LaserCaps

Thanks for posting and providing photos. Diffused thinning, young guy. Good decision to stay on the med. Most believe Propecia and Rogaine are the best meds out there for hair retention in the crown. The problem is that of expectation. People do become frustrated when they see no visual change a year later - not understanding - the meds are not intended to grow anything. Rather, they are to keep you from losing any more. Thus, if a year later you look the same, the meds did what they were intended to do. You are young and have experienced aggressive loss. And, if you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. I would encourage you to consider adding Rogaine, PRP and Laser and give them a year. You still have a lot of native hair that hasn't left the building. Hopefully you can not only retain but also experience enhancement. PLS hold off doing any transplant until you get this under control. It is likely, a year later, you'll have a whole world open up to you with different alternatives. Lastly, if you have no family history of loss, it might not be a bad idea to have a derm do a biopsy and given you the reason why you are experiencing such loss.

Just awesome work

When you've been in the industry for a while, you become aware of many things. Mannerisms, quirks, etc. I think, for the most part, all doctors mean well. They are "libraries" with wealth of info that sometimes they can't wait to share with a patient. Does it make them look better in the eyes of the patient? Sometimes. I do think, however, most doctors do want to do right by the patient. They will also keep you from making mistakes.

The local wears off .....the numbing feeling you may experience after the fact has nothing to do with it. This is typically caused by the doctor going in too deep and inadvertently cutting nerve endings. Eventually they reconnect and the numbing feeling goes away. The original post is interesting for another reason. We know blood supply to the head can actually have a positive effect on transplants. I am wondering if ongoing massages to the scalp could actually have any impact.

24, you're young. If you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. When? Wish I knew. So, you're thinning your corners and the crown. While I understand the hesitation to use Fin, there is Rogaine, PRP and Laser. These are external to you. (And Fin is now available as a topical solution). Why not try one of those or all of them? High grafts? What does that mean? Are you referring to a higher graft count? This deserves commentary. During any given consultation, it is the job of the doctor to do what you want - but also to keep you from doing things that he knows would not be in your best interest down the road. (Example - placing a hairline in the middle of a forehead). It is at this time that he estimates how he many grafts he can harvest from your donor. (Thus, it is not what you need. It is what he thinks he can get). This, in itself, means little. Particularly if you're destined to lose all the hair in your head. Go ahead and post some photos

The concern here is NOT the cost of a procedure. It's what's happening with your pattern. Strong class 5 moving rapidly to a 6. You're young with already an advanced pattern. It is a given - if you've shown the propensity to lose, you will continue losing. It would be nice to know when. Wish I had a hair crystal ball from time to time. From the back it seems you are experiencing some retrograde. It also looks like you are dipping quite a bit. That puts a lot of pressure on your donor. I would encourage you to consider Fin, Rogaine, PRP and Laser and stay on them for 1 year. Hopefully you can improve all areas. You can then transplant pending the outcome.

Finasteride, Minoxidil, PRP and Laser are the modalities we typically refer to when dealing with this condition. If you won't do any - for whatever reason, you can then rely on the other ones. The mechanism of action of each of these is totally different and are thus synergistic when used simultaneously. Several issues to keep in mind. Many believe Fin and Min are the best modalities out there for retention in the crown. The problem is that of expectation. If I do something, I want something in return. When people see no visual change after the use of the meds, they become frustrated and stop all together not understanding the meds are not intended for you to grow anything. They are to help you with retention. If a year later you look the same, the meds did what they were intended to do. PRP and Laser can actually have a visual impact, (when done correctly). It can take 12+ to mature the results of a procedure. You can enjoy those same results in 6 mo with PRP. The second thing it does is reverse the thinning, (miniaturization). The problem here is who do you trust. How do you know that this is being done correctly? Do your research and review photos of results. Also, please ask about credentials. There are plenty of lasers out there. Again, do your research. LaserCap is the only by provider only laser. It is prescription strength and comes with a lifetime warranty. It works on two different pathways. By the way, Fin is now available as a topical solution and Rogaine is now available in pill form.

