used2beshaggy

One strip for me so far, although there will be more to come in the future(proly a mega session followed by 1 more smaller strip, or possibly even FUE if the growth rates continue to improve, which I suspect will be the case).

Heh, I'm right with you there on the high forehead. Even as a kid, I hada big forehead. Luckily, having an all-around big head made my high forehead more proportioned. I had a transplant on my hairline a little over 3.5 months ago(waiting to see where that takes me). Your concerns are valid. I was able to hide my transplant from everyone outside of my immediate family and my girlfriend. She thought I was a bit crazy for going through with it, but she stuck by my side, so I guess that says something about her character . I think the scar created by a proper transplant today is much less apparent. I've had haircuts with the hairdresser never saying a word, though maybe she knew but didn't want to embarass me . You'll get through it. I plan on a second transplant in the next 5 years unless the meds really work a miracle on me. Good luck!

John S, I appreciate your blunt reply. I will definitely be doing research before I make the transition (that is, if I ever go through with it). I know long-term models have not been established for dut., which is of obvious concern. In line with what mmhce has said, what long term models are available for finasteride? mmhce, I would appreciate it if you would post an occasional update on your results/experience with dutasteride. Glad to read that side effects have not been a problem for you. For me, other than some slightly watery semen from time to time, finasteride has not affected my sex drive. I also take zinc, which I suspect helps in this department. Luckily, I haven't had to emulate Rush Limbaugh just yet and resort to viagra! Thanks again gents...

Been taking 400 i.u. of vit-E for about 5 months, as well as ab omega 3-6-9 complex for about 4 months. I won't say that I'm regrowing hair, but my hair feels and looks healthier. However, I do take proscar and a few other supplements as well, so can't link it to the vit-E directly. My skin also looks better. I would give it a shot for the skin factor alone. Interesting link, thanks for the post...

Okay, this inquiry is mainly hypothetical but will eventually become a real possibility for me, and I'd imagine other young hair loss sufferers who are on medications to combat hair loss. I'm early in my hair loss career at the age of 24. I've had 1 transplant of 1500+ grafts to the hairline, knowing that down the road I will probably need one, if not two, more procedures. At 3.5 months post-op, my hair is essentially back to where it was prior to surgery, maybe looking slightly better due to some new hairs sprouting and being on proscar for 6.5 months at this point at a doseage of 1.25 mg/day. I really noticed a difference from proscar starting around month 5 I'd say, although nothing too drastic. I'd say a general thickening all over, although not as much of a difference in my temples, which are receded pretty far back and have been my problem area since age 18 or so Okay, on to my question(s)- I know I have a while yet to be on proscar, probably at least another 4 years assuming my hairloss does not accelerrate too much in that time frame. I'm considering dropping down to 1.25mg 3 or 4 days per week when I am about 1 year post-op in hopes that my body will not become used to the drug as rapidly. But if proscar stops working (and based on what I've read, it looks like it inevitably will sooner or later, especially considering my hair loss at such a young age), how have you guys in this boat made the transition to dutasteride? 1. Anyone taken both drugs simultaneously (i.e., take both on differing days?)? If so, in what dosages? 2. How long was your transition period? 3. Assuming your side effects on finasteride were zero or minimal, how was the transition to duasteride? Any horror stories of really accelerrated shockloss as a result of the switch? 4. I am epileptic , albeit mildly and under control on meds. I have reservations about dutasteride because it blocks the kind of dht that goes to your brain. Would this be an issue for me? I already know I'd have to speak with a neurologist about this, but maybe someone here is knowledgeable? I know Leeson and others have no regrets about the swithc from finasteride to dutasteride, and the fact that it has been shown to be more effective than finasteride has me interested in making the transition somewhere down the line. Any input would be appreciated fellas. Thanks...

Coming along with a natural result. Hope you get some more density. Seems that many people say around the 8 month mark they get a spurt of growth. Are you on any meds? How did the doc say your donor quality was?

Aska and Dr. Lindsey, much thanks for the replies. I know it's all about waiting, just seemed to me that I had delayed shock loss compared with what most people report, so just wanted to make sure nothing was abnormal...

Hey guys, I'm just over the 3 month mark since having some work done to fill in my hairline (about 1520 grafts total). I know I have a long way to go to see the final result, but of course it can be hard not to look in the mirror for signs of improvement even at this "infant stage," so to speak. I have a few questions for anyone willing to help out: 1. Has anyone experienced/noticed a delayed amount of time before shock loss began in the recipient area? I can tell that my hairline has further receded back fairly recently in 2.5 month mark, which worries me slightly. From what I've seen, shock loss seems to occur about 2-5 weeks post-op in most cases. How long does it normally take shocked hairs to return? 2. I've always had a high hair line with a widow's peak look. However, my main problem has been in my temples. I'm noticing more growth (although not as profound as several cases I've seen on this web site) in the widow's peak region and only a few sparse hairs in my temples so far. Is it normal for the temples to lag behind growth-wise? Would really appreciate any input guys. This waiting game is hard! cheers.. p.s. Sorry for no pics to look at. My camera was just recently stolen.

