Rahal_UK_Patient

Brilliant result. Strike!!

Many thanks. I appreciate you all taking the time to answer my question. I've decided to delay any decision into the new year, but, it seems there will be no issues should I decide to proceed. Thanks again.

Hi, I'm 5 months post op with good hair growth. My question is, if I get botox injections in my forehead, will it impact my hair growth? I don't mean positively, rather could it have a detrimental impact? Any help appreciated, thanks.

Thanks for your supportive messages thanks. Really appreciate them. Truth is most people don't think I've had a hair transplant, most just think short hair, with maybe sunburn, or something else aggravating my scalp. Sure my scar is very visible, but honestly people just don't conclude a hair transplant. Most in fact say nothing. At lunch today I was catching up with a colleague and I had to convince him I'd had a transplant. I'd go as far as saying that the experience has had unintended positives, the main one being I've learned to care less about what others think, and am more robust to criticism. It's ironic really, but very pleasing. Best wishes, Derek

Folks, wanted to share with you my experience around concealing HT after effects. My earlier post entitled 'Concealing my Scar' asked the question about how a scar could best be concealed, and expressed my worry over returning to work. I had a rough few days in the run up to returning. After several attempts with DermMatch and Nanogen, my scar, which is still tender to touch, felt even more tender. The appearance, as best as I could get it, was just about ok at long distance but still obvious close up. I thought to myself 'what am I doing' applying gunk to my scar just so those I meet won't see the after effects of a procedure I have no regrets about having?. So, my decision. No concealment, no cover up. My head has been buzzed to match the grafted area with the rest of my scalp. This completely exposes the scar and doesn't attempt to hide the new grafts, or the pink skin in this area. I returned to work today, and largely received support from my colleagues, none of whom knew I was going to a transplant. Some asked, so I told the truth. Some showed real interest so I shared my experience. Some made comments on my new short 'summer' hair style. I just smiled in response and offered no additional insight. This of course, is just my personal experience. But it's been positive and affirming. I'm not out to advertise my HT, but am making no effort to hide it either. It's simply a neutral approach. My work environment is office based (several 1000 on site). I sit open plan with the back of my head (and my scar) facing towards a walkway. Today, I lunched with colleagues in a canteen containing several hundred people. Yes some looks at my frontal section, but not as many as I expected. And the great thing about the scar is that it's on the back of my head, and I can't therefore see who's staring!! I appreciate and understand this approach won't be the right one for everyone, but I would encourage that patients stop and think about why they are spending time, money and effort on concealment. A friend said to me, those who love you support you, those that don't, well, their opinion isn't really that important. Thanks Derek ps) Day 20 in my blog shows current state

Folks, wanted to share with you my experience around concealing HT after effects. My earlier post entitled 'Concealing my Scar' asked the question about how a scar could best be concealed, and expressed my worry over returning to work. I had a rough few days in the run up to returning. After several attempts with DermMatch and Nanogen, my scar, which is still tender to touch, felt even more tender. The appearance, as best as I could get it, was just about ok at long distance but still obvious close up. I thought to myself 'what am I doing' applying gunk to my scar just so those I meet won't see the after effects of a procedure I have no regrets about having?. So, my decision. No concealment, no cover up. My head has been buzzed to match the grafted area with the rest of my scalp. This completely exposes the scar and doesn't attempt to hide the new grafts, or the pink skin in this area. I returned to work today, and largely received support from my colleagues, none of whom knew I was going to a transplant. Some asked, so I told the truth. Some showed real interest so I shared my experience. Some made comments on my new short 'summer' hair style. I just smiled in response and offered no additional insight. This of course, is just my personal experience. But it's been positive and affirming. I'm not out to advertise my HT, but am making no effort to hide it either. It's simply a neutral approach. My work environment is office based (several 1000 on site). I sit open plan with the back of my head (and my scar) facing towards a walkway. Today, I lunched with colleagues in a canteen containing several hundred people. Yes some looks at my frontal section, but not as many as I expected. And the great thing about the scar is that it's on the back of my head, and I can't therefore see who's staring!! I appreciate and understand this approach won't be the right one for everyone, but I would encourage that patients stop and think about why they are spending time, money and effort on concealment. A friend said to me, those who love you support you, those that don't, well, their opinion isn't really that important. Thanks Derek ps) Day 20 in my blog shows current state

Thanks mate. Please see my new post called "Why Conceal?"

An update folks. I tried and failed to get any realistic concealment with DermMatch and Nanogen. From a distance certainly a reduction in scar appearance but close up all too obvious. I tried a few times but found my scar area becoming tender. Obviously not what I want so decided to grin and bare it. Au Naturale. I figure this also provides the best environment for optimum healing. I'm going to separately post about why we feel the need to conceal our scars in the first place. I'm certainly now in a good place psychologically with my scar visible.

Thanks for all your comments guys, really appreciate your input. Big thanks to Dr Lindsey for taking the time out

Thanks Severn. Really appreciate your comments. Maybe there's no shock loss; it just seems a bit bare beneath. I'm no expert!! Will see how I get on with the concealers. imissthe barber, thanks too. I do plan to let the hair grow in now.

Have posted pic of scar, thanks. Under Day 18.

Hello Folks, I'm 18 days post op and am going back to work on Wednesday. While I don't plan to deny I have had a hair transplant (if asked I will answer), I am concerned how obvious the donor scar is. I have a little shock loss underneath and it's still a bit red. I've ordered some DermMatch to help conceal the scar. Is this worthwhile? Is there anything else I can do? Much appreciated, Derek

Hello Folks, I'm 18 days post op and am going back to work on Wednesday. While I don't plan to deny I have had a hair transplant (if asked I will answer), I am concerned how obvious the donor scar is. I have a little shock loss underneath and it's still a bit red. I've ordered some DermMatch to help conceal the scar. Is this worthwhile? Is there anything else I can do? Much appreciated, Derek

Thanks for the reply guys, appreciate that. hair_care: I've been advised to wait until week 3 before anything more than current (dripping approach) shampoo and rinse. I have noticed there are differing opinions on this. Bill: Thanks for the interest. I will be blogging regularly in the weeks and months ahead. Cheers. Raphael84: Glad to be of help. Yes, so far I have been very pleased with my choice. Distance wasn't an issue in my choice of surgeon. Some things are not worth cutting corners. The scar is healing well. The nurse who removed the sutures said she could hardly see it. My barber made the same comment. There is still some redness but these are from the sutures, which felt quite tight. Obviously they had to be to close such a large incision. I'll post some pre-op pics sure.

Hi Community, I had a hair transplant performed by Dr Rahal on July 9th, 2009. I am blogging under UK_Rahal_Patient My blog is as follows: http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...-page.asp?WebID=1325 Cheers Derek