maxhair

If I remember correctly there was a forum topic claiming that some user would take a month or two off every 12 months (I believe) from using propecia to break down the bodies resistance to the drug. After that time off, the claim was that propecia began to work like new again.

Avodart; A question for the MDs, especially Drs Rose and Shapiro

Bill - know anything about this?

Also read my post about Rogaine and wet hair, Rogaine and Retin-A and other info about Rogaine 15%.

Interesting Rogaine "facts"

Originally posted by Bobilero:

You will just end up losing more native hair when you discontinue use.

 

Used it for over a year documented with pics monthly. Absoloutly no benefit. When i discontinued , big hairline shed!!

Not to doubt you but are you sure? Has anyone else had this problem?

I agree with Eman because you are young and you don't know what will happen in 10 or so years. However, look at this guy. Maybe this will give you an idea of what you might be getting into. He has some hairloss but not very much. Apparently he had another HT before this last one and personally I thought he looked ok as is. But he wanted a lower hairline too and I'm sure it will look good.

http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...e-page.asp?WebID=983

Yeah, I'd like to know about this too.

This may be old news but read this on this site..

<http://www.regrowth.com/hairloss-articles/faq_researched_hair_loss_treatments.cfm>

Why can't I get my hair wet for four hours after using Rogaine / Can I use Rogaine after showering with my hair wet?

Wet scalp skin increases the penetration of topical drugs by several times (2x-5x more powerful). Because Rogaine does have side effects, they must attempt to keep you from increasing its potency and thereby side effects. However, if you apply Rogaine and do not experience any side effects, you might try applying it to wet scalp if you want to make it more potent. Be sure you have someone around if you do this since there is a change that you may not experience side effects on dry scalp, but may with wet scalp. If you experience side effects when applying Rogaine to dry hair, DEFINITELY *NEVER* apply it to your hair wet and be sure to follow Upjohn's instructions about not letting your hair get wet for 4 hours.

From personal experiences, I have heard many people who have said that Minoxidil did not work well for them, but after they started applying it to a wet scalp, it started working much better.

Retin-A and Rogaine

When Rogaine is combined with tretinoin (Retin A), the results are significantly better than with Rogaine alone. Retin-A increases the percutaneous absorption of Rogaine and also appears to promote epithelial and vascular proliferation.

Note: I have read that this could be dangerous and may not be worth it. I'm sure it also a very sloppy and tricky application.

All of this may be old news to you guys but it was new to me. Supposedly someone that knows what they're doing needs to mix the Retin-A and Rogaine but I have a prescription for Retin-A and I may see if I can figure out how to do it.

Anyway, happy hair growing!

Ha. You're welcome.

I called the folks at Rogaine today and they said it was ok to apply Rogaine to the scalp and then use other styling products on top of that in the hair. I have curly hair and both the Rogaine topical solution and the foam either grease out my hair or friz it out to the max. So that info was a blessing for me. Just thought I'd pass it on. I use Rogaine on the scalp and then Nioxin in the hair. Nioxin contains DHT blockers. So far having both on has not been a problem.

Danski - Did you have an HT and if so, did the recipient ares bruising or burning go away in that area? I have an HT in part of the area that used to feel bruised and later I plan to have a megasession all over the top so I'll keep everybody posted on this subject.

Best Wishes

How does a doc decide if the recipient has to be completely shaved or not?

It's a personal preference for each doc. Some say they get greater density, it's a quicker surgery, they claim to get less shock-loss and better angling of the hair. Some disagree with that.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO??? DECIDE SOON IF YOU WANT TO SHAVE.

Dr Arocha says that he gets no transection or shockloss, and great density without shaving.

Hasson and Wong say they like to shave because they can see the angles of the growth of hair, pack more densely (I think 50% not shaved, %70 shaved - I COULD BE WRONG ABOUT THIS) and evenly with a shaved head. However shaving with them is an option.

Regardless, here is the obvious. It take less time to do a shaved head because you don't have to move and work around longer hair.

My advice to you is this. Send your photos to top doctors. Tell them you are concerned about shaving and you want to know their thoughts. I could not shave my head, but do you REALLY care that much?? I've seen your pictures. Do you really care?

Contact ALL of the top doctors and cut to the chase with them. I've talked with almost all of these guys and they were good to talk with but you're INTERVIEWING them at this point. Make the best of it. I'm not going to take sides but since I've only had one HT I'll tell you the Dr Arocha did a great job with my existing hair. Just look at my blog.

Arocha

Rahal

Limmer

Hasson and Wong

Shapiro

Rose

Feller

Cooley

Alexander

Epstein

There are of course some other GREAT ones that left off.

Originally posted by Eman:

Here you go...

