thanatopsis_awry

Has anyone else found it to be painfully difficult to get family and/or friends to emphathize with your hair loss dilemma? My entire family, as well as my friends, have "great" hair; by which I mean they all have pretty much the same, normal hair that they were born with and grew to know and love; when I try to talk with my parents about how deeply my hair loss affects me, and how it seeps into so many facets of my life its like I'm talking to a brick wall....I basically get cast as some overly dramatic narcissist..."ya, thats too bad, you'll just get over it and move on, its really not so bad". I seriously wish I was just born bald so I wouldn't have to go through ~20 years of follicular fondess, "falling in love", and then suddenly find my image and aesthetic existence crumbling apart. **ending vent**

Its too bad Armani isn't just up front about his aggressive transplanting philosophy...I'm sure it would still appeal to many while saving some from making a major decision based upon fale-confidence and mis-information. Also, the "bad press" he receives can't be helping his status within the community.

Something (or others), can you explain what you mean by "BBD"?, I'm pretty intrigued.

Cool, thx for the reply!

I don't understand why it is a case of "shouldn't have been transplanted in the first place". Hairme clearly understands the procedure and is willing to accept the *potential*, down-the-road problems; he is placing a premium on his current and upcoming years and feels a strong desire to get the absolute most out of them and not be hampered by constantly dealing with his follicular issues....at the same time, future & long-term problems are mitigated by the very real chane that another breakthrough will occur.

is this the same thing used as "Virtual Reality" hair? their website really hypes and boosts up their method as being revolutionary in effectiveness.... http://www.virtualrealityhair.com/ Also, I truly empathize with you and your son; I, myself, am 21 and over the past ~15 months have really come to rue the state of my thinning hair.....it has been a serious detriment to my self-confidence and I've gone through various bouts of depression over it. Best of luck, keep us updated!

I have a vauge remembrence of someone mentioning a 1 hour wait after applying rogaine (foam in my case) before using the Dermm/Toppik....just seeking some confirmation of this; should have the products in about another week! **crossing fingers** Cheers, Jon

I have a vauge remembrence of someone mentioning a 1 hour wait after applying rogaine (foam in my case) before using the Dermm/Toppik....just seeking some confirmation of this; should have the products in about another week! **crossing fingers** Cheers, Jon

Awesome, thx...just ordered myself both Dermmatch and Toppik -- really excited about the potential of these products, especially with a Dermmatch/Toppik 1-2 punch!

Being but 21 myself, and on the cusp of getting an HT done, I would still have to agree with the general concencus that its a bit too soon for you to be getting a HT.....personally, it was only after being on Propecia for 6+ months; getting the advice and consent from a noted, conservative doctor (Dr. Dorin), as well as a firm committment to a long-term approach that I decided upon getting a HT. As well, I understood some of the potential risks and balanced that out with the most objective outlook I could have on the +s and -s of getting an HT now as opposed to "later".

Well, I too have been inspired to order a "concealer".... it has been mentioned that a combo of Dermmatch + Toppik can give maximum effect.....would using the Couvre product have any use if you are already using Dermmatch/Toppik? I am not quite sure of the utility of Couvre if you are already using Dermmatch or Toppik. Cheers, Jon

Thx for the words, everyone, much appreciated. Without a doubt, I will always keep in mind the "two schools" of thought on this subject and make sure I never make a decision without thoroughly thinking it out and going with a trusted doctor!

Calvin, I wasn't aware of Fina's effects having such a finite timetable; I try to be not overly optomistic, nor pessimistic with regard to the hair loss....my primary (and only) aim is really to do everything in my power to combat hair loss as much as I possibly can. I've (slowly) come closer to the "coming to grips" aspect w/ regard to the fact that hair loss will indeed be an ongoing issue for me, at least in the forseeable future, as you say. I also know that the ~1200 HT will not be anything close to a panacea; I do, however, see it as a vital step in the "solution" to my hair loss woes. It's impossible to say for sure right now where my hair loss is headed, and how much of it can be halted or compensated for -- my hair loss' origins date back appox. 3-4years and it has all been focused upon a thinning in the frontal region. I am committed to doing all I can to give myself the best shot at achieving a "follicular state of being" that I am content with. Perhaps I have come off (as I am sure *many* "young guys" have) as having outlandish expecations that I think will take hold after but one HT.....while I try to keep my hopes high, I also know that it is a war, not just a battle, and that getting a HT is one of many steps spanning years. I guess I'm just trying to strike the right balance between getting "quick" results and long-term satisfaction....Between my personal, albeit "unprofessional" philosophy; the advice and consent of Dr. Dorin; and my committment to giving myself the best shot (e.g. Propecia, Rogaine, Nizoral, LaserComb, Biotin, helpful shampoos) I feel like attacking the hairloss in an ASAP-fashion makes sense. Whether or not the HTs...the Propecia...the Rogaine...etc...will be a help, a cure, or something in between it will still be a help, no? Like "youngsuccess" mentioned: "You shouldn't have to "pay your dues" and suffer for years when the issue of your hair loss can start to be addressed in a conservative and holistic fashion right now."

