NewHare

Feeling stubble on your scalp is quite normal, especially because all hairs go through cycles. 10% of your hair is in telogen (or resting) at any given time. When they finally begin to grow back (anagen), you will likely feel stubble. And thankfully, hair goes through the cycle at different times, otherwise, we'd go through a significant amount of time being bald before all of our hair starts to grow back. But because of this, you will likely always feel at least some stubble. I feel it on my head when I actively look for it. And I haven't had a hair transplant in many years now.

 

As for your results, I'm sorry you are disappointed. Did you post your before and after results somewhere?

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

Thank you for clarifying that Bill, thats something I never really considered. I know the hair goes through telogen and anagen but never thought about there being stubble. Though I never examined my head to this extent before either.

As to the results, I haven't posted any B&A photos as of yet. Though I will attempt again to get a few clear photos to post.

NewHare,

 

I understand that you are still feeling stubble, which is quite normal since some hairs may be still growing in or even growing back after returning from telogen or the resting phase. But what I'm a little unclear on is whether or not you're saying that you haven't seen significant growth from your hair transplant and that at 11 months post-op all you are feeling is stubble. Now that is definitely not normal and I would encourage you to discus this concern with your hair transplant surgeon. Do you have some photos to share with us?

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

Hi Bill, no sorry if I wasn't clear on that. I would say of the hairs that did come in. Most came in, in a timely fashion and continued to grow to proper length. So, yes of the hairs that did actually grow most grew to length, however a small percentage did not and have remained just stubble. The stubble is mostly if not all in the crown and has remained that way for some time now. This is what I was asking about in my post. What if anything can be done for the hairs that have remained stubble ? And will they eventually grow ?

As to as you said 'significant growth' overall the results IMO are quite disappointing. I see no real difference in density and the hairline where fu's were placed in front of 'plugs' to camouflage are sparse, make little difference and look very unnatural. But this has nothing to do with the stubble issue. The overall results and the stubble are two separate entities, and not related. 1. Of what grew in, a small percent has remained stubble. 2. The results overall have been very disappointing, irregardless of the stubble.

I did attempt to take photos, but they came out poorly and did not show much. Blurry, unfocused, ect. I will try again.

From your comment - "I understand that you are still feeling stubble, which is quite normal since some hairs may be still growing in or even growing back after returning from telogen or the resting phase" - are you then saying that even at 11 months it is still normal to feel stubble ?

If that is so, then thank you, as you answered my question as to whether they will eventually come in and properly grow to length.

NewHare

Hi Chris, yes I do believe it was previously discussed. Though no one really addressed what if anything to do.

What actually causes this ? And what to do to correct this ? I was hopeful the docs here would have some further insight into this issue.

I believe this topic was touched on however what to actually do if anything and the why of it I don't recall were.

I am at the 11 month mark and can still just feel stubble. It seems to be mostly if not all in the crown area, which makes it harder to judge and see. However it appears the grafts have broken through but stopped growing (?). I had work done in both the frontal third and crown.

What if anything can be done and why has this happened ? Will it stay this way ?

I tried to deal with it up to now hoping it would eventually self correct, but in the last months I've come to the conclusion that they may never come in.

I'll just add that in general - and acknowledging this being subjective - my results have been very disappointing so far.

What can/should I do ?

I was just about to post the very same thing. I'm at 11 months and although I can't see them I feel what appears to be stubble in my crown.

Will these ever grow ? And what causes this to happen ?

I've had multiple procedures and never noticed this before. I'm wondering if it has to do with scar tissue from past work.

Thanks for the response Bill. I'd be very interested in knowing if a doc could make a determination if I were in fact a bad candidate for ht, or was it just poor technique by the doctors I went to. I see no point in going through this again, after two very disappointing procedures.

I've had two ht's in the past few years by two coalition drs and at least in my opinion the results were less than satisfactory. And have had four prior to that for a total of six. The first four (80's plugs) actually grew in well.

I'm wondering now if I could just be or have become a 'poor grower' (is that even a word....) anyway, if that is the case is there a way to actually determine this as I'm contemplating another procedure. However if my results are similar to the last two I see no point to the expense and time expended.

If so, exactly how would a doctor determine this ?

Thanks...

here's the quote he said to me a while back..

 

 

You can absolutely still sport a "Caesar" hair style after a hair transplant procedure. In fact, it would make us hair restoration guys look like heroes because the style lends itself to a very filled, covered appearance! Haha.

 

I'll tell you why you don't see it though: it's a style guys use to generally camouflage their thinning or non-existent frontal scalp. We see guys with a Caesar pre-hair transplant during consultations all the time. One of the most common things they say is: "I want more style options than just combing all the hair forward to cover up the thinning in the front."

 

However, you absolutely can still chose this style if you want to. BUT, you don't have to if you don't want to. You should have a number of realistic style options post transplant.

Thanks Wwiizzkkiidd24... very interesting response from Dr Bloxham.

I've been sporting a Caesar style for that very reason. But more options would be great.

One thing though, he didn't actually explain why hair combed forward creates more of an illusion of density than when combed back.

