delancey

Thanks for the replies, guys. I think this is a very important topic to discuss, not just necessarily who your hair loss comes from, but also looking at pictures of your maternal grandfather to give you an idea of what your hair situation may look like in 40 years from now. MPB is progressive, unfortunately and unpredictable, and while we can't say with certainty that "this is what your hair will look like in 10 years", it does give us a good idea of what you may expect in the future. I think where we are today certainly illustrates that the hair transplant industry is moving in the right direction, although I would like to see more regulation and oversight. It is shocking to see some of these doctors who are still performing plug transplants. In the right hands, however, with average or above average donor characteristics, there is certainly hope for even Norwood 6 candidates, and I think even very reputable Drs on this site feel more comfortable restoring Norwood 6 patients today than say just 10 years ago. So skill and technology is progressing, which is an important factor, for better technology and skill today leads to improved technology and skill tomorrow, at a faster rate. So that is a positive. Sorry to digress, I would like to learn more about what we know about MBP and genetics. It would also be interesting to see who you inherited your hair loss from? Your father or your maternal grandfather? Not to say that it cannot be inherited from other relatives, however, studies today are pointing towards MPB coming from both sides of the family, and appear to narrow it down specifically towards your maternal grandfather or your father. And as I mentioned above, my maternal grandfather was bald, however his two sons (my uncles) have full heads of hair, similar to my uncles' maternal grandfather. I think this shows that while it can be inherited from both sides of the family, the "X" chromosome from your paternal grandfather, should you get it, plays a strong role in determining your pattern of hair loss. Fortunately for me, I think I got it from my father. Who did you inherit your pattern from? Where do you feel the industry is heading, in say 10 years from now?

Thanks for the replies, guys. I think this is a very important topic to discuss, not just necessarily who your hair loss comes from, but also looking at pictures of your maternal grandfather to give you an idea of what your hair situation may look like in 40 years from now. MPB is progressive, unfortunately and unpredictable, and while we can't say with certainty that "this is what your hair will look like in 10 years", it does give us a good idea of what you may expect in the future. I think where we are today certainly illustrates that the hair transplant industry is moving in the right direction, although I would like to see more regulation and oversight. It is shocking to see some of these doctors who are still performing plug transplants. In the right hands, however, with average or above average donor characteristics, there is certainly hope for even Norwood 6 candidates, and I think even very reputable Drs on this site feel more comfortable restoring Norwood 6 patients today than say just 10 years ago. So skill and technology is progressing, which is an important factor, for better technology and skill today leads to improved technology and skill tomorrow, at a faster rate. So that is a positive. Sorry to digress, I would like to learn more about what we know about MBP and genetics. It would also be interesting to see who you inherited your hair loss from? Your father or your maternal grandfather? Not to say that it cannot be inherited from other relatives, however, studies today are pointing towards MPB coming from both sides of the family, and appear to narrow it down specifically towards your maternal grandfather or your father. And as I mentioned above, my maternal grandfather was bald, however his two sons (my uncles) have full heads of hair, similar to my uncles' maternal grandfather. I think this shows that while it can be inherited from both sides of the family, the "X" chromosome from your paternal grandfather, should you get it, plays a strong role in determining your pattern of hair loss. Fortunately for me, I think I got it from my father. Who did you inherit your pattern from? Where do you feel the industry is heading, in say 10 years from now?

