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Hi All, Ive been using propecia since 2005. When I initially took it a rash appeared on my lower legs, mainly around the ankle area. The rash resembled nettle stings, and probably grew to about 1/4 inch before turning dark red. The rash usually lasted a week and dissapeared. Alchohol seemed to be a major catalyst and seemed to trigger a reaction (Sometimes 1-2hrs after drinking) This probably happened about 5 or 6 times over a 3 month period and then I havent been bothered since. My doctor advised it was probably one of the symptoms of the propecia. I perseveared with this and havent had any problems since....until this week... 5 years on......I have just stayed in a B&B and both my girlfriend and I were bitten by bed bugs!! I thought nothing of it, but hers dissapeared and mine has got worse. 5 days after the bites, my old 'propecia' rash reappeared sporadically and all over my body (my face, arms and back mainly near the bites)....my guess is the bites/poison have reacted with the propecia(!)?..... This is getting servely worrying as I my eye has now totally swollan.... I think it is also affecting my spelling as well On the serious side, we are getting a bit concerned, and prior to me visiting my doctor, has anybody else reacted like this to propecia/proscar and alhohol/insect bites/or anything else acted as a catalyst??????

Flavio, Is there a particular article you have read that has prompted you to write this? (just interested) One story that still amazes me is when I visited my family doctor when I was 21...I made an appointment with my doctor, very very depressed and misserable. I told her was there any medication to stop me losing my hair and her answer was "This happens to most men, and she then went on to tell me that I should just except it, her son went bald very young and he didnt have a problem meeting girls" ....... I left feeling even worse...AND THIS WAS MY F%*kING DOCTOR!! so yes, I agree, the psychological impact of hair loss is totally misunderstood by many!!

Congratulations!!..Your in safe hands with Dr Hasson.. I dont think you need to worry to much about having your bandana on for that long...I had a baseball cap on permanently for about 3 months. The only thing you need to avoid at your stage is bumping your head, scratching, or getting sunburnt...and I dont think theres much chance of that with all the rain were getting!! Good luck!!

Everyone - thankyou for your comments.. jmg544 - Yes I remember you, good to see things are looking good for you too!! At first I constantly monitored others who had surgery the same time or just before me. One person I have been monitoring was 'lovetospoon', and his growth was far far quicker than mine! I just guess it depends on the person... Julius - Im not sure on the actual density, but I was told they were packed in pretty dense...I had 3992 overall... Bill - Thanks for your ongoing support, without your input on this community, I probably wouldn't have gone through with a HT HMO/Phil mascallpen - Ive just posted some post op photos, let me know if you want to see any more..

another photo showing the extent in which the hairline was lowered....

Here is a photo immediately post op at the hotel... 1200 grafts were placed in the front to lower the hairline, and the remainder of the 3992 grafts were positioned amongst the existing hair to thicken the area up. The crown was not touched but im trying to thicken it up with proscar + monoxidal 5%........

Hi All, Please find attached a link to my hair restoration site. I have posted photographs of my 5 month stage....so far im really pleased with the results but expecting the hair in the front to mature more. My goal was to lower the hairline and thicken the frontal area. Dr Hasson placed 3992 grafts on the 22nd July 2009..

congratulations! you look great..

Madisongrad08, Start taking propecia + monoxidal and try and stabilise your hair loss first!! This is life commitment though! I started loosing my hair when i was 20. I can totally sympathise with you, but you must NOT rush into any HT yet. I waited until I was 29 for a HT. I managed to stabilise my hair loss, and over 9 years my hair had slightly receeded to a point I was not happy with my hair. Then I took the plunge with a HT with an approved doc on this website (Hasson and Wong)........ iam so so so happy my hair looks great but I have done my research and prepared for a life commitment.....sooooooooooo...try the meds for a few years yet, youve got plenty of time to date the cheeky chicas. Lastly, I managed to generate extra income by working on a bar in the evening. Plenty of hot chicks in there and you might find one whos interested in you and not just the way you look (hell, im sounding old and cheesy) Good luck!

I had a procedure with Dr Hasson, and he described my laxity within my scalp as excellent...in fact he kept on telling me the laxity was one of the best hes seen and made the actually procedure a lot easier to perform... I probably started (the laxity exercises as shown on the Hasson and Wong website) about 2.5 months before the procedure. Instead of doing it once/twice a day, I got in the habit of performing the exercises when ever I was sat down. E.g 10mins in front of the TV, 5 mins at my desk in work, a couple of minutes at traffic lights etc etc. Its sounds silly, but it became a bit of a habit, but helped my procedure a lot. I probably ended up 'exercising' about 5 times a day. so, over all, I benefited from little but often...hope this helps

Fingerscrossed, I had my procedure back in mid July this year. Fortunately ive been able to wear a cap up until now (3 months). I have just stopped wearing it and have no traceable signs..... 2 weeks is cutting it fine. Most of the swelling in your face should have gone by then, and any pain/numbness in the back of your head should have eased...but you will be left with a red bald head!. ummmmmm, my advice is you tell your boss and ask if you can wear a cap on your return... Good luck

I have found this so so so funny I thought I would share this with everyone.... Ive been wearing a cap since my operation, paranoid that taking it off would draw attention to my head and raise questions from friends and family. However, two weeks post op I was offered a job interview (completely un-expected). I couldnt go to the interview in a shirt and tie and baseball cap, soooooooooo, I had to reveal my red turnip to downtown vancouver and trek across towards the job interview....I kept my head down, walked very quickly, and just before I arrived, this fashion photographer jumped out and asked to take my picture!! AHHHHHHHHHH my worst nightmare!! I reluctantly said yes, bit my lip, and it was over.....I didnt actually know what he was taking it for, but handed me a business card... Here is the website: http://www.stylequotient.ca/ Im number 0066!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did he really not notice that my head was bright red??? Nobody in the interview commented either, and I didnt notice anybody staring in the street...Maybe Im paranoid about nothing!

I just had surgery with Dr Hasson today. You are safe in either hands of Dr Wong or Hasson to be honest, and in my opinion amongst the best physicians in the world. The entire team at Hasson and Wong were entirely welcoming, friendly, and very professional. I have not heard of any complaints during any of my research. Check out their website for further details. Once you have taken an initial consultation, they are likley to assign you a doc depending on your circumstances GOOD LUCK!!

Hi All, I have a procedure booked with Dr Hassan of Hassan and Wong in July this year. Iam having 2000 grafts to the frontal zone I have been asked to discontinue the use of the rogaine, but allowed to continue with propecia. I have used a combination of both for 8 years and have been pleased with the retention of a large amount of native hair. Since stopping the use of monoxidal last week, my hair already feels weak and difficult to style. I am concerned that I will lose more native hair due to stopping the use of monoxidal. Can anybody advise of simular experiences or am I worrying about nothing?