WhatComesNext

Hi guys,

It's been 14 months now. Here's some photos of the past few months. 

Outside in low light. 11 months.

Inside in flat light. 11 months.

After haircut. Outside in flat light. 11.5 months.

Outside in soft light. 11.5 months.

Outside in neutral light. Low pic quality. 13 months.

Inside in harsh overhead light. 14 months.

Inside in neutral overhead light. 14 months.

Inside top down in harsh light taken today, 14 months. 

I have noticed slight thinning on top in last few weeks however, and am hoping that it is just shedding. I am also experiencing significant work pressure, so stress is playing a role. I haven't showered in 24 hours here, and have been travelling, so mind the dandruff.

You can see the thin areas noticably here. Right now it doesn't come across as balding for me psychologically, just sparse, and it is a whole lot better than what was (not) there before. 

I take 1mg finesteride. I do not use minoxidil or hair fibres.

Overall I am extremely happy with the results and no longer wear a hat in public. Sometimes I get in my head about people noticing, particularly the perfectly straight row of 'scattered hair' of my hairline against the thicker uniform hair behind. I get around this insecurity by wearing my hair messy infront, which obscures the hairline enough to create a natural look. I am very lucky with my hair characteristics, even though I get a frizzy look often. I find that styling creams highlight the uniformity of the implants, so I tend not to use them. I experiment with different shampoo/conditioner combos alot.

99% of interactions noone has a clue I've had work done. I've even had complements on my hair, which hadn't happened for a decade before the HT. 

Worth every penny.

On 7/9/2022 at 7:12 PM, GoliGoliGoli said:

I enjoyed reading this. You hair loss pattern looks somewhat similar to mine especially in the original set of pics when your hair is flattened out and straightened down, although you are a bit more progressed than I am. I'm going in for 4000 grafts so I'm confident that will give me the coverage I need based on the amazing result you got out of 4500. I just hope my Doctor is as skilled as yours were.

 

How old were you when you went in for the HT? Apologies if already mentioned

Hi. I am glad you found my post helpful. I was 32.

Hi all. Here is my 8 month update. Still losing 50-100 hairs every shampoo but overall happy with the result so far. The angle of the crown photo makes it look thinner that it seems. The thinness is not super recognizable from "normal" angles hair is viewed. 

Hi guys,

Here's 6 month update. I went to a barber a week ago. Sides super short and long on top. Pleased with the result so far.

Only point of concern is for the last month or so I've been losing about 100 hairs every time I shampoo/condition. I do it vigorously. I don't leave much hair on pillow. Eugenix told me this is probably a telogon shed.

Again though, very happy with how things are turning out.

Here it is wet and dry.

On 4/16/2022 at 8:40 AM, drawdownfx said:

That hairline is more natural than my natural hairline 😅 Congrats man and there is more to go! How are you feeling at this stage?

Feeling pretty good. I wore no hat out for the first time yesterday. Noone even looked twice.

Excited for the next couple of months.

3 hours ago, MazAB said:

100% agree. The illusion of density goes so much further with your hair type! Would still love to see a shot with your hair pulled back though. 

Looking great at current state!

Here you go:

5 month update.

A little shockloss in the donor area. Could this be from minoxidil? 

Quite a bit of shedding recently, but feel good about things overall.

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the confidence boosting.

Here it is wet, 4 months 5 days in.

Hi guys! 4 month update under harsh light. My non transplanted hair is so healthy from the daily regimen lol.

14 hours ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

I’m in the same boat, hair transplants are a mental game. Its all part of the process. Are you taking any supplements? Laser therapy? 

Fin, minoxidil and other supplements like multivit and biotin (I know really only fin and min are the real deal). No laser therapy.

I've noticed a little bit of improvement from month 2-3 but not much. Hoping things really take off as I approach and pass the 4 month mark. Truly is a mental game at this point.

Three month update. Picture quality has gone down a bit since I had to take these myself. Still supremely in the ugly duckling phase. 

Awesome @Gatsby and congrats to being on the other side! Looking forward to your post

On 1/13/2022 at 11:07 AM, kirkland said:

In the last 4 weeks, I have added warm/cold scalp therapy and an apple cider vinegar rinse. I alternate between 30 seconds on warm water, 30 seconds of cold water to the scalp area and follow that cycle 3 times, then I apply a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar to scalp for 2 minutes, then rinse, shampoo, rinse.

 

Awesome progress so far friend. I'm curious about this regimen. Are you seeing if it helps with growth?

Good luck @Gatsby!!! Can't wait to see you on the other side

2 month update. Donor looks like its recovered nicely. 

Will probably buzz down later today to get everything the same length.

Fantastic write up @kirkland.

Your 3 month post photos are looking really good. I am right at the 2 month mark with the same redness and bare scalp, so your post and progress is very encouraging!

