LaserCap

Nice set of photos. Not a bad set of hair either. Not coarse, not thin - let's call it medium caliber. (You do not have "fine" hair. Be thankful. It would take more grafts to achieve the same result). You also seem to have a bit of waviness. This will also help you as you'll have more lateral coverage - which you are currently enjoying). I particularly take notice of the way you style your hair. Smart to comb it to the side so you get some shingling and enjoy the illusion of density. The part-line, however, is always the weakest point. I'll venture to say, if you were to part it on the other side, it would be the same. Thus, if you were to cut your hair very short, it is likely an early 5A pattern would surface. Whatever you do, please continue the medication and consider adding another modality. Rogaine, Laser, PRP. The mechanism of action of each is totally different and you can enjoy synergy when used simultaneously. Your hairline has receded and it seems you are still losing in that area. Look at the shafts. Some seem thinner than others. My suggestion would be to reinforce the hairline and blend grafts to the area right behind it to avoid the "island effect." Continue meds. You seem to have nice donor. You can confirm this with an in person evaluation. How many grafts will depend on the doctor and the way he likes to approach the case. Some can achieve great density while others are still the process of figuring it out. Check out photos of cases similar to your own and take note of the number of grafts it took. What part of the Country are you in - or will be in? Are your travel plans flexible?

MPB is complicated. It can come from both sides of the family and it can skip generations. From what you've written it seems this may be coming from the maternal side. Bet your loss has been so gradual you haven't noticed how pronounced your temporal points are. This, perhaps, is a bit more than just maturing your hairline. Set up an appointment with a derm or your favorite hair transplant surgeon and have them put you on a medical regimen to help you with retention. I should point out, the meds are meant for you to retain. Thus, if years later you look the same, the meds did what they were supposed to do.

Why would you split a 1mg tab? For how long did you do this? Did it help you with retention?. I gather you are now taking a 5mg tab and splitting in two? Why? Have you consulted with a doctor about this? If so, I would get a second opinion. There is a reason why the manufacturer suggests a specific dose when it comes to hair retention. Any deviation, in my view, is just plain ignorance..

OK to exercise. No restrictions 7-10 post op, particularly aerobatic type exercises. The main concern after 14 days is weight training, particularly anything stretching the neck as it can cause the scar, (with FUT), to stretch and widen. OK to put sun block.

This subject is typically covered during a consultation. You want to avoid sun for a period of about 3 months post op. Reason being, if you burn each of the incisions, you can freckle permanently. So, 7-10 post op, you can apply it - and wear a cap - which you should be doing anyway when in the sun.

Hard to tell from the photos you posted. It would be nice to see a photo from the top. It could be you are maturing your hairline. You did say your mom thinned. That could be the culprit. You also indicated taking testosterone. That too could have initiated things. The more testosterone, the more DHT which we know is what causes hair loss. Stop the testosterone. At your age, I'll bet, you have plenty. I would start by taking photos on a monthly basis and keep record of what's happening. The fact you have waviness in your hair helps you density wise as it gives lateral coverage. Make sure to get a brush and pull hair apart so you have a better idea as to what's happening. Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP are typically the modalities we refer to when dealing with this condition. Talk to your doctor about them and consider taking/using them. They work in different ways and tend to get optimal results when used simultaneously. Lastly, there are two types of loss. Telogen effluvium, as you call it, is just plain shedding. This is normal. Most believe 100 hairs a day is the norm. (The follicle gets tired of producing and it takes a vacation. It will then resume its duties 3-4 months later). Hair loss is a different type of loss. You do not see hair loss. The shaft of the hair miniaturizes until it disappears. Once gone, it will never return. So, when I read "I notice," I automatically know it refers to shedding or the improvement of the hair. That is, the medication can help enhance hair. There is nothing out there that regrows hair.

I doubt the answers are going to be any different every time you post the same msg. What research have you done in the meantime?