This, truly, is not complicated. Or, is it? Testosterone is what drives guys. There is a breakdown into DHT which we know is an irritant to the follicle. A DHT blocker, such as Finasteride, can help with hair retention. The problem is "expectation." If I do something, I expect something in return. When patients see no visual change, they become frustrated and stop all together - not understanding the medication is not intended for you to grow anything. It is for you to retain. Thus, if a year later you look the same, the med did what it was intended to do. All modalities, (Finasteride, Rogaine, PRP and Laser) work in different ways and are thus synergistic. Fin and Min are considered the best meds out there for retention, particularly in the crown. When to start?.......probably when you first realize you are losing native hair. The sooner you get on it, the sooner you start protecting what you have. Sometimes, particularly in women, a doctor may ask the patient to get on Rogaine for a time period prior to the procedure as it may help with post op shedding. Other times, a doctor may ask a patient to stop the use of it a week prior to the procedure since it can cause more bleeding during the procedure. Could the alcohol content in the med also cause irritation? Perhaps. Many believe Rogaine can lose its effectiveness, particularly after 7 years. The suggestion, however, is to continue the use of the med to avoid losing what you would have lot had you not been on the medication. This is true, however, of all modalities. We, unfortunately, do not have a hair crystal ball that will tell us what we would have lost. So, get on the meds and stay on them for as long as your hair is important to you. And follow your doctor's recommendation.

Rogaine is now available in pill form.

Have you ever used Toppik? I would try that first. It will give you a sense of what can be accomplished with SMP. Yes, I think it would help you minimize contrast and give you the look of a fuller set of hair instantly. Do keep in mind this is organic ink and is metabolized by the body. Lasting effect is about 3 years when done correctly. Not sure if the look you have is haircut related. I would encourage you to consider all other modalities, (Rogaine, PRP and Laser).

The overall consensus, if you use it 2X per day, you are getting 100% of the medication. If you use it once a day, you are still getting 90%. Yes, it is labor intensive. Just do it once and see how that goes. The med, by the way, is systemic. That is, you can just put in on any one place. The skin absorbs the med.

Like JC71 explained, the only way for this to happen is when a graft is dislodged. This typically happens immediately after the procedure, (and possibly within the first 2-3 days). Most believe you can't do harm 3 days after the fact. So, if you start bleeding profusely....that would be the sign.

Apparently you missed my intent altogether. You stated you know the signs. I felt the need to start with the basics You then started talking about not experiencing abnormal bleeding etc...which honestly has nothing to do with the topic at hand. The only way to tell, after the fact, if grafts took or did not take is to confirm uniformity of the grafts in the planned area. I covered this on the last paragraph.

A couple of things about this. First, the initial consultation. This is the time the doctor confirms your candidacy, examines the donor, checks for any skin conditions, etc. Once he approves you, this implies you are a candidate in every respect. If there were any inklings regarding the donor, he would likely point this out and show you the "best" part of the donor he would intend to use during the intervention. God forbid you move forward with a doctor with zero experience. You are experiencing global thinning and you move forward with the procedure. If you are thinning in the donor, you would thin out the grafts as well. Once the transplant takes place, it is likely the grafts will be placed uniformly throughout. A year later if you see an empty spot within the area he worked, then you know something must have caused it. This can easily be seen under magnification.

This is well documented. Apparently, it loses 5% efficacy after 6 months. Downhill from there.

This is an interesting post, particularly because it needs some adjustments. No, it does not take 3-4 months to show final results. That's when the hair starts coming in. It starts vellus-like and, in time, it matures. It takes 12+ months to see the final result so you do have to wait patiently. The benefit, however it comes in very gradually and becomes you after a while. (No one will be jumping all of the sudden to say "what did you do?). Surgical risks? What are you talking about? The doctor himself, if not properly trained - yes that would be a huge risk. Expensive fee structure? Well, that will depend on the size of procedure, the type of procedure and many other scenarios. What are you talking about? What other options are there for young people? Other than medical therapy, transplants, systems and shaving? With the millions of people inhabiting this Earth, there is something for everyone. It is up to you to do the research and figure out what's best for you. Seems you've found a combo of modalities, for lack of a better word, to deal with this condition. Why advertise for the wig store? And, if you are content with the system, why take Fin? Are you trying to help the trichologist or the wig store.....I'm confused.

