djohnson

29 minutes ago, Curious said:

I would not scrub the crusts off until after day 12.  Shampoo carefully.

No, all the crusts have been gone for a few days. It's just short hair, as if I buzzed it down. I know they're going to fall out sooner or later before growing for real, but I was just hoping I could compel them to fall out sooner.

I received 1900 grafts 12 days ago and they all seem to be in tact. I'm told they will all shed before growing again. My questions are:

1. Do they shed all at once, or very slowly on at a time? How long is the shedding period?

2. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process so they go as fast as possible? Shampooing more? Minoxidil?

Thanks.

You're right, "problem" is the wrong word. I guess what I'm wondering if anyone has seen Erdogan higher, more recessed, "mature" hairlines, or he strictly does lower/straighter more youthful ones. (Or whether that's something you can do at your discretion when you arrive.)

I'm planning to get an FUE, and have always loved the density Erdogan routinely achieves. (It also doesn’t hurt that it’s affordable.) But some people routinely complain about too low/straight unnatural hairlines.

It seems to me this is an issue that could be solved in the drawing of the hairline before the process. Does he ever do more mature/recessed hairlines? Can you request this during the consultation, or is the shape of a hairline more a surgeon-by-surgeon preference?

Thanks.

I’ve noticed an increasing number of surgeons offer FUE where they don’t shave the recipient area. But I don’t see many peopling using this option. Particularly on hairline work, it seems like an easy way to disguise the surgery for the first few months as grafts start to grow, and only slightly more expensive in some cases. Why don’t more people do it?

I’ve heard the explanation that it causes shock loss, but I imagine that would occur regardless of shaving or not. And the remaining hair would still serve the same purpose.

Thoughts?

1 hour ago, LaserCap said:

I am curious, given the length of your hair, why not FUT?  

I sometimes wear my hair much shorter, so I'd like to be able to preserve that option. I also seem to have a large amount of potential donor supply, and the surgeons I've spoken to say they can still get essentially the same outcome at the hairline with FUE vs FUT. Do you disagree?

What are your opinions on hairlines from Shapiro Medical Group? On the par with the aforementioned?

I feel like they are more known for FUT than FUE, but hairline work looks nice. 

36 minutes ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

There is no best, but there are several qualified doctors in New York, we recommend Dr. Wesley, Dr. Bernstein, Dr. Feller and Dr. Bloxham. I would at least have  a consultation with the aforementioned doctors to gather some expert opinions.

Warm regards-Melvin

Thanks, Melvin.

Yes, I intend on meeting with all of those NYC doctors. I guess my question was looking for people's subjective opinions of the best, most artistically rendered hairlines. Dr. Feriduni in Belgium, or Hasson & Wong in Vancouver, for example. I'd be willing to travel if it might result in a more natural-looking outcome.

Thoughts on the doctors who make the most consistently natural-looking hairlines? Particularly for straight, fine blond hair. I live in NYC, but am willing to travel if need be. (Here is my current hairline below.)

I want to get fairly conservative FUE, basically reinforcing the forelock and filling in the recesses a small bit. I met with Dr Carlos Welsey, who quoted me 1600 graft FUE. I’m thinking I’ll need a bit closer to 2000, honestly. But I would like to go with the best doctor for my current situation.

Thoughts?

DJ,

 

A licensed physician who prescribes and treats patients with low dose finasteride for hair loss would be best able to answer your question.

How do I find a doctor with such a specialty? I live in NYC. I'm not sure how to search for that specific kind of physician.

Thanks.

I started taking finasteride at the beginning of the year. Before I did, I got a baseline test of many of my different hormone levels (everything was in the normal range). I initially took 1mg and noted fairly immediate sexual side effects. I then lowered it, and stared taking 1/4 of a pill every other day (so basically, 0.125mg). I noticed some occasional sides, but nothing too dramatic. After 3 months, I got my DHT level checked and started taking 1/4 pill every day (0.25mg) and noticed some increased side effects.

I just got my test results back, my DHT level went from 63 ng/dL before finasteride to 12 ng/dL while taking 1/4 eod: 0.125mg. Approximately 80% drop.

My question is, is that an effective drop in DHT, enough to result in the cessation of hair loss? And if so, should I drop back down 0.125mg, or go off of it until the sides are gone before starting back up at just 0.125mg?

Thanks.

I started taking finasteride at the beginning of the year. Before I did, I got a baseline test of many of my different hormone levels (everything was in the normal range). I initially took 1mg and noted fairly immediate sexual side effects. I then lowered it, and stared taking 1/4 of a pill every other day (so basically, 0.125mg). I noticed some occasional sides, but nothing too dramatic. After 3 months, I got my DHT level checked and started taking 1/4 pill every day (0.25mg) and noticed some increased side effects.

I just got my test results back, my DHT level went from 63 ng/dL before finasteride to 12 ng/dL while taking 1/4 eod: 0.125mg.

My question is, is that an effective drop in DHT, enough to result in the cessation of hair loss? And if so, should I drop back down 0.125mg, or go off of it until the sides are gone before starting back up at just 0.125mg?

Thanks.

