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Looking at my hairline where it has receded it is mixed in with the vellus hairs that used to be my old hairline so the softer effect is most certainly still there. imnothere, I agree with you 100%. I think sometimes the hair at the very front of a transplant can be 'too perfect' and combined with very dark hairs it does give an unnatural look even though the hairline shape may be fine. Dr Charles I totally agree too, a staggered hairline is what I would want and I can see that this is done in most transplants but the actual margin area for the staggering of fine hairs still seems very tight at the front of most transplants which looks like about half a cm when I think a full cm at least would be more appropriate to break up that nasty solid line that can give away a transplant. Spanker, that is an excellent point you make about calibre or gauge of hairs. I can see in HT's that it is most certainly 1's in the front of the hairline but they seem just too thick to be there. Definitely something for all surgeons to consider.

Thanks for the reply's. I'll be going to the BHR clinic but was just asking because I was watching Dr Bisanga's work on the video gallery on here and while most of the work is superb there were a couple that did look far too synthetic with regards to the actual hairline itself and was far too 'solid' and was just wondering if that was from patients guidance or doctors decision. I just think sometimes that margin where the hair becomes a little thinner at the front is too small sometimes in a transplant and should be made just a little wider/more staggered and less perfect while still following an actual guide line. This is all down to taste of course but even my frontal third, while it looks very thick isn't really and I can see the reflection of my scalp through it quite clearly but I'm fine with that as it covers everything fine when dry and the fact the front of it is a little less than perfect and quite staggered with a gradient that's larger than just a few mm's I'd like the work down on either wide to match that because I feel it's age appropriate (I'm 36) to have a hairline that is most certainly there but has seen a 'bit' of weather. With regards to losing hair in the actual temples I've lost very very little, it's all in the actual upper brow section of my hairline that has gone back. My actual temple hair is fine! Interestingly a friend of mine has the opposite problem, his brow is as broad as ever (at 43) almost straight but he's gone back on just the sides of his head.....but it looks way better and much cooler that way! I guess he can get away with a decent side shed so he's not worried. If you go to DR Bisanga's video section on here the video '3450 Grafts FUT Hair Transplant with Dr. Bisanga' and stop it at 0:20, I think the lower picture gives a really good example of what I'm after (Not in terms of hairline but of gradient!) as there is a good half an inch (or just under) of gradient there it looks like. You can still see the hairline but it's not ultra solid!

I may have asked this question before but how much of an impact does the patient get to have on the actual hairline design? I've seen some results from the same surgeon that are very natural and some which are painfully obvious as a transplant and it's all down to the front hairline placement which would suggest a very clear direction being followed by the surgeon from the patient although the bad one just could be an old video where the surgeon has improved since. When I go for mine I have quite a firm idea of where my hairline should be. The actual frontal third of my hair is fine but it's a little thin at the very front but I sort of like that as it's age appropriate I think and I'd like the rest of my hairline to be quite staggered like that as well. I know there is a gradient incorporated to give that look but I think I'd like the margin for that on my transplant a little wider as there is nothing more horrid looking than a row of very dark hairs all lined up perfectly next to one another. I know you have to trust somewhat in your surgeon but I don't want a rock solid hairline that you could play join the dots with. Does anyone who has been for a transplant mind giving a detailed description of what goes on bar drawing where you want your hairline with a pen? Thanks all!

Thanks for the reply's, I'm sure it will make a massive difference. Johnboy71 I'm going FUE all the way. I know strip scars are virtually undetectable nowadays but still I just don't fancy it. As for number of grafts, I had a consultation with the Vinci clinic a year or two ago and they quoted me 1500 grafts to get what I wanted but that was quite a heavily lowered hairline and I've become a 'little' more conservative about it these days plus I've heard Dr Bisanga is a genius at getting great results out of fewer grafts so I'm hoping for possibly even 1200-1400 grafts. Any more than 1600 and it will be hard to fund, even with support from my family and I wouldn't ask them to pay any more than that anyway so I'm praying that it comes out at 1500 or lower to get a good result after my consultation. I honestly don't think I have much to be filled in and I wouldn't want it super thick anyway just to be age appropriate as long as it covers enough flesh so I'll be quietly confident yet prepared!

