LaserCaps

We are still missing the photo with you looking down....But off hand it looks like a solid 5 pattern. The first thing I would do is let your hair grow 2 weeks and take another set of photos. Two reasons for the 2 weeks. First, it will allow us to see how much native hair you do have. The second reason is to find out if you'll be able to handle longer hair. Have you been shaving long? Will you continue shaving once you have "more hair?" If so, then comes the question, why more hair if you are going to shave? But if you are planning on letting your hair grow, let's confirm the hair in the donor will fall and cover. This would allow for both FUT and FUE. Having access to the entire area will open up a number of choices for you. Concentrate on the front and top and leave the back for later. Once happy up front, you can then decide what to do. Are you doing any type of medical therapy to help you with retention of the native stuff?

It is too early to tell. at about 9 months you should get a better idea. Some cases can take the full 12 months to really mature results. The second point is the fact that symmetry is for system. An asymmetric hairline is your best friend and it adds naturalness to the total result. And when discussing symmetry, by the way, we are referring to the location of the hairline, (a bit higher up, down, but both sides not being exactly the same). It has nothing to do with density. If not content, the doctor can always modify and add grafts. It is imperative you go to your scheduled visits and bring up the issue(s) you are concerned about.

In the old days hair from the nape is exactly where doctors would harvest from for hairline work. They soon found out it was not a good idea as this area tends to thin in time, (and thus causing the grafts to thin as well). Now-a-days the finest hair can be found behind the ear. If the doctor is good, this should not be a concern. Start looking at photos of results and pay particular attention to cases similar to your own. When you find the one you like, contact the clinic. Go through a couple of consultations, ask away and then move fwd.

Helping with the dandruff makes sense. After all, flakes are typically a result of using a shampoo with alcohol, (which dries the scalp). Not sure about the stimulating part. As Gatsby states, the only benefit from oil is roasting. Do not go near the stove.....

During any given consultation, if the place is reputable, there will be a fact finding period as well as an educative one. First, is there family history of hair loss. Does the patient follow a Norwood and Ludwig pattern? is he young with an aggressive pattern? Or is the loss gradual? Once reality hits, here comes education. Medical therapies, etc. But there is always something that remains constant...If you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. What will the end result be? If we had a hair crystal ball it would make the work a lot easier. I think it is important to understand patterns and the way people typically lose hair. In an advanced pattern, typically most will keep some hair in the forelock , a thinner look in the middle section, (top), and and empty back, (crown). So, if a patient is adamant about not following a preventive regimen, the suggestion should be to create a very conservative hairline that will serve him well regardless of what happens. Concentrate most in the front with well receded temporal areas so he will always have something to frame the face, blend grafts through the top, and leave the back alone. He can always revisit the issue depending on all the factors we are familiar with.

The first thing I would check is the shampoo and see if it contains alcohol. This, possibly, may be the culprit. Starting tomorrow go ahead and start washing using the tips of your fingers and massaging until crusts are off. Any type of hair conditioner should be fine. I am curious to learn what exactly were the post op instructions given to you. e45 shampoo? Never heard of it. Never heard of bucket pour either. Unless you are taking an entire shower with it. I assume you are using a cup? And then comes the sponge. Why? So the follicles will catch? What clinic did you go to?

Years ago when the Merck reps visited the clinic, I recall the many conversations we had about the subject. Back then there was no generic. the verbiage included "there is more testosterone with the med than without" so, you should be wanting more, not less. The patent expired and then came Finasteride, (which is now available as a 1mg tab). Back then, however, you had to split the 5 mg tab, (which is still being done today). The issue with this is the fact that the tab does not come pre-scored. So you really never get .25mg regularly, this will vary. That being said, side effects were also discussed. The main one was loss of interest when it comes to sex. It covered none of the issues you have brought up. Could you be experiencing something else and the fact you are taking the pill is just coincidental? Perhaps it is the pill. So, are you under a doctor's supervision? Who put you on the med? I would start discussing alternatives of use. You could start by using it every other day and see what happens. Keep in mind there are also other alternatives like Laser therapy, Rogaine, PRP. But do get on something to help you retain. Lastly, I have been on the med for 30+ years. I always think of the med as a positive and not a negative - and concentrate on the fact that I'll have more testosterone." So, it is a mental issue? Perhaps. Don't over think it and discuss with your physician.

I realize how important it is to save money, particularly when you consider the strange times we live in. But nothing wrong with doing the research which we tend to preach daily. If you do end up finding photos of cases similar to your own, and you like to work, why not? But..... Travel expense, hotel, the unknown of it all....and then post op visits, etc. If something does go wrong, what do you do? Wouldn't you be better off doing staying put? How about calling the clinic and explain your situation. I am certain, if you are available when the clinic needs you, (say when there is a last minute cancellation), perhaps you can take advantage of preferential pricing.