I actually had this question answered a while ago by Dr Bloxham and your hair combed forward creates more of an illusion of density then it would combed backwards because of the natural layering affect the hair takes sort of over lapping each other which makes it look fuller. so in short yes you can.

That's interesting. I always thought combing it back created more of an illusion of density. Maybe if Dr Bloxham comes across this thread he could elaborate further. As creating the illusion of density is why we are all here...

NewHare,

 

And we are going to do an "update" on everything soon. All three of us have really come a long way with the technique even since officially announcing it a year ago, and we'll start really sharing some cases, publishing papers, and sharing some scientific presentations.

 

If you'd like to send me some images, I'd be happy to look everything over and see if I think mFUE would be good for you in general.

 

Hope this helps!

Sounds good.... I'll look forward to seeing those updates. As a year has past you should have some interesting results in.

BTW, I sent you an email with photos for you to look over.

NewHare

Having just had - in my opinion - my last FUT, I'm looking to other methods. I was of course considering FUE however as the yield is questionable I started considering MFUE.

Other than Drs Feller, Bloxham and Lindsey what other clinics offer MFUE ? And if not why do you suppose more clinics haven't taken an interest in MFUE ?

Good solid advice..... thanks guys.

The hardest part is the waiting !

I recently had a procedure in January (1500+) into the frontal third. I would like to further add to that. When can I safely have the next procedure ?

Thanks...

Thanks Dutchie !!

According to this site a terminal hair growing in place of a stuck telogen hair is quite normal and shouldnt cause a hindrance:

 

hair biology - hair follicle growth cycle

 

 

 

 

 

Same here. And I dont wanna try and pull anymore out for fear of losing possible grafts.

 

I also noticed however some of them seem to fall out by themselves over time.

So I'm gonna just wait it out

Ditto... I'm 3 mnths out and can't really tell if they are grafts that haven't fallen or are grafts starting to grow.

And I'm still not clear if the fu's that haven't fallen out are in any way hindering new growth.

I have vigorously shampooed but to no avail. They are not going anywhere. And as Dutchie said I will not pluck them, I'm just concerned if they are a hindrance.

If the graft hair is still stuck in the scalp at 2 months or more post-op, it's undoubtedly dead hair and agree that it needs some massaging to remove.

 

Let's also remember that once the transplanted follicles go into their dormant phase, they will rest for approximately 3 months before entering a new growth phase.

I have a similar situation, my question is. If these hairs/stubble don't fall out do they in any way hinder the growth of the new hair ?

Having thousands of fu's as we all do it would be very hard to determine if all the hairs have actually fallen. Are we then losing a portion of our fu's ?

Having done some further reading here I'm wondering if the slower /none growth of my existing hair could be considered a form of shock loss ??

Though the hairs are still present but not growing. Or not growing as fast as they had prior to my procedure.

NH

Having had multiple procedures I feel my scars over time have become more noticeable. And is something I need to address. Do any clinics offer scar revisions / trichophytic closure ?

As to revisions what is the overall success and satisfaction of those that go that route ?

Thanks, NH

Thank you for the replies guys.

Dr Charles I was referring to all existing hairs, including the donor. The donor is most noticeable to me, as I can still feel tiny stubble, which at this point should be at least an inch or so long by now at 2+ months out.

Thanks, NH

I'm noticing my existing hair post op is now growing much slower. I believe it used to average about 3/8 to 1/2" per month. Yet since my procedure 2 mnths ago it is basically where it was on the day of surgery.

The hairs/stubble at the donor area are not much longer than the day I left. I wish I had, but I didn't actually measure my hair so I can't say exactly how much if at all it has grown. Though on appearance it doesn't seem much.

Just to clarify, I'm speaking only about my existing hairs, not the transplants. I should add I had a no-shave procedure. Though of course the donor was shaved.

Also I am on both Biotin 7500k and MSM 3k

Is this slow growth at all normal for 2 mnths out ?

Thank you all for your opinions, insight and advice.

Yes being striped out I was fairly settled on fue, however after learning of this new approach I will wait and see if it will in fact provide better results.

Dr Bloxham, thank you for that very comprehensive reply. I will look forward to your updates and further presentations. And yes, I will certainly plan to meet with you in the next few months.

NewHare

I'm fairly stripped out at this point and considering MFUE. What are your opinions on this technique ? Not hearing all that much about it positive or negative.

As for my current situation. My back donor section is pretty tapped, but the sides are still somewhat intact. 1-2k would help.

Great coverage for only 2500+ grafts. Nice job doctor.

NewHare,

 

Yes it certainly can. It took my last strip approximately 8 weeks or so before all of the scabbing was gone and the scar was tender for at least 4 months.

 

We all heal at different rates and this especially true for a strip scar. Staples were used on my last procedure and will never have that type of closure again.

 

But each month will show improvement and eventually you'll be back to normal.

Thanks Gil, 8 weeks and 4 months are far more than I had expected. But as you said we all heal at different rates

Thank you both...

Gil are you then saying that scabbing can stay with you for well over a month (maybe even two) ?

As long as this is considered normal I guess I will just have to wait it out.