Hi all, I thought I'd just chime in here with a fairly positive post. (well for me anyway) As I stated in my blog I've been through a rough time recently. I became a neurotic monster and I lost the best relationship I ever had due to it (and it was all my fault) and yes hair loss was a MASSIVE part of that insecurity. After breaking down to my family at my lowest point they have agreed to help me fund a hair transplant and even the difference in me now is actually quite staggering. The more I think about it the more I'm so looking forward to becoming the person I always wanted to see in the mirror. It's scary as well but I know I'll be in good hands (Going to BHR clinic) and it's a double facing of the fears for me as I have a rather bad fear of flying which I'll have to learn to deal with as I'll need to get on a plane for the consultation and the procedure itself. I've said it before, hair loss should be classified as a source of proper mental trauma. Just because some people deal with it without a thought doesn't mean that everyone can, but I guess the whole spectrum of mental illness is still very much misunderstood and even ignored. A very shocking fact in this day and age. My point is that the difference that even looking forward to a procedure or treatment can lift one's spirits to amazing levels. A part of me felt very ashamed and superficial when I was telling my family what i wanted to make me feel better but my mother was so supportive and told me if it makes me happy then do it. "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!" I believe was the words that she used. I don't want to advise anyone to get in to debt but to be honest if I couldn't get the money one way I would have gone to a loan shark or worse and I still think this feeling would be worth it and I know that I'll feel even better once I see the results of my procedure in full. There is that tiny voice at the back of my mind saying "What if just after the procedure they discover a pill or injection that makes your natural hair grow back!" That would be a real kick in the teeth but I know that is not going to happen in my lifetime. Also what if I am not happy with the results, what if it doesn't look right, what if the procedure causes my own hair to fall out or what if the grafts don't take? I'm sure these are thoughts that everyone has when they are a first timer. I'm confident though, I don't have a lot of receding to fill in and the rest of my hair is fine. I am concerned how it will look if I attempt to grow it really long but that's something I can discuss with Dr Bisanga. Anyway, If you want something, just get it and to hell with the naysayers and worry. Feelings like this don't come along often and although I'll always lament what I've lost due to my hair loss rooted neurosis I'm looking forward to becoming a better person because of it and so should you!

Out and about last night and as usual I was eyeing up peoples hairlines. It really is getting hard to tell who has had a transplant and who hasn't because the designs of the actual transplanted hairlines are getting so artistically accurate but there's one thing I really have noticed and that's the presence of finer lighter hairs in a natural hairline. I know in transplants a good surgeon like Dr Bisanga (Who I am booking with this year) does pick grafts that have only 1 hair to make a gradient towards the front of the hairline but even so sometimes the very front of a transplanted hairline can still look harsh compared to a natural one and I am sure it's because there is lots of lighter, almost very long vellus hairs blended in to give a feathered look in a natural hairline. Even looking at my own hairline at the temples which hasn't receded at all (it's just the actual brow line) there is a blend of dark and light hairs which really gives a natural softening effect. These lighter hairs are at the back of my head as well so do you think that this should be taken into consideration when designing a hairline? Even the very best transplants with a beautiful gradient can still look very 'deliberate' without the lighter hairs blended in with the very dark ones so I'm thinking it may be something for patients and surgeons to consider even though it may bump up the graft count a bit more. Thanks!

After quite an emotional few weeks I retreated back to my hometown for a break and ended up telling everything to my family, all the pain, all the lack of confidence and all the desires. They have agreed to help me fund my hair transplant (even though they are not rich in any way) and the relief I am feeling is somewhat overwelming. There is light at the end of the tunnel and although my hair is only one of my issues right now I'd say its one if the biggest ones and to have it sorted would literally change my life for the better. It's still taking absolutely every penny I have and most if my possessions to come up with even half of what I'm expecting the final price to be and there is some element of guilt there, I've never taken anything from anyone but my family says that it's is better they help pay for my happiness rather than get into debt to strangers or banks. I really don't think I'll get this chance again so I'll have to take it for the sake of my own sanity but I'm so unhappy with everything right now it's a leap I just have to take and I'm so grateful that I have such an understanding family. ill be booking my face to face appointment at BHR clinic as soon as possible and hopefully get in as soon as possible after that. Can't believe this finally could be happening for me!

