robc

Give it a shot with the low dose, I think most of the side effects are psychological. The Fin just lowers DHT not your overall testosterone levels.

Hi Hairless,

I can only speak from my experience, but really happy with my decision to do 3k FUE with Dr Vories over a year ago.

Uses smallest punch to extract given the situation usually about .8 for Caucasian, does all the extraction and incisions and placement. It is a lot of work and having been through it I can see why most Docs don't want to do it, but my yield was excellent and he does the work himself as he cares about quality results. If wanted to shave my head no one would know I ever had a HT.

I know Diep has quality results, but a buddy from this site told me they put you under so you are unconscious during the procedure so who would know what really happened??

Excellent result here, nice density for 1800 grafts!

Dutchie,

I agree with the previous poster who suggested growing your hair longer on top...maybe scissor cut the top to 2.5 -3" and shorter 3 or 4 guard on the sides.

That said, I understand to being happy with the yield although very natural looking.

95% of my growth was done by 6-7 months, so IDK about more growth after 1 year.

Just curious if the libido returned after you went off the Fin? If not, maybe is issue was just getting a little older.

I know my Libido started to wane around 40.

The HT looks very good, like said could maybe do a small FUE for the crown if desired.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I think most people here are going to suggest getting on finasteride, or at least a topical DHT blocker. Otherwise getting a HT makes no sense as you will just loose hair behind what was transplanted.

I know Vories in SC does a lot of AA hair transplants and is about $5.00 per unit. AA hair in normally less dense than Caucasian hair so good news is you won't need as many grafts for coverage typically.

With AA hair, the better doctors will test grafts to make sure that the curl of the hair within the dermis can be extracted successfully. I would ask about this when talking to various doctors.

Hope this helps...

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/183806-how-hair-transplants-grow-mature-pop-dr-blake-bloxham-feller-bloxham.html

here is a link to a good case study and explanation. Everyone is different, my hair matured faster than this example and I think you will also.

Pavan,

man, this really looks good for 4 months and you seem like a pretty fast grower as I was.

The next two months will be where a lot of maturing and growth takes place and I would guess you will be at 80-90% or so at the 6 month.

This is going to look great in a couple months and Vories always packs the first inch or so of the hairline so you wont have the see-through.

I still have a few hairs coming in at 10 months. You can check out my thread and see the 4 to 6 month difference

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/183573-did-3000-fue-dr-vories-3-4-16-a-2.html

Hi String,

It is smart that you want to do all you can to protect you HT investment. I've been on Fin for about 7 years and along with other things(minox, laser, Nizoral) feel that my hair loss was stabilized.

I started doing TRT androforte 5% cream daily for Australia about 3 years ago and used it throughout my HT and I think I got as good a yield as can be expected.

My test levels went from 490 to 700 ng/dL with 14.6 pg/mL free, so pretty decent for being 56 but not super high either.

Nizoral a couple times a week is a mild topical blocker. I use the laser comb for circulation and scalp follicle heath also.

I'm not an expert, but I would think you will be fine as long as T levels are not too crazy and you keep up a good regime.

Hi DJ,

Not sure what you have against using minox long term. I would suggest using a hairmax laser comb a few times per week, it worked for me and helps with blocking DHT and getting nutrients to the follicles, no need to spend 2=3k for one of those caps IMO. I would also consider Nizoral type shampoo, and topical DHT blockers.

But if you are really into natural, just go bald naturally...Nothing natural about a HT. Just saying....we are fighting nature, not sure there is a natural way to do that.

Hi WM,

everything looks normal to me, It took about 2.5 weeks for most of my scabbing to go away. I wouldn't worry about the small areas where there are no scabs. I had those also, will look normal once the final hair grows in.

Just hurry up and wait for you now. Happy growing

BTW houtex88,

I think the proposed regimen, is right on the money if you are wanting to avoid fin. I did the Nizoral also/ don't know much about the coconut oil, but a massage with it a couple times a week can't hurt.

