LaserCap

Typically, patchy results are due to doing transplant on a patient that's suffering from a condition, say CCCA - for example. Both the patient and the doctor are aware of the situation and all is discussed prior to the procedure. The patient, by that point, has exhausted all options and is just looking to improve the detrimental irregularity. The doctor is just trying to be helpful and explains there could be little to no improvement. I recall a case just like this some years ago. Fortunately for the patient, the take was far more than anticipated and the patient was thrilled. Don't get me wrong, it was not perfect, but she now had different styling options. Some doctors, given their experience, will send patients away because of conditions other than hereditary ones. These patients need to rely on some kind of medical therapy to help them with retention and to p erhaps "prompt" the hair to return. Cancer patients, in my opinion, could really benefit from the use of a laser. This type of treatment prompts the blood to the area...with the concept of...more nutrients, more growth. I've seen many cases like these through the years. You have to realize the donor area is very limited and finite. These area does not "grow back." So you do have to treat each graft like gold. Thus, if you have a transplant, (hopefully the grafts were not placed in the middle of the forehead), stay put. If the outcome was less than desirable, get another one. The first procedure only serves to add density to the second one. The only time I suggest removing grafts, (surgery, laser, electrolysis), is when grafts are placed just too low on the forehead, or when grafts are placed on temporal areas, sloping down/not blunting, (similar to a woman's hairline), on a male. In the overall scheme of things, this is not common....much less now that the process has improved. Over-harvested donor areas are tough. I am assuming you are talking about FUE procedures. If so, SMP and grow the hair longer. I guess you could also do an FUT at a later time. By taking a segment, a lot of the FUE "sites" would disappear, but you would end up with a linear scar. I guess it all depends on the circumstances, elasticity, and all factors typically involved in a hair transplant procedure.

It depends. PRP, no PRP, medical therapy, none, etc..... But..... Sometimes the hair will start growing from day one, (from day of transplant). This only means you are about 4 months ahead of everyone else. Most believe the hair will start growing at about 3 months. The problem is that most people can't even detect it because it's so fine...and it's blending with the native hair, provided the patient has any. At about 6 months, mostly because of the length, patients can start to appreciate a change. 1 year is typically the time it takes to mature. But there are rare cases in which there can be improvement up to about 18 months. So, if I was a betting man, I would say 2 years. If you add PRP to the equation, you could see full growth in less than 1 year. Laser and other modalities? Perhaps a bit less.

Precisely!

Yes he did. We are both certain he would have lost a lot of hair by now. Has amazing hair right now and has never experienced side effects.

It happens. The problem is, you just don't know. Consider there are millions of people on this earth. We are all similar but yet so different. When speaking specifically about hair, some may loose early, some very late, some non at all. I've met with 16 YOs with little to no hair left. I've also met with patients in their 60s who recently started thinning. But, as Gillenator points out, family history does play into this considerably. If the writing is on the wall, get ready. I think it would be smart to start a medical regimen. The fact you are thinning diffusely should prompt you to get going. And, if you have a lot of hair that has not left the building - even more so. You still have the opportunity to reverse some of this miniaturization. Give it a year, which is the time it takes to find out if the meds are effective. Three things may happen. You may end up staying as you are, which means the medication is working. You may end up worse...Meaning the medication did nothing and you continued experiencing loss, (at that point just get off the meds and do nothing). Or, you'll get some enhancement, (the shaft of the hair improved)..At that point, by all means, continue the medication. I'll tell you about my own son. My grandfather was totally bald. My dad only has the front forelock and nothing behind it. My case is very similar. My son is now 26, never experienced loss. At 20 he started taking Propecia. Has not had any loss. What we don't know is...would he have had any loss in the interim? Don't know. Most of my loss occurred at 26. Regardless, we both know it's going to happen so we agreed to be proactive. (He does not want to look like me). My suggestion is to consider the meds until you get some kind of proof you are experiencing retention. If you do, you will continue doing so for as long as you take the medication. Lastly, I'll tell you....Many doctors do take this into consideration. Many are not willing to do transplants until the patient is in his 30s. They want to have an idea what the pattern will be.