Glad to hear it. Dr Bisanga's reputation is near legendary, not only for his excellent work but like you say for his ethics as well. He was always my number 1 choice based on that, it also helps that he is one of the less expensive Doctors as well and is relatively close by too (I'm in UK, Scotland to be precise) I've already sent an online consultation form off with BHR and I'll probably go over for a proper face to face consultation too and see what my options are in fine detail. Looking around my flat right now at all the things I'm going to have to sell to pay the fee but I think it will be worth it!

Thank you Mickey85 that's just what I wanted to hear. I would be very dubious about going ahead if there were not some kind of final approval policy and follow up approval after paying all that money. I have no experience of having a HT but I would assume that it isn't just in and out and there are constant 'progress approval' checks that happen at many stages from the consultation and on the day of the surgery to make sure it's just right before you are sent home.

Hi all, after much thought and bad times I have decided to go for a hair transplant. I can't really afford it but I'll find the money some way. I just wanted to clear something up though, I've decided to go with BHR clinic and Dr Bisanga as his reputation seems excellent and the results I've seen are top notch but what is the general policy of clinics as regard to clearly unsatisfactory results? Like I say, it's a LOT of money (All my savings, most of my possessions everything!) and say that after surgery I found my hairline to be uneven on one side or there is a gap somewhere or it's just generally not quite 'there' if you know what I mean. This could be down to a number of factors that has nothing to do with the surgeon's actual technique but I really don't want to be left high and dry so would I be taken back in for 'tweaks' and 'fix ups' if I wasn't entirely happy with the result or would I just have to grin and bear whatever I'm left with or pay more money? I've heard BHR clinic has an excellent after care program but I just want to know where I stand after surgery is done. Thanks all! (Also forgive my misspelling of the word 'where' in the title. Pet hate!)

Hi brazbear, thank you for your comment. I'm so happy I'm not the only one that feels like this and I'm glad that doing it made you happy despite the debt consequences. This is a serious condition for some people and this blatant exclusivity for people with money has to stop and it must become a recognised medical condition. No-one is trying to take money away from surgeons, in fact if the price were lowered to a reasonable rate then more people could afford it and the same amount of money would come in but the added bonus of more happy people in the world. Those who are fine with baldness, I applaud you. Even if you have hair and shave your head then that is great also, but give the rest of us the dignity of choice. Imagine a jacket that looks absolutely terrible on you and imagine someone telling you you have to wear that jacket for the rest of your life but it's ok because it looks great on other people and if you try to wear what you think looks good then you are selfish and vain. This is destruction of individuality at it's most raw point and it must stop now. I would happily pay £1 -1.5 per graft for a FUE hair transplant. That's over £2000 maybe £3000 for a days work and I know no other profession that can rake in that amount of money let alone the prices that are being charged now so no-one can tell me that clinics are losing out in any way. Doctors of the world you took an oath to help and heal people, please recognise this as a legitimate mental condition that deeply affects most who experience it.

It seems to be a problem with Google Chrome. I can post fine in Firefox. Still don't know what's causing it but it's a solution.

