Redchilli007

As someone who has just finished quite a big HT session I can say its a tough procedure on the body and head. Lots of micro incisions to the head, loss of blood, samples for PRP, local anesthetic, needles etc etc I guess your heart rate may increase at times due to stress and anexity but I would not say a heart attack is something to worry about. Its tough on the body and not a breeze to go through but your doc will ask you to disclose any medical conditions you have prior to the operation and you must tell him of any heart conditions. If you have no previous heart condition I would not worry about the risk of a heart attack.

I'm looking for input and opinions on alternatives to generic oral fin and Minox solution. Basically these are reagrded as the big guns for stopping hairloss with maybe a little growth to boot. I'm trying to find out the best alternatives to the usual forms of both drugs in an attept to lower the risk of sides from fin and skin irritation that minox can bring about. My research on all things related to hairloss has led me to many products and stories some of which include people trying topical fin or making their own topical fin/minox combos. Sometimes its as simple dropping fin tablets into minox solution as they disolve very well in minox. People have claimed very good results with this method whilst reducing sides. Promox for example is a 15% minox product with 0.1% fin, Azelaic Acid 1.5%, Progesterone 0.25%, Tretinoin 0.025% & Hydrocortisone 0.1%. Has anybody got any experience with this product? The argument against a topical fin comes two fold. Some say because fin inhibits DHT production from the prostate, as opposed to having direct effect on the hair follicle and that finasteride applyed topically is useless if its primary effect takes place at the prostate. The second point is that Fin is absorbed systematically weather you swallow or apply it on the skin. So take it orally for max efficacy. I have heard others claim they have had DHT reduction levels with the topical at the same level as oral after having blood tests on both methods but with less sides on the topical. Other topical products seem to be trying to improve the blend also. For example PPG or Propylene Glycol is used in minox to penetrate the skin and deliver the drug. PPG can causes rashes and skin irritation which is one of the draw backs metioned in regards to Minox. Some alternative products are Spectral DNC: another form of rogaine which is created with Minoxidil Sulphate a much more costly form of Minoxidil that is water soluble and therefore does not require a high concentration of propylene glycol or alcohol. Lipogaine: minoxidil 5%, proprietary herbal blend DHT blocker, apple polyphenol, biotin, biotinyl-tripeptide, niacin, vitamin B6 and B12. Saw palmetto is the DHT blocker here afaik and I'm pretty sure Azelaic Acid is the vehicle to deliver the drug. Dulagen: Minoxidil 15% (9 grams of minoxidil in each bottle; i.e., 150 mg/mL) Azelaic acid 5% (3 grams of Azelaic acid in each bottle; i.e., 50 mg/mL) Retinol 0.025% (0.25 mg/mL) Caffeine 0.001% (0.01 mg/mL) Ethanol Glycerin A minox boosted product again with no PPG. Minox foam is a PPG free alternative to the solution but some users say its less effective than the solution and some even melt the foam into liquid form before applying. Dr Lee used to offer PPG free Minox, kirkland does 5% Minox. Rogaine to make a PPG free solution version but I find it hard to come by (Ireland). Revivogen. Topical Flutamide, Folligen and many other alternative topicals are out there in an attempt to reduce sides and rashes for the hairloss customer. Has anybody tired these products or some others I have not listed? Please share your experiences. Also lets have a topical fin and minox ppg free thread, and general topical alternatives thread.

Do you still take Fin and Minox? Any sides etc?

I am booked in for a HT, which the thoughts of are causing me enough stress already, but from what I gather most HT docs will prescribe the meds Fin and Minox for the patient. As far as I can tell this is to prevent further loss of native hair creating islands or bald spots between the transplanted hair and the native hair and to give both patient and doc a better result. The thoughts of taking fin and applying Minox are worrying to me. I am very sensitive to sides on any hairloss product I have tried in the past. Me question is how advisable is it to depend on the results of the grafts alone or are the meds a must? We all know people have suffered terribly from Fin (PROPECIAHELP: Persistent Finasteride Propecia Proscar side effects info & forum) and the idea of something that changes or blocks natural processes in ones body doesn't appeal to me at all. Has anyone rejected the meds and do you regret it? Does anybody have suggestions for a topical form of Fin that is better? Any thoughts and opinions are welcome.