Nice write-up. Dr. Gabel is a great surgeon and an awesome individual. He is a stickler for cleanliness and doing things the right way. Are you doing any medical therapy, (Propecia, Rogaine, Laser)? Seems you had native hair to start out with. If you can prevent further loss and perhaps even enhance the miniaturized stuff, you may also end up with a fuller result. Patience, it truly takes a good year to see the full result of the procedure. You may want to start taking photos as this will eventually become you and forget what you looked like originally.

SMP can be done at any time. Would I do it prior to an HT? No. While the doctor does work under magnification, I think this would impact his overall approach to the procedure. Typically this process is done using organic ink which is metabolized by the body. Eventually if would go away. A legit place that knows what they're doing will probably do it several times to intensify the result and avoid from a patient returning because of too light of a result. How long it lasts is a function of how the process is done, how many touch ups are included with your initial visit, and how quickly your body metabolizes the ink. Check around for pricing and ask where they learned to do the process. Some may tell you it's SMP when in fact they are doing a tattoo with permanent ink.

Rogaine, Propecia, PRP, Laser. Rogaine you can find OTC, there are several manufacturers. Should cost you about $10 per month. Propecia/Finasteride. You need a prescription. Costco on Line has it for $14, (cash price, no insurance), for a 3 month supply. PRP, consult with your local hair transplant doctor. Laser...There are several out there...including Chinese knock-offs. These can range between a couple hundred to a couple thousand depending on what you're looking for and how much you want to invest. Lastly, SMP. This is an organic ink drawing on the scalp and it helps to minimize the contrast between the color of the hair and the color of the scalp. A word of caution....most people expect....and become disappointed when they don't see a difference from using the medications. The meds are not meant for you to grow anything. Rather, they help you with retention. So if a year from now you look the same as when you started, the medications are doing what they're supposed to do. Some patients can enhance hair. Meaning, the caliber of the hair improves. Seems like re-growth but it isn't. Nothing regrows hair.

You have 3 strikes against you. First one....Dark hair light scalp. Second, Lengthy hair weighs and it pulls away from the area making it seem worse. Third one, gel clumps the hair together. So a couple of suggestions.... Trim it. There is a particular length where all hairs seem to work together and make it seems as if you are fuller than what you truly are. Ease up on the gel. Lastly, comb to the side. Shingling is what creates the sense of layers...this results in a much fuller look. Yes, from the photo you've submitted it seems you're thinning. Are you doing any type of medical therapy to help you with retention of the native hair?

What's the reason to do a procedure? To look better, more confidence, etc....People understand these things. If you are worried about people will say or do, I wonder if they've done something already or made fun...So what? Unless you are doing FUE, there will be no shaving. The doctor prefers long hair so he can see the angle and direction it takes. And, if you are doing FUE, it will be a high and tight haircut which a lot of young guys are doing now-a-days. You know what I would do? I would tell everyone you are getting this done. And, if you hear anything with regards to it, you'll unleash the wrath, (just kidding). But being up front may take care of things.

Seems like nice results. I emphasize the word "seems" only because of the quality of the photos. First set, great. Second set, horrible. And while I know this is unintentional, the overall thought is someone is trying to hide something. Is it the lighting? The lens? Not sure but fix it. This does no one any good.

You may want to start by doing research on the doctors. Why not call the clinics, once you've picked 3-4, (look at photos of results)? You can ask about their specific backgrounds and where they learned to do transplants. Some of the stories out there are truly incredible. Unfortunately there are so many "new" doctors out there that have little to no experience, other than to have read up on hair restoration at their local library.

The medication is systemic. Regardless of where you apply it, it is working the entire head. No need to rub it all over, you are just wasting it. If you are doing the foam, a cap full is all you need. If you are getting enhancement, I would encourage you to continue the use. Only a small percentage of patients notice a visual change. This means you are a great responder. For how long have you been using finasteride? It typically takes a full year to see the full benefit.

