Under Construction

I recently heard of a product called "Touchback." This product is a "Hairmarker" that is used to conceal gray...it is essentially a temporary dye. The applicator looks like it make be useful as a concealer, so I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this product.

Thanks.

I am hoping to find a hair stylist in Southern California...preferably in the Orange County area (but I will travel)...that has experience cutting HT hair. I am looking for someone that understands how to create a good cosmetic effect through appropriate layering and how to appropriately cover donor scars.

Thanks in advance for the recommendation.

Is there a preferred slit/insertion technique to provide greater blood supply and yield when transplanting into scar tissue?

Thanks

Is there a preferred slit/insertion technique to provide greater blood supply and yield when transplanting into scar tissue?

Thanks

I am hoping that someone with experience using both of these products can give me an idea of the cosmetic differences between these two products.

I have tried Nanogen, and do not like the results that I got. I thought it was quite obvious and messy. I also used their "locking spray" and this really didn't do much to control the product.

Thanks for the insights.

I had an HT back in December. About a month later, I started using Rogaine (one application a day, at night, over my entire recipient area (crown, forelock, hairline). About a month after that, I began taking Proscar (using Dr. Wong's suggested every-other-day method).

I have never used either Rogaine or Finasteride. I did have some concerns about starting them until my recent HT grew in, but I thought it may help with regrowth/yield and help in the preservation of my exisiting hair.

I am now about a month into my Proscar usage, and I am noticing quite a bit of shedding taking place. I did not notice any significant shedding on the Rogaine after the first month, or into the 2nd month (as I began Proscar).

Here are my questions:

Was it foolish to start these meds for the first time while in the midst of an HT regrowth period?

Does this shedding timeline seem normal?

How long does the shedding period typically last and when will I begin noticing the benefits of the meds?

Thanks.

Originally posted by Abedogg:

I booked with Umar for Feb 16th. I will post updates after the procedure.

The booking process has been 'ok,' so far.

His work, from what I've seen, is great and his prices for fue are reasonable.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Abedogg:

You seem somewhat disappointed by "the booking process"...can you please elaborate?

Thanks

Originally posted by ShavedDethMonk:

This topic interests me and I hope that some enlightened person comments on it. I have lifed weights for 12 year since age 18 or so. I have taken whey protein for all of my adult life. I am the only one in my family that weight lifts at all and I do so intensely, interestingly I am the only male in my immediate family with hair loss. My father have a full thick head of hair, that is so thick the barber curses him when he comes in, both brothers have a full head of hair. I am the only one with 1.5 inch recession in my forehead and IMO severe recession in my temples.

 

I come from a science background so I am not willing to accept a theory based on case studies like mine but it does raise a point. It is possible that my tesosterone levels are higher than my other family members by the weight lifting, diet which has affected me unlike my bros.

 

Looking forward to my HT to give me the same low hairline as my 50 year old dad ... sad that I need surgery to get what I should have genetically been bestowed with.

SDM:

Are you currently taking any hairloss meds?

Originally posted by dr. lindsey:

We recommend massage 3 times a day for a minute before meals; and vitamin E oil or mederma.

 

The key is usually the closure, not the scar care. If you are destined to get a bad scar due to a really tight skin closure with one layer, all the lotions and potions in the world aren't going to help. If you have a good closure, they sure may help; particularly if you have had scar problems before.

 

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

Dr. Lindsey,

At what point in time, post surgery, do you recommend the scar massage? I was always under the impression that manipulating this scar could cause it to stretch.

Also, do you recommend massaging the recipient area?

Thank you.

If sleep angle/positon mattered, why don't doctors give advice on this? My assumption has always been that if you can sleep horizontally, there is no harm to the grafts. Am I wrong here?

Stamos,

Based on what I know, you should be in very good hands with Dr. Shapiro. He was on my very short list of docs that I considered, and still may go to him for some finishing touches.

Unfortunately, your pics are not high enough quality for me to give you an informed opinion about your needs. My general advice would be to remove any obvious/obnoxious plugs in the hairline and/or crown(rather than just trying to camo them). By obvious/obnoxious, I mean pitted or directionally challenged. Also, focus on softening things in the hairline to obtain a natural apprearance.

Regarding the donor, I would use the exisitng scar. You will probably be able to revise this scar while getting an adequate amount of grafts. Importantly, you must lossen up the donor area with exercises. You need to focus on this over the next month.

Finally, this is probably not what you want to hear, but you must be patient. Based on your pics, and depending on your reasonable goals, you will likely have to undergo at least two procedures, especially if you are going to have any pluggy grafts removed during this procedure.

I wish you the best, and look forward to seeing your progress and results.

Assuming one did have seasonal sheds, either due to climate changes (like dogs) or for other reasons, does it make sense to avoid a strip HT during the shed cycle? Or, when the doctor performs the HT, can they still harvest a dormant follicle?

If they cannot, you would certainly be harming your donor supply.

Stamos,

I am currently undergoing fairly extensive repair work (I just had my third repair procedure), and may be able to offer you some advice.

Can you post a couple of pictures so we can better understand your situation?

Also, which doctor are you planning on seeing?

Dr. Carman

That is very helpful...thank you very much for the informative explanation.

What is the optimal hairline placement angle to produce the most natural looking hairline?

When I look at natural hairlines, it appears that the hairs are actually angled back slightly(towards the crown). Yet, from the work that I have seen, most HT doctors seem to transplant hairs so that they stick straight up, or even lean forward. Am I correct here? Is there something that I can communicate to my HT doc to get optimal appearance?

Thanks

What is the optimal hairline placement angle to produce the most natural looking hairline?

When I look at natural hairlines, it appears that the hairs are actually angled back slightly(towards the crown). Yet, from the work that I have seen, most HT doctors seem to transplant hairs so that they stick straight up, or even lean forward. Am I correct here? Is there something that I can communicate to my HT doc to get optimal appearance?

Thanks

LL,

Did they charge you a fee or do it as a professional courtesy?

Thanks

For those of you Southern Cal HT patients that had surgery abroad, do you have any suggestions for having your staples removed?

I am travelling to have my next procedure and will need to find somewhere to have my staples removed back here at home. My girlfriend doesn't have the stomach for it, and I would prefer not to go my doctor. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Keith,

I hope all is going well with your growth. I am extremely interested in your case, as I too was born with aplasia cutis. I am quite a bit older than you (41), and have undergone many procedures to correct my condition. My scars were/are considerably larger than yours. All tolled, I have have 7 surgeries dating back to the early 80's.

I too, had some rather unsuccesful scalp reduction surgery. Like your situation, my scars just stretched back over time. I also had some archaic plug grafts done in the late 80's to help fill in the scars. To make matters worse, my existing/native hair began to thin over the past decade. Now that HT technology has improved, I have begun another attempt at repair. So far, it has been a slow and expensive process for me.

Please feel free to PM me, as i would very much like to learn how you are progressing.

Kindest,

D.