Hey guys, "The gene for baldness is on the X chromosome. As a guy, you inherited your Y from your dad and your X from your mom. But she inherited one X from her mom and one from her dad. If you got the X that she got from your maternal grandfather, then you will have his pattern of baldness." I came across an interesting quote online, illustrating a strong link between your hair loss being connected with your maternal grandfather. In other words, if he was bald, there is a strong possibility that you may have inherited it from him. My father is a Norwood 6, and became so at a relatively young age. I am 28, and am a Norwood 5 going on 6 (on Propecia right now). So it would seem likely that I inherited it from my father. However, here is where it gets interesting. My paternal grandfather was bald (minor crown loss) but not nearly as bald as my father is. My uncle inherited my paternal grandfather's baldness; it is identical. However, in my father's case, I feel confident that he got it from his maternal grandfather (who also was a Norwood 6). In my case, I feel as if though I lost the genetic lottery since both my father and maternal grandfather are bald. I believe, but don't quote me on this, that your likelihood of losing hair increases significantly if this is the case. This concerns me, for my dad's baldness at the age of 50 is acceptable, yes, he is a Norwood 6, however, a lot can be done for a Norwood 6 today, assuming favorable characteristics. However, my maternal grandfather lost a lot of hair, especially later on in life. I would say he was a Norwood 6/7 hybrid. His sides were high, however the sides had receded back to his ears. He still had some hair growing on top (connected to the sides), but not a lot at the age of 70. Also his hair thinned out a lot later on in life. What is even more interesting is that my mother's two brothers both have full heads of hair. And guess what? My mother's maternal grandfather had a full head of hair until the day he passed away. Is this just a mere coincidence, or is the link between our maternal grandfather and hair loss just this significant? I would really appreciate some insight into this topic, as hair loss is hereditary, and it is something that really affects so many men. It would be interesting to see if you got it from your mother's side of the family or your father's side.

Thanks for posting. It is very helpful. What is your average donor density, i.e., fu/cm2?

Out of curiosity, why does the crown require a larger amount of grafts than say the front and mid-scalp area?

I was quite nervous when I went in for my consultation, telling myself that I most likely would not be a candidate, just to not disappoint myself. I am a Norwood 5 going on 6, who just started taking Propecia today, and I hardly have any hair on top remaining, and my crown is starting to dip. So putting this into perspective, you still have a lot of hair on top, which frames your face. You were smart to get on Propecia at a young age. Thinning is fine. However, I hardly have anything left at only 28. I started taking in back in 2009, but got scared of the negative reviews. Were you open to FUT? I asked Bisanga if it would be possible to only do FUE in my case, and he joked saying I would not be happy with the result. Funny guy! hehe

Hi Chemicalbrother, Out of curiosity, what is your donor density? Also, were you only considering FUE? Did Dr. Bisanga mention whether you may be a candidate for FUT? I also had a consultation with Dr. Bisanga recently, and my impression of him is that he is very honest and ethical.

Soon the ugly duckling phase is over. Happy growing

OS, Your hair transplant looks great. Congratulations! WOW I really hope they come up with hair cloning soon, as this is the only way forward at this point within the HT industry to solve higher NWs with average density. Did you notice regrowth from Finasteride?

Wow, that is very impressive Baldietwo. I am certainly going to start Propecia, but I am afraid to use Minoxidil because I don't want to shed the little hair I still have on top. Funny how every hair starts to count at this point. haha I am also very concerned about my donor hair. I don't know if it is the lighting or the shortness of my hair, but it looks weak when it is short. Like I said, it could be the lighting, hair color, and shortness of my hair, but it seems more likely that it is donor miniaturization. I am only 28 years old, and in bright natural light when my hair is short, it is see through sometimes, almost as if though I have DUPA. The funny thing is that when my hair grows out, it seems good, but my donor hair should be strong when short as well, not see through. This is also why I set up an in-person consultation with Dr. Bisanga, to evaluate my current hair loss, and do a miniaturization test. Here is a photo when my hair is long: IMG_6348.jpg Photo by delancey3 | Photobucket http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/delancey3/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_7495.jpg.html?sort=3&o=10 Here when short: http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/delancey3/media/donorzones.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=0

Othersyde, I am going to start Propecia in December. The wrong time to start it really, considering how far gone all of my hair is. But considering that it only took two years to lose most my hair on top (I am a diffuse thinner), I may respond well to Propecia. I read that diffuse thinners have had some luck with Propecia. This is because many hairs may still be miniaturizing, so Propecia strengthens them. Do you have a NW6 pattern OS?