Yeah, like I posted in your blog, looks great. Forget hats!! Seriously this is going to look good fast. Photo 6 looks great. I can tell the front is going to fill in real nice.

Happy holidays!

I have to use Nioxin conditioner as a leave on product to style my hair. Rogain DOES NOT work well for my hair as a styling product. Without leave in conditioner in my curly hair it looks like hay. If I put rogaine on first, trying to get it to scalp level, and then add Nioxin or any other conditioner into the hair for styling is that going to create a problem? Chemically dangerous to mix? Will this mixing make Rogaine ineffective? Perhaps a rash will form?

I'm going to call Rogain in the morning. Anyone else try this? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

A while back L-Cysteine was very popular for people wanting to grow thick and strong hair and nails. It also made hair and nails grow fast. I used to use it all the time and believe me, it made my nails grow like crazy. Odd thing, I never hear people talking about it anymore. I've started taking it everyday again. Twinlabs makes a product called Hair Factor (which was a bit hard to find) that contains L-Cysteine, Biotin and a 3-1 ratio of vitamin C to L-Cysteine to help activate the L-Cysteine. I also take MSM. Just wondering if anyone else takes L-Cysteine and wondering why it seems to have fallen off the radar for us hair folks. BTW, L-Cysteine comes from many sources but one of then is hair itself.

Here are a few facts about L-Cysteine: (from various internet sites (google)...)

1) The largest single element found in the composition of the hair is L-Cysteine. L-Cysteine is one ingredient your hair cannot do without. Without L-Cysteine, you could grow no hair on your head at all.

2) "L-cysteine is essential for T-cell production and immune system activation. L-cysteine is also a component of human hair (research has shown it can increase hair health and hair diameter)

3) "L-CYSTEINE - Amino acid peptide bond constructing up to 18% of your hair that provides strength, shine and structure. Cysteine increases hair shaft diameter and hair growth density. Foods high in Cysteine include eggs, muscle protein, garlic, onions, Brussells sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, beans and milk. At least 500 mg. of this keratin-forming amino acid must be taken each day to even have an effect on hair. Cysteine is a powerful cell defender that acts as an antioxidant and also contains sulfur, known as nature's beauty mineral. A deficiency in sulfur is characterized by atrophied sebaceous glands which lubricate the scalp from the Essential Fatty Acids. Vitamin C in two and one-half times the amount of Cysteine, Vitamin B-6, and co-action of all 22 amino acids provide optimum use of L-Cysteine. In order for Cysteine to be effective it must synergistically work with ALL other aminos. A missing amino acid is like a missing building block that collapses the entire structure."

4) "Cysteine is a major component of skin, hair, & fingernails. Studies show that cysteine supplementation can increase hair shaft diameter and hair growth density in some cases of hair loss."

I'm not expert but when I was younger and took this common amino acid my hair and nails grew like crazy! Just wondering why nobody talks about it anymore.

Do your research and please tell me if I'm wrong! IT MIGHT HELP THE NEW RECIPIENT HAIRS THICKEN AND GROW FASTER. After all that is the role of L-cysteine. But I'm just a patient and this is just a guess. But like I said I did use this years ago and it did make my hair grow like wild!

You can buy it here Twinlab

Thanks Bill. Yeah, I wasn't worried but man was I happy when I looked at the hairs that were shedding and that they were just hairs and scabs, no follicles. I think us newbies are a bit paranoid sometimes.

Read these threads

"Losing lots of hair 6 months post HT"

"Donor shock loss: when?"

and

Understanding Shock Loss: Definitions

I think some doctors have the opinion that you should use the original Minoxidil 5% eye dropper formula for the first couple of weeks, then switch to the foam after that. Not sure put perhaps the oily-ness of the original might be less harsh on the newly implanted grafts. This is just what I've heard.

We all have different financial situation here on this site. But one thing we have in common is the desire to get our hair back and most of the people here REALLY WANT TO HELP. There are some very nice and giving people on this site. Maybe we could extended that into some concrete assistance. So, I have an idea.

First, I don;t want to start any accusations or bad feelings between us. It has been suggested that maybe some posters are working for some clinics or are getting free work done I'm not accusing anyone because thats is not my style). I have no ill will towards anyone but i bring this up because it might create a problem for my suggestion.

here it is...

Maybe the prominent posters on the board could all band together and start a pool that we could draw from when the time comes for each persons' HT. If we all pitched in $50 (just a first number that comes to mind) a month and gave away about 30% of the total cost to a members HT to posters that are of a certain ranking, it might help people in the situation where having the HT is somewhat needed immediately. This would work especially good in that scenario.

Well, I know this is practically a utopian idea that might never work, but hey I like big ideas and I feel there are a good number of honest posters who are eager to help.

