brianK

I've been taking MSM for about a year since my hair transplant. I haven't noticed any difference in growing hair or thickening my hair. I still take it because it helps grow my nails faster and makes them look more healthier and also helps my joints recover faster from intense workouts.

Anyone heard of Dr. Vories in South Carolina? I heard his commercial on the radio -- the very first commercial we've ever had in Myrtle Beach re: a hair transplant doctor in South Carolina. He claims to use a technique called the "Transfollic Technique." Anyone heard of this technique? His website (http://www.transfollictechnique.com) doesn't explain much, but it has me curious.

I've been on Rogaine once a day for the past year, and it's been working for me. I only apply it to my crown area because the rest of my scalp is too sensitive to handle it. I still use the "old" dropper to apply Rogaine; their new applicator and spray stinks. The big help was getting on Propecia; since I started on Propecia a little more than 4 months ago I've stopped shedding.

Brando, I stopped using Rogaine after 1 month as per Dr. Cooley, but also because the Rogaine irritated my scalp too much and it was hard for me to remove all of the residual to keep my grafts clean. Most of my transplanted hairs fell out between 5-6 weeks post op. At 9 weeks now I am seeing plenty of regrowth. Transplanted hairs that did not fall out have been growing.

I'd say I have more than half of my transplanted grafts left (who really knows, it looks that way, I could have less than what I imagine). Some of my grafts have been growing, and I am seeing new hair growth (nothing major) where some of my transplanted hairs had shed. I went through a big shed today, one of my biggest. It alarmed me. I picked off some of those annoying white, flakey bumps on my scalp and it definitely was pastey residual (dead skin and who knows what) clumping around my grafts which were probably wanting to fall out anyway. I've had no bleeding where my grafts have shed or I picked off (I read somewhere this is a good sign if there is no sign of bleeding). You bet, I have been getting tons of dandruff, even with using Nizoral 2%. I wonder if I've been cleaning my scalp as thoroughly as I should. Who knows. I'll add conditioner from now on. Anyway, as always, I appreciate your input and advice. Thank you...again.

I'm more than 6 weeks post-op from my 1600 FUs hair transplant. For the last two weeks I have been shedding some of my transplanted hair. Is it normal to see transplanted follicles fallout with what looks like a tiny piece of rice at the end of the follicle? Also some areas of my scalp feel bumpy and itchy where the transplanted hairs are. These raised bumps look like a combination of dead skin and Rogaine residual (it's white and flaky, like dandruff). I started rubbing, picking and gently scratching some of these bumpy areas and what looked like white, flaky dead skin and transplanted hairs fell out. Should I not be rubbing my scalp where the transplanted hairs are? Or does it not matter because the hairs are supposed to fall out anyway? I figure new hair growth is starting to grow from underneath these bumps on my scalp. I don't know, I'm confused. Anyone experience this? Brian

I'm more than 6 weeks post-op from my 1600 FUs hair transplant. For the last two weeks I have been shedding some of my transplanted hair. Is it normal to see transplanted follicles fallout with what looks like a tiny piece of rice at the end of the follicle? Also some areas of my scalp feel bumpy and itchy where the transplanted hairs are. These raised bumps look like a combination of dead skin and Rogaine residual (it's white and flaky, like dandruff). I started rubbing, picking and gently scratching some of these bumpy areas and what looked like white, flaky dead skin and transplanted hairs fell out. Should I not be rubbing my scalp where the transplanted hairs are? Or does it not matter because the hairs are supposed to fall out anyway? I figure new hair growth is starting to grow from underneath these bumps on my scalp. I don't know, I'm confused. Anyone experience this? Brian

The "foaming anti-itch solution" is called LUXIQ (betamethasone velerate) Foam 0.12%. You need a prescription for it.

I started using Rogaine three days after my HT surgery, as per my doctor's instructions.

Thanks guys for the info. I don't know what I would do without this forum and its users.

I used to listen to Spencer Kobren religiously when I lived in New Jersey a few years ago. I always found his advice very useful and unbiased. He and his book were the starting point for me to get on Propecia and Rogaine and evaluate my future options. His IAHRS website also was a starting point for me to research reputable doctors for my hair transplant. I now live down south and can't get his radio show. Is it broadcasted over the Internet somewhere? His website is becoming outdated. Some of the links don't work and he no longer archives his show. What's he up to these days anyway?

I picked this info. up at Dr. Foster's website. Is it true that eating too much meat can cause hair loss? I never heard of this before. Is this true, or is this Doc a quack? "The third cause of hair loss is exposure to too much testosterone as well as other male hormones. High levels of testosterone are usually associated with male pattern baldness and also with overly aggressive behavior. There are 2 main sources of testosterone: taking steroids (the kind bodybuilders take to gain muscle mass), and eating meat which is highly contaminated with hormone residues (all commercial meat). It only takes a minuscule trace of a hormone to have an action in the body; therefore, even residues left over from the hormones being fed to the animal are significant enough to cause a hormonal imbalance in the body. The remedy is to stop eating meat." (Source: Dr. Foster's website) Thanks, Brian

I picked this info. up at Dr. Foster's website. Is it true that eating too much meat can cause hair loss? I never heard of this before. Is this true, or is this Doc a quack? "The third cause of hair loss is exposure to too much testosterone as well as other male hormones. High levels of testosterone are usually associated with male pattern baldness and also with overly aggressive behavior. There are 2 main sources of testosterone: taking steroids (the kind bodybuilders take to gain muscle mass), and eating meat which is highly contaminated with hormone residues (all commercial meat). It only takes a minuscule trace of a hormone to have an action in the body; therefore, even residues left over from the hormones being fed to the animal are significant enough to cause a hormonal imbalance in the body. The remedy is to stop eating meat." (Source: Dr. Foster's website) Thanks, Brian

Dr. Cooley gave me dissolvable sutures, and yes, most of them dissolve in two weeks. I am almost 3 weeks post-op from my transplant, and I still have a few suture knots in my donor area. They usually fall out or I rub them out.

I found this on Dr. Weil's website, which I thought was interesting: "Whatever the cause of your hair loss, you may be able to prevent further loss and encourage re-growth by including omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Try to eat salmon, sardines, herring or mackerel two or three times a week or sprinkle two tablespoons of freshly ground flax seeds per day on your cereal or salads. Buy whole flax seeds, keep them in the refrigerator, and grind enough for a week at a time in a coffee grinder or blender. In addition, supplement your diet with the essential omega-6 fatty acid called GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) in the form of black currant oil or evening primrose oil, available in capsules or soft gels at health food stores. Take 500 mg of either twice a day. Be patient with this one. You won't see results for six to eight weeks." Source: Andrew Weil, M.D. I already take two tablespoons of grounded Flax Seed that comes in a bag (you can buy at Walmart). What about this Omega-6 500 mg twice daily? Anybody on it? What other supplements do you recommend to maintain healthy hair? Brian