Fahri

I often wonder if after years of using regaine, how my hair would be without it (awful I imagine, given previous stories) Also if I had a procedure, is my current hairline my 'real' and truthful hairline, I say this as if I let my regime slip at any point after a procedure I could (in my mind) end up looking rather unusual with parts thinning out and not in keeping with any newly sculpted areas. The above dawned on me the other day, when I reflected on some good procedure stories/pictures. In some ways my head of hair without any regaine would be the best to work with, as it would tell the honest picture of my hair in its natural state (even though that doesnt bear thinking about) that way a procedure would build up all of the genuinely thinning areas properly. If that makes any sense to anyone I'd love to hear your thoughts.

This is 100% the route I would take also, and for the same reasons. I often wonder if after years of using regaine, how my hair would be without it. Also if I had a procedure, is my current hairline my 'real' and truthful hairline, I say this as if I let my regime slip at any point after a procedure I could (in my mind) end up looking rather unusual with parts thinning out and not in keeping with any newly sculpted areas, if that makes any sense.

Such a difference to your first pictures, I would be so happy with your transformation, thanks for sharing!

That the most impressive and informative summary of finasteride use Ive read to date, nice work. Im scared to 'find out' if Im ok with using it, or whether i'm in that minority, its far too much of a gamble for me. Some great pictures of the procedure, would love a hairline like that, thank you for sharing!

Thats looking really good, as you'd expect, very positive 😀

Thank you for sharing, some great pics & impressive coverage! Looking forward to seeing how you progress.

Im glad you feel the same, its reassuring to know that as many are big advocates of propecia. Im mid 40's and use regaine which has helped massively, I just darent go for the fin, whilst I accept that it most likely will be fine I have read that some people dont bounce back to the man they were before, if they experience sides that is, I read on here that sometimes these things can go on for many years which is too much of a risk for me. Good points on the Norwood scale, I believe Im pushing towards a stage 3 vertex, as in the wrong light my hair looks awful then sometimes after the hair has been washed it can look amazing, frustrating and strange. Farjo in Manchester UK have looked at my hair and discussed planning for future operations and were the only clinic that didnt bang on about finasteride use, although any clinic is set to gain from more transplants over time this is true. Thank you @UnbaldEagle I do hope so, I believe many of us are apprehensive about finasteride. I had considered this, although a similar post on here (should be able to locate with a search) reveals some users experiencing side effects that have continued many years after ceasing their course of medication, its really made their lives worse. Thanks @Melvin-Moderatorthats reassuring, I honestly did not know that, it makes complete sense I guess. I wasnt sure to what degree the fin was needed, to help keep the new hair in as well as maintain the areas that are thinning. Good to clarify! Thank you for posting this, I found it really useful, I imagine others will too. @TheDarkHourif you can, do stick with the minoxidil (Regaine?) as from my own personal experience I have found it to be great at filling in some of these areas. Its a subtle improvement but sometimes that's a big change for us, to see even fine hair where there was none. My temples and crown are the key areas too. I believe I'll be taking the same route as yourself & Melvin, for mental clarity & stability of mood, libido etc.. its a safest trade-off. Im also reassured by the new techniques to use beard and body hair if donor is limited, which could be a possible future scenario. Thanks for bringing Clascoterone to my attention, I knew topical fin equivalents were in the pipeline so its good to see one on the cusp of release. The price looks a shocker per month, although that should come down when the licenses change/expire.

Hi folks, had anyone any thoughts or life experience of this scenario please? Clinics always recommend a course of fin, as I’ll need more procedures over my lifetime without. This seems a fair trade off when I weigh up possible side effects, however I’m keen to read others life experience of this too. Many thanks in advance 🙏

Absolutely amazing, a dream result!

Looking SO, SO good, thank you for sharing!

Awesome result! I would be over the moon with such dense hair, your hairline is impressive. Hats off to using Fin too, I cant bring myself to cross that bridge, great that it works for you.

Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your experience and knowledge on Fin guys, its greatly appreciated. I think Ill go down the route of some others who have the FUE and get 5-6 years from it, I'd hate to lose libido and sense of well being, risking the mental effects etc.. too. Not worth the gamble for hair, which falls behind mental health.

I appreciate your information regarding propecia/finisteride, as its a worry for me. Many use it with no issues, but you dont know if it'll affect you till you try, and it could help me or hinder - it looks to be doing a sterling job for you tho! Thanks for your kind words of support also, its in the pipeline for me, pulling funds together!

