youngsuccess

T2DS, If you've responded well to Propecia, using a pill splitter or kitchen knife to divide generic finasteride tablets down into 1.25 mg fourths should work out fine for you. You can also cut the pills into fifths to resume the standard 1 mg dosage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UUjPNTr9eM. If you're a first-time finasteride user, there's a chance it could initially induce a shedding phase. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Preston, Welcome to our community. You may be experiencing hairline maturation, a natural recession process that can occur in non-balding males often between the ages of 17-30. I personally went through this, and jumped into surgery prematurely. Here are two articles from baldingblog.com on this subject: Hairline Moving from Juvenile to Mature 18 Year Old with Hair Loss or Mature Hairline? Both include photos. What you're observing also could be signs of early MPB, but you won't know for sure unless you speak with a specialist. Having the scalp mapped out out for miniaturization is suggested in the articles. All the best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Glasgow, I'm pleased to read that you've had a smooth, relatively pain-free experience at the Farjo clinic, and that you're confident in your choice of an excellent physician. We all look forward to your pictures. You might want to eventually consider putting together your own patient website which can be updated as you progress. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

JonnyC, Ethnicity will influence hair characteristics (caliber, texture, color), and keeping your hair cut short can expose problem areas that might otherwise be harder to detect with a longer style. DPA (Diffuse Patterned Alopecia) can cause thinning throughout top of your head, but the permanent donor zone is left stable and intact. DUPA is marked by diffuse thinning/hair loss in the donor area (the back and sides) of your head; the see-through is evident upon inspection. It can be more pronounced in older men who have descended into NW 6/7 territory, but unfortunately Alopecia is an equal-opportunity harasser all around. A scalp miniaturization exam could determine whether or not you're experiencing early signs. I wouldn't worry about this too much right now. Your hair doesn't look bad. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Azazelgs, Jude Law is an interesting case because he's had deep temporal recession for as long as I can remember, but was also able to retain a juvenile-like widow's peak. With creative styling, he was able to pretty much hide his hair loss for years. I think it's finally caught up with him. Dropping the hairline that low in the front could be a problem if your primary goal is density, but many patients greatly benefit from a subtle widow's peak even if their corners are left open. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Coligion, This can be a contentious topic at times due to some of the ambiguity surrounding finasteride and the recommended dosage routines. Dr. Cooley has discussed the issue pretty objectively in this article: Taking Propecia for Hair Loss Every Other Day? I personally feel comfortable following the conventional prescription directions for Propecia 1mg, but reputable hair transplant surgeons will advise patients otherwise in some cases. I hope this helps. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Azazelgs, A hairline design similar to Tom Ford's would be considered extremely conservative: If you think you'd be satisfied with that kind of placement, you stand a better chance at achieving stronger density behind it. In that sense, your expectations sound relatively reasonable. I had my first transplant at 24, which left me with multi-hair grafts in the hairline area. Thankfully, the original work wasn't too devastating, and I've since been repaired. I don't usually like to generalize, but my advice would be to wait until you're at least capable of financing/paying for the procedure yourself before you start considering hair transplantation; this is a symbol of maturity. I know you're depressed, but you've got to get out there and be able to function. This may also change your perspective on things. The three clinics you mentioned are all excellent choices when the time is right. You might start by requesting a virtual consultation to get some initial feedback. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

default609, I agree with Maxxy. You've stated in a previous thread that you didn't respond well to Propecia. I'm sorry to hear that. However, if you believe finasteride doesn't work for you, the answer is simple: Don't take it. I can sense you're frustrated, but ultimately Propecia users can decide for themselves whether or not they should continue treatment based on their personal experiences and individual results, which vary. You saw what you wanted to see in the links I provided. You're certainly entitled to your point of view, but suggesting that well-respected hair restoration clinics are trying to promote Propecia by showcasing their transplant results is a strange argument in my opinion. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

bananas, Chemically straightening hair is a process that should be performed by a hair care professional. This is different from the day to day application of styling lotions. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Princluks, I completely agree with drmstx. I stick with the conventionally recommended dosages. In furtherance of my first reply, I personally would not use other concoctions/products that are composed of higher, custom-formulated solutions of minoxidil. That's just me. You could make the argument that gradually upping dosage over time with medications could be beneficial if they begin lose their effectiveness, but why not speak with your doctor first? All the best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Great update. Must be a relief not feeling obligated to use Dermatch and Toppik on the hairline anymore, especially at only 6 months. Are you planning to stick with the long-term use of concealer for your crown in conjunction with the frontal transplant, or do you see yourself getting weaned off it when the hairs up front fully mature? Either way, effective use of products there, and you're looking good. Best, Anthony