Post photos of entire head including front,top, back sides. Why are you asking so much about Turkey? What have you heard? What do you know about FUE? How do you specifically want to wear your hair? What do you know about different blades? What about insurance? What type? Have you done any research? How many photos of results have you seen? This is about you. Why are you asking about celebrities? Why does that matter to you? Do you think this would make a difference? What do you mean "margin for error.? Any time the human hand is involved, there is a margin for error - we are human after all. "PLEASE TELL ME EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW TO ELIMINATE ANY PROBLEMS PLEASE." Ok, How old are you? What family history of hair loss do you have? What medications do you take post photos What are your goals? Do you know or are you taking any meds for hair retention? Why are you asking about FUE? Do you know what it is? Do you know anything about FUT? Do you prefer long or short hair? Why?

Look at classification 5A on the Norwood chart. Grab a pencil and lightly go over the mid back of the figure. I'd say that's close to what you're experiencing. It is important to recognize the pattern as it will guide you and the doctor as to the course of action to take. Since you've started Proscar, (I am assuming you are splitting it in 1/4), and you seem to have experienced early enhancement toward the back, I would just concentrate on the entire front and blending grafts to the mid section. Leave the back alone as this is where the meds tend to have the most effect. How many grafts you end up doing will depend on a number of factors. Two of the most important ones will be - location of the hairline, including how recessed the temporal areas will be - and the density the doctor is able to accomplish in a single procedure. The farther back you place the hairline, the lesser grafts you'll need, (unless you are going to work farther back into the pattern). Go to the mall and look at people. Try noticing a pattern similar to yours and how that individual is losing his hair. You want to be age and pattern appropriate. How many procedures you'll do will also depend on a number of things. First, what is it you are trying to accomplish. The more density, the more grafts. Second, are you open to FUT? You can maximize your donor by doing both FUT and FUE. More important- please stay on the med. You have a lot of native hair. This will have an impact on the overall density.

Are you a doctor? Let's clarify the msg. to avoid confusion. The full dose of Finasteride is 1 mg. So what you're saying is take 1/2? Do you have any study indicating this would be effective in any way? Then you say to quarter the 5 mg Proscar tab to obtain the 1.25 mg, (which can vary as the tab is not pre-scored. So one day you may get more of less of the medication). This in itself is more than the 1 mg Propecia/Finasteride tab.

Semantics? Atrophied, but still exists, yes there can be improvement. The hair must still be there, perhaps even under the skin...With the use of meds it could improve. This is why it is always indicated a young individual has more of a chance of experiencing improvement than a 65 YO that has lost all his hair. Chances of him having even atrophied bulbs, as you put it, is 0% It may look like regrowth but it isn't. It is enhancement of something there.

The expectation of what the medication can do, shedding, miniaturization.......... It's amazing how misinformed we are about hair loss. I do realize we need visual confirmation to attest to the fact something is working. If you start with less and eventually have more, the medication worked. True. But we all think it's regrowth. Nothing regrows hair!!! We typically discuss shedding and miniaturization when dealing with this condition. Let's get into it. The follicle gets tired of producing hair and goes into a resting phase. This is shedding and it will happen randomly to every strand on your head. 3-4 months later the hair returns and continues growing until the next "scheduled" shedding phase. Hair loss is different. Under a bright light look at the hair in your temporal areas. You'll notice some strands have robust shafts while others are thinner. Some are even so small you can hardly see them and just don't seem to grow. This is the process of miniaturization. Eventually the hair dissipates and withers away. Similarly, the bulb under the skin atrophies and also disappears. That's hair loss. So, what's happening with you? Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP are the modalities we typically discuss when dealing with hair loss. The medications are intended to retain - not to regrow anything. Thus, if a year later you look the same, the medications did what they were supposed to do. From time to time and in a small percentage of cases, (this is you), there can be enhancement of the finer hair. So being such a positive responder, I would encourage you to continue. The more time you do meds, the less visual benefit you'll notice. Have you maxed out? We'll have to wait and see what happens with the changes you made. I would suggest you keep taking photos and keep a record of what's happening.

