newhair7

Thanks, will keep you posted.

Thanks Gillenator for the reply and encouragement, Yes, I have been applying aloe on the scar every night. I have been continuing with the minoxidil 1x/day for the shock loss as I do not want to take the chance of disrupting any potential progress that has been made under the skin so far. If I am thinking this through logically (and please correct me if I am wrong), since I have been using it this long, it's best to continue to use until things cycle their way back to (hopeful) recovery. Since a few weeks after the procedure, I have also been applying the minoxidil 1x/day to my crown each evening, which is where the majority of the grafts were placed. I did this in hopes of encouraging faster growth of the grafts as well as maintaining the small amount of existing hair already there. Of course this was prior to realizing the initial reverse effect that minoxidil can have, but at this point I feel that I should continue to use it and ride things out, just like the donor area. So far I have seen very little improvement in the crown (if any). I know it's early, but have to wonder if this will also be delayed due to the minoxidil use. My understanding is that it also takes longer for crown results in general, so maybe the timing of both together will be ok? Time will tell, and will post the results.

Hello, I just wanted to post an update as I said I would regarding the donor shock loss progress, in case it adds any value for anyone else. I am going on 3 months this week since my procedure. My donor shock loss concerns that I posted a little over a month ago were related to both the loss of hair above and below the scar line. While the hair below the scar may have improved a slightly (hopefully will continue to improve), I have definitely noticed some hair regrowth just above the scar over the last week. I have posted a photo that I took today, which can be compared to photos in my previous posts. I have been applying minoxidil to the donor shock loss area 1x/day. I was originally doing this 2x/day, but per Gillenator's suggestion I cut back on this. I am very inclined to agree with Gillenator that minoxidil may initially actually increase the level of shock when it is happening, even in the donor area. So far, most of the hair regrowth around the donor has been above the scar line where I have not been applied minoxidil (I have only been applying it below). So this has also made me wonder if minoxidil can delay the regrowth of shocked hairs? At any rate, I have found it very helpful to take photos every week or two. Sometimes it's hard to notice change when it is slow, but looking at photos has helped me to see the changes over time that I may have not noticed otherwise.

Hello, I am 9 1/2 weeks post op from a crown procedure. Since shortly after the procedure, I have been able to feel a decent amount of stubble when I run my fingers over my crown, which I am guessing are grafts that never shed. The stubble feels the same today as it did weeks ago. I have scrubbed my hair many times with shampoo, but the stubble still remains. Is there any reason that this stubble would be just sitting there and not shedding nor growing either? I thought I read that sometimes grafts go into the resting phase and do not fall out until the new hair finally grows and pushes them out. Is this true? For the record I have been applying minoxidil to the crown for the last 6 weeks or so (although I am guessing that has nothing to do with any of this). Any feedback on this is greatly appreciated.

Yes, definitely makes sense. Thanks again. I will post progress periodically in the event it helps others in any way.

Thanks Gillenator. Last couple of questions if you don't mind: I have been using 5% foam twice daily for the last several weeks. Do you think that reducing this to once a day at this point will have a negative effect? When you say have a 'reverse effect' if I stopped, you mean a 'delayed regrowth', not a 'permanent loss', correct? Thanks.

Gillenator, Thanks again for your reply, very helpful. The interesting thing about my donor strip is that although I have had several small procedures a while back, they were never fully ear to ear. So the area in the last photo (the end of the strip) is the first time a cut was made this far to the sides. Most of my previous scar from 8 years ago was taken out and then the cut extended ear to ear, which the exception of an area that was too low to remove. It actually feels like I actually have more scalp laxity at the ends of the strip than anywhere else. I guess we will see... Regarding minoxidil: While the general consensus seems to be to apply once there is evidence of shock loss, I cannot help but feel you may be correct in that minoxidil can increase the level of shock when it is happening. Of course I may never know for sure whether this is playing a role or not. That being said, I am now going on 7 weeks since my ht, and I have been using Minoxidil for the last 4 1/2 weeks at 2x per day (a little longer than previously thought). In addition, the shock has definitely slowed down in some areas, and (dare I say) stopped in others. So I am wondering if at this point it makes sense to stop, or keep using and ride it out? Or maybe cut back to 1x per day instead of 2x? Uggh, so tough to know...

Thanks Gillenator, I would say the scar is approx. 3 millimeters in the widest areas, although some of this may be redness (tough to tell). On the other side of the strip, the scar is much finer, at about 1 millimeter. The general bare area I am referring to is the few millimeters just above and below the scar line. It seems to be about the same width as the vertical sutures that were in place before they dissolved (maybe 7-8 millimeters). This bare area seems to be most pronounced in the last inch or so of the strip on the left side. I have attached a photo and highlighted the area (between the red lines) that I am referring to. This area is approx. 7-8 millimeters (with scar in the middle). Is this the area that you said should improve? Not sure if it matters, but a trichophytic closure was used. Sorry if I am being a little paranoid or over the top. It's just been a long time since my last procedure and I do not recall seeing this before, but those procedures were much smaller. Thanks.

Thanks DrJosephitis, Yes, the surgeon said the left side had a tighter closer. He also had to cauterize with an electric cautery in a couple of areas due to bleeding, which I am sure did not help from a shock loss standpoint. Unlike this side, the other side of the strip looks really great. The thing I find a little odd is that the area a few millimeters just above and below the incision line is very bare with very little hair (see attached close up photo with hair lifted up). But maybe this is common as well at this point? From your experience, can sutures cause permanent loss of hair, or is hair loss from sutures usually temporary?

First off, I wanted to say how much I appreciate all of the great info as well as helpful advise I have found on this forum. It's great to see so many take the time to help each other. I had a FUT 6 1/2 weeks ago of 2500 grafts. Prior to this, I had several smaller strip procedures (combined total of 3200 grafts) with an 8 year gap in between this recent procedure and the last one I had. After many years I finally decided to attack the crown area (I have also been using Finasteride for many years, which has helped to maintain the hair I have). At any rate, over the last 4 weeks or so I have seen continued thinning on one side of my head below the donor scar line, which I am pretty certain is shock loss (but please confirm?). The photos attached are from a few days ago, and it has become slightly worse since these pics. In addition, I have noticed that there is very little hair (very bare) a few mm just above and below the scar line. I do not recall having these issues with any prior procedures. About 3 weeks ago I started applying 5% Minoxidil 2x per day to the thinning part of the donor area in hopes of minimizing the shock, as it has been suggested that this can help. My questions for anyone that can reply: 1. Since Minoxidil is also known to initially shed hair, is it possible that using this has actually made the shock loss worse? Or does shedding from Minoxidil only apply to miniaturized hairs? 2. Is it common to see a thin, bare area a few mm just above and below the incision line. This seems to be different than the general shock loss, but maybe it's also due to shock? 3. I had dissolvable sutures. They seem to have fully dissolved, but there still appear to be some red marks from the sutures. Can these sutures also cause shock loss of hair (or permanent hair loss) around the scar? Thanks in advance for any replies.