NoTakeBacks

Mirror, with the desired length of your hair, I don't see how BHT would meet your demands, unless you plan on keeping it cropped short in the future. As Mickey and others have stated, body hair isn't a 1:1 replacement for scalp hair. It certainly has it's application, but it has a different growth cycle, texture and other variation in characteristics.

I can understand the internal desire/want/drive to fix something you view as a flaw. Just be careful when you tread down that road, as it can often consume you. Warranted, non-action can also fill your head with obsessive thoughts, so the decision is yours and yours alone. We can offer advice, and simply hope you consider it.

With that said, please consult many different HT Docs. Make a shortlist containing the best of the best, and get each of their opinions. One should always get a second opinion, especially so at your age as you don't want to fark shit up so early. A composite of different perspectives concerning the same situation is often the best for objectivity.

PS: I don't think SQUEENIX characters are a realistic goal for anything IRL lol. That hairline is real low, square(heh) and straight up juvenile. Not even the world's "sexiest men" have hairline's like that. Look at Reynolds and Gosling, they have awesome hairlines for sure, but they're also a realistic standard of nigh perfection.

Thanks all, especially to Mickey and Spanker, really appreciate your opinions. I'll reconsider dropping the hairline and discuss with the Doc something along the lines of temple points/some simple touch ups if necessary. I don't plan on making a final decision until I'm at 12-14 months anyway as I want to see the matured result. By then any touch ups might not be necessary, and that would save me some money too lol.

Thanks for all the advice!

@fueonly: Yup! I do understand hairlines and temple/point restoration takes a certain artistry. I've already had one HT with Dr. Feller and have confidence in his skills to achieve said look. Extreme circumstances withstanding, that's who I'll be returning to.

@1978matt: Yeah that damn hair greed bug! It might as well be a perfect vector. It finds its way to nearly every HT patient, and strikes with approximately 90% chance of infection lol. Last I checked I am still young, and I am not on Finasteride. I will continue to use Nizoral and Minoxidil, but Fin...that would require huge convincing. I know I'm gambling, but there's no family history of NW 5, 6 or 7 on either side of my blood lines. Knowing genetics, I can be the first though! Anyone in my extended family who experienced loss, all had front diffusion. Vertex loss is almost unseen even in my great uncles/cousins. The reasoning behind the plan I've laid out is: I'd rather take care of my frontal third now with scalp hair, but leave approximately 6K FUs for touch ups, mid scalp and vertex (if I am an outlier). I appreciate your input though as I've followed your case and will possibly consider Fin if I grow the balls!

@suarez: LOL! Can't tell if serious, but I already have tons of chest and abdomen hair. Though I have no plans of going lower than what I've stated. ;D

@Dr. Charlies: Thank ya kindly for responding to my topic! When I drew the blue line it was more or less an afterthought, but I did want to include a secondary option that came less to a peak/forward. I would never have considered the shape of my nose into the hairline equation, but that's why I asked for advice from this forum! Knew with all the knowledge floating around I'd get good advice. I'm no expert and I'm totally open to others advice (including Doc Feller when I see him), all I know is I would like to have it lowered a bit and have some slight temple closure and points restored. I have a pretty long face, and my forehead has always been high, so I want to minimize that real estate efficiently. I'm happy I went conservative first shot out, but now I think it's time to dial it in. Nothing too crazy mind you.

Anyhoo, included for everyone's pleasure is less obscured portrait pics. Florescent lighting really isn't flattering...

Hey all! Need some advice, opinions and general thoughts from the only peers I'd place my trust in. :cool:

Now that I'm finally starting to see my hairline take shape from the first procedure, I want to toss around some ideas pertaining to my hairline and a possible second procedure. Please bear in mind that I've always had a big ole noggin, so I don't plan on dropping my hairline below 6.5 cm, but I would like a more established hairline. I doodled a quick hairline that I personally think is just that. My goal was something that isn't too aggressive nor conservative. According to my calculations, from the current transplanted hairline I'd have to drop 1-1.75 cm to balance out my facial thirds, so that's what I based the doodle on.

It's not perfect and is slightly asymmetrical, but you get the pic.

Here's how I generated my ultra scientific calculations(lol): the tip of the hairline was placed using my index finger as a measuring tool. At it's lowest point I simply want it to be dropped the width of said finger. This accounts for roughly 5/8 to 11/16 of an inch. Which is right around that 1.5-1.7cm range. That would be my ideal, but I would be fine with 1 cm if it was dense. I also would like slight/shallow temple angle closure that blends into conservative temple points. I don't need to go flat and low with a juvenile hairline, but I do want SOME angle closure. I think this frames the face and minimizes the five-head without going too overboard. But since it's hard to stay objective with yourself, I come to you fine folk!