This tends to get confusing for some. Particularly when the word "shedding" is used. The true aspect of shedding applies to all of us. The follicle gets tired of producing hair and goes into a resting period. 3-4 months later the hair returns. This will happen randomly throughout our lives to each hair on our heads. That's shedding. At the time of the transplant the doctor is using a very sharp instrument. He may inadvertently cut some of the surrounding native hair. He is just giving you a haircut. The native hair will continue growing. No shedding is involved. At the time of the transplant, the recipient site is made and the follicle is inserted. The follicle will always have a very short hair attached which is what the clinical staff needs to transport the graft into the "new home." The blood, and there is always some, will dry up. This is when the crusts forms. At 7-10 days you are asked to start washing. It is during this gentle massaging action that we lose the crusts - and also the hair that came with the graft. This is not shedding. Sometimes, after washing, the hair remains and continues growing. This just means you're ahead of everyone else by 3-4 months. 3-4 months later the grafted hair starts coming in. Vellus-like at the beginning. The shaft of the hair will mature/thicken during the first year. Once it matures, it will have the same quality of the hair we all enjoy in the donor area as this is where the hair came from. This hair, by the way, still "thinks" it's in the donor and will behave as such when you consider shedding. If it sheds, it will return.

Alright, so you have family history. And of course, there is always one with a full set of hair. Likely following the mother's side. It happens. A couple of things. If you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. It may be gradual, or not at all for some time. But it will happen. So the first thing to do is to get on some type of medical therapy to help you with retention. Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP are the modalities we typically refer to when dealing with this condition. They work differently and thus are synergistic. One thing that does not help you is the contrast between the color of the hair and the skin. It makes things look worse than what they're truly are. The first photo you shared, no loss. The second, however, does show the whirl a bit larger. It is important to recognize we all share that weak spot. That's because of the way the hair grows. In that particular area the hair grows away from the center. In the front and top, by comparison, the hair grows forward and we enjoy the shingling effect, (hair on top of hair) which gives the illusion of density. There are two types of loss,, the type you see and the type you don't. What you do see, hair in the sink, floor, pillow - is normal. Most believe 100 hairs a day is the norm. (The follicle gets tired and takes a vacation. 3-4 months later the hair returns). So if you see 70 hairs come off, don't sweat it. That will return. This will happen randomly to all the hair in your head. Hair loss,, however is a type of loss you don't see. Go to the mirror and look at your hairline. Pay particular attention to the hairs in the temporal areas, (corners). Note the shafts of each strand. Some will be very thick, vibrant and dark. Others will be finer and look duller. Some are so thin they just don't seem to grow any more. We call this process miniaturization. Eventually the hair dissipates and withers away. That's hair loss. The key here, again, is to get on some type of medical therapy to help you retain the native hair and perhaps even enhance the thinner-caliber hairs.

Years ago when I first joined the industry it was explained to us there was the remote possibility of a side effect, hypospadias. For this to happen however, a mother would need to cut the pill, put it in her mouth, be on her first trimester, etc....The pills now come coded, and you can take the pills to work. Additionally, you would need to ejaculate at least a quart...I don't think an elephant can do that! Something else to keep in mind...not discounting the value of bringing a son/daughter into the world, if you do decide to get off the med, all the hair you would have lot in that 4 year period will likely be lost. (It would take a full year for this to happen). If that's the intent, get a laser and add Rogaine. You could even dwindle down the dose of the medication. Start going down to 3 times per week, etc. Talk to your doctor....Perhaps by cutting down on the pill you are also cutting down on the percentages of this happening. Please post whatever you find out, I am curious to learn about this - hadn't thought about it until just now. Perhaps the doctors here can share their knowledge on the subject.

Your destiny looks to be a class 6 if you do nothing about it. I am guessing you have family history of hair loss and he/they have very advanced patterns. That being said, I would be one to add laser and PRP to the mix. This combination of modalities can help reverse the miniaturization of the native hair you seem to be experiencing. Continue Rogaine and give this 6-12 months. Second thing I suggest you do is start looking at people and the way they lose hair. Particularly those similar to a class 6. Eventually, whatever you decide, you do want to look pattern appropriate. Lastly, you do need hair for Toppik to work best. The fibers need something to adhere to. For now, give medical therapy a chance and wait. But decide soon. Hair that's lost is hair that's not returning. Oh, why not SMP? It will help lessen the contrast, you'll look fuller and may not need to use Toppik at all. Do some research.