Had my 1st in March of this year at 24...will almost definitely be going for another, although I'm going to hold off for as long as possible(hopefully 5 years or so). Been on finasteride for about 5 1/2 months now and think I'm finally seeing some improvements from it. Not so much in the way in regrowth(although I think some), but mostly in the quality of my hair, which I still see as a major plus!

In a similar situation as you, although I am a bit earlier at 6 weeks. What is the abbreviated background of your procedure? I had about 1500 grafts placed to reinforce my hairline and do some temple work. The hair in my widow's peak area feels significantly thinner, and I am hoping this is just some temporary shockloss. Anyways, good luck to ya, and I hope someone has some answers to your question...

Bill, sorry I was not clear on my use of finasteride. Thanks for your feedback. Am I okay to use nizoral again at 4 weeks post HT? I know you just had your 4th HT recently(been following your well-documented and successful case) and just wanted to say grow well. Happy Easter!

Bill and Marvin, I am on 1.25mg/day finasteride (for just under 4 months now, and I feel some prickly hairs popping up throughout my scalp). I still have a decent amount of hair (not just the horseshoe, at least not yet), so am looking to increase the hair quality in any way that I can. I have read that both selenium and zinc can increase hair shaft diameter. Is there any truth to this? Again, I know the supplements will not stop hair loss. What about using nizoral again at 4 weeks post ht? I had been using the 1% 2-3 times per week. Thanks for your time gents. Any feedback would be appreciated...

K_2009, I will tell you right off the bat that I am not an expert in anythign related to hair loss, but I will try to at least give you some info. based on my own research. Others will be able to give you much more detailed info, but here goes: 1. loss of transplanted hair: Firstly, did you have a lot of native hair in the transplanted area? Shock loss occurs in varying degrees depending on the individual (I know, a vague answer, yet the reality). From what I've read, most shock loss happens in the 1st month, with some people experiencing it up to 2 months post HT. It takes about 3-4 months for hairs lost to shock loss to start the regrowth process, although several complications, such as weak native hair (that was on its way out) or transection, can lead to some hairs never growing back( not trying to be pessimistic, but again this can happen).Assuming your surgeon was skilled and ethical, he insured that permanent shockloss chances were minimal in your case. 2. I have been on proscar myself for just under 4 months now. The time range of shedding/loss varies widely depending on whom you talk to, and even reading through this site, I've seen so many different opinions on this. I don't really know enough to give you a good answer on this one. From my personal experience, I am begginning to feel a decent amounnt of hairs sprouting in my donor area, as well as some in the frontal forelock. This has all begun to be noticeable in the past several weeks (again, Ive been on fin. for just under 4 months. I've heard cases where guys take much longer before they see results. The rule seems to be that give the fin. a year to gauge whether or not it is having a postive effect. Many people say that fin. has reached its full potential at about the 2 year mark, after which time, it can still continue to help maintain what you have left. Hope this helps some. Good luck with you journey and happy Easter to you as well!

Hi all, I am 24 and had a transplant of about 1500 grafts to reinforce my hairline and temples about a month ago (in the doldrums for a while to come,I know). First off, I know the majority(and maybe not any if finasteride proves to be a bust) of my regiment will not result in magical regrowth or stoppage/slowing of hairloss, but I am hoping to improve the quality of hair that I still have. So here goes my regiment, which is spread throughout the day and not religiously followed 1.1/4 fin. e/d (for just under 4months now)btw, I am starting to feel prickly hairs throughout my scalp(albeit less in the temples and front of course) so I am curious to see how my hair quality will be in the next 3-4 months 2. multi-vitamin e/d 3. multi. B-complex e/d 4. zinc 50 mg e/d (taken at same time as multi-B because I've read that they have a synergistic effect) 5. selenium 200 mcg e/d 6. vit. E 400 i.u. e/d 7. omega combo 3/6/9 e/d 8. Finally, just started MSM 500 mg/day post ht 9. Had been using 1% nizoral 2-3 days/ week, but have not started back since my transplant. At almost 4 weeks post HT, is it okay to restart nizoral? Okay, so I'm looking for some blunt answers here. Please feel free to praise/criticize my regiment at will. Keep in mind that some of the vitamins are taken for reasons besides hair quality, but any improvement for my hair would be an added plus. Am I wasting my time with any of these supplemens? Do any of them interact positively or negatively when mixed together? I know a lot of people like minox. but I used it for about 4 months and found that it irriated my skin and I hope to stay away from it as long as possible (might eventually use it in the crown region, but holding off for now). I also have 450 mg saw palmetto berry extract, but haven't started this due to the possibility of reduced sex drive if I take this in addition to the fin (which hasn't affected me too much so far). Apologies for the large regiment, but would be curious for some feedback here. Thanks everyone....

