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seeker2014

Regular Member
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    58
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Basic Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • Country
    United States
  • State
    MI

Hair Loss Overview

  • Describe Your Hair Loss Pattern
    Thinning on Top only (Genetic Baldness)
  • How long have you been losing your hair?
    In the last 10 years
  • What Best Describes Your Goals?
    I'm here for support

Hair Loss Treatments

  • Have you ever had a hair transplant?
    Yes

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  1. Dr. Lindsey: Thanks for posting this case...this patient has experienced pretty impressive results considering it is only the 6 month mark. I had a few questions I was hoping you would be generous enough to answer: (1) Do you happen to know the guard number this patient shaves down to for the back?...it appears to be a 3 or 4 guard, but I was wondering if you could confirm this? (2) You mentioned the patient refused meds and comes from a line of class 6 guys. Hypothetically, if this patient lost a significant number of non-transplanted hairs 20 years down the road and, consequently, wanted to shave down to a 1 or 2 guard, what would be your recommendation? Specifically, do you think transplanting FUE grafts into the FUT scar would enable him to reach this goal and, if so, how many grafts do you estimate it would take? By the way, I have really enjoyed reviewing your FUE into scar tissue results...they have helped me with my research.
  2. I completely agree with Spanker...I would recommend shaving it and possibly reevaluating your situation at 25 which, honestly, is probably still a bit too young for a hair transplant. At 22, my hairloss was very similar to yours except my crown was intact. I have now been spending the last half year researching different ways to further improve my FUT scar after undergoing a 2800 graft procedure. Don't jump into something too soon, especially 750 grafts with your current NW level. If you have not done so already, give the buzz cut a try...you might be surprised how effectively thinning hair is concealed when everything is at a uniform length. Best of luck!
  3. Hi nervousguy: Your situation sounds very similar to mine (except I didn't have any work done in the crown). After evaluating my situation, this is what I think happened (and it could possibly apply to your case). I underwent a 2700 graft procedure and, initially, the results looked very satisfactory. However, considering I had pretty significant diffused thinning in the midscalp and front, the number of grafts I received were not sustainable over the LONG-TERM. In other words, the density achieved via 2700 grafts was right on the threshold of creating the illusion of density. Of course, despite being on finasteride and Propecia, hairloss still will continue its inexorable march (albeit, more slowly). So long story short, I don't think my surgeon really did an effective job of planning for the long-term...it was just a coincidence that 15 months out I experienced further hairloss. These are the two choices I faced: (1) Try to maintain the current density for as long as possible with the future expectation of keeping my hair as short as possible or (2) Reevaluate surgeons, go through multiple consultations, review posted results, and ultimately choose a surgeon who will help you achieve long-term goals which, more than likely, translates to multiple HTs. For me, I chose the former with the possible secondary goal of improving my FUT scar (which, fortunately, does not look too bad) via FUE. I reached the conclusion that if I went down the latter path, I will probably be chasing hairloss my entire life with limited (if any) success. I am by no means implying my decision has universal application since some people can achieve their expected results through HTs. However, considering you are losing ground relatively soon after a HT, I think you have to weigh your options more carefully and proceed with a decision that will be acceptable now and in the future. In terms of stress-induced hairloss, I don't invest too much weight into this factor. It is my understanding that if stress is the major cause of hairloss, it usually manifests as telogen effluvium characterized by unpatterned hairloss (including the donor area). Best of luck!
  4. By the way, here is the thread I was referring to about FUT scar size and expected grade...look in the second paragraph: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/179389-dr-lindsey-discusses-dont-do-hairline-too-low-young-man.html Again, best of luck. My only other suggestion for research purposes is to stick to the results posted by top doctors. IMO, I have been very impressed with some of the FUE results as I am researching a possible FUE into FUT procedure to cut my hair shorter. Just make sure you are weighing all the possible advantages and disadvantages of both procedures relative to your individual goals.
