Ramez

Thanks for the replies! I really appreciate it. Gillenator, the point is that I am thinking of using the greatest amount of my donor hair found on the back and sides and transplant them to my scalp. With that, I am taking into consideration that my donor area might look a bit weak (which I don't mind as long as I restore as much as possible of the hair on top). In case it does look weak, I'm thinking ahead and wondering if SMP would be a viable option. I might crop my hair on the sides (2 or 3 guard, not less) and I might leave it to grow. From what most of you have mentioned, SMP works better with a buzzed look (I agree with that); but recently I have found some results online with SMP to donor areas with long hair in order to increase the illusion of density. I've even found SMP done to recipient areas in both men and women with long hair to also increase the illusion of density. What do you think?

Hi everyone, I was wondering if SMP is an efficient way to make the donor area look thicker after FUE and what the disadvantages of this solution are, if any. Would also appreciate if anyone can post some links to such cases to see how they look like.

Very nice! I remember I read once that you use minoxidil on all the areas (crown, mid-scalp and front). Are you still doing that or is it only the crown?

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I'm actually quite happy with how the new hair line has framed my face but wanted a bit more density in there, the front and mid scalp. (I had around 3,300 grafts spread throughout all those areas, with the main focus on the hairline and front and less grafts going back) So I think if things improve an additional 20-30% after the 7 months mark, I'd be very pleased. I would tackle the crown in a future procedure and add some density then to the front if I wanted to. Couldn't handle propecia and experienced side effects after 6 months or else my crown would have significantly improved since I still have some hairs there although very thin and see through. Question: At this stage, can I use a hair/blow dryer in normal (hot) setting occasionally in case I need help styling my hair and probably add some hair product or would it harm the grafts? I believe it would be fine but wanted some additional opinions.

Hi everyone, Can I expect new hair growth after 7 months or is it just the new hairs maturing? Both?

Just wow! Great job. Is he on any medication?

Hey everyone, I'm now 5 months post-op and everything was going well until I looked at the mirror today. I noticed that 2 weeks ago, my head had much more hair and was much fuller. I realized today that it's very patchy and looks extremely thin. It seems that I've been losing a lot of hair these past 2 weeks (seems like native hair). Any idea why this is happening? Can it be shock loss at this stage or what? I look worse than I did pre-op although only 2 weeks ago, I was looking much better! Even one side of the donor area (above the ear) is looking extremely thin. I had some shock loss in that area but it mostly recovered. However, now, it looks really bad. Has anyone experienced something similar? Would appreciate the help, thanks.

Thanks for the advice Bill. I did it with Dr. Yaman who's recommended here. I started seeing some growth at the 2.5 month mark up until around the 4th month where the rate started to slow down a bit. Hoping for more in the future! Regarding the shampoo for oily scalp, and as Dr. Charles stated, I need something mild. Are millet extract, witch-hazel extract and nettle-extract considered natural products? Or are they harsh? Since they are the main ingredients in the Pilfood shampoo so I was wondering if it's fine to use this on a daily basis. Any advice regarding that? Hsrp10, no I am not on Propecia but was on Rogaine before my HT and still am. However, after my FUE, I started with saw palmetto and biotin, so it might probably be because of that?

Hey guys, I'm having an extremely oily scalp and forehead after my hair transplant (it's been 4 and half months since my procedure) and this has been going on for a while. I recall having some oil prior to my HT but not this much; I feel it has increased quite A LOT! I'm hoping this is maybe due to the newly transplanted follicles that come with their sebaceous glands which is increasing the oil? If that's the case I think it's a good thing no? And will the oil affect the transplanted hairs? Anyway, my doctor advised to use Sebamed Everyday Shampoo for the greasiness but I can't find it where I'm at. I found Pilfood shampoo for greasy hair and Lakme K.therapy purifying shampoo. Are they considered mild shampoos and are they any good for everyday use or should I avoid them? Any other suggestions for mild shampoos that can be used on a daily basis to combat the oil as this is becoming quite annoying. (I am currently using Johnson Baby Shampoo and been doing so since my HT)

Hey everyone, I woke up today and noticed that I had some bleeding at a recipient site (I am 4 months and 1 week post-op). So I gently massaged the area and I noticed something that looks like a scab on my finger. Please check images of the bleeding and the scab (or whatever that is) Is that a lost graft? If not, what could that be and why did that happen at this stage? The doctor suggested using an antibiotic ointment on it as it might be folliculitis. Rest of my scalp is fine except for some peeling or dryness. Opinions?

Thanks for your reply and your wishes, much appreciated Will try using a moisturizer. The reason why I thought the weather has something to do with this is because my forehead is experiencing the same as well as my hands. My question is can this peeling negatively affect my hair transplant at this stage?

Hey everyone, After showering, I'm noticing that my scalp and forehead are dry and peeling. I'm now 3 months post-op, I use Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo and Rogaine Foam once everyday before I go to bed. What might be the cause of this? The weather probably or the rogaine? Any ideas on how to solve this?

