Robert_

Because your head will fall off. Heh heh. Sorry, had to. The truth is that if you can handle it, there is no problem with using it every day. It can dry out the hair, though, but if you use it in conjunction with a good moisturizing conditioner it shouldn't be a problem. -Robert

nsudhir80, Welcome to the forums. You're getting some good advice so take it to heart. It may seem like a pain to painstakenly research your options online, but believe me its worth it. You are going to want to know what to look for, what to ask, and what to expect when you go to your consultation(s) with hair restoration physicians. Here are a couple of key points when selecting a physician: 1) Make sure that you have spoken with patients of that physician, not just their paid representatives. You want to get the most unbiased representation possible. You simply cannot get that with a representative (there are a few exeptions, but they are few and far between.) 2) See these patients IN PERSON if at all possible. Photos can be infinitely decieving. This is a cold, hard fact. What looks great in photos may not look so great in person. 3) Have realistic expectations. Hair restoration has come leaps and bounds in the last few years that have propelled the industry forward. You will want to investigate all of these to make an informed decision that will work best for you. However, even with all these advances hair transplants do have their limitations. Look into donor hair availability, scarring, healing times, growth times, growth yield, etc. 4) Get to know the terminology. What is FUE? FUT? Strip? Lateral slits? Plugs? Mini/Micro's? Recipient area? Donor area? Grafts? It may seem like a lot to learn, but by reading a little bit, you'll be sounding all of these terms off like an old pro. Oh, I won't leave you hanging though. FUE - Follicular Unit Extraction FUT - Follicular Unit Transplant Strip - Another name for FUT. Lateral Slits - Explained here Plugs & Mini/Micros - Explained here Recipient area - The area recieving the transplanted hairs. Donor area - The area from which transplanted hairs are harvested. Usually from the back of the scalp that is less prone to be ravaged by DHT. Grafts - Hair grows in naturally-occuring follicular units comprised of 1,2,3, and sometimes 4 hairs. When transplanted, these follicular-units are then artistically placed in the recipient area in the most natural angle possible using the appropriate density for the needs of the patient. 5) Ask questions. But don't be afraid of the search feature (located under the "Find" button). If you have a question, odds are its been asked a dozen times before. The search feature is your best friend. Don't let me sway you from asking questions, though. The question you ask today will get answered but will also be available when someone else uses the search feature looking for an answer in the future. So by asking questions, you are helping out future hair loss sufferers. 6) Never let price or geographic location be determinates in choosing a physician. You will be pleasantly surprised that the best physicians are usually at the lower end of the pricing range (I think some of the "mills" are charging $10 and up per graft these days). That doesn't mean that they are going to be in your backyard, however. You only get one scalp. Trust me when I say that you don't want to trust it to "Dr. Ned's Hair Transplant and Bait and Tackle Shop" right down the road. I am being facetious, of course, but you get my drift. 6) Read. This is probably the most important one. Read, read, and read some more. You'll thank yourself for it I promise. Look at photos, read others' accounts, and read through the sites. Check out the Hair Loss Weblogs (mine is here ) and see how guys go through their procedures and what they went through. The more you know, the better off you will be. There are many treatments available and no cure. By researching, asking questions, and getting to know what works, you are much better off than stabbing in the dark. There are hundreds of guys who have been through this journey before you and documented both their success stories and their failures. You can save yourself a LOT of grief and a TON of money by learning from their ups and downs - mine included. Let me know if I can help you out or answer any questions for you. -Robert

Considering your age, this may just be what you are experiencing. Good luck, man. I hope it all works out for you. -Robert

Wow, I certainly underestimated Dr. Lee! (my bad, Doc!) He really came through with an extensive series of replies for you. As I figured, the company you describe is no different than many other companies that do the same thing - take minoxidil, add some other crap in, then beef up the price and sell it to the public as "FDA-approved" since it contains minoxidil. My advice would be to stick to your current regimen if it doesn't bother you. As far as my schedule of two applications ~5 hours apart in the evening, my thinking is that 2 times are better than one and since the generic minoxidil I get from Wal-Mart is so cheap, then why not? I know that I may get better regrowth results from two applications 12 hours apart but I see results this way and it's much less of a hassle for me. Personally, if I were able to stop taking minoxidil altogether and keep the results I have by taking just Avodart I would, but I know that it won't work out that way. Nothing keeps minoxidil results but minoxidil. I found that out the hard way once and I'm not doing it again. -Robert

