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