NorwoodSix

As a NW6, I know if I'm ever going to achieve a result I'm actually satisfied with, my donor hair could be a bit thicker. As of now, it's a bit patchy. Is it possible to increase the quality (thickness / density) of existing donor hair through Minox, Fin, MicroNeedling, etc? I just started Fin, but have Minoxidil and a Dermapen on the way as well. If so, I was hoping to increase the quality of my donor hair prior to a HT. 

@Rolandas  If you don't mind me asking, how old were you when you started treatment and how long had the hair been gone for at the time of treatment? I ask because I'm a NW6 and the hair has been gone for about 7-8 years now (I'm 34), so I'm curious if I can expect any regrowth at all in my current situation (I just started Fin, Min, DermaPen, etc.) last week.

I've been taking Fin for about week now, with Oral Min and Derma Pen currently in transit from AllDayChemist. My plan is to start Fin for 90 days to determine if I get sides, and switch to Dut while taking 1 Mg of Oral Minox per day along with Derma Pen 1.5mm 1x per week and Nizarol Shampoo + Biotin for a year and connect my results with a HT. I'm a NW6 for sure, and am hoping that at the very least, I can thicken up my donor area + try to get some of the miniaturized hairs on my crown to go Terminal, but I'm not expecting a miracle by any means. I do believe if I'm able to regrow a bit and thicken up my donor, that a 5,000 grafts would give me an age appropriate hairline + midscalp coverage and would atleast look better than what I have now. I'm aware that I could also have temporary SMP in the thin areas at the midscalp, etc. + fibers for additional density. At that point I would return for a 2nd HT IF (and a big IF) I had any remaining grafts, or live with it until/if new technology (Follica, Dr. Tsuji, etc.) hits the market, although I'm not holding my breath.

Am I delusional? I've seen some pretty incredible results from the Big 4 on here + HairLossTalk and know I won't be able to live with myself if I don't atleast try to do something about this. I wasn't even aware that there were hair loss treatments that even worked when I was actually losing my hair, and try not to beat myself up about doing anything about it while I was younger.

Anyways, any advice / thoughts on my current plan would be helpful. I'm cautiously optimistic about the next 12 months.

As a NW6, I'll be using the Big 3 (Minoxidil, Dutasteride, Dermarolling) over the next year or so, in order to thicken my existing donor hair and hope for regrowth. I will then look to connect my results with a HT. While I was researching HT results, I came across SMP for added density effect. While some were optimistic about combining SMP + FUE initially, I haven't seen great results, and largely considered it a failed experiment. I have recently, however, seen incredible results via Milena Lardi. Do you think these results are possible (assuming I have a substantially improved donor in a year or so) with roughly 5-6,000 grafts + SMP for density?

https://bellicapelli.forumfree.it/?t=59008185

17 hours ago, paddyirishman said:

Hello @NorwoodSix.   You might consider BHT . You could have a lot of potential from your beard grafts which when blended with your scalp doner would make a helpul difference  . You could check out @harin thread who had his HT @Eugenix Hair Science

...........Paddy......

 

 

 

Thanks Paddy. How many grafts could one get from beard hairs? I can grow decent facial hair, and am thickening up my facial hair by applying Minoxidil to my beard area as well. From what I've seen, body hairs tend to look a bit unnatural and I while I'm certainly open to using them, I was under the impression it's best to use them as a last resort or for covering the scar. 

Hello All,

I posted back in April in regards to what I could expect as a NW6. I have begun taking Oral Minoxidil and will continue to do so over the next year along with Dermarolling, Nizorol Shampoo, Biotin, and any additional supplementary treatments in order to thicken up my donor and hope for potential regrowth. I will then connect my results with a HT. My donor pics as of April are in the thread link below, although I expect my situation to look alot better after a year of treatment.

Anyway, while it would be nice to have a full head of hair again, I have age appropriate expectations (I'm 34). Based on my donor area, and where I expect it to be a year from now, could I expect results similiar to the ones below after a proper FUT? I could live with that as I could potentially have the crown filled in with a second procedure (if I had enough grafts left), use SMP + Fibers, or wear a partial hair system at the crown. Any advice would be appreciated as I take another step towards restoring my hair!

On 7/31/2019 at 6:18 AM, BeHappy said:

I think you look like you could be a very good candidate for a hair transplant because your donor hair goes very far up on the sides and back. It really depends on whether the bald area has been expanding or not over the past few years. If it hasn't been getting larger, then I think you can really end up with some great hair.

 

Thank you. Yes, the area has stayed the same and my hair loss seems to have stabilized as of around 2013 or so. I am going to continue researching. I appreciate your insight.