Yes, hypothyroidism can lead to hairloss. You should go forth in getting your physician to refer you to a specialist so you can have it properly diagnosed and treated. If your hairloss is, indeed, a result of hypothyroidism and is not too advanced you may have a chance of regrowth if you begin treatment soon enough. -Robert

I use both NIzoral 2% and Neutrogena T-Sal to keep the inchiness of minoxidil at bay and to stave off any unnecessary sebum buildup. Both help tremendously with any adverse scalp conditions if used ~3 times per week. I alternate with Nizoral Actives shampoo and conditioner the other 4 days per week. If you cannot get your hands on a prescription for the Nizoral 2%, the 1% is almost just as effective (you probably won't notice a difference) and is available in stores under the label "Nizoral AD." -Robert

I agree with Specs. I would give it ~2 weeks. If you are having a FUT done and are getting the sutures taken out by your physician, then ask them when you go in what he/she thinks. If you are getting your sutures pulled somewhere else, then just shoot the clinic that performed your procedure a photo of the recipient area so they can assess it and ask them what they think that way. -Robert

Sometimes it's frustrating to see how much this happens. I would have to agree that this is probably not the best of ideas for males, but for females that are self-conscious about their naturally-high hairline, it can be a real breathe of fresh air. -Robert

If you discontinue for just a week, you should be fine. -Robert

That sucks about what happened to you with that company. It's unfortunate that there is not one facet in the hair loss industry that is not rife with scams, false promises, and misrepresentation. Good luck with your new piece. I do have a question about the pic you posted - Is that the one from AMS? When they say "strand-by-strand" I always thought they meant thatyour natural hair was pulled through also. The lies that they get away with are awful. I wish you the best of luck in pushing back against these people. -Robert

Just so you know, Dr. Lee has plenty of information on his website on why he believes the 15% is more effective than the 5%. He will probably just direct you back there if you email him. My opinion is that 5% works well for me when I make two applications 4 hours apart at night, when I am already home. This means that I can pay $10 a month for minoxidil that I buy at Wal-Mart, I don't have to mess with the greasiness during the day, and I don't have to order anything online - I just run right up the road. But thanks for posting the info. I'm sure someone will be interested. -Robert

Thanks, Troy. Yeah, I have to say that I am pretty proud of us since niether of us are what you would call carpenters. It took a lot of wrong cuts, measuring 3 or 4 times, late nights, and cursing to get it done but it's all worth it now. Not only because it's a great place to have a beer in our own house, but where else is there that's a better place to sit and eat? We didn't have a dining room table before so we were always hunched over the coffee table in the living room to eat. Now we just turn on whatever game and prepare the food right in the kitchen while watching it (since the kitchen faces the bar) and then sit at the bar to eat and have a beer. It's happy hour all the time! -Robert

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Thanks, Bill. One month post-op update: Well, I'd say that about 60 to 70% of the transplanted hairs have jumped ship leaving me with basically my pre-op appearance. My donor is healing nicely and I anticipate (finally!) getting a hair cut tomorrow. I didn't want to let anyone near it for at least a month post-op. So far, so good. There are quite a few excellent physicians to choose from when researching hair restoration surgery, but I am continuously overwhelmed at the impeccable results that I have recieved at the hands of Dr. Cooley. The post-op period has been nothing short of awesome. I have been able to walk around without a ball cap (or any other type of cover) on from the 4th day or so post-op with no concerns of my procedure being detected. The healing has been tremendously fast. I never even got any scabs and almost no flaking skin (both common in the few days post-op). I didn't even get any of the head zits that pop up from time to time. Thankfully, too! Those things hurt! -Robert

I think that taking an internal DHT-inhibitor would be your best bet on preserving your donor. Using minoxidil on a thinning crown is a pain in the butt enough. I couldn't imagine trying to apply it to the back of the head. -Robert