This year saw the complete destruction of the best relationship I ever had with a woman and it was all my own fault due to my crippling neurosis. I always thought she would leave me becasue I wasn't good enough or handsome enough and at least 75% of this neurosis came from my receding hairline. I used to be a confident, outgoingl ife of the party person and I realise now what a change my receding hairline has made in me psychologically and although losing this fantastic, kind and wonderful woman for good and to another person I might add is something I am going to have to live with for the rest of my life and I will never forget it. Add to this my dear friend of 12 years just passed away from unexpected and agressive cancer. He always wanted to get his somewhat large nose reduced AND fix his bald patch but was always worried about debt and never got around to it and hance never enjoyed it. I have made the decison to go for a hair transplant at some point this year. I can't afford it and I will probably not be able to keep up payments but I'm getting a loan or a credit card and getting it done. The crippling, soul destroying lack of confidence has turned me into a person I don't want to be and to have that lifted will be a mental godsent in the purest form. Learing to accept it or therapy won't work, I've tried it and I can't. I know many others feel the way I do, hair loss can change you, it can change your psyche and cause severe mental disturbance because it is true, if you are not happy with yourself then you won't be happy with anyone else. I am one step short of going on a campaign to try and present this to the psychiatric medical community in order to get hair loss regognised as a 100% legitimate mental trauma. In the UK you get expensive tests, pills, lengthy treatment for depression and other unseen traumas that seemingly have no root for free on the NHS. Why not hair loss? Why is it that becasue some people take it in their stride that others who are not as secure have to suffer it being labeled 'cosmetic'?I have made my opinions on the high price of HT's very clear, it's far, far too expensive to the point that it is not a 'luxury', it is 'exclusive' and this needs to stop right now. No one is saying it should be cheap but the small smount of surgery I would need to make me happy will still run up to £5000 which is absoolute nonsense. Unfortuatly all my physical issues that I have with myself seem to land on my head. Bad acne as a teenager left my cheeks deeply pockmarked, dermatitus and prescribed steroid cream has made my skin sag on one side of my face. I have since made this slightly better by a good natural diet, excercise and skin care routune but the damage is done and my hair is the only thing I have left and I can't lose that. But like I said, at this point I don't care, I could get cancer tomorrow and never know the joy of having my confidence back and I don't want to live hiding in the shadows any more. I will go to a loan shark if I have to to get the money. I have £3000 in savings which is all I have (and honestly should be more than enough if hair transplants were a fair price) but I need another 2 and a half and I will get it any way I can. Yes this is desperation and I don't blame capitalism, hard work should be rewarded. What I do blame is failure to recognise genuine mental trauma from a physical condition and exploitation of that trauma from overpriced clinics. I know I'm not alone, this is what keeps me thinking this is the right (and only) way!

I think it's just the case of as with most things different people will react differently to it. I'm tempted to try it along with Rogaine/regaine or whatever it's called and see what happens. I stopped taking propecia due to the almost humiliating inconvenience to get a supply from my doctor and the ever increasing price so might be worth trying out.

Thanks it's good to read about others experiences. I've certainly not found it thick or sludgy like people are saying in that thread. I may try the double effect stuff as well. I don't have dandruff but I have a spot of dematitis behind my ears and it goes a bit into the hair.

Been using Alpecin Caffine shampoo for a couple of weeks now. It was a gift and TBH I wasn't expecting anything to happen at all but I was game for a bash at it. I have to admit, there is definitely something happening. I can't feel this 'tingle' that people talk about at all when using it but looking in the mirror there are a few more noticeable tiny thin but visibly dark hairs sprouting from the parts of my hairline that have the deep receding. I think that my vellus hairs in those parts are longer and a bit thicker as well. I have no idea if it's the Alpecin or the fact that I'm being super healthy and have quit smoking or maybe a combination of both but the activity is certainly there although I'm pretty sure it would disappear just as fast if I stopped using. Don't get me wrong, it's nothing to shout home about and a step back from the mirror makes them disappear but it just goes to show that hair CAN be coaxed into re-growing, we just need to figure out how to make it more effective/thick and then perhaps permanent. Note - I have only been leaving it in for the standard 2 minutes and I haven't been using it every day either but I heard some people say that 10 minutes is better so I may give that a whirl over the next few weeks At the very least it's a decent shampoo and doesn't smell 'medical' I have long hair so I usually condition as well but I went out last night after just using the Alpecin and nothing else and everything was fine.

Was chatting to a friend of mine and she was curious about how hair transplants work as I confided in her that I was thinking of getting one and she said "So do they cut your hair like a barber and then stick that in your head?" Much, much belly laughing followed from such an innocent comment. If only it were like that then everyone's problems would be solved. Donor hair? No problem, I'll just grow it a bit and snip some off the end. I had to share it made me laugh so much (And actually, a little sad too that it's not like that!)