20 hours ago, Raphael84 said:

@norwood6

In one of the photos, it may appear that you have retrograde alopecia. Is that accurate?

Not that I know of. But then again, I haven't had someone examine my scalp in years, and haven't seen a dermatologist since I was a scene.

20 hours ago, Raphael84 said:

How old are you?

33

20 hours ago, Raphael84 said:

The suggestion of shaving down and trying SMP before committing to any potential surgery is not a bad idea. If that is something that may appeal to you. Like anything, not all SMP studios are offering the same quality of work so just like you are with a hair transplant, do your research and due diligence if you decide to explore this option.

Valid point. As with HT's, I've been obsessive with SMP research, and have found who I believe to be the best in the world in Milan. There's also an incredible practitioner based in NY, which is only 4-5 hours from me, but I would likely go to Milan. If I did opt for the SMP approach, I would want the best available treatment.

20 hours ago, Raphael84 said:

Where are you based?

Boston

20 hours ago, Raphael84 said:

For higher Norwood cases such as your own, I have seen some great transformations with the addition of beard hair when donor hair becomes limited. Again, if you were to commit to this journey, I would suggest that it would be an initial two surgeries. 

I have 0 objections to using body hair. Whatever can provide the most density as I have more area to cover than most! Any recs on surgeons that use body hair in high NW cases? I've been told that Eugenix is good! 

 

Thank you for the kind words Raphael! I answered above.

2 hours ago, VicTNYC said:

Hey man, just my opinion but in your high NWcase, i would opt to do SMP first with a conservative hairline and coverage on top and then do an HT sometime after, either FUE or fut. I’ve seen some cases of guys who’ve gotten SMP then after some time went the HT route and it seems to have helped them achieve a better “illusion”, I would be concerned about an SMP in a post-Ht recipient area damaging the new hairs if not done meticulously, might just be a slight concern but something to think about.

 

Good luck!

Thanks for letting me know. I've been looking through the site, but do you happen to have links for these examples? I would like to evaluate the SMP + FUE combo procedures to see how natural the results look. As far as I know this was a failed experiment, but I could be wrong..

10 hours ago, LaserCap said:

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?

Thank you very much for the reply. 

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. 

There appears to be several IHRS surgeons in my area. I'm going to call today to schedule a consultation. I'm hoping he can provide a graft count so I know what I'm working with. I wouldn't be able to have a HT performed in the US, however. I'd likely be looking into Turkey or India!

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.

I currently wear a hair system, so the change would be drastic. I spend an unusual amount of time ensuring it looks natural, but it's not my hair, so it needs to go in the trash ASAP.

You seem to have a lot of miniaturized hair.  Doing as many modalities as you can, this may just contribute to the overall impact.

By modalities, do you mean regrowth treatments (Min, Fin, PRP, Etc.) ? Yes, I would throw the kitchen sink at regrowth on the crown and thickening of the transplanted areas once it is safe to do following the transplant.

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.

Can you clarify here? Are you saying a higher, age appropriate hairline with good density at the temple and midscalp areas with a gradient effect fading towards the crown would be the best move? I was thinking I could either wear a partial system on the crown or use Toppik there if possible until I'm able to receive a second HT to fill in the crown.

Do you think I could achieve moderate density over most of my bald area with a large FUT + regrowth treatments? Or would you recommend multiple HT's?

1 hour ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

Having a hair transplant and being a norwood 6 is going to cost some money regardless. What are your expectations can you post examples of what you’d be happy with? 

Hi Melvin,

Realistically, I would be over the moon with comparable results to the below. I do understand that barring a miracle megasession (not likely), that a result like this would likely take more than one session. Can you confirm that? Basically if I can achieve enough density to apply hair fibers or SMP to give myself the appearance of moderate density, that would be sufficient considering my current state.

I think my next course of action is to schedule a consultation with a HT surgeon in my area for purposes of getting a graft count so I know what I'm working with. Any idea of how many grafts you estimate I'm working with?

BTW my hair loss appears to have stabilized as of 5-6 years ago. 

@Melvin-Moderator That's quite the transformation, although I can imagine that would cost upwards of $20,000 and a decent amount of time hiding under a hat while recovering after each procedure. I was hoping an FUT to fill in the hairline and midscalp and an FUE some time after to cover the scalp would be sufficient.

@hairlossPA thanks for the reply. My pics are below. 

Note: I have more hair on my crown but it is regularly shaved down as I've gone the hair system route lately. They look and feel undetectable but involve too much maintenance so getting ready to shave and call it a day or actually do something about this in the next 6 months or so.