Thanks for all the support so far.

Thanks all! I wish my transplanted hair could hop in a time machine and come back when they're all done. Seriously, waiting is the worst part of the entire experience.

Lo there all,

I'm here to check in for my milestone 6 month review! This month I can honestly say the density has increased significantly. What I can't do is put my finger on when exactly it happened lol. Definite improvement over my 5 month photos, even while damp with Minoxidil. I'm stoked to see what more is to come, and will try duck my head into Doc Feller's office for him to document the 6 month results as well.

Pictures: As usual, same harsh overhead lighting, position and camera. Dry and damp photos taken for objectivity.

Dry Head On

Damp Head On

Dry Tilted

Damp Tilted

I also have two profile views in my album and a proposed second procedure hairline. So far I'm pretty satisfied, and know I will no longer have an entirely bald frontal third. I still want to tweak the hairline and temple points a bit now that the groundwork is complete. As always, any comments appreciated!

HB, I honestly wouldn't return to the same clinic again after receiving those results. Free procedures can sound tempting, but the reality is you only have a finite amount of grafts. Those grafts are priceless, and should be rationed out accordingly: To proper hands with proven results. I would start consulting with recommended FUE surgeons now. At 12-15 months the majority of your grafts would've grown in, and further thickening could continue. New growth in the areas lacking is highly unlikely, and I don't see a reason to wait the extra 3 months. Use those 3 months for research and consultations if you haven't yet.

Yup, there we go! Now it's really starting to take shape. Big difference from your 6 month update. Lucky for you, your hair has a good wavy characteristic. That'll definitely help achieve a full look with minimal amount of grafts. A simple touch-up is all you need, if you need anything.

You would need closer to 1,500 grafts to lower it how you would like in that photo. .

Agreed. ZeoRanger, your proposed hairline looks way lower than 1 cm, unless you have a tiny head (jk). Honestly your hair looks like mine pre hair loss, which is awesome and I wish I still had said hair. There's no visible temple recession plus it's strong and dense (if not coarse/thick). Because of the above, to get results that would even remotely blend/match your natural hair line would require extremely dense packing, and possibly 2+ sessions for nearly double your estimated 800. Even a true 1 cm drop would require approximately 1000 to match your current level of density. I still think you should hold off as others have said, but if it really bothers you: FUE.

Nice! I wonder how I missed this one. Really do like the temple/points and hairline! Good wavy characteristics too, amazing transformation based off that top right photo.

I have to get back to Dr. Feller for my 6 month follow up to start creating a battle plan, and seeing your results gave me some ideas.

Your English and writing are fine! Very clear and amusing story to read. Amazing results, but that seems to be a trend with Dr. Lorenzo. My hair loss seems to be headed (lol) down the same path as yours. So it's good to see what ~3000 grafts can do.

PS: Your pictures and results are great, but my favorite picture so far has little to do with your hair transplant lol. ;P

apples, don't limit yourself to Oz (or any one locale for that matter). Hair transplants in general are not something to jump in half-cocked. This is especially so when considering FUE, as it takes a certain level of artistry and skill, which not many have truly mastered yet. The most awesome results are happening around the Eurozone(Belgium,Spain/UK) and parts of the Mid-East(Turkey). IMHO.

Though I do have to admit North America/India has seen some decent FUE results, but not with the yield and scale of the above stated regions.

It won't hurt the native hair, but you do have to be aware of the initial shed that can occur. Minoxidil helps block DHT slightly so it is used as a preventative, but it also acts more or less as a growth stimulant. As result, Minoxidil can cause existing hair to shed rapidly during the first few months while it encourages the follicles to produce new strands of thicker caliber etc.

The best preemptive strike considered by some would probably be Finasteride, but if you're not comfortable with that Minoxidil is a fine start.

While I'm pretty sure you'd be hard pressed to find someone who would say your scar is satisfactory, a clear shot of your post-op hairline would be greatly appreciated now that you have posted a pre-op.

Having a hairline as shown in your latest pic, what made you decide to go for HRS in the first place? It looked pretty damn good, especially for your age. It's even wet styled! I feel it would be beneficial to compare a similarly shot post-op photo to said pre-op.

