FUEAsianHairline

Any thoughts guys?

I finally received my portable microscope ($24): http://www.amazon.com/Vktech-Digital-Microscope-Endoscope-Magnifier/dp/B00MPCOJU8/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1425223015&sr=8-15&keywords=hair+microscope and it's pretty nifty. It zooms from 20x to 800x. I've attached some photos. 2 of my temples and 1 is an area of my scalp that is not balding. The zoom is about 100-150x and my head was fully shaved with a 1 attachment about 5 days ago. (I'm a NW 3)

Also, here's a video that demonstrates the abilities of a similar device:

For reference, here's a link to a thread of photos of my scalp from January which is basically how I look today: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/178100-how-many-grafts-do-i-need.html

I bought the microscope to better examine my scalp and to track the progress of my current treatments which primarily are: Laser Helmet (8 months) and Propecia (2 years)

I don't notice any differences in growth when I look in the mirror or when I take photos of my scalp with my regular camera, but these microscopic photos should give me some more information.

Any thoughts on the photos and the health of my scalp/hair? (I know the left temple photo has an area of redness which I need to pay attention to)

I guess no one does this? Potentially a missed opportunity for those who want to really track and measure hair growth/loss.

Ashitaka,

Ready4Hair compiled a good amount of scientific links/research on LLLT that are worth looking at:

Funny the hair counting method(s) in this quite detailed study don't seem suspect at all:

 

OverMachoGrande.com: Long Term (1 year) Results of LLLT - improved hair growth and slowed further progression [with pics]

 

I know some Drs are equivocal, some are downright hostile (and pull the Al Gore trick of calling anyone who doesn't agree dishonest by implication, see Dr. Feller i.e. http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/150351-list-doctors-who-consider-lllt-quackary.html), but there are many who do support it:

 

Lasercap

 

a list which includes Dr. Cooley and Dr. Wong.

 

Then of course there is this publication in PubMed which summarizes a dozen studies to conclude that "LLLT for hair growth in both men and women appears to be both safe and effective":

 

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss. - PubMed - NCBI

 

not to mention this thread of patients who used LLLT IMMEDIATLY after HT successfully:

 

WorldHairLoss.org Forums | Laser use after Hair Transplant OMG

 

and this one:

 

http://www.regrowth.com/hair-loss-forums/topic/close-up-post-transplant-progress-pictures-with-lllt-to-aid-recovery/page/2/ which among other things includes this post:

 

"your healing progress with the lasers parallels my experience last August. With the aid of lasers my transplant healed 5 days earlier. Having gone through 3 transplants I agree that lasers should be a standard post-op procedure"

 

Not to mention dozens of studies on the efficacy of LLLT on post surgical healing and especially dermatological post surgical healing:

 

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) efficacy in post-operative wounds. - PubMed - NCBI

Low Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) for Cosmetic Medicine and Dermatology

http://www.rheumatologynews.com/fileadmin/content_pdf/san/scms_pdf/vol27_i4_Light-Emitting_Diodes.pdf

http://lasercap.com/science-efficacy-safety.php

 

I get that 'detractors' will find ways to discredit these studies (and gloss over the ones for their own pet treatments) yet the evidence is pretty solid. The issue as with other treatments is no one every put on LLLT and grew a head of hair. Which for some reason discredits it. Yet the impact of LLLT on the quality of the skin/scalp/hair itself is far better then continued application of minox and it's additives.

 

Now that the thread has been hijacked to (yet another) debate on LLLT can we just get someone without an agenda or axe to grind (LLLT didn't grow me a new head of hair wah!) to weigh in on any good reason to NOT use LLLT immediatly after HT if it's efficacy is based on wound healing?

No side effects: The growth of human scalp hair mediated by visible red light laser and LED sources in males. - PubMed - NCBI

Ashitaka, check out the link below. As I mentioned previously LLLT potentially has benefits over meds:

The growth of human scalp hair mediated by visible red light laser and LED sources in males. - PubMed - NCBI

I'm certainly no expert, but I've had a number of consultations with some of the most highly recommended surgeons in the field and seems like it's all about FUE or FUT.

The main differences between surgeons other than cost seem to be whether they use robotic assistance (ARTIS or Neograft) or not. Some clinics offer platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) or A cell: https://www.hairreplacementsurgeon.com/acell-prp/

I'm intrigued by low level laser therapy LLLT, although it's a very controversial subject. I will say a number of recommended and respected surgeons offer it and it's potentially a low cost tool that may aid in hair regrowth/slow down hair loss.

The growth of human scalp hair mediated by visible red light laser and LED sources in males. - PubMed - NCBI

JIMjim, have any pics? If you post some you'll probably be able to get some good feedback.