On 12/16/2021 at 10:11 AM, rob7331 said:

Hi my dude, I'll speak directly to your question as I know exactly what you mean.

In the first couple months after a HT it will often look very thin. Areas where you thought had roughly 400 grafts done look like they have 100, etc. I've been told that the hairs are there, they are just under the skin and haven't 'popped' through yet. The growth phase for most people starts at 4 months, and it can take some time before all the newly transplanted hairs are visible. And then of course, they have to lengthen and mature, which takes more time.

Here's two pics from my previous HT to show you what I mean. The first is at 2 months, the second 18 months.

Thanks @rob7331 your post has been super helpful and I keep coming back to it.

I am concerned about how thin and sparsely planted the hairline looks at the 6 week mark, especially the smooth gaps between individual hairs, but your pics and experience give me hope.

1 hour ago, Melvin- Moderator said:

Perfectly normal to be a bit pink, it’ll subside you’re still healing.

Thanks, and fair enough - I'm okay with the redness. I get that that is the norm for my skin colour, my concern is moreso the scarcity in the hairline and not being able to see new growth or even insertions, when I know that that was more densely packed. JDEE0 did give me an answer on that which makes me a little less concerned, so that's good. Ugly duckling self-consciousness abounds.

Hello again, I have a quick question I'm hoping you guys can help me with. I am starting to get concerned about my right hairline, specifically that it looks really scarce, with very little spaced out single hairs in the front. I know shock loss and shedding are possible explanations for this, but what is concerning me is that my skin is very smooth between the spaced out single hairs, with no visible insertion marks. I know the clinic spent considerable time densifying this area, so is it just the case that the skin has healed quickly and the new hair just needs to break through the skin, or do I have something to be concerned about? Just under 5 weeks post now.

22 hours ago, Gabreille Nelson Mukhia said:

It is completely okay to shed. However, these hair shall come back. We are here if you need anything. Wish you the best results. It will be worth the wait.

9 hours ago, MazAB said:

Well put@Gabreille Nelson Mukhia! You will start to feel a lot better when you're closer to the 4 month mark and you start seeing a flurry of growth occur.👍

 

For sure, and thanks guys. It's one thing to know about the shed and another to experience it. I think I avoided bad shock loss though, so I'm happy about that. The shedding seems to be worst mid-scalp and on my right hairline. Some of the FUs, especially in midscalp, seem to have left a smooth bald surface and I can't even really see where the insertions were. Hope they're just lying dormant underneath.

One month update. Lots of shedding in frontal area, but lots of new growth there as well. Seriously feeling like an ugly duckling... this shit is too real.

29 minutes ago, LaserCaps said:

Unfortunately, the photos are not very good.  Seems you've kept a strong forelock but there seems to be little else.  I would not worry much about shock loss in the front.  I would however, urge you to consider getting on all modalities to help you retain the native hair.  What area(s) did they work? Hopefully they concentrated the grafts and not put them diffusely throughout the pattern.  

They rebuilt around the frontal lock - lots of transplants to the sides of the lock but left the frontal lock mostly alone, with some thickening happening. Good to know I don't have to be too heavily concerned about shock loss in the front. I will get on 5% minoxidil right away since I'm now 12 days out. Is it okay if there's still redness/flaking or should I wait for that to be over before starting the minox?

Looks like this now: 

32 minutes ago, asterix0 said:

Minoxidil will definitely boost your transplant growth and also help with your existing hairs.

I am currently a minoxidil user for over 5 years, but am more concerned how soon to restart it after a transplant, and maybe is it ok to take it orally in the meantime and switch back to topical after a certain amount of time. 

Thanks for the fast reply @asterix0. I've seen the internet saying that it's okay if you use it for 6 months post HT and stop - but other users saying once you start it you have to use it forever. Confusing. 

Hi guys,

I recently had a 4500 graft HT at Eugenix on Nov 8th to 10th. I'm looking at ways of both minimizing potential shock loss of existing hair in frontal area and mid scalp and for accellerating the growth of the transplanted hair.

I've researched whether or not minoxidil would help significantly in these areas or not. It seems to be the case but I'm a little concerned with having to use it forever if I start. I am already on Fin.

I was hoping to hear some anecdotal experiences from forum members about whether or not it is worth it to start on minoxidil mainly to make sure my existing hair doesn't shock loss out. If the frontal existing hair did shock loss out that would be a nightmare scenario, leaving a gaping bald spot in my hairline. Here is how my hair looked pre transplant to give you guys an idea:

3 hours ago, Gatsby said:

This is going to be a killer result @WhatComesNext. I already love the whirl pattern of your crown and add to that the coverage, temple points and your natural curly hair, thi s is going to be a knock out result. Thanks for the update and I look forward to following your journey! Thanks for sharing!

So nice to read this, thank you for the confidence booster. I'm excited. Just need to get through the ugly duckling phase now.