Hi JagXJ, One very important consideration for anyone undergoing a hair transplant is future hair loss, at any age, but especially at a younger age. Everyone's hair loss pattern differs slightly and it can be difficult to predict future hair loss, as a result of it being progressive. One common belief is that the more advanced hair loss is at a younger age, the more hair a person MAY lose in the future. Again, hair loss is progressive. This makes it difficult to predict. We can, however, look at family history and miniaturization to determine with reasonable accuracy what someone's future hair loss may be. The reason why future hair loss is important is because we all have a limited amount of donor hair. A Norwood six candidate has already lost a substantial amount of hair. The amount of hair that remains in a Norwood 6 candidate is conventionally believed to be the "universal donor safe area." This hair is stronger and less likely to fall out. Keep in mind that the Norwood scale is just an estimate of someone's final hair loss pattern and it does not cover all the stages of hair loss. Everyone is different (i.e., some have relatively high sides, with a crown that is dipping in a Norwood 6 fashion; others may be a hybrid between a Norwood six and seven, meaning, for instance, that the crown dips relatively low, while the sides remain high). Everyone is different! How much hair does a Norwood 6 candidate need? As Garageland above explained to me, the right answer is "as much as possible." Again, hair loss is progressive and may be unpredictable. Everyone is different. Available donor hair is limited, so anyone even considering a hair transplant at a younger age must plan for future hair loss. Otherwise, what happens if and when we have used up all of our donor hair and our hair loss continues to progress? Big trouble! This is the reason why any top surgeon will not perform a hair loss surgery on someone until hair loss has stabilized, especially in the crown, where it may continue to expand, making the transplanted hair look funny. I want my hair transplant to look good today, but also in 30 years. This is such an important factor to take into consideration. Most people do not progress to a Norwood 7 pattern. But it does happen, so I advice anyone who is considering a hair transplant to take this into consideration. Research all of the variables. Have a miniaturization test done, consult with several "recommended" doctors, and look at your relatives from both sides of your family. The main difference between a Norwood 6 pattern and a Norwood 7 pattern is that a Norwood 7 candidate has lost a lot of hair from what is generally perceived as the "universal donor safe area." Check out the Norwood scale for a good visual representation of what the differences are between a Norwood 6 and a Norwood 7. My biggest regret is that I did not get on Propecia when I first discovered that my hair was thinning. What kills me, too, is that it was so obvious that I would lose my hair on top, due to having a diffuse patterned thinning. It started in my younger 20s, maybe at age 24, but I really lost most hair on top between 26 and 28. Hope this helps.

Great, thanks for the update! Keep in mind that the second surgery will be a lot easier, especially considering that the first already framed your face. This means that you can grow your hair longer on the sides to cover the scar from the second procedure (if you decide to go with FUT for the second procedure), without being bald on top. It also maximizes your available donor. And better price. How FUT affects the scar from a second surgery, though, I am not sure. Best of luck to you.

Very cool! What is your total coverage area in cm2 (including your crown)? Are you essentially going to leave the crown? Was this something that Dr. Bisanga recommended or is this a precaution from your side? Is there any miniaturization in the donor area? How were the grafts allocated (i.e., 70 Fu/cm2 in the hair line, 45-40 Fu/cm2 behind hair line, etc)? Thanks for sharing. It is really cool how you are documenting your case. Very helpful.

Hey Baldietwo, How many grafts does Dr. Bisanga believe you can get in total via FUT?

Hi Garageland, Hope all is well! I am growing out my hair again, and am going to start Propecia in December, and hopefully it can fill in my crown to improve my appearance. Do the pictures appear better now that my hair has grown out a bit? Yes, I am looking forward to the consultation, just to see where I am at, measure my done density, check for miniaturization, and just get a reality check of what can be done in my situation. And in the end, if I am not a candidate, that is fine too, but at least I tried and gathered as much information as possible.