Can anyone make a recommendation on a good quality scalp magnifying tool/hair microscope? I've attached an example pic.

Basically I'm looking for a tool that I'll be able to place directly on my scalp to measure my follicular units per sq cm and to track if any of my current aids (propecia and/or laser helmet) are helping regrow hair or whether my hair is receding and if so how rapidly.

A fellow forum member sent me the link below although there are no reviews and not much in the description. I'm finding that to be the case with a number of other products.

http://www.amazon.com/Vktech-Digital-Microscope-Endoscope-Magnifier/dp/B00MPCOJU8/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1425223015&sr=8-15&keywords=hair+microscope

Also, any advice from those with experience tracking their follicular units would be appreciated.

Just found this insightful video profiling the Asmed Clinic which looks very high end:

Can I ask which surgeon did the procedure and was he recommended by the forum?

Thanks guys.

Blah, I'm not saying i'm planning to get a 2nd HT in the future but I'm being realistic and understanding that I may need one later on since my hair will probably (hopefully not) continue to recess as I get older. But point taken on getting a much larger procedure the first time around which is my plan.

zyzz, I hear you and I'm certainly not looking for a specific hair style like those guys that go to the barber with pictures of celebs, I'm just looking to get a lot more density in the front forelocks to be able to have the option to grow out bangs understanding that it won't be exactly the same as 10 years ago. HT's are certainly the last option but also one of the best options because really nothing else is going to regrow hair to a great degree unless you recently lost the hair.

Thanks Brenton! Your advice as well as others on this forum is HUGE as people like me leap into the great beyond of a HT.

Thanks David, that's a big help. Just to be clear are you saying you stayed 3 nights and left on day 4?

Bardelbee, the hand tying sounds funny but i totally agree based on the investment you made and i might look into that.

This reminds me of Nightmare on Elm Street where everyone is afraid to go to bed and in this case for 10 days until grafts are locked in?.

First thing, have you gone to a dermatologist? I would definitely do that. A HT surgeon can certainly give you similar advice, but a dermatologist can do things like scalp biopsies and other examinations that a surgeon might not be able to do. Also a surgeon is driven by getting business and may be a bit biased where as a dermatologist at best will try to sell you some cremes. My dermatologist prescribed a course of treatment that HELPED big time. I went from a crazy itchy scalp (which is also a sign of hair loss) to a stable, non itchy scalp and I don't know for sure, but I think my hair loss has stabilized since then. That's the main thing you want.

I would also suggest looking into a laser helmet. I don't know if they work but there are studies that back it up. I avoided propecia for years because of the potential side effects and the fact that I would have to take it for the rest of my life (or at least until I stopped caring about hair loss). But LLLT is not a drug like propecia or rogaine, although it's a device that if it works you would want to use for the long haul.

I have one (I won't mention which one to be unbiased) and I put it on for 20 minutes 3-4x a week while I surf the web. I can't say that I see a difference good or bad, but that's potentially a good thing as my hope is it's slowing down hair loss. Who knows. I say arm yourself with as much information and options as possible to make the best possible choice/course of action.

Anyway, here's a thread with a lot of good links on LLLT: http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/178620-post-surgical-lllt-timeframe-question-drs-please-weigh-post2423481.html#post2423481

Also, this is an interesting video done by a reputable news organization on hair loss treatments:

Thanks Brenton! Just to get an idea, for the first 72 hours did you sequester yourself indoors and take it easy/careful or did you basically do your normal routine but with a hat on?

Also, how careful do you have to be? I've heard that on the day of the surgery one has to wear just a button shirt to avoid having to lift a shirt over one's head. Did you have to do that post surgery as well? And are you literally walking around in a "bubble" making sure no one or thing can graze your head for 3 days?

I know these questions are pretty nitpicky, but these are all the things I need to have a grasp on before hand to carefully plan this out.

I've been told that the clinic washes your head each day post-op so that's a nice perk. Plus the adjustable hospital bed you won't find in any hotel.

Just make sure you don't drink alcohol 3-7 days post op, which is a no-no from what I've read.

Within the first three days or so it can be pretty easy to lose a graft. Scratching or bumping the head may dislodge them. After that it becomes more difficult. For this reason, Dr. Bhatti advised me to wait 3 days prior to flying back home.

 

By 8 to 10 days, the grafts should be fully anchored.

David, thanks for the advice. I'm wondering what are the benefits of waiting 3 days before flying back? Did you stay in their clinic? I've heard most guys fly home the next day.

Do you think the back and forth of traveling can potentially lead to graft loss? (I'm picturing the nightmare scenario of luggage falling and hitting someone's head post surgery:eek:)

Thanks David. How gentle do you have to be with your grafts before they are locked in? Could a simple scratch or brush of the hand cause damage to them?