Unfortunately these are not very good pictures. But let's work with what we have. 35? OK. You seem very well receded. Could you work on temporal areas? Sure. Dangerous? No. Why would it be? It would be nice if you could provide photos of your entire head including the top and back. Understanding your pattern classification is important as it will guide the doctor as to how to proceed. Not only do we want to be age appropriate, we want to be pattern appropriate. You seem to be losing hair throughout your entire front. The contrast between the color of the hair and the skin does not help either. Post better photos to confirm. If it bothers you and you have the financial means to do so, get to it. But do keep in mind, if you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. So, you work the corners and continue receding. Now you're left with two horns worth of hair. I would encourage you to speak with a doctor about medical therapy. (Propecia, Rogaine, Laser and PRP). We typically discussed these when dealing with this condition. They all work in different ways and are thus synergistic.

Costco online pharmacy. $19 for a 3 month supply. And you can get the 1mg Finasteride to avoid having to quarter.

During a transplant procedure the doctor will carefully select the "hair" he needs. Hairline hair, for example, will be finer in caliber than the hair located in the mid scalp. Finer hair is typically harvested from behind the ear. Some will have one hair, some two and so on. If a 2 hair graft is selected and planted as such, it will grow as a 2 hair graft. That specific graft will not grow additional hair. But this does bring up a question. Say that two hair graft is split into 2) 1 hair graft. Would that 1 hair graft grow additional hair? I doubt it. What is transplanted is what will grow. So the site is made and the graft implanted. A crust forms. 7 or so many days later, the hair that came with the graft - along with the crust - will fall off. 3-4 months later the new hair will start coming in. The hair will be very fine and will continue improving. Matured results take 12-18 months. At that point the caliber of the hair will match that of the donor. The follicle still "thinks" it is in the donor area and will behave a such.

Great question. A lot goes into it. And it's a shared responsibility...... First component is trust. Trust the doctor knows what he's doing and has an understanding of what needs to be done. Plenty of times I've seen doctors draw a hairline that is way too juvenile for the patient at hand. So, it is up to the patient to also recognize what's going on. So hopefully the consultant, staff and all involved have the sense to say something. Read up about the rule of thirds. It's funny how the human eye can catch things. When things are not in balance, people will question it. But there will always be adjustments so the hairline will remain pattern appropriate. A class 6, for example, does not have a hairline in the middle of the forehead. It should be well recessed with a stronger forelock. Keeping in mind the hair in the front grows forward at an angle, always stay a bit more conservative. Let it grow. A year later, if you still feel an adjustment is needed, you can return and lower. If you start out too low and then realize the mistake, it is very difficult to change. Educate yourself....

Normal. Let it be. I would not even look at it until at least 6 months. Take a set of photos at that point. Repeat in 12 months and at 18. By that point all will have surfaced and mature. Stressing about it can only create other issues - like more shedding.

This was the norm in the 90's and before FUE came into the picture. Back then, post MPRs, it was all about FUT. And most patients would keep their hair lengthy in the donor to make the scar inconspicuous. So the patient would go through the procedure and no one would say a word for at least 6 months. It was then you could start seeing a bit of a difference. Keep in mind the growth was so gradual you could really not tell much until a year later. By then you could see a marked improvement. Let's talk about co-workers and people that see you every day. This becomes you....and people can not tell. They do see a difference but can't pinpoint exactly what it is. Plenty of times I've heard, "you look thinner." For people that have not seen you in years, yes-they'll be able to tell something is up. But honestly, this is about you and no one else. Why worry about what people may or may not say? It's always been my view to tell people up front. "And, if you say anything about it, I'll punch you in the nose." That ought to take care of things.

In the world of hair transplants 500, 1000 is not that much different. And now much less when you consider the densities doctors are achieving in a single procedure. The norm should always be - do as many as you can afford. Ask the doctors you are consulting with to show you photos of results with those graft numbers. That ought to help.

It's only been 6 months. It does take tons of grafts to bring hairlines down - and to achieve density at the same time. Just a bit early....Let's give it another 6 months and re-post. Can't get over the naturalness.....

Werewolf transformation! Awesome work and great result. Are you doing any type of medical therapy? Talk to the doctor about Propecia, Rogaine, Laser & PRP. I do have a question? Why so short in the back? The reason to do a procedure is for more hair, not less. But it is nice to have options...isn't?