  5. Hi kennex: I concur with the statements made above by KO. However, if you are absolutely determined to proceed with a HT, you have made an excellent point above...planning for contingencies. To start, regardless of the procedure you choose (FUT or FUE), there will be scarring. Saying that, it depends on how short you may want to shave your hair in the future, assuming the HT does not work or diminishes over time. I remember a recommended surgeon awhile back (I don't want to attach a name to this statement since my memory might not be serving me correctly) posted a breakdown of typical grades you can shave down to with a FUT scar...a vast majority of cases fell in the 3-4 guard range. However, even going to a top-rated FUT surgeon will not necessarily guarantee you these results. Individual physiology plays a tremendous role in scar healing so if you decide to proceed with FUT, keep this risk in mind. If you go to a top-rated FUE surgeon, I think a 1-2 guard would be relatively realistic assuming the surgeon is using a punch size in the 0.75-0.8 mm range. Long story short, if you want to plan to keep your hair shorter now or in the future, FUE may be the better option for you since visible scarring will be less prominent. To be transparent, I received a FUT procedure myself. Even though my scar falls into the average category, in retrospect it would have been to my benefit to leave options open. Hairloss is progressive and once you get to a certain NW level, there is a significant cosmetic appearance between a 4 and 1 guard in terms of perceived "neatness" (i.e. most people look better with shorter hair at higher NW levels). In terms of yield/grafts you can ultimately extract via FUE or FUT, I am not even going to proceed into that realm. There are many threads dedicated to that subject. I would recommend looking through results posted by patients to see the results of each respective procedure so you can make an informed decision. Best of luck!
  6. Agree with the above statement. Considering you are a younger patient, I would research FUE options in order to minimize visible scarring. Granted, I am somewhat biased since I received a FUT procedure at the age of 25 from a coalition surgeon who promised I would be satisfied with the results...and, granted, I can conceal my scar reasonably well at short hair lengths after the results diminished a year and a half out. However, FUE can give you more options out just in case something does not go as expected, especially considering you have a family history of high NW levels. Also, have you tried to cut your hair short (at a 1 guard) just to see how it looks...I ask because it seems like you have retained a reasonable amount of front hair that would probably frame your face well with a buzzed cut.
  7. I am confused as well. Why are you going in for a HT with the current state of your hair? Furthermore, considering you have already expended 1100 grafts + an unknown amount, you have to take into account potential future loss and the impact a lowered hairline might have on your future appearance. IMO, you don't need a HT.
  8. No problem...as long as you stay within a couple guard lengths (i.e. a difference of 1/4 of an inch), no one should be able to detect the difference. Also it appears you have darker hair so DermMatch might also allow you to buzz down shorter (from my experience, the darker your hair, the better everything blends). If you were to consider the FUE grafting into scar route, it would probably require around 300-400 grafts to allow you to shave down to maybe a 2 or 3 guard without any blending considering you can almost buzz down to a 4 guard. Of course, transplanting hair into a scar can be somewhat unpredictable with yield, but I have seen some pretty impressive results. I am looking into this option at the moment, but I am not ready to proceed...I am a bit hesitant about undergoing any other procedure after my initial experience.
  9. Hi Romeo09: I am sorry to hear your HT was not successful. From personal experience, I know how frustrating it can be when there is no definite reason why your HT ultimately did not produce the results you were expecting. Saying that, I believe you still have options. I know you mentioned the possibility of shaving down. From your pictures, it appears you have retained a strong hairline which might work in your benefit in terms of framing your face. Have you ever experimented with buzzing down your hair? With some creative blending, I have been able to conceal my scar reasonably well (i.e. I take everything down to a 2 guard with blending of a 3-4 guard around the scar). If your scar is a bit wider, you could always look into FUE grafting which has generated a significant cosmetic appearance for some patients. There are also some other options out there that you could consider if you are interested in just improving the scar as much as possible.