I'm probably going to sleep in a recliner to prevent rolling around, but I'm mainly afraid of accidentally touching or even scratching my head while sleeping.

If I could go back in time to stop my hair loss from the beginning, I would try LLLT first because it has no side effects and once you buy a laser helmet, you don't have to keep shelling out money for refills. I know it's a controversial topic, but there are studies that back it up: Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss. - PubMed - NCBI

Do you have any pictures? Is your hair normally very straight or coarse?

pkipling, I'm with you man. I'm planning my procedure now and I'm super paranoid that something will graze or hit my grafts within the first 10 days. I went so far as to research arm restraints to prevent itching my scalp, but that winter gloves idea is pretty good, haha.

Is it just the first 3 days that we really need to be concerned with? I keep reading about 10 days being the window before the grafts are set.

Also, during that initial period, did you ever accidentally touch/scratch/bump your scalp with your hand or your hat or anything? I'm wondering how strong of a touch would have to occur to cause grafts to be damaged. Does it have to be a strong strike to the head or can it be as gentle as bumping your head into the ceiling of your cushioned car roof? I'm guessing it's somewhere in between.

Just affirming what all the guys here have already said. I remember being extremely nervous and cautious about washing my hair as well, but once you do it you realize it's not that bad. Lather the sponge, dab the suds onto the scalp, let it soak, and rinse with water from a cup/bowl.

 

As for damaging the grafts by smiling/laughing, I think you can sleep easy knowing that won't happen.

 

And just to share with you just how scared and paranoid I was about damaging the grafts after surgery: I'm quite the violent sleeper and tend to move around a lot in my sleep. Been this way since I was a kid. Through the years I've woken up quite a few times with a scratch on my face from hitting myself in my sleep. Anyway, I was so afraid that I would hit my grafts in my sleep that I wore a pair of winter gloves and fastened them together. If one hand moved, the other was right behind it - which of course would wake me up before they reached my face and save my scalp and grafts from potential destruction. I was so glad when those first 72 hours were over.

 

On that note, I'm gonna head to bed now to get some very restless sleep.

Any thoughts on this? Protecting grafts has got to be one of the most important aspects to ensure a successful outcome.

Careful of having grafts placed in dense native zones. They can shock or transect your existing hairs making no difference or worse in such areas of already distinct native density. You do not want to risk wasting your grafts. Work from the front where no hair exists, and taper it back to only where there is a distinct measurable loss of density. Again I would think 1500 or a little more, but 3000 is questionable as to where it will be placed. Unless you have a very low density donor that will give you minimal groupings?

Sean, thanks for the advice. Messing up the "good" hairs I already have is the last thing I want to do. As far as my donor supply, I've been told it's very good by doctor's who've seen the photos, so I would hope that I don't have minimal groupings back there.

I would have to say 1000 grafts would give you decent coverage but ideally you want to hit the "50% OF DENSITY" I have to agree with the other posters, 1500-2000 grafts should you yield you a pretty nice outcome. Personally, I would also recocomend getting on finasteride to help stablize your hair loss. 3000 grafts seems a bit steep for the amount of hair loss. Although I am sure with 3000 grafts and the amount of hair you have already lost, the outcome would be spectacular. Some things to consider, as Sean had already mentioned, when implanting grafts that closely together, you risk transacting follicles, resulting in a lower yield of growth and also you run the risk of depleting your donor area, if you need transplants later down the road.

BMW1990, thanks for the advice. I've been on finasteride for 1.5 years, although I wish I had started much earlier. That said, I think my hair loss is pretty stable at this point. (I'm also using a laser helmet, but I know the controversy around that...)

I 100% agree with wanting to hit 50%+ density. The surgeon who sent me those evaluation photos stated they plan to "implant 60 grafts per 1 cm2" and from what I understand anything over 50+ grafts per 1cm2 is good, with 40 being 50% density I believe.

And your comment about a "spectacular" outcome is precisely what I and I'm sure everyone else wants:)

My goal from the beginning has been to get 1 hair transplant that will hold me over for 5+ years and some of the top recommended doctors from this forum have given me estimates of 2,500+ and their before and after photos have been spectacular. Numerous other surgeons have quoted 1,500 grafts, but their photos are not quite as spectacular. So I think a lot of that has to do with the high graft count.

As far as my donor area, I am definitely trying to get that to last as long as possible while also trying to obtain a great result.

Thanks guys for your very helpful comments and advice! Please keep them coming!

Makes sense. Can you post a link to a micro camera? That's a fairly generic term that leads to tons of search results. Thanks