Maybe a paypal account run by Pat or Bill.

Am I dreaming or does anyone else find this intriguing?

thanks fellow brothers

I understand some people like buzzed hair, I myself do when I wear it short, but why do so many of you guys insist on shaving down to a #1 knowing that you have a scar? I know that a #1 looks cool, and this isn't a criticism but can't you live with a #3? In a couple of years after the HT and with enough care of the scar, it might fade to the point that a #1 would work. I know a few things about scars and they can heal almost to a state of undetectability.

Regarding your financial concerns, budget, budget and budget. I cut out unnecessary things like eating out, and trivial things that cost money that retain no value. I know having a family and a mortgage doesn't make it easy but I would save for the $1600 is it meant that to me. Almost everyone has assets that they can part with. I believe with enough planning that you can solve this problem.

Oh, maybe you posted photos already but I would like to see photos of you.

Maybe the prominent posters on the board could all band together and start a pool that we could draw from when the time comes for each persons' HT. If we all pitched in $50 dollars a month and gave away about 30% of the total cost to members of this forum that are of a certain ranking it might help people in the situation were having the HT is somewhat needed immediately. This would work especially good in that scenario.

Well, I know this is practically a utopian idea that might never work, but hey I like big ideas and I feel there are a good number of honest posters who are eager to help.

Maybe a paypal account run by Pat or Bill.

I'm going to start a thread with this subject. Forgive me if I'm being naive here. I don't believe I am.

Good luck LT!

Just from you guys having been on this board for awhile what percentage of HT patients would you say lost a good deal of native hair in the recipient area? I'm in a business that will require me to take promo photos in a couple of months, and without a hat (toppik, toppik, and more toppik and hopefully favorable lighting!). I'm trying to push this back as much as possible but the time frame isn't exactly up to me. Dr Arocha seems to have had good success at avoiding shockloss and transection in his patients but I realize this can also be due to the individual patients own reaction to the surgery.

I have no idea the answer to your question but there are so many things that do cause damage to ones liver. Regardless if finasteride does harm the liver (I have no idea), in general I would research things that do harm your liver and cut as many of the unnecessary ones out of your intake. I cut out drinking alcohol and taking tylenol awhile back, which although this may seem naive, it leaves room for medications that I need or choose to take for reasons such as saving my hair.

Just my two cents...

If you guys haven't already noticed I'm curious about everything. Whatever I do in life I tend to do a lot of research, which serves me well when it comes to things like HTs, but a bit obsessive sometimes.

Anyway, took a close up of a transplanted hair that shed. Mine doesn't curl at the end like some other posters have said.

BTW, did anybody ever do one of those hair scopes that some of those large clinics advertise? If you are so inclined you can buy them on the internet for a couple thousand dollars.

Cool. Thanks guys. Was just curious.

Originally posted by mmhce:

And I just want to be clear that he said 5119 grafts, not 5119 hairs.

yeah...he meant grafts. What Jotronic is trying to say is at 85.31 (FU) per cm2 , this subject had a thick supply of donor follicles in the donor region.

Thanks mmhce. No, I understood what he meant, I was just clarifying in case anyone wanted to refute.

Thanks jotronic for taking the time to post. I don't want to start a flame war but are the any doctors or patients that care to refute what jotronic is saying? And I just want to be clear that he said 5119 grafts, not 5119 hairs.

One photo I would like to see is a picture of 1cm2 donor area (shaved or not) and another photo of a 1cm2 recipient area (a previously bald area immediately post-op and perhaps 9 months later or so). This may be a lot to ask but it would be interesting to see a section of scalp with 50 to 100 FUs units of hair, even if it's difficult or impossible to count. As always, I'm scientifically curious!

Thanks guys, and happy holidays!

First, this is neither a negative nor positive opinion, just merely an observation.

I see in some of Dr Rahal's patients a patchy look in the recipient are after about 10 days. Is the caused by some shedding or does it have to do with the way he inserts the grafts? Is this part of a good technique or something else? I don't see this with other doctors (unless I'm overlooking other blogs)

Once again this is purely a curiosity.

Here are some examples.

http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...pyID=2463&WebID=1019

http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...opyID=2175&WebID=920

http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...opyID=2440&WebID=999

http://www.hairtransplantnetwo...opyID=1440&WebID=713

There might be some more but you get the idea.

Once again this is no offense against these people or Dr Rahal. In fact I find his work one of the best, along with my surgeon, Dr Arocha, H&W and a couple of others.

Answers? Ideas. Explanations? Answers? Ideas. Explanations?

Happy Holiday to all the doctors, their staff and fellow guys and gals on the site including Pat and Bill.

and to you 2000 - 3000 in the hairline guys, I'm going to be checking in on you guys! Cheers!