After going to great lengths to cosmetically conceal my hair loss, I've began to seriously look at HT's. I wanted to consult with the forum here to see what is realistically possible for high Norwood cases. I've been letting hair loss really get me down and I would be happy with even moderate coverage to use hair fibers with. 

NW6 - Pics included in a prior thread. Standard NW6 pattern but I have many miniaturized hairs on my crown. I'm managing my expectations of what I could realistically expect even with maxing out my donor.

My donor hair is somewhere between thick and fine and hard to categorize. It is curly when grown out.

I have never taken medication for hair loss. I'm not entirely sure what Fin, Min, etc. could even do for me as I have been bald for 6+ years. I would of course be open to starting Fin, Min, etc. prior / following a HT at the request of the Dr and would include supplemental things like Dermarolling and Nizirol Shampoo, etc. as well.

It appears that for advanced hair loss, that FUT is the preferred method for the initial transplant, followed by FUE down the line. With that being said, I am looking primarily at clinics in Turkey due to my budget. It appears that all perform only FUE. 

The FUT scar doesn't bother me as I've never cut my hair short. On the opposite end, I would be open to having a large FUE to achieve moderate density all over, and have SMP after for a density fill in.

Questions:

Could I achieve identical results with a large session FUE? (5,000+ grafts) as opposed to FUT? Ideally, I'd love to have a large FUT performed by Hasson & Wong for optimal results, but they are a bit outside of my budget!

What clinics in Turkey are the best for transformative cases? I've seen some promising results from Erdogan, Eugenix, and Dr. Cinik on the forum, but wasn't sure if there was a general consensus. 

On 4/27/2019 at 4:33 PM, Jonboy81 said:

I’d say you have similar to mine. I’ve had some great advice. I’m still unsure. Having the guts to do it is the other thing..

In my job I visit a lot Asian clients and it’s amazing the stories I’ve been hearing and there understanding of HTs..

ive seen people pay £400 in Pakistan don’t think he’ll get what he wants 

£1500 from Estehair and dental practice which he said they only work on 2 clients a day. Looks very clean now post 1 month. Time will tell I suppose..

cinik is looking like my preferred option. What’s your thoughts on what you gonna do? 

Thanks for the response Jon. May I ask why you'd like to go with Dr. Cinik. Is it because he operates with body hair as well to maximize your graft count? I'm just starting my research, but Dr. Korey Erdogan is a name I'm seeing quite a bit, and I do like the results I've been seeing, although I need to continue my research. 

I will likely get shave down, get SMP and aim for regrowth via Fin, etc and connect the results with FUT/FUE in a year's time (or when it becomes an option financially), or jump right into an FUT/FUE once I find a doctor (and one that would be willing to operate considering my advanced hair loss).

Your hair loss pattern does look identical to mine!

3 hours ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

We're both the same age, I would be identical to your hair loss had I never had a hair transplant. Check out my hair transplant journey in my signature. To be honest, you're better off doing FUT first and then FUE.

 

Thanks for sharing Melvin. I watched your story, it's quite the transformation. How many procedures have you had in total? With my current level of hair loss, do you think I could realistically achieve moderate density all over to supplement with SMP with a single FUE procedure? I'm apprehensive about FUT, as I don't know how I could deal with the massive scar. I'd like to know what to anticipate and if there's any hope for me. Any advice would be appreciated. I do plan on starting Fin, Min, and Microneedling, etc. to hopefully achieve some regrowth, although I fear that due to my age and the amount of time that these areas have been bald, that the follicles might be dead. 

I wanted to check in with the helpful folks here for some advice as I start my hair restoration journey. I'm 33, although my hair loss began around 21. I'm now a NW6, although my hair loss has been stable since I was 28. I've never taken any of the Big 3, but will likely start in the next 3-4 weeks once I can get a dermatologist appointment locked in. Note: My hair was grown out at the time of these pictures 3 weeks ago as I previously wore a hair system. I have a bit more density on my crown area as well, I simply had it shaved down a bit to attach the system.

I plan on starting Fin + Microneedling within 30 days, and would like to begin researching FUE options as well, in the hopes that I can connect the results with FUE. My side and back profiles can be seen in the mirror. What can I expect from FUE in my current state? I understand that I can't expect to have anything close to a NW2 again, but I would be satisfied with light-moderate density all over, at which time I could buzz it down and add SMP for additional volume. I'm also aware that I could potentially have my hairline and temple areas restored, but leave the crown alone. 

Assuming I can find someone in Turkey that will operate on me, what can I expect to achieve? Should I throw the Big 3 at it for some time to see what I can achieve in terms of regrowth before scheduling a consultation? 

Any help would be appreciated. I would like to do everything I can to restore atleast a portion of my hair.