Jayson1361

On 11/19/2022 at 9:39 PM, Jonulous said:

Happy November. Just a couple of days past my 6 month milestone, with a haircut done yesterday to mark the occasion. I'm possibly going to do more basic progress photos for months 7 and 8, then a full run again at month 9. All seems quite satisfactory at this point.

1 Wet hair in indirect but bright light

2 Viewing the recipient from above at Day 1,  2 weeks and 6 months

3. A front shot with dry hair

4-6. Day  minus 1 before treatment,  and at 2-6 months from three angles

7. Close up right corner

8. Close up left corner

9. Donor

 

 

 

It’s been fun watching this journey. Particularly due to your sense of detail, but more so your writing which demonstrates an attention to detail or rather perhaps emotional importance. Your first shots, wet, from the front, really shows your progress. I admire your write ups as personal as they are and as matter of fact as they should be…showing an emotional maturity and insightful detachment as you simply reconcile a perceived problem. 

On 3/11/2021 at 5:18 PM, champybaby said:

Hey all — just a friendly heads up this is not a review and that I won't be posting updates, additional pics, etc etc. I'll do that when everything is complete, which is probably another 7-10 months from now (I'll be filling in my scar w/ Dr. K in about 3-6 weeks from now).

Any who. Just got my first real haircut since procedure. I previously had gotten two haircuts, but went to low key small ethnic barber shops to mostly clean up sides, etc, for Zoom calls. I went back to my barber for this one (makes a huge difference). That said, I gotta say I'm thrilled with results so far. And I don't think the real magic will happen for another 2 months or so. Dr. K legit changed my life. Just look at where I was about 10 years ago to where I am today. Also got a hot date this weekend, too 😁

I've been taking meds since my first procedure I want to say nine years ago? First procedure tackled frontal half, FUT, 4400 graphs or so in 2012. Second procedure was in Nov. 2020 and placed about 1500 in back and 1000 in front. Meds work wonders but eventually, the back caught up to me and when it went it pretty much all went out the door. I'm currently using concealer for the back, but that's legit a five minute ordeal now. I'm confident that it's going to come in looking great. Still, for about 4 months the back has come in strong (It's been 127 days since procedure, though picture below is 120 days, or four months). Also included is a 90 day pic from the back to give you guys an idea of where I was previously at. Front has certainly been coming in at a much faster rate. Sometimes, I swear, that I notice growth when I go to bed when compared to the morning. Maybe eyes playing tricks?

I've been thinking about what a "great HT" means ... The description I came up with is this: "A great HT means you can style your hair, walk out the door with full confidence that you look good, in five minutes or less." I also took pics out in the sun today and the realization hit me that Dr. K legit delivered and gave me what I hoped for. Anyway. Dr. K is the best in the world. Thanks for looking.

EDIT: I should note, that's harsh lighting for these pics.

That’s an amazing hairline! Incredible results. Is the top down shot final result? Basically it all looks stellar! 

The best part about your results thus far, is that when you look at your hair line, knowing you’re 7 months post op… you know it’s not going to get worse or recede but rather it will get better. That’s got to be a great feeling. Dig the smile my man👍 congrats. 

Update? 

Updates?? 

I think your post op 11 day pictures, if indicative of a final result are some on the best post op pics for direction and density I’ve seen. 

18 hours ago, Curious25 said:

Can you post pics, if you feel comfortable ? 

Perhaps. Maybe I’ll wait for a Konior review. Maybe I’ll post. Its a  hard thing to deal with a change in identity after decades of seeing oneself,  no matter how small… regardless of age. 

4 hours ago, Ronnieman said:

I mean, you answered your own question.

You were on Dut for 17 years.

It probably saved you from needing a transplant 15 years ago.

