ScottishGuy21

I’d mention it to your surgeon.

Wind burn can be as painful as sunburn so logic suggests it could be just as harmful given the length of time you’re running in the cold air.

Personally as long as your surgeon agrees I think a hat is the safer option first few months once you’re out of the initial first few week period.

(All the above us just opinion btw I may be totally wrong just trying to think logically 🤣)

I’d mention it to your surgeon.

Wind burn can be as painful as sunburn so logic suggests it could be just as harmful given the length of time you’re running in the cold air.

Personally as long as your surgeon agrees I think a hat is the safer option first few months once you’re out of the initial first few week period.

1 hour ago, ITA said:

I would advise you to do it, also check your blood values, in particular lymphocytes and monocytes, as well as checking your thyroid (these values can indicate the presence or absence of autoimmune diseases). The burning sometimes comes and goes.

Thanks for your input. I’ll certainly get a second opinion ASAP. I may look to get a private biopsy done to be certain.

Yes Ive had full bloods taken, I’m awaiting the results . The advice given was on provision the bloods were clear. What a minefield this is turning out to be 😔

23 minutes ago, ITA said:

Ti consiglio di rivolgerti anche ad un altro dermatologo.

Do you feel itchy or tingling in your scalp? Also, how does your dermatologist rule out LLP if the only way to diagnose it for sure is a biopsy?

Ok, I may just do that. Do you think he may have mis diagnosed? The burning scalp sensation I had has considerably subsided in the last few days.

Have you seen similar cases I can look into online?

I had a triscopic examination. 

He’s definitely had a recent top up. Although that’s not a flattering picture it shows up the areas which needed reinforcing. Good Luck to him, would love to know who his chosen surgeon is.

Ive just watched the Beckham doc/series on Netflix funnily enough. If he’s got any of his dads follicular genes then he’s done very well to keep any hair!

13 hours ago, Melvin- Admin said:

Bro this is looking insane. So happy for you, just look at the difference.

Night and day visually already. You’re not even half way through your journey too! 

2 hours ago, Rawkerboi said:

Interesting, your shedding is related to COVID, frankly I would had never even thought in my wild dreams.

I think it's anagen desynchronisation( There is detail video about this by Dr. Arika Bansal @ youtube)

Give it few months and your density will be back to normal

My dermatologist said he’s seen several similar cases recently but usually with women and children. With any type of fever / illness there is a risk of telogen effluvium. I’m back with him in December for a follow up.
 

I had considered desynchronisation and that’s definitely also something which could have contributed to the thinning also (Along with seasonal shed). Whatever is going on is also impacting existing native hair too though which suggests more is at play.

Further update

Been to see a derm today who has ruled out anything scalp related including seb derm, foliculitus and lichen planus. Which is a partial relief.

I’m still awaiting my blood tests. Providing they are clear and after having a deep discussion he strongly believes the shed / issue is covid related and has sent the hair into the telogen phase. Only time will tell but I hope he’s right and I’ll see regrowth in a few months 😥. To be honest I hadn’t even factored in it may be related to covid.

Dr Bicer has been in contact several times and face timed me. It is true what they say about her after care being second to none. I’m over a year out now post op and she’s still replying right away. Covid wasn’t discussed in my initial calls to her but after hearing about my derm discussion she said it made sense and was glad it wasn’t scaring alopecia. So that was my fault looking back for not exploring that avenue . Let’s see what the next few months bring now 🙏🏼

Hi Everyone 

I’ve been shedding for around 3-4 weeks and orignally put it down to seasonal shed or a finasteride type cycle shed

However in the last 7 days my scalp has become very irritated and inflamed too. I am due to see a Dr here Wednesday but in the mean time can anyone give me any pointers on if this is potentially LLP or Foliciltis? There is definitely some sort of issue going on that’s gradually becoming worse. It’s impacting all over not just in my transplanted area and has become very noticeable rapidly.  I must have shed 50% of my hairs within the last few weeks , pretty terrifying😔

6 hours ago, Melvin- Admin said:

Your hairline is looking fantastic.

It’s certainly still way above where I started, but it’s got lease denser for sure.
 

If I pull my the hairline back something is going on. The sudden losses / irritated scalp all over are much more evident in the pics below. Hoping my Dr/Derm can clear things up next week.

23 minutes ago, Ccd99 said:

Have you heard of anagen desynchronisation? Supposedly happens between months 12-15 and is expected as the follicles settle into their new cycle. 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, during week 1 of my shed I presumed it may be this. Unfortunately it’s also affecting native hair. The photos below are in the same place, same lighting just a month apart to give you an idea of the change.

Quick update 

Between month 11-12 I’ve suffered a large shed which I’m still trying to get to the bottom of. It seems to be affecting both transplanted and native hair. I’ve been noticing hairs shedding almost constantly and the impact is now clearly visible.
 