Interesting case...particularly since you seem to be thinning throughout the entire pattern. Also notice well developed corners. So I venture to say there family history of hair loss. The next obvious "thing" is the stark color of your hair which is not helping you. The contrast makes the loss even worse than what it is. Fact wise, if you've lost, you will continue losing. And, while it may be gradual, it will happen if you do nothing about it. So the first thing to consider is medical therapy. Hopefully you are doing something to protect the native stuff. Can you transplant? Sure! Keep in mind doctors will typically work under magnification and can see/work easily through the native hair. There are some very talented doctors out there that can actually achieve density in a single procedure. Have you had any consultations yet?

In this day and age there are tons of products out there that perhaps are helping. I do think, however, there is a misunderstanding as to what these products can do. Most think it will be a magical pill that will regrow hair. So, let's take at this inquiry from psychopomp1. Used Redensyl for 5-6 months. No immediate regrowth but did see some wispy hairs at 4 months. Oh wait, also taking Finasteride & some "Really Works" vitamins. The question is, were you taking Finasteride the entire time? So, what caused the regrowth, as you call it? Was it Redensyl or Finasteride? Or a combination of both? Perhaps it was the Really Works vitamins. Meds do not regrow anything. What does happen? There are two types of loss, the type you see and the type you don't see. The type you see, shedding, is normal. Most believe 100 hair a day is the norm. (The follicle gets tired of producing hair and it goes into a dormant period. The hair then returns. The type of hair loss you don't see is what we are concerned about. Under a bright light look what's happening in the temporal areas. You'll notice the shaft of each strand may have different caliber hair. Some thick, some finer. This process is called miniaturization. Eventually the hair withers away until it finally disappears. That's hair loss. Once gone, the hair does not return. Meds are intended to halt this process. So, when patients say, "I regrew hair." it is enhancement of the hair that's on its way out. Again, nothing regrows hair from nothing. Lastly, it takes a good year to truly assess how effective meds are. If you were noticing enhancement at 4-5 months, I would encourage you to continue the combo which seems to have helped.

Interesting questions. Let's work on this one..... What is the reason to take Finasteride? To halt or slow down hair loss. But when discussing hair transplants, the basis for the work is harvesting grafts from the donor area which is permanent in the majority of people. Regardless of the pattern, most keep the rim of hair in the sides and back. This area does not need meds to survive. So, can finasteride improve graft survival rate? Perhaps. Let's say the individual is destined to lose most of the donor but Finasteride does help him retain. So = answer to first question is yes. The issue here however is the fact - if the patient gets off the med, he will not only lose the part of the donor, but will also lose all the grafts that came from that area. Shock loss is typically temporary and the hair does tend to return. Most believe Finasteride and Rogaine can help minimize the issue. Not sure about the "more hospitable environment." What comes to mind is the fact, if the medication is effective, the patient will surely benefit and whatever the doctor does surgically, will look that much better.

Great photo. Miniaturization is hair loss! There are two types of loss, the type you see and the type you don't see. Shedding is normal. Most believe 100 hairs a day is the norm. The follicle gets tired of producing hair and it goes into a dormant stage. 3-4 months later that hair returns. So, if you do see hair in the sink, floor, pillow, smile. That hair will return. Miniaturization is different. The hair withers and eventually disappears. Once gone, it will never return. Medical therapy is just about the only thing we have to combat this issue.

How many grafts you have lifetime depends on a number of factors including elasticity, your size head, and many others. And now that we have both FUT and FUE available, this has also helped increase numbers. And, unfortunately, there is no hair-o-meter to help. So your best bet is to have a few consultations, have the surgeons check elasticity, and check the type of density you are currently enjoying. Then consider donor management and decide on FUE/FUT. Typically a combo of these will allow for the most number of grafts.

Dr. Arocha, is all you would hope for in a hair restoration surgeon. He uses such advanced techniques he able to obtain density in a single procedure. Let me explain, Back in the day it was believed, and many still do, that a separation between grafts is needed for graft survival. The global concept deals with grafts competing for blood supply. So, you do a procedure, and then a second procedure would be needed to obtain density. Then you have to incorporate the number of grafts, budget etc. So, if a doctor tells you you need 2000 grafts - and two procedures, you are talking about 4000 grafts. If you do 500 at at time, you are talking about 8 procedures. There are many groups out there that will address the cost issue with "the least number of grafts that will allow for a positive cosmetic change up in the front." Don't fall for it. You'll end up with a small clump that perhaps will frame your face - but that's all. I would encourage you to visit Dr. Arocha's website and review photos of results. There are plenty of examples dealing with African American results. You can also request video conferencing so he can address your questions. Are you considering FUE or FUT? How do you typically wear your hair? Shaven, long, etc.....Have you had other consultations? What have you learned?

Awesome work. And .8mm, which is not easy to do.