My point exactly. Are drugs really that effective? Could some one possibly suffering from hair loss or age related thinning, which there is a difference, push off a hair transplant or really for that matter, genetics… for decades? Are drugs… 5AR inhibitors, minoxidil.. really that good? That effective? Sadly, even though I posted that question…it’s something that cannot definitively be answered. So, we or rather I,  continue on, fear of the unknown, perceived shame, loss of influence, acceptance…for whatever reason, continue on. In the end I suppose it’s why those who really understand or are dealing with hairloss turn to FDA approved solutions, as we are lucky to have options. But sometimes, I doubt these solutions… with a sense of hope that maybe genetics has some play in this and it’s not just a pill or a topical. 😔😏

How are things going??

On 9/19/2022 at 10:22 AM, jim1973 said:

I have used Fin for many years (with topical Min) and everything held in place.  I've been a 4a for about 10 years, not much growth but not much lost.  The top is now thinning more and I'm on my way to a 5.  I just began adding in oral Dutasteride about a month ago.  

How is this going adding Dut and your oral Min routine? 

On 11/6/2022 at 4:38 PM, arthurSam said:

Hello same for me I believe it's normal 

Do you know if it’s supposed to be a good sign? 

1 hour ago, Mike10 said:

They work but with limitations. If they really work that well, obviously nobody would need hair transplants. Eventually you will end up with the NW level you were headed to anyway. Because of aging alopecia in the higher age. The meds are pretty powerless there  

I’ll be 49 next year and I have some thinning at the hairline… but most of my other hair is in rather decent shape. I can see a thickness difference from the top to my sides, which is to say if my sides are at a 10 then my top would be… mmm I’d say a 7.5 perhaps😂 my forelock a 7ish and my crown a 7 maybe higher since I was 30. However, I decided to add Min which I’ve never used because I’ve seen thinning at the hairline. I think, personally because of a TRT run I tried for a bit, which is remarkable, but ultimately I think it contributed to thinning. I did get a divorce 3 years ago and around that time I saw thinning occur. More hair in the shower and such. If I were to regrow from that, you’d think it would have happened already. 

14 minutes ago, TorontoMan said:

Tbh dude.. you've been on dut for 17 years?? you're the guy we would be asking this question. If you haven't experienced much hair loss since you consistently started dut, then the high likelihood is that it has been working well for you, as if you ever had a reason to consult with a doctor over potential treatment, then you would have hair loss that is in some way progressive, whether he believes the extent of it isn't major or not. 

All im tryign to say is; it is safer to assume based off the many studies we have and the countless anecdotes of guys not starting medication and then minaturizing years later, that it's been holding you up, which lines up with what its supposed to be doing. 

How has it been on dut for 17 years? 

It’s an experience. Sometimes lack of interest in sex, which translates to low performance even though never a clear lack of performance. Cialis helps with that and apparently has benefits for DHT based on some studies I’ve read. DUT will put a lock on you nuts though which can be overcome via Cialis or honestly psychological arousal interestingly enough 🤷‍♂️. My hairloss seems to be progressing, I think, which is why I’ve started oral min. But based on where my father was at, at my age I’m not sure my genetic predisposition to hair loss is the same given that in my opinion genetics are significantly stronger than a medication. Really hard to say which is why I’m curious what others think or have experienced. 

How’s 2 months + looking?? 

33 minutes ago, sunsurfhair said:

Came across this the other day. Interesting study - it's not just DHT or Testosterone that can play a role in hair loss due to hormonal susceptibility. Quite interesting:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7432488/

Ultimately, I’m wondering, given that this site is a wealth of knowledge and personal experiences… If anyone has maintained for 15-20+ years and attributes it all to the use of 5AR inhibitors, minoxidil and various other solutions vs possibly being genetically predisposed to not looking as bad as they initially may have thought prompting their use of these meds. 

1 hour ago, Curious25 said:

All depends on your susceptibility to hair loss - and by that, you can look at it as;  

 

Number of hair follicles on your scalp that are predisposed to miniaturisation from DHT x Quantity of DHT that is sufficient to cause miniaturisation (different follicles will have different levels of susceptibility) 

 

Then add in , the rate at which miniaturisation will occur at different parameters of systemic DHT and the levels to which 5AR inhibition medication has the capability of reducing your serum DHT down to. 
 