If I'm honest I would have expected a better hairline considering that most of the grafts were placed there. The centre of the hairline looks thinner than the temple points. You seem to have very light colored and thin hair naturally which in general makes the scalp more visible. Plus you seem to have taken the pictures under a bright light. Maybe this is effecting my judgement. If you could take some pictures outdoors or under less intensive light it might look better. How many grafts did the doctor say you have left? You still need mid vertex and crown work done but I would be keen to add more to the hairline.

Any updates?

Cab you tell us the cost per graft or overall cost Harley St charge. As a balding UTD fan I have tried to work out how many grafts Rooney got. He paid 15k for his fist op apparently. I would be interested to know how many grafts that got him.

Reading this thread has got me worried before my HT. Not because I am asking for a nw0 but becasue I have a large head with a very wide forehead. I am thinning all over the top but have a tiny patch right at the front of may hairline that is strong, so the hairline will have to be built from there. There is a lot of ground to cover. I guess its just pre HT stress.

Its not ideal but not that bad either. I think with any HT an acceptance of a time out period needs to be realised. Anything from 8-12 months. This period you will have a red scalp and shedding hair and you might lose some native hair due to shock loss. You will not look your best in this transitional period. I have, as already stated, started wearing a cap around the office and have told my friends I will be taking a break from going out every weekend for a few months due to financial constraints. Korays email rep has told me I can wear a baseball cap straight after the op without me asking. As long as it sits at the front of the head and doesn't rub against the grafts they say it will be fine.

I am taking a total of 6 days off after the HT but the problem is a course I must attend soon after which was booked after I made my HT appointment. I am trying to get this moved but its a block booking, so 16 staff will attend and its very costly to send us on this course. This came out of the blue and was really bad timing. I had made arrangements with the doc for my dates and when I went into work the next day and applied for two weeks leave I was refused the full amount. Calling in sick maybe an option but would look bad straight after days off. I have started to wear a cap around the office, I am wearing one as I post this so hopefully it will go unnoticed. For those asking its Dr. Koray in Turkey

Thanks for the post Terp10 I'm glad you are happy with your result but can I ask where you had the majority of your grafts placed. The temple area seems to have improved and and although there is slightly more hair at the hairline the density is not great. The crown shows slight improvement. I'm guessing the 2100 grafts were spread over different areas instead of focusing on one area which needs to be accounted for when making a judgement. Do you plan another HT and are you taking any meds?

Thanks for the reply. Not sure if I can swing a week off but I'll try. In terms or carefully wearing a hat I mean in terms of taking it on and and off. I have a system with one of those flexiband hats that should stop it rubbing off the scalp and lift up and away rather than across and away from the scalp. The seven days for the grafts to become secure, is this your own estimate or that of your HT surgeon?

Hi guys I'm close to pulling the trigger on a HT and would like some advise from some guys about wearing a hat for long periods (months) after a HT. I work in an enviroment where I may be actually able to wear a baseball cap during my 9-5 working day. Its a male dominated enviroment so I am try to avoiding the piss taking and questions that comes with such an enviroment. I should return to work about 4 days after my HT and plan to wear a baseball cap for the 8 working hours until I return home right through the ugly duckling and growth phase, so anywhere up to 8 months. My question is will this affect how healthy my grafts will be and the success rates of the grafts. I know cap wearing isn't tied to hairloss unless its really tight but I will wear a lose fitting cap with a vented mesh at the back to allow as much air flow as possible. Has anyone done this before? I'd appreciate any advise you have. Secondly, how long is it before the grafts are secure. If i am putting on and removing a hat so early I don't want to knock out any grafts. How long after the incisions and grafts placement do the wounds heal over enough to lock the grafts securely in place? What time frame would I be able to be blase about the hat and pull it off in a normal worry free manner? Thanks for listening, great forum and posters on here btw. Very supportive, knowledgeable and caring community here. It makes suffering hairloss less lonely.

These are amazing results. I am a long time lurker of these forums who doesn't post that often but I had to comment on how amazing your 6 month photos look. Congratulations man. At 6 months the results are incredible and people say its 12-15 months before you get the full results. You already look amazing but will look perfect at 12 months. I would love to see more pictures of the 6 month mark and new pictures each month. I am very close to pulling the trigger on a HT as I already have the funds. I had Turkey and three possible surgeons picked but this has made me reconsider. Its time to research Villnow and Reys now

You look like a teenager again, the right picture is an old man, the left picture is a younger man and you have more grafts to look even younger. This is a great result. I too am considering a big FUE session with Dr Hakan and this has helped me feel better about it even more.