Yes for sure, I have a consultation scheduled with Dr. Bisanga in December. We will see what he says. I have had a diffuse pattern baldness on top for the last 6-7 years, and just over the last 2 years I have lost a lot of hair on top. My dad is a Norwood 6, at the age of 50, and no bald men on my mother's side of the family. I read online that the earlier hair loss starts, to more it will progress in the future (i.e., chances of becoming a Norwood 7 are greater). Since I started thinning already in my early 20s, this worries me. But my hair was alright just two years ago on top, and then it just fell off. Pros: - Scalp to hair color contrast - Donor being average (I think, but we will see) Cons: Advanced hair loss at an early age (only 28 now) Future hair loss? Hair characteristics (Fine, straight)

I have uploaded a lot more pictures under a bright light. My hair is relatively short, since I buzzed it down to a zero guard just 5 weeks ago. Here you go: Mobile Uploads Photos by delancey3 | Photobucket Any signs of a Norwood 7 pattern?

Hey, Here is another photo in the light that I took right now showing how the crown is dipping in the back. Is this a sign of a Norwood 7 pattern? IMG_9474.jpg Photo by delancey3 | Photobucket

Greetings! I read an article about Prince William's hair loss, and a prominent Doctor claims that he is headed towards a Norwood 7. Granted, we don't share the same genetics, however, we are the same age, with the same loss pattern and hair characteristics. I am 28, and already showing strong signs of being a Norwood 6, especially with the crown dipping in the back. My hair loss is diffuse, and I would describe my hair on the sides and back as relatively thick, although when I shave it short, the lighting/shortness of my hair plays some rather unenjoyable tricks. My borders are quite defined, but so are Prince Williams's, yet a lot of people think he is headed towards a NW 7. I am considering having a hair transplant surgery in a few years when I turn 30. What do you guys think? Mobile Uploads Photos by delancey3 | Photobucket delancey3's's Library | Photobucket

Beautiful result. Just wow.

Also, will a doctor be able to look at my hairloss pattern and see if I will lose hair on my sides as well? In other words, how will my sides recede vertically over time. I think this is something that is very important to factor in before having a HT. It may look great today, and I am sure it would with a top surgeon, however, how will it look in 15 years from now? So are Drs able to predict the pattern and predict future loss?

Matt, how good is a top dr. at making the strip scar as small as possible for around 4,000 grafts? In other words, how far down will I be able to buzz my hair down to without the scar being visible? Is it possible to cover the scar with fue hairs should the hair transplant not be successful? What kind of density will I get with a strip surgery with 4000 grafts? What results am I looking at? I am just trying to get an idea of realistic results. Also, why is FUT recommended over FUE in patients with significant hair loss? Also, what happens if my I start losing my hair on the sides? In other words, once my hair is gone on top, I start to lose hair on the sides (the sides decrease vertically)? Is this something that a dr. can predict fairly well before encouraging a patient to have surgery? Since my hair loss is confined yet diffused, I am assuming that the strip surgery of 4,000 grafts would be for a conservative hairline and moving to the middle of the scalp, and then planning for a final surgery to cover the crown. Any input on this? I really prefer FUE as a result of the minimal scaring, however, if I have great density results on top from the strip surgery with 4,000, I can accept having a "small" scar. However, FUE scarring makes it impossible to buzz your hair down to a zero or one as well, right? Edit: I was told that I am a NW 5a Cheers! Thanks again.

If I were to start propecia now, would I be able to gain back some of the hair that I have lost to minimize my balding look? In other words, can my balding go from a Norwood 5 to a Norwood 2-3? I am considering this as an option, just to see what kind of results I get. What do you think?

Matt, I have just contacted Dr. Bisanga online for an email consultation. I have sent several pictures, so we will see what I hear back. I am thinking that I can have hair transplanted on the frontal third, and then still have hair on my crown for the next 5-6 year (and take propecia if need be). Then I can have a second hair transplant to fill in the back later on to fill in the crown, should it be needed. I am really gonna do a lot of research on this matter before doing anything; I have to be sure that I am making the right decision here. Cheers!