bennyt89

I'm a NW2.5 on the path to a NW3 from the looks of things, been researching hair transplants on and off for years, trying to ascertain whether its the right time for me to get one. (I've been on Fin for almost 7 years) However I can still style my hair with blowdryer + hairspray, to the point where I look like a NW2 or on a good day NW1. The hair still looks thick and the way I style it now I've never had any comments about going bald. I have to spend about 10-15 min manipulating it a bit to make it look just right, but generally it's fine after that. Obviously it doesn't look that great if it gets wet or windy but I've been living like that for years so I'm kind of used to it. If I don't style it and just leave it flat again I can just move a few things around and I look OK. However when I wake up in the morning or straight after a shower it looks horrible. In a case such as this is it too early for a HT? Or should I wait until it get's to the point where I can no longer get away with styling it to make it look acceptable?

Thanks for the advice. And here is what I mean when I said before I was concerned that you could see scalp, I had the back of head shaved down this morning as low as you can get pretty much. (but then within 2 or 3 days it will grow in and look normal). Is that normal and would it be a problem? Sorry to be a pain just don't want to get my hopes up.

Also I'm a bit concerned by your comment about seeing scalp in regard to donor effectiveness. If I shave the back of the head down to number 1, so the lowest you can go without razoring it, you can definitely see a lot more scalp. Yet it grows in within a few days. Does this mean I may not be suitable?

I see what you mean now, this was right after I had it shaved down to number 1.5. I know it's hard to say without seeing in person, but generally would someone in my situation still be able to get a good HT result with that donor? You mentioned you had an 'average' donor as well....

I'm based in Australia and very close to making a decision to go with Dr Bisanga in Belgium for my first hair transplant. However getting between Australia and Belgium isn't exactly cheap, and though I'm in a comfortable position to pay for the procedure and associated costs, I can't just be flying back and forth. Given the nature of the procedure you would obviously want a catch up to determine if I'm even suitable and what he feels he could do with my hair. I'm not concerned about his credibility at all, from everything I've read he's one of if not the best in the business. But my worst nightmare would be to do all the preparation both mentally and physically, get on a 20 hour flight only to be told I'm not suitable for whatever reason. So for those who have travelled a fair distance for a HT how did you get around this?

Thanks for the feedback, and yes definately ackowledge a selfie off an iPhone camera won't provide a hell of a lot of insight into donor characteristics. Just out of curiosity, you mentioned you can see scalp in one of the photos? Where was it exactly, i can't pinpoint it...

I'm looking to take the leap and commit to a hair transplant with Dr Bisanga in Belgium, but I keep worrying that my donor area will not be suitable. Even more so tonight I noticed the bottom of my hair at the back looks like it may have retrograde alopecia? Keen to get your guys input. The brighter picture is from 6 months ago after a haircut where it shaved down, the other picture is from tonight (its been 2 weeks since I've had a haircut). I usually get the same guy to cut my hair and he does the back square, this time a different girl didn't and I can't recall if she did that or not.

In my early 20's the hair at the back of my head (which will obviously be the donor area) used to grow at a very fast rate and was incredibly thick as well, now that I'm in my late 20's I noticed that even though the thickness is largely the same, the rate of growth is much slower then it used to be. I'm a NW2.5 heading fast to a NW 3, I was looking into a HT to fix my temples and receding hairline with Dr Bisanga, I believe I need around 2000+ grafts. But this makes me concerned that my donor area (pictured) may not be suitable for a transplant as I tend to wear my hair in almost a quiff style, and if the hair in the transplanted areas doesn't grow to anything substantial it will look quite foolish, and I don't like to wear my hair too short Any input would be appreciated , at the moment I do shave the sides and back down no longer then number 2 and get my haircut once a month (these pics were straight after a haircut), so maybe I should let it grow out a bit...

Thanks again, here's one more photo I forgot to upload. It's pulling all the hair back as you can see the temples here. Would this still be a mature hairline? (happy for others input as well). Sorry to go on about it.

Thanks for the explanation. So would you say at this stage mine is more of maturing hairline and should just keep an eye on it and continue with the fin?