Let's take it slow and one thing at a time..... Typically you'll see the most results, (from medical therapy - like Propecia), in 12+ months. There are two types of loss. Shedding is normal. The follicle gets tired of producing hair and it takes a vacation. Eventually, in a matter of a few months, the hair starts growing again. Miniaturizing is the second type of loss. This is the type you don't see. The shaft of the hair changes, gets thinner, does not grow as well and eventually dissipates. So, if you saw shedding, that's normal. Most believe 100 hairs a day is normal. The medication does not regrow anything. It can thicken the miniaturized hair. Some believe this is regrowth, but it isn't. The goal of all medications is to help retain. If you look the same a year from now, the medication did what it was supposed to do. A small percentage of patients do get enhancement. If so, take it for as long as you live because you would be considered a great responder. With regards to transplants and loans...First PLEASE do tons of research. Look at photos of results and try to find cases similar to your own. Do several consultations. With regards to the loan....What stage do you find yourself in? Are you about to get married, have kids, etc? I think we all have different responsibilities. If you are single, unattached and have no one to report to, I would consider your transplants now. At 26 there is a certain level of maturity so that should not be an issue. Why not keep up with your youthfulness? 1300 at $6500....For some reason this bothers me. Less than $3? for FUE? Why are they giving it away? Again, do the research.

Yes, that's pretty much what they look like. If a graft had been lost - you would have known. Lots of bleeding.

It is all about helping people and provide a platform for all to share their experience, positive or negative, and to hold the professionals accountable for all they do. If we get to help one person, the whole thing is worth it. I feel very fortunate to be part of the group and I am humbled by the daily input from all members. Tons of hours of experience are shared daily. Truly awesome.

Thanks, correction made. Thanks Melvin for catching it.

What awesome the patient has. The curl gives more lateral coverage. Is the patient on a medical regimen? (Propecia, Rogaine, Laser). By the way Doctor, are you doing PRP?

Arocha in Houston. Call them, they can tell you.

Great word. One of my favorites is mirken. Give it a year. You still have ways to go. Hopefully you are doing some medical therapy. Seems you have a lot of miniaturized hair you may be able to enhance.

So you had a bad transplant, what exactly happened? Can you provide photos? Many people, particularly those with al large balding pattern and little to no donor are opting for SMP. I think they do it mainly to create a sense of a hairline. This helps to frame a face and it actually looks good. In your case however, it is to address what you feel is a mistake. Consider, SMP is an organic pigment the body metabolizes. Eventually you'll have to do it again to keep the effect. When there is hair, it helps to minimize the contrast between dark hair and light scalp. It can also help camouflage a scar. I am afraid, however, if you plan on shaving, this will look more like a collage than what you are truly trying to accomplish. The fact that others are OK with the scars they have, that really does not mean that you will. It all depends to the width, length etc. I am sure someone with a smiley face in the back of the head all across the back would have a few choice words to say in comparison to the individual that perhaps had 200 grafts a a very small linear scar. If your scar is long and wide, you can have the doctor re-excise. The problem here is the doctor has little to do with the way you heal. This is a function of wound healing. You could improve, be about the same, or be worse. Keep in mind, by definition, there will be less elasticity if you choose to go this route. There is one doctor I am aware does possibly the best SMP I've seen so far. They'll do it 3 times. The 2nd and 3rd times are to enhance the SMP. They do guarantee the work for an entire year.

Oral. Sometimes the 1 mg and sometimes I 1/4.

I am aware of studies being conducted as we speak....combination of PRP and laser therapy. I truly think this will continue improving in the next few years.

No, you are not balding, but you are starting to thin. This would not be a bad time to visit with a hair transplant doctor. Based on the photo, it seems, that's the only area of concern. If so, you do have a couple of choices. You could start some kind of medical regimen to help you halt the loss and/or reverse the miniaturization. The other option, which I typically will not mention to someone with aggressive loss, is to do a small transplant procedure. It is likely you have tons of donor, that little area truly bothers you.....Get it filled. 200-400 grafts depending on what the doctor recommends. How old are you? I am assuming you are not in your twenties. Can you provide photos of the back area and the frontal hairline?

Draw a point on a piece of paper. Draw a cross through the point. That's procedure one. move to the right and draw another cross. That's procedure 2. Continue doing that until you fill everything in. It would take TONS of procedures. Why? Because of the whirl in the back. Everything stems from the point. Honestly, you're better off doing meds, (Propecia, Rogaine, PRP, Laser), and concentrate the grafts to the front and middle. Have the doctor go back as far as he can horizontally so as to minimize the size of the crown, but work in a circular fashion so, if you end up dipping in the donor area, the pattern will still look natural and not end up with a smiley face, (if you know what I am talking about). Once you are happy with the front and middle, if you have an donor left and the meds are effective, you can then consider grafts to the crown - but not before.