  10. Hairloss (especially for diffuse thinners) does not always follow a predictable pattern/time frame. Typically, when you start losing your hair young, it is more aggressive in nature, but again this is not always the case. You can have intervals of intense thinning followed by years of relative calm. Saying that, whenever you suffer from diffuse thinning, it never hurts to undergo a comprehensive physical (assuming you have not had one recently) and/or see a dermatologist to get a definite diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia. Good luck!
  11. The three accepted non-surgical treatments for male pattern baldness are: (1) Rogaine (generic name: minoxidil) which has different potency ranges (from 2.5% all the way to I believe 15%); (2) Propecia (generic name: finasteride); and (3) and Nizoral (a shampoo which inhibits DHT). Each preventative treatment has its advantages and disadvantages which you will want to research in order to arrive at an informed decision. Depending on your hairloss pattern and expectations, a HT could be a viable option but of course there are potential risks just like any elective surgery. I have never heard of "man provillus" so I can't really comment on that option. Best of luck and use this forum to your advantage!
  12. Hey destinyraymond: When you use the word "recent past", do you mean the physician thinks your hairloss is somehow connected with a traumatic event like major surgery (i.e. telogen effluvium)? Have you been diagnosed with male pattern baldness? If it is telogen effluvium, then the affected areas should eventually recover on their own over the next months.
  13. Proceed with caution. I had a HT right around your age (I am currently 27 years old) and also was experiencing diffuse hair loss. 2 1/2 years post-op, I am basically back to square one (albeit with slightly more hair, but now have to conceal my scar with some creative blending which I can just luckily pull off). There are several factors working against you: (1) you have not stabilized your hair loss with preventative medications so it is nearly impossible to predict how and in exactly what pattern your hairloss is going to proceed, (2) you are a diffuse thinner, thereby making you more vulnerable to potential permanent shockloss, exacerbated by the fact you have not reinforced your potentially weak hair follicles (within the diffuse area) through any sort of preventative medication, (3) even with preventative medications, it is not a sure deal they will last forever as hairloss is progressive, (4) the crown can be a daunting area to fill (it has been referred to as the "black hole" since it can consume many grafts). IMO, I think your hair situation up front looks pretty solid and depending on how far away the wedding is (congratulations, by the way) you may just want to use a concealer for the mid-scalp which could make a significant cosmetic appearance. Then, in the meantime, you can conduct further research to determine if preventative medications and/or a HT are the right choices for you. My parting words--don't allow short-term goals dictate decisions with long-term implications. Best of luck!
  14. Considering those factors, you still have some options available. If you wanted to pursue the FUE route, some doctors provide "shaveless" FUE procedures. They are not truly "shaveless" (they still shave donor/recipient areas), but the surgeon will keep the adjacent hairs longer to conceal any evidence of the surgery. This is only a viable option for smaller procedures (which obviously would apply to your situation). Here is a link to a thread that discusses shaveless FUE: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/179556-shaveless-fue-post2431633.html In terms of SMP, it can be hit and miss for scarred areas. Injecting ink into a compromised part of your skin can lead to unpredictable results such as individual "simulated follicles" spreading or color fading/changing long-term. Don't get me wrong, other people have made positive comments about their results, but I have not encountered many threads showing long-term results. It almost sounds like you are considering SMP to conceal the scar to receive additional FUE grafts. If this is the case, you might want to consider temporary SMP which typically lasts from 6 months-2 years. I have not encountered many cases of temporary SMP and I am not absolutely clear what makes the ink "temporary", but it is something you could further investigate.
  15. Hi David88: If it is retrograde alopecia, I have never seen any pictures where it has progressed into the classic safe zone. It is also encouraging to hear that everything has been stable over a period of years and no thinning is evident when your hair is grown out. Again, to be on the safe side, you can always discuss it with your surgeon just to make sure you feel comfortable about proceeding. I wish you the best of luck!
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