Have been on Fin for about 5 years now, so will keep on that. May I ask what is the definition of a 'Maturing hairline'? In hindsight I think I got lucky, as I was very very close to getting a hair transplant with Dr Jennifer Martinick who from what I can see hasn't got the best reviews. And this was 4 or so years ago when my hair was better than it was now. Lucky I stumbled across this place, that would have been a disaster! Is there a point where you stabilise at a Norwood level? I.e could my hair potentially stop receding now? Or is MPB destined for a NW 4-6 always?

Here's a side view, and probably one of the things that concerns me the most. This side is where the receding hairline is obvious.

I'm 28 in May next year. My father is bald (probably a NW 5) however everyone on my Mothers side has naturally very high hairlines which I something I always told myself as sort of denial I guess that I don't have MPB. The pics don't do it much justice but my sides/temples are thinning worse than it looks. Even if I comb it down, under bright lights/sun the sides are starting to become see through

As you can see from my pictures I have a receding hairline (I guess I would classify myself a NWIII?). Has completely removed any confidence I had as I'm sure most of you can relate. Have been on Fin for about 5 years now. I just want to get a normal hairline back and not have to worry about spending 45 minutes in the bathroom trying to hide it every morning. Was contemplating a HT with Dr Path in Bangkok, but I'm not sure if it's too early at this stage? Have attached pics of the hair loss, but also of the potential donor area and also just a shot of my hair after I've tried to hide the receding hairline for context. (These pics are from just now, I had a haircut this morning and the sides are shaved down to #2) Thanks guys

Interesting, I do BJJ also religiously. I always floated the idea of a hair system/piece but then came to the realisiation that it just wouldnt be feasible given it's full contact. So I think HT it is! You're hair looks great from where you came from man, awesome job!

Any update on this? Am considering going with Dr Path, would be keen to see how your results are tracking

Anybody ever gone through Dr Jennifer Martinick?

keep us posted, you look like you've made amazing progress very happy for you. I'm contemplating going with surgery in Thailand (I'm in Australia and no reputable surgeons here). These results give me great hope.

So a quick summary of my journey so far. I'm 27 years old and have been slowly losing my hair over the past 7 or so years, which like most of us has taken a massive toll on my self esteem and confidence. I have a receding hairline which up until this point I have been able to hide fairly well and put forth the illusion of good coverage and thickness (blowdryer, hairspray and comb). I would say I'm hovering between a Norwood 2 or even 3. Over the past few months it's really started to ramp up, the front of my hair is really starting to thin and my hairline is slowly creeping back, it's also very noticeably thin in sunlight and brighter lighting. About 5 years ago I had a consultation at Dr Jennifer Martinick's clinic in Perth, Australia (where I live). Was actually planning to go ahead with it but luckily I came across this forum and others where I learned the truth about the HT industry in Australia (expensive with no reputable surgeons). So I decided to hold off as my hair wasn't too bad back then. I'm now at a point where I need to do something about my hair, I debated going down the hair system route, but would rather a long term permanent solution. I was planning to do some travel through SE Asia and was wondering if there were any reputable clinics there for HT? I know there was a couple if Thailand. Any advice is appreciated. Location wise, SE Asia is convenient should I need to go more than once, and financially works out better as well.

Wow thanks for all the responses, much appreciated! Went and saw my doctor today and he gave me a prescription for Finasteride and Minoxidil,so will give that a go. I'm definately going to do a lot more research, I guess there is a bit of desperation in there to get it done ASAP as it really messes with my confidence more than any other part of my life. But only fools rush in as they say.

Thanks for your response. If you don't mind me asking what is your basis that there is no quality HT surgeons in Australia? Not trying to have a go just curious have you had experience with these surgeons or know someone who has? What am I looking at costwise roughly if I decide to travel to see one of the above surgeons? Thanks

Hi everybody, I am considering having a hair transplant done with Dr Jennifer Martinick of the new hair clinic, I had a consultation there and came out feeling pretty positive about the whole thing. However after doing some research have heard some less than flattering remarks about her. I am a strong advocate of not believing everything you read/hear, your more likely to write about a bad experience than a good one. I do however if possible want to be fully educated before making this big decision. So anyone who has had this procedure done by her, or knows someone that has would you recommend her? I am 23 years old and am a Norwood III according to them. This will be to restore the temples and frontal hairline. I am based in Perth where her office is so distance wise this is convenient for me. Any response will be greatly appreciated, thanks