It only gets better as you go, PerfectFew, because you will get better at applying it. For those "special occasions" try sprinkling on a little Toppik after the Dermatch (but go easy). I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. -Robert

hairbank, Good find. I did know this and I think I may have put it in the article I wrote a few months ago posted somewhere in this forum. Strangely enough, I had a *minor* side-effect while on Proscar that I do not have on Avodart: I had trouble concentrating. Seems impossible since finasteride does not inhibit Type 1 and Type 1 is the one that is present in the brain. SInce I started Avodart (in November '04) I have not had the problem as severely. Now, my situation is not common and I admit, it may be something akin to the placebo effect since I was expecting difficulty concentrating upon starting Avodart. However, when you expect something to happen, usually that is when it does... you psyche yourself out and since your mind expects it, it's there. Just the opposite happened with me. At any rate, it is true that there is not anywhere near the amount of information available on dutasteride as there is for finasteride, however I have had no adverse effects thus far with only positives to report (albeit slow progress). Avodart is definitely not for someone that cannot handle the potential shedding and is not in it for the long haul. Heck, it was at least 13 months (this past December) when I looked in the mirror and could definitely tell a real, no bunk, postive improvement in the crown. It takes a while. THe way I figure it, though, is that it took years to lose my hair so its going to take some time for it to grow back. I am 99% sure that there is no resolution to the concern yet, but your best bet is to find others that have used the drug for 18+ months (at least!) to get their experiences. I have noticed that people under 8 or so months are still in that "under 12 months shedding crisis mode" a lot of the time. -Robert

Danger, Check out this thread (particularly "Di's" post) and this thread on Scalp Med. There are others too, just do a search. -Robert

Congrats on your decision, thinking. I know you've painstakenly researched this for a long time. From my own experience, the donor area is sore for a about two weeks. This isn't a constant, debilitating throbbing or anything, but you will be aware of it from time to time throughout the day. I find that the subtle soreness is useful in helping me to remember to take it easy on stretching my neck down or exerting any force on it, but that's just my forgetfullness talking. There is numbness, but I don't think it's anything that you would mind - I haven't. I feel for those who never had full feeling return from their procedures, but I haven't had this problem. I'm not trying to downplay anything or make it seem like it isn't a big deal, but my experience has been that it hasn't been anything I really had to think about since the soreness was so minute. -Robert

If you are in the U.S., Canada, or U.K. you will need a prescription to obtain Propecia from a pharmacy. I am not sure about other countries. There are generics available from online pharmacies, but I have my reservations about them. Crinagen is a topical DHT-inhibitor that you do not need a prescription for. I have never heard of anyone having much success with a topical DHT-inhibitor used alone. This is not to say that noone has, but I peruse the forums almost daily and I have not heard any promising accounts as of yet. It is often said that the best way to "attack" male-pattern baldness is to use a multi-faceted approach. This belief has a lot of merit, as shown in many "success" stories. Combining an internal DHT-inhibitor like Propecia with one or more topicals can be a great way to stave off future loss and possibly regrow some of the hair you have already lost. I can't think of any reason that Propecia plus Crinagen (or Revivogen) would not be an effective approach. I would opt for a growth stimulator (specifically minoxidil) before I would reach for the Crinagen, though, but that's just me. Minoxidil is FDA-approved and if used diligently will give results. I am proof of that. You should also look into Nizoral 2% shampoo to be used 3x per week. The Propecia, Minoxidil, Nizoral combo, used religiously and diligently, has worked well for many, many guys out there. I highly recommend this regimen, as it combats hair loss from three essential different angles: DHT inhibition (Propecia), growth stimulant (minoxidil), and inflammation (Nizoral). Good luck and welcome to the forums. -Robert

Thanks, HW. Just for a minor update: I'm seeing some of the transplanted hairs starting to shed but not as rapidly as the first time around. With any luck, some will stick around for some early growth but I won't allow myself to get hopeful. The donor area feels great and I have been mindful of not placing my chin on my chest, which has been a little difficult because I watch TV and surf the 'net on my laptop while lying in bed a lot. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still giddy as hell about the second procedure. Going through the process again has been great and only reassures my faith in Dr. Cooley, his staff, and for the refined techniques they employ. -Robert

