BurnieBurns

I have to disagree with FUT not leaving you with more grafts as a blanket statement. It depends on the patient, their hair characteristics, baldness pattern, and scalp laxity. Also what hairstyles they prefer. As someone with fine hair, average donor density, NW6 with slight retrograde loss on the lower back and sides, I was estimated by some top docs as having just over 3k scalp grafts available after already having one small initial procedure of 900 grafts. After then it would start looking too thin. However, due to very good scalp laxity and no desire for short hairstyles, I’ve received nearly 9k grafts total from FUT between Dr Jerry Wong and Dr Ron Shapiro. Scar is on average 3mm wide and can get good filling in from 250 grafts. I even still get around 2k more scalp FUE in future while still looking full. I researched extensively and consulted with many of the clinics listed here, including Eugenix. Ultimately by doing both methods, I upped my graft bank from 4K to 9k! I understand I’m a very specific case and many if not most candidates are be better candidates for FUE only. But I believe that for the right patient hoping to maximise yeild , even in 2024, strip is worth at least considering.

These clinics are not even comparable in terms of their quality. But agreed that you should research the doctor, not the clinic.

It's possible there could by an autoimmune component of what your experiencing. There are ways of testing for these things and I'd be confident one of those doctors could get to the bottom of it or at the very least refer you to someone who could. Nothing is going to stop depression over night and battling hair loss is a marathon not a sprint. But if you set yourself up to see the best people, you can at least reassure yourself for the time being you've done the most proactive thing possible for your situation. Feel free to update the forum with how you get on. Good luck!

I see. For regular androgenic alopecia, even if it's DUPA, is identified by hair miniaturisation rather than biopsy. However if you're getting those symptoms as well that could suggest something else, in which case a doctor might refer for a biopsy. Sounds like you're taking the right steps. If helpful, recommended surgeons in or near the midwest would include: Drs Ron Shapiro & David Josephitis in Minnesota Drs Raymond Konior or Vladimir Panine in Chicago Dr Robert Haber in Ohio (also specialises in dermatology) Dr Jerry Cooley in North Carolina

It's understandable to be worried, maybe wait until you're seen by a doctor you trust before trying medication again so you receive proper guidance. Sometimes hair texture can change just with age but we can only speculate at the end of the day. It will first need to be seen by a doctor who knows what to look for with the right equipment, so he/she can give you a better idea of the circumstances.

That will be a good start, in person is best but it's worth seeing what they come back with

I don't see cause for the scalp biopsy from these pictures in my opinion. I understand how overwhelming it all must be but first and foremost you need to be seen by a qualified and recommended surgeon. What area do you live? You could start by going to someone closer to you

Thanks for uploading the pictures. I'm not a doctor but here is my advice. It's too hard to tell unless magnified, and I know it's cut very short, but there may be signs of miniaturisation in the donor area. This should definitely be checked out by someone qualified to detect whether you have diffuse unpatterened alopecia. It could just be the lighting and the angle combined with below average density, but this needs to be confirmed one way or the other before thinking about surgery, Given your age and degree of loss, you'd be strongly recommended in my opinion to try oral minoxidil 5mg. This has no affect on libido. From there, it's worth trialing topical dutasteride once or twice weekly, ideally a formulation designed to limit absorption like Xyon. For consulting with clinics, I don't believe someone being depressed should rule them out, however you still need to be level headed, have a mature outlook, and not make any rash decisions. If I were your case I would consult with clinic specialising in high norwoods and have experience with beard hair. I know you said yours is non existant, but I have seen cases which have been able to extract a surprising amount. Eugenix or Dr Felipe Pitella. They may be able to to extract more beard grafts than you would assume. It's worth noting that Dr Pitella does not use finasteride on his patients If your scalp is very loose, FUT may be worth considering. Hattingen hair / Hasson & Wong come to mind. Lastly, you will need to have your expectations managed. Most patients with a NW6 + pattern in their 20s will need to forgo filling up the crown in favour of addressing the front where the the grafts will have more visual impact. You would also likely need a higher conservative hairline to allow adequate density behind it. This is my two cents. There will be well intentioned people who will believe the depression is caused by a deeper issue than hair loss, but if you are absolutely, 100% sure that this issue is the driver, then it may be worth sensibly investigating all the options with good information before throwing in the towel.

Don't hedge any bets on verteforfin just yet and I think holding out for it won't do you any good for your wellbeing. From the sounds of things you may well still have options. Restoring hair loss isn't as simple as 'oral finasteride or bust'. Depression from hair loss is awful and crippling, but please know that so many of us have been there and understand. I second what Al said, how about you post some pictures and we can see if we can help you on a path forward?

Incredibly natural hairline that will age very well. A night and day difference already but no doubt there will be more thickening up over the next few months!

Marc Dauer I believe is regarded as one of the best in the world for eyebrow restoration but I haven't seen any of his head hair work. I'd presume he would be similar to Dr Mohebi in price. If cost is a barrier for you then I'd agree with the others, definitely look outside California. The names Melvin mentioned would be promising. Most here would also stress that if you're in any position to pay more, even after saving up for a while, the last thing you would want to skimp on is a hair transplant. It is a genuine surgery and will affect you lifelong

I’m afraid it isn’t that simple if the formula has had to change due to the patent. I can confirm having received farmacia para ti formula in the past year that the ingredient list on the bottle is completely different and has also resulted in some side effects. For anyone with only this as an option who has a history of sensitivity to the drug, I’d recommend getting a lower concentration

By this point I’m really not hopeful…

I strongly recommend contacting your surgeon about it. Cases of nerve damage very much can occur in the recipient area, more so with less experienced or lesser skilled surgeons. Overall I think it's a lot more common than online will show, but many don't even notice or just aren't bothered by it. Sensation going back until the vertex area is all from 'trunks' of nerves stemming from the 'eyebrow zone'. I.e. damaging the main nerve trunks will also damage all the nerves branching off it. Whether it's permanent or not is another issue. It depends on whether the nerves have been damaged versus completely severed. I went to an inexperienced surgeon who made very low incisions which created complete numbness going back for about 6-7 months. Since then I've had very slow but sure recovery of sensation. I consulted with a dermatologist who was used to doing skin cancer removals, with his knowledge of the nervous system, since there has been a small degree of recovery he said to expect it to recover completely over the next few years. Sensory nerves are resilient and tenacious. If it's 100% numb at say 7 months, that might point to severed nerves. Take from that what you will, I'm not a doctor but I'd say this warrants medical supervision.

How old is the video of Dr Josephitis? I recall in a podcast this year Dr. Shapiro said beard grows just as well. I’m paraphrasing though and may have misunderstood