Biotin 5000mg everyday

- Take Saw Palmetto every few days

- More water intake/exercise/better diet (more greens and vegetables)

- Nizoral Shampoo every 2-3 days

- Coconut oil twice a week

- Rogaine 5%

- Laser Cap or Laser Comb

No way a laser comb or hat does the same as propecia. Nothing does more for loss than propecia but the risks are in my opinion high. The reports on propecia I believe to be false. There are more people that experience sides than 2%. Of people I know in my personal life it's rare someone does not have side effects in fact it is almost 90% of people I know that tried it.

Jon,

Have you ever tried using laser comb or therapy or just assume it doesn't work because of what you read from some people?

I started using the comb as I wanted to take action against hair loss and didn't want to take fin due to possible sides/ health reasons.

I wish the laser was available in my 20's and If you struggle with hair loss and don't/can't take fin you are stupid not to spend a couple hundred and try it.

I know it worked for me, at one point my cord broke and I went about 2.5 weeks without using it, my head started itching and feeling like crap again, started the laser back and head felt good again. It probably won't grow new hair, but will increase the health of scalp and thickness of miniaturized hairs and control loss or at least it did for me for the past 7-8 years.

Also, I'm Caucasian western Europe dissent, light brown hair and was always pretty fine, everyone in my family is fine hair.

My FUE doc typically uses .80 punch or less for donor, needed to use .85 in my case similar to what he uses for Hispanic men.

My only explanation is the laser comb as I have been using over my whole scalp for years.

Maybe I'm the rare bird that it works for, but I doubt it.

Laser therapy worked for me and I would suggest trying it. I still use a 7 year old hairmax laser comb. Does the same thing as the cap, you just need to work it though the hair on your own, I think you can get them for about $200.00.

My scalp immediately felt better, has a similar effect as propecia. I doubt you grow much if any hair. The goal of all of this is to minimize loss.

I had to use 1/2 pill of the pain med prescribed and that took care of the itching. Maybe some advil etc might help.

I wouldn't have been able to work otherwise, it drove me crazy also.

Hi Meno,

The shock-loss risk they are talking about is with the natural/native hair you currently have in front. My frontal situation was similar to yours and I don't think I had much shock loss. You may lose a little, but 3k grafts is plenty to give you a great look.

If you talk to the doc and feel comfortable , just do it. You are going to still be anxious about it if you wait 6 months. I was anxious up till the time they started do the procedure. I"m really happy I did the HT, about 7 month in right now.

Hi Just HT,

I have fair skin also, took about 4-5 months for most of the red/pink to leave completely. Sucks I know, just need to be patient and ride it out.

looking good at 5 months Voxman. I like the idea of keeping the hairline conservative also.

I think it took about 2 weeks for the scabs to heal and maybe a week for most of the pain. My donor area itched had pimples for at least 2 months though.

Partial doses of the pain meds and Advil will help the itching. Good luck on your recovery,

Thank -you Pavan, Yes I had a lot of swelling also, it just lasts a few days. The worst thing for me in the first two weeks was itching. I took partial doses of the pain meds and that help me get through it and still be able to work.

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress!

Attached pictures of up close hairline and one month prior to the HT. For those interested.

I have to say, most of my goals and expectations have been met.

Still see some short and fine hairs that need to grow and mature so can only get better.

looks like a very nice outcome for this case....Nice work Dr Vories

I slept the night in a hotel then drove home about 5 hours the next day, no problem, I could have taken a 5 hr flight just as easy.

Best to where one of the blue surgical caps, very loose fitting. I had them give me a few before I left. I would wear these for 10 days.

most docs say sponge head shampoo 2-3 days post op.

no workout / heavy activity 10 days.

I would say 30 days or so for sun, that head is going to red enough. Good luck.

PH,

Looking good esp for 4 months. Seems like you have a very good yield. Some of my strange growing hairs areas seem to be falling in line and becoming more manageable.

Nice things to come I think.