LaserCap

MPB, alopecia, or whatever you want to call it, is all hair loss. While it is true medical therapy like Propecia and Rogaine seem to be far more effective towards the back, they can still help you with retention. The problem I find, and it has a lot more with people, is the fact that most are under the impression - if they can not see a visual difference - the medication is not working. The medications are intended for you to retain, not to gain anything. In a small percentage of individuals there can be enhancement of the native hair. Thus, when people say the medication tends to be more effective toward the back it is because the patients did experience the noted benefit. The meds, thus, may also be helping with retention in the front. I would encourage you to get on all modalities so you can slow down the loss. (Propecia, Rogaine and Laser therapy and perhaps even PRP). If you do decide to reinforce the hairline area, have the doctor blend some grafts to the area behind it to avoid the "island" effect.

Post photos and I am certain you'll get responses. Temporal recession can mean loss or it can just be maturing a hairline. If you are older, it is likely loss. If very young, perhaps it is in the process of maturing. "Results" is a function of many things. Quality and quantity of native hair, use or non-use of medical therapy, type of pattern, experience of surgeon, design and graft numbers and a multitude of other factors.

Your hair is too short. Let it grow about a 10 days and post another set of photos. Many doctors will err on the side of caution because they're truly are out to protect you. If the "see-through" has anything to do with thinning, you'll thank them down the road. If it's just because of contrast and the length of the hair. the only thing we did was waste 10 days. You are developing into an advanced pattern and, if you've shown the propensity to lose, it is likely this will continue. Are you doing any type of medical therapy? That should be your main priority at this time. Your hairline has receded considerably - and appropriately for the pattern that you have. It is important to keep in mind you want to be pattern appropriate. If you are adamant, for example, to have a hairline in the middle of the forehead you will not only look ridiculous, but everyone will know something is up. Pls make sure to take a photo of your donor. More to come.....

Happy new year to the entire Arocha staff. You do awesome work and expect you'll have a great 2020.

Your hairline is no longer in a "juvenile" position. Not only has your hairline receded, you are also losing in the area right behind it. Please to consider is the fact, if you've lost - you'll continue losing. So the first thing you should do is speak with the doctor about medical therapy. This should help slow down the loss. (Are you thinning anywhere else? It is difficult to tell from the photos you've provided). You are fairly young and should enjoy your youthfulness ASAP. I would start doing research and pay attention to results of patients similar to your own. There are plenty of great doctors/artists our there that can create density from the get-go. What part of the Country are you in? By the way, I would not call your hairline asymmetric. You've lost a lot of hair and only have a few stragglers. When meeting with a doctor and you start formulating a plan, do mention "you do want an asymmetric hairline." Symmetry is not good nor natural when considering transplants. This only results in a "wig" type of look.

Is the number of grafts, as paddyirishman indicates or is it the price you are referring to as "too much." If the number of grafts is what's scaring you, the question then becomes what area(s) are you working? Consider, early in life most believe you have about 100,000 hairs. When you've lost half of that - is when you start realizing there is a thinning problem. On average a graft has 2.2 hairs. So, 6,000 - 7000 hairs is really not very much. It all has to do with your donor availability and the zones you want to address. The doctor's experience will also play into this. Can you post photos? That would help. Why are you nervous? If you trust the doctor go in there with confidence. Did you research him? What exactly did you do? Have you seen photos of his work? How many? Member

Thanks Melvin, Happy New Year, and new decade, to you and to all members of the community.

Typically FUT will range from $3 to $4.50. FUE $6-$8. If you're getting $4.75 for FUE, quite competitive but it does bring up a question. Why give it away? At that price point I am certain the doctor is not the one doing the harvesting. His time is far more valuable than that. Did you ask who would be doing the work? I would do a a few more consultations before making a decision. Something does not smell right.