Then you also have senile alopecia to contend with. 
 

So simply put , I don’t think there is a one size fits all answer - it’s all subject to the individual in question. Like pretty much everything in medicine. 
 

As of now though, they are the best chance we have to prevent (prolong) androgenetic miniaturisation. 
 

17 years on DUT? Quite the shift you’ve put in! 

Ugh…I know. 17 years give or take. I went to see Dr. Konior involving frontal thinning and he basically told me he could do a minor procedure on the hairline, for a radical price 😂(he is the best of the best though based on posted results) but that he’d bet the bank I’d never be bald. I’m surprised he took my case based on what I’ve seen on this site as I was in question while doing the in person consult. After he told me that, I’ve been contemplating this question in regard to 5AR inhibitors, minoxidil and such and their actual efficacy vs genetics. Obviously there is merit to catching this thing early, but at what point was the perceived worst case scenario not actually going to happen genetically vs these drugs are doing there business better stay on them for fear of losing all maintenance or gains. Clearly one could stop all meds and see but… this illogical conundrum🤦‍♂️

So my situation is that I’ve been using mainly just DUT for about 17 years…ish. Probably off and on really for about the first 3. When I’ve seen hair loss surgeons or derms mostly I’m told that whatever I did I caught it early, that I have very minor thinning…etc. I’ve started using oral Min 2.5mg EOD and rotating in Fin/Min from Hims on the off days because it seems to me my front and the crown seems like it’s been thinning a bit. This seems to fall in line with others have experienced as expressed on hair loss forums. But, how good are these drugs really? At what point does one say is this really a slow battle against genetics as I progress to whatever my father looks like? Or, did I jump the gun in thinking I’m going to look like my father or grandfather or whom ever one seems to use as a guideline and someone genetically perhaps isn’t predisposed to looking like their father or mother or whomever. Which begs the question how good are these drugs at circumventing genetics? I’m curious how many people jumped on meds thinking they are going to look like who ever, when really maybe they went through a stressful event or whatever but continued on thinking they are going down the right path. Multiple curiosities here really. 🤷‍♂️

I’ve often wondered about people who are in between a full crown and bald, who may not be candidates for a HT, if they’ve considered escalating there hairloss  with TRT for example or stopping hairloss meds in effort to have a hair transplant at a younger age. Thereby giving themselves a longer time to live with hair…just a strange thought🤦‍♂️

Any updates? 

My opinion, your pattern is well presented. I’d go for the transplant now. 🤷‍♂️ perhaps get on fin/dut/Min to keep existing hair that could provide a thicker look for transplanted hair. 

Following this one closely. That work looks packed in there especially given the native hairs. I’m betting this will be spectacular. 

I’ve been using topical Fin/Min from Hims and I have noticed that my normal blonde hair has been showing tints of reddish brown. I’m new to using a topical really as I’ve only used oral Dut for quite some time. Suppose I’m wondering if others have noticed this and/or if this is normal. 

1 hour ago, TorontoMan said:

I don't know what you're asking tbh, what do you mean by up-regulation? But, I've been on RU for about 9 months now on top of fin and oral min and I haven't experienced anything significantly different but I'm maintaining my hair

I suppose the title should have read RU58841 causing AR upregulation of receptors. Basically, the idea is RU58841 competes with DHT by binding to AR receptors instead of DHT having a positive influence on hair growth. After a while the idea is that the body reacts by creating more AR receptors possibly decreasing RU effectiveness by having more receptors for DHT to bind to, or maybe even increasing rate of hair loss. It’s a phenomenon observed in the body but research is extremely limited in regard to AR antagonist which are clearly different than 5AR inhibitors like Dut or Fin. 

Are you seeing hair thickening, maintaining or any regrowth? 

The title basically states why I have not tried RU. Are there any long term users of RU lurking about these forums that can offer comment?