it has done for me. Hope that helps! Either way it seems your hair is good enough that if you go through with the HT it will work quite well because your hair loss doesn't seem that extreme. Good luck!!!

I used Revivogen many years ago...i am around a norwood 2.5/3 now but was probably like a norwood 2 when i used it with beginning recession in the temporal and hairline areas. I remember before I started using it to check the amount of hair i was shedding...especially in the shower when i would wash my hair i would always look down in my hands to see how many hairs were on my hand and i remember seeing a good amount. So once I started REV I would do the same exercise and honestly i did notice a lot less hairs shedding which means it was working. I stopped it because I just hated putting it in my hair...very annoying because it is this dropper and you have to drop the stuff throughout your hair follicles and this was difficult to do because it is hard to hit all of them plus it was reddish and would drip everywhere (they say it is 3 bottles for 3 months but I used more than that bc it was hard to cover ur head with just 1 dropper's worth). it would make my hair all greasy too but it was good to use at night (only 1 times a day vs. rogaine which is twice). All in all i think it was pretty good and am going to try to get back on it to see if i can stand doing it every night...i am trying anything in order to just not have to take propecia which is scary to me with all those sides and unknown future effects (I take saw palmento).

I have been taking it for probably over 4-5 years because I am quite nervous to take Propecia based on all the side effect issues. It is hard to tell whether it is working for me because hair loss is hard to gauge because it is such a slow process but who knows what my hair would have looked like if i wasn't on it?! I am receding at the hairline and have most of my crown thankfully...so who knows. I have noticed a little drop in my libido though without even knowing that saw palmetto could do this...i noticed back in the day that my libido was down and then realized that this could be bc of the saw palmetto...but erections and semen seem to be normal thankfully. Hope this helps a little.

Hi Everyone...I have been reading around this forum for a while now but want to get some more answers to the question how long before you can go back to work...reason being I have an office job and literally everyone will know i have had a transplant which sucks. I wish i could wear a hat! So how long before you can go back to work (meaning not so much medically...but from a looks perspective that you won't feel too uncomfortable to be around other people). The dr. I am considering shaves the area which is going to be even more fun!!! Also I use concealers (Toppik)...has anyone had an issue with using them post HT? Thanks in advance!

Hi Everyone! I have been on this forum for quite some time and have recently been on a few consultations. I am interested in talking with patients that have been to Dr. Feller. I am probably like a Norwood 2.5/3. I have seen a lot of good work done here via your websites/blogs but it is hard still to get the full impact of a HT by just reading. Sooo...I wanted to see if I could perhaps speak via telephone or if you live in NY (I live on Long Island) perhaps meet up? Basically I want to see someone's HT in person to examine it and talk shop. Can anyone offer their help? Thanks!!!

who is your doctor?

Hey...I have only used Toppik and it has literally saved my life...I would NEVER leave my house without it...seriously. I am like a norwood 2/3 so it helps fill in my hairline. I have never used any of the other sprays though...i'm happy with toppik.

Hi...I have been on this site for a while now and am on the fence about getting a transplant...prob a norwood 2.5...hairline is my issue not the crown. It seems like he shaves the area first?! Is this customary in all HT's? I am most afraid that people will notice my HT so by shaving it i gather it is quite hard to conceal?! I was always under the impression that the other hair you have can act as a concealer for the HT?! Please advise...also does Dr. Feller charge for a consultation? Thanks!!!