Greg_Swanson

How'd it end up mate?

It's a hard one for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there isn't a lot of peer-reviewed research on the efficacy of vitamins, and even when there is, it's hard for researchers to make a definitive assertion that 'x' causes/effects 'y'. This is mostly due to how many variables are at play when we look at bodily functions. That being said, some studies have found certain vitamins/minerals to plausibly impact hair loss, and they are mostly safe at normal levels. So, in conjunction with proven methods: fin, minox, etc, it's not unreasonable to assume they may actually help, and honestly, they probably won't hurt. So what have we got to lose?

Great point, even great responders to fin virtually never grow their hair back in these regions, and often it will still recede to a point beyond the temples even on the drug.

Well those are good signs. FUT is easier to remain within the safe zone, and if your donor hair is okay, I doubt it's due to the donor hair miniaturizing. I assume the area it was transplanted into was completely bald, which eliminates native hairs falling out. I suppose those two factors could trigger some loss/a shed - I have also read that regarding protein, but I have not actually researched legitimate studies. Maybe a visit to a dermatologist would be beneficial?

Hey mate, How does the rest of your donor look? And was it a FUT, or FUE procedure?

Wow, that looks amazing for 4 months!

Hey man, Thanks for the detailed response, and congrats on your op. I've seen pics, and I honestly think your hair looks great. The shock-loss and the growing out phase sounds torturous. Like you, I too am pretty neurotic, and am prone to worrying about everything lol. I can only imagine how rough the first half a year is. I'm currently on Fin, but am experiencing a dense shed, and have been for a couple of months. So, safe to say, there is probably a lot more miniturisation that I can see with the naked eye. It's something I feel like I need to do, or at least attempt, if nothing else but due to how much it already is impacting my day-to-day life. Thanks heaps for the advice, mate - really appreciate it!

Hey mate, Firstly, thanks so much for such a comprehensive reply, it means a lot!! I'm currently on Fin, and have been for a couple of years, seemed to slow the recession, but it's still occurring in the hairline. The biggest thing that you mentioned, is the value. As of now, it's really, really effecting so many aspects of my life. The things I'm avoiding are increasing, and it's hindering my decision making - as silly as that may sound. I'm about to graduate from a post-grad degree, in which I'm always in a lab, and can wear beanies, hats, and so on. This will be changing once I move into the industry, and I won't be able to hide my hair. Money is honestly not an issue. Like yourself, I have a pretty solid financial foundation and employment, so I have ample funds for anywhere as of this stage. Mind you, I wouldn't wager I'd need a huge op, so, even an expensive doc won't be doing a megasession. The thing that spooks me the most, is my family history. Hairloss is very, very extensive, and I guess I'm just concerned at how vulnerable even my donor may be to DHT. I've also got a list of docs, and have narrowed it down to a couple. At this stage, I'm trying to zero in on a doc who is really ethical, and will help me plan a conservative, and long-term approach. Everything you said makes perfect sense, so thanks heaps for that mate - I appreciate it.

Hey brother, Yeah man, all up it contains: zinc, picolinate, biotin, tyrosine, vit-E, Zinc, fin 0.5mg, and minox 1mg. Though, I'm really not sure how effective oral minox is. Admittedly, I haven't researched much about oral minoxidil. Derm has an in-house compound pharmacy, and the whole concoction is really quite cheap.

And that's interesting, i didn't know that. That's what I'm experiencing now, the hairline loss.

He probably worded it terribly, haha. But yeah, that makes sense if you get it. The DHT doesn't impact the hairs on the back, as they are already resistant.

Hey Shera, I believe you are correct, and I always thought I'd need 2, maybe 3, or ever more surgeries given my history. That is also true, I guess I was just worried about my donor being subject to miniturisation at some stage, due to my history. Thanks for your advice.

Hey Cosmo, Thanks a lot, I appreciate the thoughts. I've seen your results, and they honestly look great! Very happy for you : ) If/when I do, I will definitely keep everyone updated.

Thanks, Doctor, that's good advice. I am very conscious of taking a conservative, and long-term approach, I'm just not too sure what my hair will end up like.

I'm having trouble committing to a transplant, and can't pull the trigger. I'm a NW 3, 28 years old, and it's really affecting my life, but I'm so concerned with the "what if's". What if the transplant fails, what if my recession progresses to the point that getting more transplants isn't an option, and so on. Every surgeon I've spoken to says I'm a candidate, but this is simply from a few photographs, with no way of knowing what the future holds. How did everyone get over the hump, and overall, are you happy that you had the procedure? It's such a weird place, to be so desperate to fix your hair, but still so cautious about the future. Thanks all.

Hey mate, Yeah I am. I am on a compound tablet which contains fin, minox, zinc, and some other vitamins, etc. My initial result with both seemed to be a pretty strong cessation of recession, and some minor, minor regrowth in the temples. They still receded a little, so it didn't halt the MPB, just slowed it. Mind you, I know of people to which have had their MPB completely halted, so I think it's more person-to-person. I will be consulting with my derm in a week, and see what she thinks about upping it back to 1mg.

Hey dude, I had been on 1mg for about a year and a half, or so, and switched to .5mg for the past 6 months. It's hard to say, but I think my recession progressed. I underwent a pretty heavy shed recently, and my temples receded further. Now, this honestly could have had absolutely nothing to do with the change in dosage, and may have been external factors, my MPB progressing, and so on. Could it have impacted my hair? Sure, but I really cannot say. I have read studies in which patients had experienced positive results as low as .2mg, so you can definitely still have a good result.

Hey mate, How did this one turn out? Hope you are well.

Hey mate, Thanks for keeping with it, and staying with the updates. Firstly, don't pay attention to those who need to gloat on another's post, simply to let the world know they're happy with their result. Completely irrelevant, and borderline insecure. Secondly, it's actually not too bad at all. We are our own harshest critic, and I think you still look good. Of course it could be better, but the good this is that one more procedure to tighten things up, and you will be on to a real winner. All the best!

This is something I always think about. What if I have surgery, and the grafts eventually fall out, then I want to shave my head, but no longer can because of the scarring.

I've also heard the 24 hour timing, Laser. Sorry, maybe I didn't make it clear, but I have no sides. I only dropped the dosage based on my derms recommendation, as she is of the thought that the less hormonal interference, the better. You're right I believe, I have always just tried to use mind over matter, and had no sides issues. I was more-so wondering how much we need to take for it to be effective, but I suppose this could be person-to-person. Thanks Laser

Hey all, For fellow fin users, what dosage are you taking? I have been on the drug for just over a couple of years, and was taking 1mg per day as part of a compound medication. Recently, my dermatologist suggested we try and lower the dosage to .5mg, as apparently lower dosages yield similar efficacy in research studies. My hair seems to have shed/regressed a bit since then, but I cannot say for certain that it was the finasteride change. I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar? Or noticed different things on different dosages? Thanks all.

Hey everyone, Is it just me, or is H&W producing a lot more FUE procedures nowadays? I may not have all the data, but from memory, the vast majority of their procedures over 2000 grafts were always FUT. Now, I mostly, almost always see H&W procedures as FUE. Does anyone know why this may be? Or if I am correct? Just curious, Cheers.

Hey all, Considering the donor comes from the back of ones head, does this mean it will be different to their native front? As in, would this potentially limit the styling for transplanted hair? Or is it all the same? I ask as I rarely see patients with long hair, unless it is slicked back. Thanks all

The most reliable treatment for hair loss is the treatment that gives you the best results. FUT typically gives a better yield, but it is all dependent on the surgeon. Nothing that you are saying has any backing.