Many people believe there are more than 101 different types of hair combinations in the donor. Fine, coarse, medium-coarse etc...So, going from ear to ear, the density per square centimeter can change. The estimate you were given, does that account for that and for the fact there are both FUE and FUT techniques now available? What type of experience does the doctor have? Does he have a fellowship in hair? Unfortunately you've only posted photos of your donor. Are you experiencing any loss? Very difficult to ascertain just from looking at images. In person evaluations would help.

Well, it depends. Electrolysis & laser are probably the most common. It typically requires several "treatments" as the follicles are very sturdy. Depending on where the hair is, you could also do FUE. This would leave a scar, however. So, you would need to avoid areas that are readily visible to others. Say your corners, hairline, etc for example.

Several concerns, Most doctors are under the belief grafts compete for blood supply so they feel the need to leave a separation in between grafts. First procedure, thus, give you a "base" with a very "thin" looking result. A second procedure, which seems it was they told you, would then give you more density. My first question, where did the doctor learn to do hair transplants? Does he have a Fellowship in hair? By looking at the photos you posted, (and thanks for the good quality), it seems you are experiencing thinning on your sides and back. You are dipping in the back. Perhaps the current result is partially due to this. The first thing I would do is get on all medical modalities not only to retain, but to see if you can improve your donor. (Propecia, Rogaine, PRP, Laser). Give them a good year. In the meantime, you could consider SMP. This would buy you some time. Were you on any regimen prior to your procedure? What happened during the initial consultation? Why did you decide to put transplants in the crown from the get-go? Just curious. Did the doctor try to dissuade you from doing this or did he just go along? How many grafts did you do?

The IRestore does not even provide 1 Joul of power. The LaserCap provides 4, (dose of energy per treatment).

This will all depend on the result, particularly a year later. Was the density achieved by the doctor to your satisfaction? Do avoid the bright lights! Sounds like you may want to have another procedure. When did you have the procedure done? How many grafts?

Yes, there are knock offs of Knock offs now-a-days. You could probably get one on eBay for a couple of hundred dollars. LaserCap, however, is by provider only. It is a prescription strength cap that carries a lifetime warranty. It uses diodes instead of lds, and is the only one that I know studies were made. The array of 224 diodes does provide for the most efficacy. The cap is $2500. $2000 is a very competitive price. It's just like anything else. Do you like driving a Mercedes or a VW? With regards to the PRP, it's like the old Wild West. Everybody for themselves. Unfortunately the majority do not work. Again, do your homework and always ask about credentialing. Fellowships in hair are just not easy to obtain. So, who do you trust? Review photos of results. It is about results at the end of the day.

I would limit your sun exposure. Keep the sunscreen with you and apply as necessary. You should be OK.

The issue with the sun, particularly right after the procedure is the fact you can freckle permanently. After 7 days you can wear sunscreen and a cap. I'm afraid if cap only, it will not be enough if you are going to be out there for an extended amount of time.

NORMALLY, TYPICALLY.....the clinic will provide post op instructions etc. At about the 7th day you are to start washing your hair normally, (with the tips of your fingers....etc) All crusts along with the hair will fall off. 3-4 months later the transplanted hair will start coming in. Vellus-like at the beginning. It will be 6 months before you start noticing a bit of difference. It will be at a year when you'll see the matured result. I was surprised to see how much your hair has grown, (probably from the get-go), which can happen from time to time. (And typically, hair in the front grows forward, and so does the hair in the mid-scalp. So, when transplants are done, they will also be done angled forward. It is concerning they show angled to the sides, etc. So, it is quite possible for the clinic to say - let's give it a year and discuss once you see the full result. If so, I would continue going to your scheduled appointments and voice your concerns. Ask the doctor/clinic what options you have/will have if you are not totally satisfied with the work. I do have a question. How did you choose this clinic? Did you go there because they are close to you? Did you ask the doctor where he learned to do hair restoration? Did the doctor do the surgical part of the procedure? Or was it the techs? What method did they use?