LaserCap

More than 20 years.

5mg and quarter the pill. Sometimes the 1mg but depends on what I can get and at what cost.

Thanks for your input. Everyone take note. Not easy work - and it is not for everyone. The surgeon does make a big difference. Before you do anything, consult with Dr. Arocha. Review the website and the photos. It is about results after all. More and more I've noticed how patients tend to go to the clinic closest to them. Nothing wrong with that if the doctor is a good one. But consider traveling. Dr. Arocha is the middle of the Country and should not cost much to go there. Consult with him. Skype if you have to.

transplantedphil is absolutely right. Consider it takes a full year to truly see results. So, if you are new to the industry, you'll want to wait a good year and start making adjustments. This will continue in the ensuing years until you get natural results. Every doctor has to go through this. As far as your hairline goes, I actually like the design. Nothing wrong with staying conservative. The farther back you go, the farther back the doctor can go. Keep in mind, as well, hair grows forward so, by definition, your hairline will be lower than what the doctor designed. I also note he blunted the corners which is good. Just make sure you discuss staggering with him. A hairline is not a straight line design. I do question the number of grafts. You are thinning your entire front and part of the mid scalp. Seems as if he is only going to work the hairline and perhaps 1" behind it? The issue is - you've lost..and will continue losing. Best to do more and have the doctor blend grafts towards the mid scalp so there is connection. And, more importantly, get on some medical regimen to help you retain the native hair. Can you share family history? I venture to say you have some advanced patterns in there somewhere. Do some research before making the final decision. View photos of results. Once you find one that you like and that is similar to your own case, then consider. Nothing against the doctor you visited with, but he does not have enough experience. At least ask him who he trained with. Did he do a fellowship? Find out.

I have been taking Propecia for more than 20 years. I also do a laser. I don't do Rogaine only because I find it to be too cumbersome. And, while I have not done PRP, I have seen great results. It can bring grafts in sooner, for patients that have done a procedure, and can reverse miniaturization of the native hair. The issue, however, many don't know how to do this properly. Stem cell research, when it comes to hair....hmmmm. I think we are too early in that process? Perhaps others can chime in and give their opinion. Have you been reading the opinions of our members with regards to Propecia? Some are quite fervent and quite eloquent. And then you have the internet. Great tool but a lot of misinformation. Do your research and view hundreds of post op results. It is all about the results after all. When you find one that you like, and it's a case similar to your own...get at it. Try meds (Propecia, Rogaine, Laser, PRP) for 1 year. The results will guide you. If "amazing," continue. If you look the same - the meds did what they were supposed to do. If you lose, then get off them because they did nothing.

STOP!!!! Do you have family history of hair loss? What classification do you think they are? Who did you have your work with? Did you have a consultation prior to the procedure? What did they say and what did they recommend? Did the doctor you get on some kind of medical therapy to help you retain the native hair? In today's world many people would rather not take Propecia. Fortunately there are modalities out there external to you, (Rogaine, Laser). You could even opt for PRP. (I did read you have a hairmax. USE IT. And do Rogaine at least once a day. Do it at night so you don't have to bother with it during the day. Why do you think you are going to be a 7? Again, check family history. But let's consider....Say you decide to do nothing and you do end up a 7. When a doctor does work, he does not work in spots. He will work uniformly through a pattern until he runs out of grafts. Thus, if you do end up all the native hair, you'll end up with a diffused look and never be completely empty. The issue with this, however. is the fact that class 7s do not lose hair this way. A 7 will typically keep a bit on the forelock and some hair right behind it. That's it. So my suggestion, if you're not going to do any medication, is to have the doctor place grafts in such a way that you'll end up with an age appropriate and pattern appropriate work. Oh, but wait. You had grafts already...and some in the crown? Without doing meds? Who the hell did your work? GET ON MEDS!!!! If your crown expands, which it will...You'lll end up chasing the pattern. You'll waste so many grafts I doubt you'll have anything else for down the road if needed.

That's exactly what all doctors involved in the industry do. The doctor typically works with magnification and he can easily see the separation. The problem, however lies with the patient. Most patient now-a-days prefer not doing any type of medical therapy. Many reasons for this, including misinformation on the internet. documented side effects, and just plain loathing. As I often write, if you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. Thus, the doctor works in and around the native hair. You go on to lose the native stuff and now you're left with the transplants only. Did not make any headway density wise, but at least you will never be completely empty. By that point you'll have used a good percentage of the donor area and perhaps even elasticity, (depending on the technique you use). Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP are the modalities we typically discuss when dealing with this debilitating condition. The mechanism of action of each is totally different and you'll experience synergism when used simultaneously. Please get on something if you haven't already. Then visit with the doctor and see what he recommends.