My scalp has also become quite irritated and feels sunburnt in places , so something is going on. I’ve an appointment with my local Dr next Wednesday and hope to have bloods and a potentially a biopsy done to send to a dermatologist. The thread on LLP has terrified me to be honest. If anyone is well versed in scalp conditions could they drop me a DM?
 

I’ve been in contact with Dr Bicer too, she says it may be that my hair loss has become aggressive and difficult to contain or I may have an deficiency of something (so hopefully my bloods will tell us more). It’s difficult living so far away though as she can’t examine my scalp. I’m not sure such aggressive hair loss would surface in just a few weeks? 

Here’s hoping for some better news in my next update . 

5 minutes ago, Phillyman1996 said:

What number buzzcut is this?

I had a 0 for my procedure. This was around 2 weeks after so it’s probably at a length 2 by then.

17 hours ago, Melvin- Admin said:

I’m saying the pattern would be evident by 35. You might have a lot of hair left, but the pattern would be visible under microscopic evaluation or with a buzzed head. 

A buzzed head is the best way to detect.

When I got my first procedure for frontal work I was actually quite shocked at how sparse my midscalp and crown was once buzzed. Clear NW5 pattern. Crown not dipped yet but it’s certainly an eye opener 

5 hours ago, Melvin- Admin said:

Hattingens scars looks impeccable. I haven’t seen any issues with scarring. Most scars look pencil thin. 
 

Agreed. If I was considering going down the FUT route Hattingen would be my top pick (Being based in Europe). Great results and importantly consistent ones over a long period.

You’re only day 9 so impossible to comment on potential end results 

What I will say is that the work looks exceptionally clean and you’ve healed super quickly. You can rock that look in public now and nobody would suspect you’ve had a transplant.

 I think the result looks fine. What NW level we’re you pre transplant? I’m sorry it’s clearly having an impact on you, it’s good you are talking and asking for advice.
 

Going too aggressive on the hairline whilst being a higher Norwood is never a good idea. A more mature (if you like slightly recessed looking) hairline looks natural and helps save grafts for further down the line if you need more doing. Maybe this was your Dr’s intention? Also remember any transplant will never renew your previous natural density too.

Far too early to make a call. I understand your anxieties it’s only natural but some don’t bloom until as long as months 7-8. It sounds like you’ve done your research when looking for Dr’s, trust the process 🙏🏼

4 months , insane growth already. 

From someone with a large head this is a super interesting discussion.

There is no one size fits all

My own experience was of recession between 18-22 of the frontal corners to your typical ‘M’ NW 2-3 pattern too. It largely stayed as it was then until about 27ish.
 

I foolishly opted to stay off meds naively thinking this steady period would last. (This is my biggest regret). Around 27-31 it gradually crept into my midscalp and crown. Them areas are thin but there is still native hair. I wish I’d kept more of an eye on my hair during this period as you don’t tend to notice further losses day to day until it’s too late. I jumped on Finasteride at 31 which seems to again have halted the process for now.

A DHT blocker is essential so you’re doing the right thing in that respect. Your losses would have more than likely been a lot more significant if you hadn’t incorporated these into your regime.

Best advice I can give you is to wait as long as possible to pull the trigger. Given your age you need to be sure you have hair loss under control for a sustained period before any transplant.

You are approaching the subject very maturely and should be commended for that. Take regular pics in the same lighting so you can monitor your hair and note any further recession. 

Good Luck 

Great result 🙌🏻

Perfectly normal.

Should also note that everybody scars differently. Some have much less noticeable ones than others through no fault of the surgeon. It can boil down to genetics and skin type. I seem to remember Rolandas  (who has one of the best transplants I’ve ever seen) having a similar scar pattern to yours at a ‘0’ buzzcut. He attributed this to his skin type.

On 9/14/2023 at 6:03 PM, Melvin- Moderator said:

Yes, I’m thinking of abandoning the live podcasts. I think this set up is best. Give surgeons the opportunity to prepare cases and share their screen. 

This is the way to go. Having slides and photos to compliment and show examples of what the Dr is talking about is fantastic. Great stuff.
 

As for Zarev, well it’s obvious why he is one of the very best. His attention to detail is second to none. 2 + hours for a consultation is crazy but when you look at the in depth planning he does it makes sense. No stone is left untouched, the forward planning in terms of donor and further recession is also like nothing I’ve ever seen. Every single graft or potential graft is accounted for. He’s booked up for years in advance but given how long each case takes including consultation & surgery it’s not hard to see why. Phenomenal

Also nice to see him squash a few myths and present repairs cases too.

Great surgeons operate at a high level consistently , elite surgeons push the boundaries of what’s possible and innovate. He falls under that bracket 

It may not be miniaturising but subtle changes could well be down to aging. Our skin for example also begins to show signs of aging around 35-40 too.