LaserCap

I actually created one years ago to keep track of my healthcare information. Large clinics will actually help, if you ask, so that you have access to your chart, the meds you take, record of visits. In the end it helps to reduce healthcare costs. This, as it pertains to hair restoration, I would imagine it has to do more with the patient's overall experience with a particular entity. These tend to be nagative in nature and it's actually the clinic's worse nightmare. They are there for others to see immediately as soon as anyone starts researching. Lots out there. I believe blogs, and there are tons out there, share the experience of an individual in whatever task they are involved in. These are typically positive in nature. Hair restoration wise, a company could ask you to share your story. Far different than just provide feedback on Yelp, for example. Correct me if I'm wrong.

A proper consultation would help you. And, if the doctor is ethical and honest, he would probably recommend adding density to the front and top and leave medical therapy for the back. Do as many grafts as you can afford. Keep the current hairline you have. Do you know what takes grafts? Bringing the hairline down. No need for that, you are not getting any younger, plus people already know you for who you are. Why make drastic changes? The only drastic change is going to be that of density. At which point, you can just say that you are using Rogaine. You seem to have a lot of miniaturized hair. Doing as many modalities as you can, this may just contribute to the overall impact. Now, let's say you do no meds and go on to be a wide 6. You may have enough donor to do the front and the middle and have an empty back. This is a normal pattern - so you will still look natural. A shame if you decide this course of action given your current situation. I honestly think everything is in your favor. Have you done any research as to the doctor you would choose?

Perhaps an exaggeration but I think it does apply to any drug. Because of the cost of drugs in the US, I can tell you that many people drive to Canada for this purpose. To get meds for a lot lesser cost. I am not too sure if this has to do with the effectiveness of the drug or the money aspect of it. i was doing research on this same subject a few weeks back and found $800 per mo med for $25 in Canada. It is no wonder this is happening. I should find out what the cost is for fin. I think of this forum as a true democracy. We are a united front with lots of experience. We share our opinions, some for, some against. It is not only our responsibility but also that of the person who asks the question. Research and results. That's what is all about. Time will dictate the final decision on Propecia and many other drugs.

Nice work. Hopefully he is doing some medical therapy to help retention of the native hair. Propecia, Rogaine, Laser.

After 8 days you can not harm anything. Get in the shower and let everything soak. Use the tips of your fingers and massage, (scrub). You'll find that some scabs/crusts will be a bit more persistent. Do the same thing the next day and get them off. Sometimes hair will start growing from the get-go. This just means you're ahead of everyone else by 3-4 months. This is normal.

1 month post op? You should see absolutely nothing. Wait at least 6 months and realize that the first growth is very thin. The caliber of the hair will improve and so will the length. Give it a year to really see the full benefit of the procedure. Keep up with the med and take photos.

Years ago I recall visiting with a patient that actually lived on a mountain. Totally secluded. White beard that almost touched his belly. Had been saving all the hair he'd shed in a period of 5 years which he brought in, (in a plastic bag). Said, "put it back in." Had no clue. With as many people we have in this world, there is all kinds of crazy things out there.

Scary

I take Propecia/Finasteride and have a LaserCap cap which I use 30 min every other day. With regards to your last post, if the doctor is so enthused about topical finasteride, why not use it alone? Why 3 months of PRP? I find that suspect only because most people that do PRP don't know what they're doing. Most will only use a syringe size and do treatments every few weeks, (meaning - they are not drawing enough blood). And combine with Rogaine? So, at the end of the day, how do you know what is doing what? To give him credit, however, doing multiple modalities is a good thing. Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP. With regards to the laser I use, made by LaserCap. Model 224. They have studies on this particular unit and carries a lifetime guarantee. It's made by a doctor and the company is supported by physicians.