Waiting "7 to 10" years to do this, while perhaps being the route that most minimizes potential risks is simply not feasible for me....to say that my hair loss has wrecked "silent havoc" on my life would be an understatement; to wait years longer for a HT would essentially be me acquiescing to a life that I 100% do not want, and can't fathom accepting. As ridiculous as it may sound, my hair loss has really made me appreciate life, and how great it is to simply be in a place where you are happy with yourself and can experience what life has to offer....forfeiting over years, even mere days, where I am afflicted with a general malaise of depression, resentment, and longing over my hair loss (and identity) is just totally appalling to me....so much so that I am more than willing to accept some inherent, potential risks regarding getting HT done "too soon". But, like some have noted, I am undergoing a gradual, long-term (e.g. 2-3+ years, 2-3 HTs) HT plan where ~1200 grafts will be administered, with a particularly conservative approach applied to my hairline; as well, though it has been but 6months on Propecia, my hair loss does seem to have been mitigated....I hope to get some pictures up soon....again, my hair has thinned considerably in the front, and my hair loss is no longer just an issue of "aww shucks, I don't have the omni-thick hair that I can style like Elvis". Big thx for the "Toppik" referal....seems almost too good to be true, but I am going to order some asap. Cheers, Jon

Thx for the words, guys! I don't have a picture(s) to post at the moment, but its on my to-do-list and I will update within this thread with them for sure. I have "healthy" hair everywhere but the frontal region, which has thinned dramatically and the very beginnings of thinning in a small area of my crown which I hope to keep on pre-emptivlly attacking via the Pro and Rogaine. WantHairs -- one of my biggest fears right now concerns just that....where is my hair-loss naturally disposed to move towards....in 5 years will it have become to wreck havoc on my crown, etc. Just read the "Am I Too Young" link, its fantastic....I beleive that Dr. Tru was very adamant about adhering to the principles listed throughout -- with the exception being to be on Propecia for 1+ year....currently it has been 6 months for me, though he did mention that "ideally" he would have me be on it for 1+ years.....I just don't know if I could deal with another 6 months of "innaction" before even beginning the transplant, and whether the extra 6 month wait would have the juice be worth the squeeze. I hate to sound overly dramatic, but I really just have not reacted "smoothly" to my hair loss at all...I am, and have been, very resistent emotionally and psychologically.....which I suppose is a double-edged sword in that I have reached the point where I am committed to taking action and do whatever I can. My biggest regret is not getting on the Propecia and such *years* ago, but for various reasons it just didn't go down like that.

Hey All, Long time "listener", first time "caller"! So, I am 21 years old and the past ~12 months of my life has been just total emotonal and psychological turmoil with the -- now blatent -- loss of hair to my frontol region (specifically, a really bad "thinning" effect). My hair, however, began thinng around the age of 18, though it didn't become noticable until the age of 20, and at around the age of 21 began reaching a stage where it couldn't be "hidden". My hair is pretty thick and healthy virtually all over, and I even have a relatively intact hairline, but the "thinning" just reached new heights of horror that I could never have imagined happening to me. Needless to say, I have not taken well at all to my loss of hair, and it has really reached a point where its a major part of my daily psyche and has wrecked havoc on my social life (dating, being comfortable outside, etc.) Well, today I officially began the major steps for my Hair Reclamation War and scheduled a surgical date w/ Tru&Dorin for 8/1/07....during my discussion with him today he stated a ~1200 graft transplant to be done initially, and we discussed a "long-term" outlook of 2 to 3 procedures. I have been on Propecia for 6+ months now to preserve what I have; it even appears to have actually halted further damage in the front, though I could be wrong; as well, I will be starting with the foam Rogaine tomarrow. My question is: does 1200 seem like an abnormally conservative treatment? Does anyone have any first-hand experience with how dramatic an effect 1200 can be? I will say, it is difficult for me to not want a "mega session", and I don't fully accept the conservative, long-term approach (1200 really does seem quite small), but I respect the doctor's judgement and intelligence. Every day I battle the present reality of my hair(loss) and its difficult to fathom waiting 1, 2, 3+ years for "ultimate" results. I will be posting pre-op, and eventually post-op photos. Cheers, Jon

Hey All, Long time "listener", first time "caller"! So, I am 21 years old and the past ~12 months of my life has been just total emotonal and psychological turmoil with the -- now blatent -- loss of hair to my frontol region (specifically, a really bad "thinning" effect). My hair, however, began thinng around the age of 18, though it didn't become noticable until the age of 20, and at around the age of 21 began reaching a stage where it couldn't be "hidden". My hair is pretty thick and healthy virtually all over, and I even have a relatively intact hairline, but the "thinning" just reached new heights of horror that I could never have imagined happening to me. Needless to say, I have not taken well at all to my loss of hair, and it has really reached a point where its a major part of my daily psyche and has wrecked havoc on my social life (dating, being comfortable outside, etc.) Well, today I officially began the major steps for my Hair Reclamation War and scheduled a surgical date w/ Tru&Dorin for 8/1/07....during my discussion with him today he stated a ~1200 graft transplant to be done initially, and we discussed a "long-term" outlook of 2 to 3 procedures. I have been on Propecia for 6+ months now to preserve what I have; it even appears to have actually halted further damage in the front, though I could be wrong; as well, I will be starting with the foam Rogaine tomarrow. My question is: does 1200 seem like an abnormally conservative treatment? Does anyone have any first-hand experience with how dramatic an effect 1200 can be? I will say, it is difficult for me to not want a "mega session", and I don't fully accept the conservative, long-term approach (1200 really does seem quite small), but I respect the doctor's judgement and intelligence. Every day I battle the present reality of my hair(loss) and its difficult to fathom waiting 1, 2, 3+ years for "ultimate" results. I will be posting pre-op, and eventually post-op photos. Cheers, Jon