I'm planning to start Finasteride / Propecia for the first time, and am concerned with some of the side effects we've all heard about. So I'm going to test my baseline levels of a few things before I start to compare afterward. I'm testing for:

Total testosterone

SBHG

Free-testostrone

Estrogen (E2)

DHT

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)

Does anyone know if I need to fast before these tests? Or prepare in any particular way? My doctor seems to be indulging my by sending the prescription and hasn't given any particular directives.

Thanks a lot!

Hmmmm. Im not exactly sure. I suppose it could help with shockloss but then when the medicine was stopped you might lose what you gained. Im sure somone here tried this.

Anyone?...

Here's another question I haven't gotten clarity on regarding Finasteride / Propecia: I was always told that if you went on it for, say 5 years, and went off, you would immediately begin shedding to the point you would naturally be if you didn't take anything for those 5 years.

But I've been hearing people say that you'd actually be exactly where you were 5 years before and just continue the recession as that earlier state.

Is one of these assessments true? Or is it something different?

Just my own opinion, but have you done enough research? Reason I ask is that there really aren't that many solid FUE surgeons in New York. Feller won't touch it, and the only other surgeon in NY worth a look for FUE is Dr Wesley. If it's Wesley, Bernstein, or Dorin, then I assume they are charging you upwards of $9/10 a graft. That is vey expensive. You do realize there are even better FUE surgeons in Belgium Spain and Turkey that cost less?

 

Finally, 1600 grafts isn't nearly enough grafts. With shock los, I don't anticipate a signing ficant aesthetic improvement. Just my own opinion

Yes, it's Dr Wesley. I did do research and have been impressed with his professionalism and the results I've seen. I also understand he's on the high side of price, but I'm sure you can sense my apprehension, so I'm committed to getting the best possible procedure I can find.

That said, price aside, why do you consider those international surgeons better? How best can I compare their outcomes?

Thanks.

I’ve been a long-time reader and researcher of this and other forums. I have an FUE session schedule in two weeks and I’m feeling absolute terror about it. The vast majority of the time I’ve been seriously considering it (2+ years) I want to do it, so I can’t tell if it’s cold feet or genuine concerns. Any honest feedback would be greatly helpful.

Info

-I’m 32 (with a couple thin-haired uncles but nobody up to my grandparents is fully bald)

-I’m scheduled for a 1600 graft FUE session with a well-respected surgeon in NYC. I trust his expertise and that he’ll do a good job.

-I've attached the proposed outline. I’m considering requesting something even more conservative, not extending it much at all, just thickening and reinforcing it for the coming years.

-One issue is that I can’t take Propecia on a long-term basis, due some medical concerns. I realize I may need another FUE session a few years down the line.

Pros

-Potential of a really stable, comfortable hairline for a long time.

-I already paid $5k deposit (but a small price to pay for avoiding a bad thing, if thats the case)

Cons

-Shock loss will leave my hair in an instantly worse condition.

-The progressive recession of native hair will look bad/artificial or worse. (Note: I haven’t noticed thinning of the crown, but if I do lose the top, I’d be comfortable with a bald crown and stable hairline.)

Given how conservative I’m planning this, with the highest density possible, is it a foolish to think a single Propecia-free transplant will improve my hairline?

I’ll post more images below, dry and wet.

Many many thanks.

I'm sorry to hear about you results, harryforreal.

I'm curious to know more about your situation, and if you think the lack of meds was the most serious factor in your unsatisfactory results. How many grafts did you get? And was it just at the hairline, or all over?

Thanks a lot.

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.

That's a good point, robc. Perhaps I phrased it poorly. I just have medical issues that mimic some of the Propecia side effects. So I couldn't effectively treat them, because I'd never know if it was a side effect or pre-existing. Confusing, but that's the deal.

I do use a Nixoral type shampoo and need to look into minox, but would consider long term usage.

Thanks MAGNUMpi,

This is great food for thought. I actually did schedule a surgery over a year ago, but got cold feet and pushed it back. I found myself fairly consumed with my hairline quite frequently, so this surgery is my taking action, rather than continue stressing as it worsened.

Given that I don't want to take meds forever, I could see myself having to another surgery or two somewhere down the road. But I'll be sure to raise the question of adding more grafts to my planned surgery. And yes, I've always had a lot of very fine hair. And over the last few years (I'm 32 right now) there are a lot fewer.

Give en that I'm not interested in taking any medication forever for a number of reasons, I WOULD take it before and after my surgery if there's an added benefit to prevent shock loss or new hairs. Is that true?

Dr Wesley in New York.

Thanks, E39. Do you mean to take the place of additional native hair I'll lose? Or because the transplanted hair doesn't stay as readily without meds?

I have always kept a very natural lifestyle and am not interested in taking any medication in perpetuity. I'm also concerned with potential sexual side effects to the point I've ruled out taking it. I'm getting a 1600 graft FUE session next month and will take minoxidil afterward to ensure the new grafts take hold and to minimize shock loss. But I expect to stop taking in after about 6 months, and never Finasteride / Propecia.

Has anybody done this? And how did it affect your outcome.

Many thanks.