About 4 years ago my hair started to go. It was pretty startling. I would run my hair through my head and I would have a handful of hair. I tried Rogaine with zero results. Started using anti DHT shampoo and add some extra vitamins to my regimen (namely Viviscal and biotin and DHT blockers) It definitely slowed down the process but didn't stop it unfortunately. I always wore my hair short and spikey so it was fairly easy to hide it in the beginning.
in 2016 I started using hair fibers so I grew my hair out a little longer.
In 2017 I panicked and went the system route. I paid a hefty amount of $$ for a particular Italian system that did not require you to shave your head. It cost as much as some transplants. It was pretty much an immediate fail. After a couple of months with it, I decided to shave the head and go that route with the system, another immediate fail, only worse. On the way home from the first attempt, I noticed discomfort on my head. Thought nothing of it because I was new to shaving my head and wearing a system, Well, I woke up the next day ran my hands threw my hair and immediately noticed I was in pain and my head was having a reaction too the glue, the whole system was wet. I immediately went back to the salon to take it off but 1 whole day and the damage was done, it literally burned my scalp. I had to wear a system with a special tape that facilitated healing the burns for quite a bit. I only recently stopped feeling discomfort from the burn. It was so bad it literally burned my head bad enough that I have small spots that do not have hair where there was hair before.
This pretty much solidified the transplant procedure for me. I, much like many I have read about and watched on Youtube, have stopped going out unless I can wear a hat. I am a very social guy but this has been pretty debilitating. I think because it all happened so fast. I am lucky enough to own my own small business so I can wear a hat to work every day. While my decision started a couple of weeks ago to start the journey, the actual journey starts in July of next year. Praying something opens up before that , I would take a cancellation in a heart beat, and that my hair grows fast!!! lol I have a destination wedding I am attending next year and I very well may cancel last minute. =/
Here's what I am dealing with right now, i just shaved my head. Notice the small areas where there is no hair in the front, particularly right above the temples. Even the girl who put my system on noticed them. Been a rough year for my head, but reading all the posts have made me realize its not permanent.
I am scheduled for 2500 grafts. God willing 1 session can be all I need although I know that's not realistic. My hair grows fast so I am hoping that's a good indication of how the transplants grow.