I am by no means an authority on this message board (long time "lurker"), but I definitely 2nd thana's sentiments. It seems that you have your head in the right place regarding realistic expectations, which I think is of utmost importance when going for a HT. My hair situation is actually similar to yours (I am also 24), although I have a moderatley stronger widow's peak and slightly stronger forelock while you look to have moderately stronger temples. My hair is also much more dirty blonde than yours. I think you will be satisfied with your 3000-3500 graft count. I got 1521 grafts about a month ago to reinforce my hairline and temples, which to be honest, I think will leave me lacking in the density department, although I do have above average donor density and I am on finasteride so I hope that it will be a start (I will probably go back for a 2nd procedure in a few years when money permits). Good luck to you! I think everything is going to turn out good, and you are getting your procedure done by a great doc with results proven many times over. BTW, how long have you been on finasteride, and how well is it working in your opinion?

Mark,when I talk about % yields, I mean to say how many transplanted hairs do you think ultimately grew? Sorry I wasn't more specific with my original inquiry. I had my hairline reinforced (have had a "mature" hairline from a fairly young age)but /i think one temple may wind up growing in thicker than the other one. I'm also concerned about density, as I am still a young guy at 24, but with above average donor and thorugh research in my favor, as well as finasteride. Glad to hear your procedures went well overall!

Good for you Mark. Can you give some more specifics on both of your surgeries, such as graft count, shockloss, and ultimate % yields? Why are you glad that you went through with a second procedure?I ask because I just had surgery with Dr. Charles on 3-16 and I'm trying to get some realistic expectations for my future progress....Thanks again!

This is by no means an expert opinion, but what in nature is perfectly symmetrical? Whether it be arms, legs, or boobs, nothing is perfect, so I would imagine a hairline wouldn't be perfect. Acouple of small irregularities would add to the naturalness of it. I just got my hairline done, and it isn't perfect, but grown out I hope it will look natural!

Yeah, he said I had a lot of viable donor hair, which is comforting considering that I will probably be down this road again in the future. Nice to see that you went with Hasson. Like you, I've read countless good things about him on here and elsewhere. Grow well!

Heh, nevermind on whether you've had work. I just saw your signature. Have you been satisfied overall with your end result?

Leeson, great question. To clarify, he asked me prior to taking the strip out. I think he realized that with the size of my head, the density would be lacking with the previously estimated 1000 grafts(plus the fact that my forelock has been thinner compared with the rest of my hair for a long time now, so he planted some within the existing hairs).If he had asked me after the fact, I would have been very upset, because that would almost be like cornering me and forcing me to spend the money! Luckily, this wasn't the case. Have you had a procedure before? I haven't really been here long enough to know who has and hasn't....Thanks for your interest!

Hi, everyone,I have been a lurker on this forum and other hair loss forums for a while now. Firstly, I want to thank you all for helping me to relate to my hairloss and better deal with it, as I have obtained some valueable insight here(I hope I can help others in the future). To make a long story short, I've always been slightly bothered by my hairline, even when I was a teenager. I've been researching hair loss for a while now and at the age of 24, I decided to take the plunge and get my hairline and temples worked on(my temples are especially a bummer for me). After researching around and starting finasteride about 3 months ago, I went through with a strip transplant of 1521 grafts with Dr. Charles in Boca Raton, Florida, this past Monday the 16th. I was pretty amazed at how professional everyone was, from the doctor, to the techs and the rest of his staff. They definitely made me feel comfortable. My procedure started around 10 a.m. and the initial anesthesia injections were admittedly painful(but not as bad as I imagined them), but the rest of the procedure went smoothly. We took a break for lunch around noon, and ultimately I was done around 2:45. In the end, I wound up getting about 500 extra grafts put in because I would like to have density in the hairline. I was given these extra graft at a great discount usual cost of about $4.000/graft vs $2.50/graft for the extras. Admittedly, my hair loss is not that bad and I am young, but with the realization that I will most likely need additional work in the future, along with the fact that I would be satisfied with much less density further back in my crown(also have above average donor hair), I decided to go for the extra grafts. Again, Dr. Charles was straight forward with me about everything and readily answered my questions. His staff was very nice and on my 3rd day of recovery, I feel pretty good outside of some slight swelling in my forehead and a bit of pain in the donor area (nothing a couple of tylenol can't help). For those who have done research (you are smart for doing this, not that I even need to tell most of you), look into this procedure. I do admit that I am not looking forward to the "doldrums" of the next several months, and I am nervous about the density in the end, but I'm pretty sure I will be satisfied with my result. Again, thank you to Dr. Charles and staff, and thank you to this knowledgeable community for your support and understanding about hair loss and it's effects on us as people. P.S. I know a picture is worth a 1000 words, and I will post some pre- and post op pics soon when Dr. Charles sends them to me (I forgot my own camera). Thanks again, and if any of his previous patients have any words of encouragement for me, please feel free to let them be known! Have a good day all!