Awesome! Just like his native hair! Great work.

Just call and ask! Higher frequency, less material - to call it that. I know of doctors that do a much greater amount and do it every 3 months. I know of others that little at a time every two weeks. To use the same volume and just change the frequency makes no sense. But like I said a the beginning. Most don't know what they're doing and are not being successful. Perhaps one day everyone will get together and change notes. It will truly help those that need it. At the end of the day is about helping humanity.

If they are doing them that frequently it kind of tells me they are not doing much per time. Perhaps a syringe size. My first question, have you seen any results from the transplant? If they did enough you should. When you first spoke with the doctor, did he tell you how many sessions would be included with your first purchase? Call the practice and find out what their protocol is.

Should have been done at the time of the procedure. This will typically help bring the work in sooner and also help with reversing miniaturization. Did the doctor not suggest this to you? But now...you can get started at any time. How often after that? It depends. Do you know how much they'll be doing? (a syringe size, or greater)? Call and ask how much blood they typically draw. Do they use anything to bind the PRP? I will also ask they show you photos of results. The problem with PRP is that only a handful of doctors have found the "right way" of doing things. Most are getting 0 results. It's like the old West, every man for himself. I honestly do not expect any change until everyone comes together to compare notes.

It can be fixed at any time. Smart to do it at the time you're doing something else - and take advantage of the opportunity. Typically the hair type in that area is specialized. That is, there are no other areas with exactly that caliber hair. Thus, the doctor must harvest from an area that will yield permanent hair but also finer caliber. In the old days it was the nape. But since FUT was the only thing available, scars became prevalent. Not only that, you also had to contend with retrograde. Now that area is behind the ear. This work requires great skill and artistry. It is not easy blending a different caliber hair with what's existing and make it look natural. Choose your doctor wisely and after much research. Review photos, particularly those of cases similar to your own.

300.....600......scattered? Grab a piece of paper. Draw a dot at the end of one page. Go to the other end and draw another one. That's scattered. I'm afraid 600 grafts is going to do absolutely nothing. Mind you, the grafts will be there and will grow but, unless they're grouped together to achieve something, it will be just piece of mind knowing they're there. Keep in mind, 600 is eyebrow work.

Tough subject and a complicated one. If the doctor is a good one and straight as an arrow, I am sure he would offer some type of guarantee. The problem, however, there are too many variables to contend with, including the patient. First, what is the guarantee on? Growth, density, that medical therapy will work? Some of these are out of the control of the doctor. There are exceptions. If the patient has done everything the doctor has asked, and the results are poor, some type of concession will come into play.

Shedding is quite common at the beginning. Many freak out and stop all together not realizing this is normal. The body is trying to figure out what's happening and will shed the hair. Once it figures out the new agent is trying to help, retention begins. Recommended use, twice a day, (you're getting 100% of the medication). Most will do it once a day as it is labor intensive, (you still get 90% of the medication). The medication tends to be effective for about 7 years and then loses some of its steam. Many think it's not longer working and stop all together as they'll note some shedding. Don't stop. Those who do will shed drastically.

It's your hair! Treat it as such. Avoid shampoo that contains alcohol. This dries the scalp and that's when flakes begin. Baby shampoo should do the trick. You can color your hair all you want. I would allow a hair dresser to do it however. It may cost a bit more but they're the experts when it comes to this. I know of cases where a guy ended up burning his scalp because he didn't follow instructions. Going rate for this, by the way, is $35 - $60. Keep a keen eye on shedding. If it increases, add Laser to the mix. Not sure for how long you used Propecia. But, if it was for a lengthy period, you'll end up losing what you would have lost had you not been on the medication. This can take up to one year.

Can you post photos of your entire head? I am particularly interested in seeing the top and the back. Are you dipping? Any signs of retrograde? No meds? You are asking for trouble. I gather, if you're a six, you have some native hair around the perimeter of the crown. Go ahead and put some grafts in that area, you gradually continue dipping, you've just created a smile in the back. We call this "chasing the pattern." You'll end up little to no donor - and will be stuck for the rest of your life. I understand not wanting to take internal meds given all the hoopla, but get yourself a laser, maybe even Rogaine. I have homework for you....Go to the mall....Look at people with a pattern similar to you. A true class 6 does not have hair such as you've described. Look also at a class 5. They have an empty crown, have a strong forelock with some hair in the mid scalp. That's what you should be trying to accomplish so that others don't give you a second look. It's amazing what having hair in the middle and the top can do for people. And, keep in mind, we all share a weak back due to the whirl. Honestly, I would get on meds, stay on them for a year. See what you accomplish and then decide what to do. This may give you options you don't seem to have at this point.