Ca you post photos? It would be interesting to see where you are at this point. Through the years I've consulted with many patients in similar circumstances. Rushing into surgery is not uncommon. It seems, however, little to no education was provided initially. So my first question....To what do you attribute that only a third of the grafts grew? Did you have any native hair to start with? Were you doing any medical therapy at the time? The next thing I see - the clinic offering a touch up. So, if you had 3300 grafts and only 1100 grew, I would say that's more than a touch up. Were they admitted something did happen, was that only to appease you? During that particular meeting - did you speak directly to the doctor or the consultant? (It makes a huge difference). How long after the initial procedure did this happen? Oh, where were the grafts placed? When exactly did this procedure take place? During the initial consultation, did they discuss a second procedure? Do you know anything about the doctor and his experience? Where did he learn to do this? I ask because, not too long ago, it was believed a separation in between grafts was needed for survival. Seems this is exactly what happened. Opinions as to the caliber of the hair really have nothing to do with how apt the doctor is at his craft.

Everyone around me kept telling me I was losing my hair. And of course, when I accompanied my wife to the salon, the owners would make a big deal about it. "C'mon" they said. And there I would spend another $60 only to have my hair washed and have some Rogaine slapped on there. How ignorant are we to believe that would take care of the issue. A one tripper...ha.. I would then go home and my step mother would get some avocados and mix them with God knows what. I did look ridiculous but it seemed to make everyone happy. Of course they were concerned but I just didn't care. My grandfather was bald and I wanted to be just like him. An incredible man he was. But then one day, out of the blue - had just lost my job - an opportunity came to be in the industry. And eventually I was told, "how can you help others understand if you have no hair." 25 years later I find myself in covers of guidebooks with a decent set of hair. Looking back,.....wearing glasses, balding.....crooked teeth, (just kidding).....I can empathize with young guys going through this. Does it build confidence? Of course. Overall I think that most become aware of the situation by looking at photos. It is an awakening for sure.

Saline every 30 minutes? Perhaps overkill. You can keep washing daily pouring baby shampoo on the area, (you can gently tap but don't scrub) and rinsing with the cup method. You can also gently massage the donor area and the sides. On the 7th day, get in the shower, let everything soak and scrub away. You'll probably be left with a few persistent crusts. Do the same thing the next day and that should do it. No need for a moisturizer. Finasteride, excellent idea. (Stay on the med). Rogaine is systemic. By putting it in the crown, (or anywhere else), it's working your entire head. Continue using it. Avoid using shampoos that contain alcohol. This dries your scalp and that's when flakes begin. Baby shampoo should do just fine. Don't apologize. The more questions the better.

Contact Dr. Arocha. I've seen this done and they do an awesome job.

You've been consistent with Rogaine for 3 years. All of the sudden you start shedding drastically?..hmmmm. Have you been stressing over something? I would visit with a hair transplant group and ask to be seen by the doctor. After an evaluation, perhaps, they can find the cause. I am afraid a dermatologist will just look you over and offer nothing. Perhaps they'll recommend you stay on Rogaine. You could also go to a PCP

HOLD IT! For how long were you on Finasteride? What was the side effect? Have you been consulting with a doctor? Perhaps they recommended taking the med every other day? So you've gone from a 3, (add a transplant procedure and you have virtually a full looking set of hair), to a 6, (now you don't have enough donor to accomplish a full looking set of hair). Consider it takes a full year to get Finasteride out of your system. Once the hair is gone, the hair never returns. I would not only stay on Minoxidil, I would add a laser. I would also give this a year before doing anything. Post photos. It would be nice to see what donor you have. I am not sure what you are trying to accomplish. What are your goals? If you are planning on only one procedure.....do nothing. Go on vacation, take a cruise...forget about the hair.

You are in a GREAT position to do so. You are a moderator. I am certain you can approach any doctor and have them do it for FREE. You will be promoting the results for a long time. Have you thought of which doctor to do it with? You could even film the whole thing. That would be helpful to many in the community.

Gill, I am sorry to hear this. Make sure to check in with the doctor as prescribed. We have a long history of cancer. My grandfather, uncle and other family members died from it. My dad also had colon cancer. Eventually I will also die from it. Check-ups are HUGE. I am curious to learn how you found out about it. I'll keep you in my prayers.