Hey everyone, I'm 26 and I've had a hair transplant around 3 months ago and been using Xpecia (turkish multivitamins containing saw palmetto) almost since then. I did some blood tests around 1 month post-op and I've recently received the results to check them ( I was not available these past 2 months). Everything was normal except for 3: 1) DHT 2)Prolactin 3)Testosterone. 1) DHT (LMM) - The normal range that is listed on the tests is 0.33 -1.2 ng/ml. My result: 0.32 which is a bit lower. 2) Prolactin (immulite) - Normal Range: 2.5 -17 ng/ml. My result is 33.8 ng/ml which is significantly higher. 3) Testosterone (elecsys) - Normal Range: 2.8-8 ng/ml. My result is higher : 10.3 ng/ml. Note: I checked online and the normal ranges somehow differ from what is written on my tests. I am no expert and I will surely further consult with the doctor who initially said that it is not a big issue. However, I would like to know if anyone, whether physician/expert/patient had a similar experience or has the knowledge to probably explain what the numbers mean. Does that mean it is better if I stop taking Xpecia? So far I have not noticed significant side effects except for maybe some minor loss in libido which I cannot blame only Xpecia or saw palmetto for at the moment. Feedback would be highly appreciated, thanks.

I've previously asked on this forum when it is safe to use Toppik and got some valuable advice that ranged between 2 weeks to 1 month. Anyway, my doctor advised to use it after a month and I did after around 6 weeks just to be conservative. My question is: Is it completely safe if I use Toppik like 3 days a week for a couple of hours at night when I'm out? For example, this week (I am now 10 weeks post-op), I've used it more than usual. I applied it for 5 consecutive days (it was on my head for a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of around 10 each day I used it). I wash my hair daily and remove any toppik before I sleep. Is that ok and will that have any negative effect on my transplanted hair at this stage?

Hello everyone, I've got 3 questions I would appreciate if you can answer. First, after how many days/weeks can I normally comb my hair in the recipient area with a normal comb (assuming I am transplanting in between native hairs, so the comb is running through the recipient where I will also be having ) Second, after how many days/weeks can I aggressively dry my hair with a towel like I used to before my procedure? Third, is it safe to use protein powder after my HT? (pure protein that includes different protein sources such as whey, soy etc... and vitamins, but no creatine or others)

Sorry to hear that Leindub. Could you post some images of your hair at the 1 year mark?

Thanks Bill! Gillenator, I only applied toppik like 3 times before my HT. I have hair and it worked perfectly in showing some density and concealing the thin look... Just washed them out btw! My question is whether it is safe to use them at 1 month post-op (my current state). I've read online that it is mostly safe after 3 weeks, and Bill just re-confirmed that. What do you think?

Hello, My doctor said that I can use toppik 1 month post-op without having any effect on the transplanted hairs. I am not a constant user of toppik but I had hairs transplanted between my native ones and had some shock loss in the recipient area so I want to conceal this thin look. Would like to hear your opinions and your surgeon's advice on this. Also, has anyone used toppik and had successful results?

I started massaging my scalp 10 days post-op and all crusts and scabs were gone by day 13 or 14. I followed the post-op instructions very carefully. I was just worried about a friend rubbing my hair with his hands when it was dry 5 weeks post op but I think it will not have any negative effect at this stage. What do you think?

Hey everyone, I had my hair transplant 5 weeks ago and a friend decided to be funny and rub my hair back and forth for 2-3 seconds in the transplanted area since it was short (he doesn't know that I had a HT). Will this affect my transplanted hair or am I being paranoid? I know that by maximum 2 weeks the grafts are anchored and it would be really hard to affect them. Any replies or professional advice would be really helpful, thanks

Thanks for the feedback Bill. So I understand that while you were on Finasteride, you did not experience any side effects?

Thanks for the help baldbeard! Anyone else who can give their opinion/experience?

Hello everyone, This is my first post here but I'm a regular visitor to this forum. I am 25 and considering starting Finasteride to maintain my native hairs. However, I have some questions that I would really appreciate if any forum member/expert/doctor can reply to: 1- How is it possible that Finasteride causes side effects for some people and doesn't for others? I mean it is doing the same hormonal function (lowering DHT ...) on both types of these people. So how come one is affected and the other is not? Is there any explanation to that? 2- I know this sounds stupid, but as a young man, it is very important for me. Let's say I take Finasteride. I know it may lead to ED, but can this also lead at a later stage to me not being able to have kids? (infertility) 3- For those who took Fin. and experienced sides to the extent that they had to stop, are you back to normal (similar to before you started this medication on a sexual, physical level etc...) 4- How do I cut the Propecia tablets and where do I store them? (since I might want to start with a low dosage) Apologies for the questions and if they may sound a bit silly. Would love to hear what you have to say. Thank you in advance.