Definitely some growth! At 4 months it appears your coverage almost matches that of your hair with Toppik/concealer pre-op. There will be no need for those in a few months! :cool:

I had to take a look at your pre-op pics to refresh my memory of your starting point. After looking at those and now your 4 month, you certainly have the makings of a hairline! It's not rampant growth, but there's a definitive line forming, one that didn't exist 4 months ago. Scar healing looks ok too. Still a little red, but you also have it cut pretty short. All things considered it doesn't look too bad.

I'd hang in there. You might be in for a longer haul/hair cycle due to your hair characteristics. Still I could totally see your recipient area matching your general density soon enough!

In the webcam pics your looks absolutely fine. Your hairline is solid and dense as all hell, and the V shape you describe is actually quite subtle. For a mature hairline it has pretty shallow temple recession. Also in the webcam pics your crown/vertex looks fine, that's just your natural whorl.

However, going off the shorter haircut pics, I'd keep an eye on the crown to midscalp. It's not bad by any means, and could be from the dampness and lighting. Personally I think the cut looks good in the top right pic. You said your scalp is inflamed right? It could be non-mpb related hairloss. But if it is the start of vertex based mpb, the good news is minoxidil/propecia rocks that area like a champ. So you could try one or both. See a derm or hair doc though to put your mind at ease, or to get something concrete.

TL;DR: Calm yo tits.

Nice! Looking good, and you gotta love that forelock. Every guy who has an awesome forelock should thank the gods lol.

Just read your first post, good sense of humor and outlook lol. And wouldn't ya know, there is something very similar to what you were wondering about! It's called SMP (Scalp MicroPigmentation) and there's a sub forum about just that on this very forum. Check it out! Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) - Forum By and for Hair Loss Patients

Damn skippy is that a fine layering effect! Good body and density. Enjoy!

I dunno man, you were already looking great at your 3 Month pics. Plus your hairline design is killer. Chill and enjoy life!

I totally get your disappointment and worries, the waiting game is the worst! I wish there was a way to get a glimpse into the future to assuage our nerves. But alas, science hasn't mastered that yet.

While I agree the results aren't amazing, there is SOME growth, and you technically have 3-6 more months to come (hopefully). I would have to think your friends and family are exaggerating just a bit. Either that or they forgot what you actually looked like pre-op, or maybe they're just being jerks lol.

Because of your peers comments, I made a small collage to compare the pre-op to your post op @ 6.5months. They're not all the same angle, but it drives the point across that there has been SOME (not 0% lol) improvement.

In the end all that matters is your happiness. I hope you reach that one day, and when you do, if your friends and family are still naysayers, screw em. :cool:

I think guys with a persistent forelock are lucky. That wont be my case I fear.

 

If money is not a limiting factor, I would go to doctor Lorenzo. Right now anyway, I think he is producing the top fue results. He is just very expensive IMO.

This! On both comments.

If money is not an issue, seek out Lorenzo. Also, I WISH I had ANY forelock lol. :c

It's that time to bring y'all the ever continuing documentation of my HT Adventure!

So it's been 5 months and 5 days since my procedure and what can I say? For the most part I've acquiesced that I can normally style my hair down in a super long, semi-hipster Caesar. I hate it, but I can live my day to day life looking semi-normal I suppose. I still can't style my hair the way I used to, nor can I buzz to an uniform length without revealing a sparse hairline, and my giant forehead lol.

I'd be lying if I claimed I wasn't somewhat disappointed with the progress between month 4 and 5. I know I still have many months to go; it's just getting disheartening. I'm still waiting for the hairline to define itself. It's still nebulous with tons of gaps and a general lack of density. There's been improvement for sure, but it's barely anything major. I'm actually quite fine with the density the rest of my frontal third is exhibiting, which I thought would be a point of concern due to my diffuse pattern, but it's coming in great. It's the hairline that concerns me, and always has. I think it's more the fact it was nearly all grafts, so I can't say "Oh,well I traded some weakened miniaturized hair for the transplants." I'm probably being overly paranoid, but figured I'd voice my thoughts.

Anyhoo, PICTURES!

Front- Tilted: Under harsh lighting and unflattering as possible. No flash, no games.

Left

Right

Front- Head On: (Apply directly to the forehead) Full face included to show proportions and the hairline.

Salute!

Woop woop! I enjoyed reading your first round experience and writing style, and now I get to watch this one unfold real time. Best of luck!

Also, I've included a highly advanced projected render of your final results.

=D