Hi all, I can't seem to post a blog anymore. I can go to the blog entry page and I can type in a title but I can't type anything in the main box. I can't even get a cursor in it. Any suggestions? Thanks! (I'm using Chrome BTW)

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone knows how transplanted hair would look if grown really long? I've always had long hair ever since I was 14 and discovered the rock scene (I'm 36 now) and if I was to get a transplant I'd actually welcome the chance to have short hair for a bit for a change but I'd eventually want to grow it quite long again and I'm curious as to how it might sit because the hair from the back and sides of my head are quite wavy compared to the top and front. I'm only a NW 2/3 at best and long hair keeps the deep receding quite well hidden when tucked behind my ears (my one and only hairstyle) but if I were to let it hang loose with transplanted hair I'm wondering if it might look a little strange. If you want a reference my hair is down to about just above my nips! Thanks!

Wonderful! That regrowth technique sounds just the ticket ( if it works well) Where can I find updates about this research as if like to keep an eye on it. Also could you describe this doner doubling techneque? This also sounds fascinating! Thank you for the information!

Oh believe me, I am eternally grateful for the hair I have at this age and am likely to keep but my receding goes narrow and deep upward into my brow (I'm prob more a nw 3 TBH) and I can only really have one hairstyle because of it which doesn't really suit me. I could very well just not get the surgery and still look ok, but have you ever had that one thing that you notice every day that gnaws at you like a disease and you know it would make you look infinitely better if it was fixed? The point being here is that I wouldn't need a lot of grafts to sort my problem but it's still too expensive for me. I honestly pity the people who have more loss than me because I would dread to think of the cost then.

I keep hearing that cost shouldn't be an issue but it is and it's a big one. The term 'everyday people' is so subjective it's far too broad a term to use. I can pretty much guarantee that the price is what stops most people going through with surgery. Myself for example. I am self employed, I don't earn much but I absolutely love what I do and don't really want for anything. I'm 36, a NW 2 with a strong frontal third and have been since I was about 22, nothing has budged and the rest of my head has really thick wavy hair so I am a prime candidate for FUE and it would be a one time deal for me. I've already chosen my doctor (Bisanga) and even worked out travel. But I can't afford the procedure as I just can't justify spending that amount of money and I bet there are more people in this situation of everything is right but the cost is stopping them than those who can afford it and I'm not bottom rung either. No one is wanting doctors to starve, a HT should be expensive but not prohibitively so and unfortunately for a lot of people it is. Until the price comes down a bit more it will remain an exclusive procedure.

Thanks for the list, it's nice to know stuff is actually going on. The 3D printing concept sounds extremely interesting but I suppose I am like others in that I'd prefer a regrowth cure/treatment rather than addition to surgery so the Histogen's hair stimulating complex really caught my eye. Could you explain a bit more about it please? the Derma roller one sounds interesting as well. I use a derma roller (without product) twice a month anyway and I've had a few new hairs and lots of fuzzy velus hair sprouting because of it but nothing that makes any significant change.

Indeed, x-rays and blood tests can cost up to ?750 in a private hospital, but cosmetic surgery and private medicine is just that and there will be a good chunk of the cost for any procedure which is pure profit. It's this added on chunk that is probably the inflated part which makes it hard to afford. Don't get me wrong if I had ?6000 handy I would probably pay it eventually but I would certainly be humming and hawing about it as it may just be the price of a car or a holiday to some people but to others (like me who is self employed) that is a small fortune.

Baldietwo I'm in complete agreement with you on the credit aspect . Debt is an evil thing that will gnaw away at you and probably make you lose more hair from stress. I have never once been in debt and I don't plan to either. Debt is only ok when you have a lot of money or a steady income which, in the UK isn't that readily available any more and takes us back to square one of this discussion. I still think that ?222 an hour is overpriced, especially as other business and other kinds of clinics manage to pay receptionists and staff without charging that much but I see you went with Dr Bisanga who is my front runner right now, and even though my opinion on price includes the BHR clinic he is much much more affordable than most others and a better reputation to boot, but it's still out of the stretch for the majority of people.