JDD7781, You are correct: finasteride is finasteride. Many guys wind up switching over to the generic Proscar, and with a pill splitter, routinely cutting the tablets shouldn't become too big a hassle. Upping the dosage slightly shouldn't be a problem if you've responded well to Propecia, and you're still free to split Proscar into 5ths anyway. But I would cut the pills as needed to possibly extend the shelf life, not the entire prescription ahead of time. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Haha, there's a lot to do, trust me. Thanks again to everyone! Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

bananas, Straightening hair every day with something like a flattening iron could make it brittle, and possibly more prone to breakage; however, even this should not damage the actual follicles. So simply using the lotion as directed with a light/medium heat setting on the blow dryer won't harm you. A lot of patients use different products to "tame" their hair for a while. Misuse of chemical straighteners can damage anyone's existing hair, though. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Princyluks, Rogaine is typically sold in two approved topical formulas: the standard 2%, and the "extra-strength" 5% solution. 10% honestly seems excessive. The most common side effect from daily minoxidil application is dry, irritated scalp; however, systematic side effects such as faintness or dizziness are sometimes experienced by users. It stands to reason that these types of reactions could be induced more easily or possibly magnified with a higher dosage. If you've responded well to the extra-strength formula, I would stick with it, unless you're under a doctor's supervision. All the best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

JonnyC, Welcome to our community. It looks like you might be experiencing the onset of thinning in and above the crown region. Your recession at 18 could have initially been related to hairline maturation, but it stands to reason that genetic Male Pattern Baldness may also be entering the fray. If you're worried about another condition indicated by the irritation you're feeling in the scalp, you might start by consulting your primary care physician and/or a dermatologist to rule out any other health-related issues. It's somewhat unlikely that you will be able to regrow cosmetically appreciable amounts of hair in the hairline and temporal area with medication such as Propecia and Rogaine, but they could certainly protect against future loss. It's difficult to be sure based on the one photo, but I'd agree with your assessment that you may be entering Norwood 3 territory, possibly toward the 3v variation. You can read more about finasteride and the long-term commitment involved here: Propecia. I wouldn't worry about counting or analyzing individual follicles during hair fall; it can become an obsessive habit and what you've observed doesn't sound uncommon. It's perfectly normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day, sometimes even more. I hope this helps. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Johnboy, Are you referring to the newly transplanted hairs, or the rest of your original native hair? Transplanted hair can remain in a "kinky" stage for many months after your procedure. Eventually, it should become softer-looking and much more manageable. The texture and appearance of any freshly transplanted follicles that were retained will especially seem different. If you've been babying the scalp during the initial healing period, which many of us tend to do, it's possible that the rest of your hair simply isn't receiving the thorough washing it normally enjoyed before the transplant. Then there's the other possibility of aggressive over-washing. My hair felt a bit flat at first and didn't return to its original texture and volume until I felt comfortable resuming regular shampooing/conditioning. Or it's just your imagination. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Everyone, Thanks for the words of encouragement! Your support and approval means a lot to me. There are many well-spoken, dedicated members here for whom I have great respect. As a repair patient, I recognize that I'm certainly not the conventional poster boy for hair transplantation. I also understand that my post count may pale in comparison to sheer volume of contributions made by other members since the site's inception. However, I'd like to think that my editorial experience, strong background in public information services, and personal hair restoration journey will serve the community well. I'm glad the forum has faith in my abilities after these three years of service. I also want to sincerely thank Pat and Bill for being extremely accessible and responsive throughout the selection process. I know it was a difficult decision. I'm still in the process of familiarizing myself with the ins and outs of the system, but I look forward to working with all of you. Thanks again! Sincerely, Anthony (youngsuccess)

default609, For many of us, the primary purpose of taking Propecia (finasteride) or using Rogaine (minoxidil) is to prevent further hair thinning or miniaturization; they're really maintenance drugs. Regularly documenting any overtly appreciable cosmetic benefits of a treatment mainly designed to stabilize hair loss can be difficult. However, there have been quite a few examples posted on our site: One Year Effect of Propecia and Rogaine "Lesson Learned" You can dig up other threads and photo albums on this subject by using the "Find" tool. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

foreheadgump, Strip patients are usually advised against engaging in contact sports for the first few months to avoid potentially aggravating or stretching the donor scar, while FUE candidates may have the option of resuming heavier activity sooner. That being said, you certainly don't want to push your cardiovascular system too hard during the initial healing period (arguably the first 7-10 days to be safe), or expose the recipient site to any intense physical trauma that might realign the hair shafts. You'll want to initially protect your scalp from direct sunlight for prolonged periods, but a heavy, potentially grating helmet shouldn't come into contact with the transplanted hairs before the site has healed. This is definitely a subject you should broach with your doctor prior to FUE surgery if you intend on returning to physical competition soon after the procedure. Best, Anthony (youngsuccess)

Well done. You could individually count the follicles in his stubble before surgery. He now has a reasonably dense mustache and the eyebrows look much fuller, too.

Another excellent video capturing an impressive transformation. At first glance, the patient appeared to have some recession with maybe an otherwise decent head of hair; however, the top-down shot exposes the rampant thinning and miniaturization he experienced before the procedure. Looks like he has great hair characteristics which were utilized to their maximum potential. Awesome result.

MrCool20, Here's a brief video demonstration on splitting the pills with a knife: How are you obtaining Proscar? Is a doctor prescribing it for you?

You've definitely achieved some nice coverage enhancement. Looks like you were able to simultaneously strengthen and refine the hairline/frontal region, and the additional sprinkling in the crown provided some cosmetic benefit, too. It's pretty impressive that you're still able to keep your hair cut that short without any profound scar detectability. It's a little more evident on your right side, but I've noticed that I tend to fixate on the way my scar appears in still shots when it otherwise would be harder to notice in the flesh. Congrats.

Eman did follow through on posting some other updates: 8 Months 8.5 Months Lookin' good!