I disagree with you, partially. If the medication works, it will work for as long as you do it. But why stop if it's working? The main thing here is to understand that no one has enough donor to achieve a full set of hair when dealing with an advanced pattern. When used together, these meds can truly halt the loss. No, your body does not get used to anything. You will resume losing if you stop the regimen, How many times have I heard patients say. "I wish I would have done it sooner." So yes, either way there can be regrets. It's a tough call given your thought process, but I do respect your stands. Just don't jump into anything until you've given this a lot of consideration. The result is permanent after all.

A strong 5a with a lot of miniaturized hair. Meds would help him as well. While difficult to day, I very much doubt you'll end up 7 based on what you've written and the photo you just posted. But, if your concern is getting worse, why oppose a laser, for example or any of the other modalities? Propecia, I get. Most get hung up with the potential side effects issue. But aside of that, you could truly help control the loss. When you consider the fact that there is not enough donor to allow for a full set of hair when dealing with an advanced pattern, it is imperative you keep as much of the native hair as you can. But let's play out the scenario of not doing meds. Say you do become a class 7. By that point you would have had a procedure and let's assume you did an FUE. You dipped considerably in the back....All the hair harvested from the donor will also thin. So eventually you may end up with a few stragglers. If your goal is to do nothing to preserve the native hair, I would suggest you do absolutely nothing. No grafts, no meds, NOTHING.

The whole idea of doing grafts is to have more hair, not to keep shaving. And I note from your post, you are not considering FUT only because you're afraid you'll end up with something unnatural and want the option to shave if this is the case. If so, visit with the doctors recommended by the forum. Review photos and, when you find cases similar to your own, with the results you want, move forward. Not before. The concept of density does not get discussed often. If you have a piece of paper and draw 100 dots throughout, you are not going to see much change. But if do put 100 dots in a 1/4 inch space, of course you'll see the color change. Concentrating grafts is key to making an impact. I gather the 1500 grafts you did were placed diffusely through the front and did not make the difference you were hoping for. So, next time, do as many grafts as the doctor recommends and have him concentrate the majority in the area of concern. While I understand your styling preferences, I think you should consider both procedures, FUT and FUE. This gives access to the entire donor. And, you can always put FUE grafts on the scar if need be. No meds, are you crazy? Fortunately there are options you can consider. I would urge you to start something. Keep in mind, once gone, you'll never get it back.

The reason why doctors may recommend any type of retention management is just that. To help avoid shock loss after a procedure. Women, particularly, tend to be examples of this. Tangible and modest, (I like the way you said that). There is importance tin this. The medication is meant for you to keep what you have. And, if you do see a visual change for the better, is not because you regrew hair. Nothing does this. But there can be enhancement of the miniaturizing hair. So, if you did see this, you should consider any of all modalities. (Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP). These work in different ways as the mechanism of action is completely different. Consider only a small percentage of the population does experience this enhancement. Given your decision to wait, I would go on medical therapy and give it a year. Take photos and keep a record otherwise you'll forget.

And the debate continues........With millions of people in this planet, anything is bound to happen. Different gnome, different composition, different traits. A medication that may be good for one, may kill another. But the fact still remains, the medication is helpful to millions. I noted in the excerpt they make note of hundreds of patients. Again, this is bound to happen. And while reference is made to Proscar, they do not address the fact that millions do take the medication, but do not cite side effects. Being 5 times the dose, you would think something would have come off of that. I think taking Propecia is a very personal decision that should not be taken lightly. I decided long ago this was a good choice for me given my choice of profession. Imagine me with no hair, you'd be asking "how come you haven't done anything." And, I think of the medication as a vitamin. More testosterone....better performance. It works for me and I look good doing it. Funny, there was nothing in the report about the mental aspect. Perhaps they should do a study on this. Lastly, they indicate some patients experience regrowth. This, perhaps is a misstatement. It enhances hair that is dissipating. I doubt very much a totally bald man will grow a single hair the medication. By the same token, they do state what most believe, loss of interest. Overall, not a bad piece, but needs lots of polishing....and more case studies.

Patience is the key. It truly takes 12-18 months to see full results. Nice work Doctor! Hopefully you are doing some medical therapy to help you retain the native stuff. (Propecia, Rogaine, PRP, Laser).