Hi, everyone,I have been a lurker on this forum and other hair loss forums for a while now. Firstly, I want to thank you all for helping me to relate to my hairloss and better deal with it, as I have obtained some valueable insight here(I hope I can help others in the future). To make a long story short, I've always been slightly bothered by my hairline, even when I was a teenager. I've been researching hair loss for a while now and at the age of 24, I decided to take the plunge and get my hairline and temples worked on(my temples are especially a bummer for me). After researching around and starting finasteride about 3 months ago, I went through with a strip transplant of 1521 grafts with Dr. Charles in Boca Raton, Florida, this past Monday the 16th. I was pretty amazed at how professional everyone was, from the doctor, to the techs and the rest of his staff. They definitely made me feel comfortable. My procedure started around 10 a.m. and the initial anesthesia injections were admittedly painful(but not as bad as I imagined them), but the rest of the procedure went smoothly. We took a break for lunch around noon, and ultimately I was done around 2:45. In the end, I wound up getting about 500 extra grafts put in because I would like to have density in the hairline. I was given these extra graft at a great discount usual cost of about $4.000/graft vs $2.50/graft for the extras. Admittedly, my hair loss is not that bad and I am young, but with the realization that I will most likely need additional work in the future, along with the fact that I would be satisfied with much less density further back in my crown(also have above average donor hair), I decided to go for the extra grafts. Again, Dr. Charles was straight forward with me about everything and readily answered my questions. His staff was very nice and on my 3rd day of recovery, I feel pretty good outside of some slight swelling in my forehead and a bit of pain in the donor area (nothing a couple of tylenol can't help). For those who have done research (you are smart for doing this, not that I even need to tell most of you), look into this procedure. I do admit that I am not looking forward to the "doldrums" of the next several months, and I am nervous about the density in the end, but I'm pretty sure I will be satisfied with my result. Again, thank you to Dr. Charles and staff, and thank you to this knowledgeable community for your support and understanding about hair loss and it's effects on us as people. P.S. I know a picture is worth a 1000 words, and I will post some pre- and post op pics soon when Dr. Charles sends them to me (I forgot my own camera). Thanks again, and if any of his previous patients have any words of encouragement for me, please feel free to let them be known! Have a good day all!

Okay guys and gals, I'm a virgin poster here and have only been doing this whole hair preservation deal for a short time, so bear with me when I might ask a few novice questions. I'm 24, with some hair loss on both sides of the family. I honestly started to lose a tiny bit of hair around 16, and by 18, the crown, and especially the hairline and vertex began to thin. I had long hair(and a lot of it, which made girls in high school jealous haha). When Iwould run my hair through the top, it was obviously thinner than the sides and the back, and it was a much lighter shade of blonde(probably partially due to lots of sun exposure), but from what I've read it seems to me that this was a sign of my pigment starting to go in the miniturizing hairs?. Anyhow, I started to see an accelerration of loss about 2 years ago but still did not do anything about it. I'd say I'm currently a NW2-2.5 but I think I may be on my way to an eventual 4 or 5 years down the line. I had a consultation with Dr. Charles in Boca Raton, Florida(any input on how his frontal hair lines in dense-packed smaller sessions would be great) and he agreed to do 800-1000 for my receding hair-line and temples(temples went 1st, and my hair-line started going back about 1.5 years ago). Having an already larger forehead has only accentuated this fact, so I'm seriously considering an operation in March 09, knowing that I will have to eventually go back for another operation. Might I add that I have fairly thick donor hair, and I'd rather have a thicker hairline in the front. Any input guys? Okay, and to stay on topic of regiments- 1.25 mg finasteride everyday for only about 1.5 months, in which time I'm seeing further recession and some miniturization in my temple areas unfortunately. I hope this is just a temporary shedding, but I know these things take time. I also just bought Nizoral AD 1% shampoo, and take vitamins including zinc, super B-complex,E, multi, and fish/borage/flaxseed hybrid daily. Any comments would be appreciated and I hope as I come along here I can help contribute some valid discussions to this knowledgeable board!