I really enjoyed reading your story from page one to now, thank you for being so open with us all. I would be over the moon too, your hair transformation looks fantastic! Your eventual use of propecia interested me too, as this is a step I daren't quite tackle.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, its much appreciated. Your transformation is inspiring, you must be over the moon!

Im really impressed with your procedure and progress, thank you for sharing! I was particularly inspired by your decision not to use propecia, as its always mentioned in relation to a procedure. Im fearful of using it, but feel some comfort seeing how well you look without having ventured down that road.

Great stuff, thanks for feeding back

Thank you for the info on the meds, its appreciated. How long have you been on the finasteride and how are you finding it please?

Looking fantastic, please could you clarify any meds you use to assist?

Thank you @ciaus, thats reassuring to hear! Im going to check the thread, read and absorb. I appreciate you flagging it. I do need to get a reassessment at the clinic with the zero meds stance, and gauge opinion.

Thanks for the link @Maz_a, good to chat for sure. A good read & train of thought in the link there too, cheers. Even though not as advantageous perhaps, it is safer long term which appeals to me greatly. This seems like the most likely route at this time, I don't want to tread water for too long as I know time is of the essence. Its definitely one of the toughest decisions any of us could make. I've added a few pictures of my hairline, its not the worst but it could be a lot better, when I look back to how thick it was when I was younger. I'm like you, and cutting it short. Regarding self confidence, I think this is linked even though life's knocks can affect this on its own. I think its more the weight and realisation that we're ageing and leaving behind perceived 'youth'. Some are cool with this, and many like ourselves have a bit more trouble accepting it. I agree that I'd rather have a clean balding look than patches of 'procedure' hair around my hairline, consistency is important. My donor area isn't too bad, not intense but there's some mileage in it as I'm told in my consultations. Its how it performs over the years if I press on with a procedure without medication. I appreciate nobody can answer this one. Interesting that @Melvin-Moderator, has had a procedure and isn't using finisteride, I didn't know this, thanks for highlighting. That sounds promising, Ill check the site for any write ups he may have done. Keen to learn more. Thank you @Taken4Granted, I appreciate your honesty there, Im sorry to hear that you experienced some adverse effects in your journey from the medication. Its trial and potential error in the small minority, Im stood on the precipice. Thank you @Curious25, I think a medical viewpoint is the way forward. At least then I'll know, or have a little more information. Ill give the docs a call Monday morning. You've given me a bit to think about there, additionally/frustratingly the best hair I have is facial hair. Give it a week and I've got the makings of a great beard, its ridiculous. Its exciting to see what clinics like Eugenix are doing for people with much less hair than I have, and from what I can gather (anyone correct me if Im wrong) does transplanted hair from the donor region stay strong and not shed long term as was the case with the hair it is replacing? (genetic programming). On your ending note, sleeping well and knowing Im not potentially screwing myself up inside or in my head/positive mindset is so important.

Im with you completely @Maz_a, you have summarised it all very well. To have the benefit of the medication without the worry of a side effect is the holy grail, for many medications I guess. I'll have to accept fate soon, or take the leap. Eugenix do seem to be able to work a degree of magic with less of a donor area which is impressive, seeing some of the examples on here has given me hope. One of the chaps isnt using finisteride either, and has added images of a great procedure. Food for thought.

Thank you, @ciaus some good points there, and yes the mind can conjure up many things and make them seem real. This ties in with your thoughts too @Maz_a, I appreciate the human reflection, its extremely valid. I hate sitting on the fence, as Im usually quite a decision maker but the potential health aspect has slowed down the process somewhat. I was about to buy some finisteride a while back when it showed a few links to do research before buying and thats when the doubt set in. There are many shady sites peddling fear I agree, but these two seem pretty solid and I would say aimed at the minority. https://www.propeciahelp.com/ & https://www.pfsfoundation.org/ The facts and case studies are an eyeopener, and not what I wanted to read in a way.

Im blown away by the transformation. Its very kind of @paddyirishman to share the whole procedure and updates. I was fearful of clinics further afield aside of some in Belgium/America and Canada, but wow, Eugenix certainly have got it nailed. Im intruiged by the decision not to use finisteride too, as thats a route I would prefer. Great stuff. As @Fluffhead mentions, if you have time an update would be greatly appreciated. Best regards

Great info re medication as Im apprehensive about taking it yet know it could be the key, thank you