The first three procedures I did were strip. All sutures which had to be removed. Typically this is done 10-14 days post op. Longer time is required when you've had multiple procedures as there is less elasticity with each subsequent procedure, provided you did the max in each. I've seen absorbable sutures used, but they take forever to be "absorbed." Good thing, these can also be removed if they remain persistent. You can fly out the day of the procedure provided you have plenty of time to get to the airport. Most clinics, however, do extend a courtesy wash the next day. I would take advantage of that, it will make you feel more comfortable and then you can take your time getting to the airport, etc.

I am excited for you....But I understand. The unknown does get to people. Ii think you are being very smart by addressing the frontal area. After all, this is what you see when you look at yourself in the mirror and what others see when you interact with them. Make sure he blends grafts to the area behind the front so there is "connection." This way, if you continue to lose, at least all will look natural. You are about to make an investment in yourself. I would encourage you to talk to the doctor about Propecia, laser and PRP. All these modalities work in different ways and there is synergism when used simultaneously. Hair means a lot of things to a lot of people. Take me, for example. I've had 7 procedures. 3 fairly large ones and 3 small ones. Like you are about to do, I addressed the front and top and left the back alone. I've been on Propecia for 28 years. I was in the industry for a long time and what I told patients was, "imagine me without hair, you'll be asking why I didn't have it done." It is a game changer, it does make you look younger, etc. (When done correctly, it is awesome. When done incorrectly, it is your worse nightmare when you consider that now you have to live with the mistake for the rest of your life. This is why is so important to do the research. View tons of photos. It is about results after all). Good luck and pls post photos.

There are two types of loss, The type you see and the type you don't. The follicle gets tired of producing hair and it goes into a resting mode. It sheds the hair. Months later, the follicle starts producing again. Most believe 100 hair a day is normal. And, by the way, not all hair is programmed to shed at the same time. The hair you don't see refers to miniaturization of the native hair. Go to the mirror and check for yourself. Look closely at your hairline, particularly the corners. Note the shaft of the hair is nice and thick on some and thinner on others. You may even see some so small and thin they seem not to be growing. That's hair loss. Hair that dissipates and eventually grows no more. Propecia/Finasteride is meant for you to keep what you have. Most people think, however, if they don't see a visual change for the better, the medication is not working. This is incorrect. A year from now, If you look the same as you do now, the medication is doing what it's supposed to be doing. If you do look fuller, awesome. Then you are in the small percentage of patients that are getting enhancement. It truly takes a full year to get the most benefit from the medication. Like Gasthoerer indicates, give the medication a year and then assess. I would also recommend you take photos and put them away. Do the same 3-6 months from now so you can keep track otherwise you'll forget.

One step at a time......First, did you do PRP at the time of the procedure? I doubt it based on the way you wrote the post. If so, I am surprised you felt so jubilant after only 6 months. It truly takes a full year to assess the full result of a transplant. At the 6 months mark the transplants are rather small and the caliber of the hair is still fairly weak. I doubt very much if this was really having any impact. Looking fuller? Perhaps but I don't think so. So, on the 7 month you saw less density. Could be that you were experiencing shedding of the native hair, or experiencing additional loss. I doubt it was shock loss due to the procedure. This typically does not happen 7 months after a procedure. Perhaps there is something else causing the problem. The first thing to do is to go to the dermatologist and have them scope you. This will really tell you what's happening. If they don't and rely on observation, they'll just be "guessing" and you'll get a bunch of "perhaps this or perhaps that." It is not normal to lose a lot of hair due to a transplant. Can it happen? Sure. Shock loss, or just the fact that the doctor is using a very sharp instrument and is giving you a haircut. Seems like shock, but it's not. Obviously this hair will come back. As far as the shocked one, this will typically return along with the transplant. It can take months. In very rare occasions - it does not return. If the hair in the donor area is solid, it will remain wherever it is placed. It is unlikely you will lose the transplanted hair. But, why did you have a transplant? Likely because you're thinning. And, if you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. When? Who knows. But the writing is on the wall. Not doing medical therapy is just plain dumb. Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP are the typical modalities we discuss when referring to hair retention. They work in different ways and are thus, synergistic. Most will have side effects associated with it, except the laser. I would encourage you to do some research and speak with 2-3 doctors and get their opinion about all you can be doing. Also, take photos and put them away. Do another set in 3 months and another in 6 months. This should give you an idea of what is truly happening.

