ID-LaChapelle

Even if you get a trichophytic closure you will not be able to hide an FUT scar without some SMP and possible FUE repair afterward. And depending on how many FUE grafts you pull, it can also be visible. However, you can get FUE, go back after its healed, and cover up with SMP. That can make it nearly invisible. It all depends on how much harvesting you'll need. Keep in mind that SMP is NOT permanent either. You'll need to touch it up every few years or until something better comes along.

I am 46 years old. I have had 3 strip procedures for about 5500-5800 total grafts. All procedures were performed by Shapiro Medical Group out of Minneapolis MN. The first procedure was about 10 years ago give or take a year and the most recent one was about 2 years ago. I would say 95% of the grafts were successful and overall I am happy with the results. Here comes the "however".... Thing most of the doctors won't tell you is that, you will eventually need to deal with the continuing hair loss. You may hear that finasteride will stop hair loss permanently but that is not true for most of us. Just google it if you don't know. Avg use is about 5-7 years then it stops working and your hair continues to fall out. then you either get more grafts or you shave your head. I guess there is a third option to just leave it as it is, but we have all seen folks with "hair plugs" and no one wants that look. This isn't a huge deal if your an FUE patient but depending on how many of those you have had it may still be an issue. But for those of you, like me, that were told that a strip would be better we will now have to deal with a huge scar on the back of our head. I have decided to throw in the towel and shave my head, so that is indeed what I am dealing with now and the point of this post. My scar is about 1-2cm thick in areas and goes from ear to ear. Obviously if you've googled any strip scar pics you know they are brutal looking. I am looking for a good doctor in the pacific NW that has had good results with performing a trichophytic closure and perhaps SMP afterward with FUE to reduce the scar. I have seen a lot of promising results on the internet but I would like to hear from anyone else with recommendations. thanks guys