Dr. Arocha in Houston, one of the few doctors I know can give you density in a single procedure. Go to his website and review photos of results, particularly those resembling your own case.

It is imperative you get on something. Rogaine, Laser...Perhaps PRP at the time of the procedure. PRP will help not only bring the grafts in sooner but can help reverse miniaturization. You are doing a good job covering. What's the rush? Why not give the meds a chance to see if they'll work. And, if they do, you can then move forward with the grafts and perhaps even change your hair style.

If the work is good...it is likely they'll say, "have you lost weight?" If it's bad...they'll glance and say nothing. For the keen observer, "wow, look at that hair!" you can reply, "Rogaine is amazing." if the work is REALLY bad, then fess up.

The hair on your temples is far "finer" than hair elsewhere. It is so specialized in fact, it is difficult to match. Behind the ear is where most doctors will harvest from. One of the issues I have with FUE is the fact that when grafts are harvested, they're all placed in a petri dish. Go to different doctors websites and you'll note that the harvesting area ranges from top to bottom and from side to side including the area behind and on top of the ear. Unless properly classified, grafts are intermingled and placed randomly throughout the pattern. Thus, you have coarse grafts where finer-hair grafts should have been placed. Time, I'm afraid, will do absolutely nothing. The best way to get rid of this is either electrolysis or laser. I should point out these grafts are quite sturdy and will probably take a number of visits to get rid of them. Hopefully it's not many. In respect to the grafts placed on top, use gel, etc to manage. Hair will eventually develop a memory and do what you want. To prevent recession, get on medical therapy. Propecia, Rogaine, Laser.

Oh, I see.... The sites the doctor makes are very superficial and have not effect on the "inner bulb" as you call it.

There are two types of loss. The one you see and the one you don't. The one you see, shedding, is normal. Most believe 100 hairs a day is the norm, (the follicle gets tired of producing hair and it takes a vacation. That follicle will resume doing its job in 3-4 months). Hair loss, however, is hair you don't see. Go under a bright light and look at the hair in the temporal areas. You'll notice strands that are nice and robust. Others are finer and some are so fine you can hardly see them. We refer to this as miniaturization. The hair just dissipates and withers away. Your hair is lengthy and it's getting in the way. I am unable to see if there is loss elsewhere other than the crown. If it's crown only...I do think you have a couple of options. First, meds. Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP are the modalities we typically discuss when dealing with this debilitating issue. The mechanism of action of each is totally different and thus, there is synergism when used simultaneously. Fortunately, most tend to show benefit in the crown. Be careful however....... I find most people measure success by visualizing. Obviously if there is more after 6 months, everything worked. If you look the same, the meds did nothing.....WRONG! Meds are intended for you to retain hair. So, if you look the same a year later, the meds did what they were intended to do. (The unknown here is whether or not you would have lost anything in that time period). The meds are not intended to regrow hair. Nothing regrows hair - except a transplant). If there is a visual improvement, it is because there was enhancement of the native hair. Meds need to be continued to maintain the effect. If you start taking them, stay on them. Getting off them only results in waste of time and money. You'll resume losing as if you'd never started the medication. 2nd option is to do a transplant. Go to the doctor and find out how much donor you have. (To get decent density, it would take multiple procedures. We call this area "the black hole." It can truly eat your lunch). The issue here is, if later you start losing elsewhere and you're out of donor, you may be stuck and not able to address the issue. Give meds a good year....then decide. This is the most logical way to proceed.

No, it's just like going to the barber. The hair will continue growing.

While I understand what you are trying to accomplish....it is a mistake. Let me explain. If you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. So expect the recession and all other loss to continue. Thus, if you only work the temporal areas and nothing else, potentially you'll end up with a couple of horns. So, medical therapy is imperative. Blending grafts to adjacent areas not only keeps everything connected, it will add density to that area as well - which you seem to also have some weakness. Typically, when the doctor is making recipient sites, (using a very sharp instrument), he'll inadvertently cut the native hair, (give you somewhat of a haircut). All that hair will just continue growing naturally.