How you scar is a function of wound healing and has little to do with the doctor. OK, let me rephrase. There are a number of techniques available to a doctor when it comes to closing. He can do stitches under and above. This helps keep tension down. He can also do a trichophytic closure. While this has little to do with wideness of a scar, it can help hair grow though so as to minimize the "look" of a scar. Almost like a camouflage technique. So, at the time of the evaluation, the doctor will check your elasticity among other things. He will then decide what technique to use that will benefit you the most. Or, he will do what he is used to doing daily. Talk to him before the fact. Two things come to mind when I read your post. One, how do you know your donor area is weak? In what regard? 2nd, why consider buzzing your head? The idea of doing transplants is to have more....not less. Perhaps you should consider SMP. Do you have any childhood scars? Most of us do. They tend to dissipate. So what if "they" can see it? Tell them you went to war. You'll be a hero. (Don't tell then which war)!

i could not get passed the first sentence. To think you are stable at 45.......I've seen cases where the patient thought the same only to observe years after, this was not the case. He ended up with a less than natural looking pattern. OK. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since you are a strong 6 and do not seem to be demarcating. I have homework for you. Go to the mall and look at the way people lose hair. Particularly those with patterns similar to yours. They'll keep a strong forelock, perhaps a bit of hair right behind it, but an empty back. I would get started with that in mind. A year later, you can adjust. At least you'll have a pattern appropriate result. You indicate you have retrograde. Unfortunately your hair is shaven and it's difficult to discern. Grow your hair for 10 days and post. This is a concern particularly since you mentioned the area affected is around the ears. (That's the area where the finest hair is found. It is typically where doctors harvest grafts from to work the hairline area). Why not try medical therapy? Perhaps you can enhance some of the very miniaturized hairs. It could help you in the long run.

Did you have FUE or FUT? It does make a difference in the answer. The rule is, right after a procedure you can walk. 7-10 days after, depending on how conservative the doctor is, you can go back to cardio. 25-30 days - you should have no issues. With regards to weightlifting - If FUT, avoid exercises involving the neck as this can cause the scar to stretch. Do push-ups instead, as many as you want. You can also do leg-presses, etc. Sweat, by the way, is OK. That will affect nothing.

NO. Are you doing any type of medical therapy? What's your family history of hair loss?

No, why should it? Thinking about it though, it may be more coincidental. I would look at family history first. And would let my hair grow for about a week. Check what the Norwood pattern is, if there is one). You can then continue shaving all you want - and stop blaming the loss on the razor.

You are a young guy and have a long way to go. And as I always say, if you've shown the propensity to lose, you will keep losing. But, if you've shown the propensity to keep, you'll keep keeping. At this time there is no signs of anything. Yes, you are maturing your hairline, but this is a natural process. Keep an eye on things, take photos every year and notice if there is progression. If so, consider medical therapy. You mention falling hair. That's shedding and it's normal. Most believe 100 hairs a day is normal. (The follicle gets tired of producing hair and it takes a vacation. After a dormant period of about 3-4 months, the hair returns. So, if you see hair on the floor, sink, pillow cover, etc, don't sweat it). You also mentioned thinning hairs. Hair miniaturizes, dissipates and eventually will disappear. That's hair loss. With regards to the very front of the hairline, realize there are what I call stragglers in that area. The very front will be very fine and the caliber will augment as you look farther back. All normal. Consider, if the hair was really thick, it would look more like a wig and unnatural. Don't freak or stress. While this is not the cause of loss, it can prompt hair to go away sooner.

I understood. The point is, at this time you should not see any type of change. And it is too early to discuss density. Its the way you wrote the post. I am sure others will misunderstand.

Listen to Melvin......

I can understand and empathize. Here is the problem, Most are quite gingerly when it comes to hygiene after a transplant. I understand you just spent X amount of money but, more than that, it has to do with not wanting to damage anything. I get it. The issue, however is that bacteria is prevalent in the area. Not washing after 7 days can actually lead to infections and other issues. PLEASE..get in the shower, let everything soak and scrub away - if there are any crusts left. You will not hurt anything. By this point the grafts are integrated into the blood supply. Honestly to start worrying about density at this stage is utterly ridiculous. Consider it takes 3 to four months to start seeing any type of growth. And the growth, mind you, will be so "weak" it is doubtful you'll notice anything. At 6 months you'll see a change and at 12 months you'll noticed a matured result. In some cases, even, it can take up to 18 months to see a "final" result. Post in 12 months and then we can discuss density based on results.