Costco on line. You need a prescription. But you can get, with no insurance. 3 months for $14.00. Just ask for their cash price.

Early indication...and the fact that you have dark hair and light scalp-does not help. Start considering some type of medical therapy to put a halt to it. (Propecia, Rogaine, laser and PRP).

How risky? No risk at all....But, When you say 20's, exactly how old? Big difference between 20 and 29. And, when exactly did you start the medication? In other words, how long have you been on it? 6 months? A year? Not sure what you mean by stabilized. It is typical of patients to say they're not losing hair anymore. (They are referring to no visual change). This, unfortunately, is incorrect. Hair you can see, (shedding), is normal. The follicle gets tired of producing hair and it takes a vacation. Eventually it will start producing hair. This will happen without or with the use of Propecia. Mind you, you will not shed all the hair at one time, some today, some tomorrow, and this will happen daily. Most think 100 hair a day is normal. The hair you don't see....that's hair loss. So, when you go visit your favorite doctor, have him scope your scalp. You'll notice a variance in the shaft size of all the hairs you see. Some thick, some thinner, and some that are so thin, they seem to be withering away. The hair eventually dissipates and disappears. That's hair loss. So, if you think you've stabilized because you look relatively the same as you always did, OK, perhaps...but I would not bank on it. Do the scoping and repeat 3 months later. If the photos are similar, or you see enhancement of the hair....then I would say it's OK-Understanding you now have to stay on the medication indefinitely. Lastly, how mature are you? Be honest. This is not a game and you are playing with fire, particularly when you consider donor limitations and the fact that there is typically not enough hair in the area to allow for a full set of hair when dealing with an advanced pattern. What area(s) are you considering transplanting?

It's always about results......Transplants sure helped him. PRP and laser combination - great combo. He must be thrilled. Great job.

Too many factors to consider in this case. First, your current hairline is age and pattern appropriate. To bring down would be criminal. I understand how young guys reminisce about the hairline they once had. It is tough to realize those days are gone. What we do need to do is to get ready for what's coming. I do know of a couple of outfits that do SMP and do give the look of hair, similar to the photo you've posted. It actually looks good, but I do think patients should proceed with caution. I think the main reason why this procedure, to call it that, became available was to provide the "look" of hair for those with no other option. No donor, etc. In your case, it seems, you have a great deal of hair but choose to wear it very tight. If I was in your case and were to consider transplants, I would perhaps take it from below the chin. Yes, there would be minor scarring, but no one would see it. Body hair does not have the same qualities nor characteristics we find in a donor area. Follicles will have 1 hair and it typically does not grow very well. May have a kink to it, etc. And while I understand you would keep it shaven, the look would be that of a miniaturized hair, and not a strong caliber one, (and more so when concentrated in a strip - and in the most prominent area - the very front).

My recommendation is to schedule a couple of consultations. Go to two or three different doctors and see what they say. Make sure they truly look at the donor area. Touch it, move the hair around, check for elasticity, etc. Just "looking" is not doing a proper job. You purchasing a USB microscope is not going to do anything other than to show you a close up look of the scalp, hair, etc. A true professional, however, can tell you how many hairs are in a CM2 by looking at an image. The first thing I would do is scalp stretching exercises. This can ultimately help the elasticity of the donor area. The second thing i would do, is to get on medical therapy ASAP. This will help save your donor. Lastly, take photos every 3-6 months and keep a record.