Hair loss that occurs as a result of causes other than genetics (stress, malnutrition, illness, etc) does not follow the "male pattern baldness" pattern, so to speak. It is usually spotty and sporadic as opposed to MPB being a steady recession in the temples and thinning in the crown area. Some men only see recession and others only see thinning in the crown. Others get hit in both places and thin diffusely all over to boot. From looking at your hairloss a qualified physician can reasonably deduct that you are experiencing MPB. Did she write you a prescription for Propecia? If so, are you going to begin taking it? Are you going to begin a minoxidil regimen? If so, give your self a "trial week" of applying it to make sure it will fit into your lifestyle. Minoxidil can be a messy pain in the butt if you don't learn to work around it. Good luck and if I can be of any help to you either here or by pm let me know. Just remember that surgery is NOT what you need right now. -Robert

Great thread topic, Laughter's Medicine. My girlfriend and I hit the one year mark just 18 days after my second procedure with Dr. Cooley. The day of the procedure she drove me to the clinic and picked me up after it was over. Her support has been nothing short of amazing. What is even more amazing is that she is so supportive of her boyfriend going through this at her age (she is in her early 20s). I can't easily imagine too many young women at that age being so understanding. I think the funniest part was when we drove back up to Charlotte two weeks post-op to get my sutures removed. Dr. Cooley pulled out some of my pre-op photos from the first procedure. She had never seen just how advanced my hair loss had been before the first procedure and the meds. The look on her face was priceless, to say the least. She would constantly look from the "old" me in the photograph up to the "new" me standing before her comparing the two. I waited until about 8 months after we had been dating to tell her that I had a procedure done. It was kind of funny because she knew that I moderated this forum and had even asked me once, "How did you get involved in doing that? You aren't even balding." When she said that I just kind of shook my head and laughed. I always take that kind of statement as a true testament of the physician's work. So yes, the term "unsung heroes" is certainly appropriate. I was no less ecstatic about my first procedure but having someone else know about it and monitor my progression this time around has been like a breath of fresh air - even kind of fun. -Robert

Take a look at real photos posted by real patients of real top physicians in the Hair Transplant Patient Photo Albums forum. Put price out of your mind. Remember, photos posted there are either by the real patients or posted by representatives of clinics (an example is Jotronic) that have built their credibility to the point that we know what they post is not altered. Then take another look at the slick marketing on the site of the clinic you are considering. Remember, put price out of your mind. Now, do a search for the clinic you are considering. Click the "Find" button up in the tool bar and put in "Bosley" (dont forget to uncheck the box that limits your search) and read the posts that come up. These are actual patient posts. Keep price out of your mind while you do this. It's important because price should not be a consideration at all while you research this procedure. The same goes for geographic location. Now that you have done that, read around the forums at the latest posts and then go back. Do more searches for physicians' names that you see come up over and over. Learn why they are repeated more than others. Again, keep price out of your head. You only get one scalp. Who wants to walk around with a "Hyundai" when they can have a "Benz"? Why would you treat your scalp - the very thing you cannot hide from the world - any different? You would consider paying more for the best in the business right? You would definitely consider paying more for the peace of mind of knowing that the physician you selected has an impeccable history of ethics and dedication to his patients, right? Sure you would. Anyone in their right mind would. Once you have done all that, start comparing the prices of the place you mentioned (who you should know after you did all that research has hundreds, possibly thousands of dissatisfied and worse patients) to the prices of the most reverred, skilled, and ethical physicians in the industry. I think you may be pleasantly surprised. One day, you will thank the search engine that brought you to these forums and saved you from a very costly and potentially damaging mistake. Good luck buddy. -Robert

This is a blanket statement that I think even you know is blatently false. I have met and/or spoke on the phone with quite a few hair restoration physicians that are VERY ethical and turn away more patients than they take. I'd give examples, but I don't think I have to drag good doctors' names into this discussion to make my point. -Robert