mochi

Losing hair since early 20's, currently 26. Used Rogaine on and off since I first noticed the hair loss, have been on a combination of Rogaine, Propecia, and Nioxin shampoo for the past year. Loss has currently stabilized IMHO since I started to consistently apply Rogaine and Propecia, Nioxin just makes my scalp tingly. Looking at where the loss has occured, I will definitely be a NW4 (however no loss or minaturization seems to be happening at my crown area). Currently, still have my hairline, to be honest I think I still have about 70-80% of my hair in the frontal area where the hair loss is occuring. The only problem is, is that they are all minaturized/thin (90%). I am Asian, so the density is not super high, and one doctor I have consulted mentioned that I am slightly lower than avg for an asian as far as density. I have consulted a few doctors and the recommendation has been about ~1500 grafts. My goals are to: 1) Maintain my currently hairline 2) Thicken the frontal area where the hair loss is occuring. 3) I do not need to recreate a hairline or lower it from where it currently is, I've always had a high forhead and actually like it. Reasons for wanting to do it: 1) I know the hair I lost will not grow back, and I know that the hair that is still there will not go from minaturized --> normal again. 2) I am not happy looking at pictures when I am in the sun or bright light and the first thing i always notice is my scalp. 3) I don't see the point of waiting till the majority of my minaturized hairs fall out and then try and recreate an artificial hairline. I feel the hair line I have now is great and will serve as a good guide (all I need a doctor to do is fill in the spaces between the current hairs!). 4) Restore my confidence/cockiness around people. No I don't want people to like me because of my looks, but I know my increased confidence will be a big plus. 5) I'm too young to be losing my hair, especially when I used to always get compliments on it. I think people forget how much of an impact having hair can have on someone, and I think its MORE important for a young adult to be fully confident in themselves at my age because my life can still at the stage where it can go anywhere. To be honest, I think by the time you reach 40-50... you're pretty much set on what you are going to do and how you feel about things. Reasons for not wanting to do it: 1) slightly paranoid because of john36 2) Don't want a constant life of hair transplant procedures. However, if by some miracle stem cells make a breakthrough and we can grow donor hair, then I'm all for multiple transplants. I can envision myself having nightmares of all this hair in the front of my had and a bald back of my head. Questions: 1) Right time to do it? I know i'm kinda in the grey area right now. I think i'm a good looking guy, but I think i could be better looking. I've actually gone and seen what I looked with the clipper set on zero... not my thing right now... maybe in 20-30 years, but not now. 2) Do you think 1500 grafts is enough to achieve my goals? I've been told that I would probably need another session, but should notice significant improvement with 1500...(btw, I do not want to shave my recipient area, which I think is part of the reason why 1500 was the suggested amount) Sorry, no pics... I actually don't have a digital camera with me. Funny thing my aunt told me is that "God only created a few perfect heads... the rest he covered up with hair." My feelings on that is that I'm practically perfect as it is now, so it would only be fair to the rest of society if I had one imperfection!

Losing hair since early 20's, currently 26. Used Rogaine on and off since I first noticed the hair loss, have been on a combination of Rogaine, Propecia, and Nioxin shampoo for the past year. Loss has currently stabilized IMHO since I started to consistently apply Rogaine and Propecia, Nioxin just makes my scalp tingly. Looking at where the loss has occured, I will definitely be a NW4 (however no loss or minaturization seems to be happening at my crown area). Currently, still have my hairline, to be honest I think I still have about 70-80% of my hair in the frontal area where the hair loss is occuring. The only problem is, is that they are all minaturized/thin (90%). I am Asian, so the density is not super high, and one doctor I have consulted mentioned that I am slightly lower than avg for an asian as far as density. I have consulted a few doctors and the recommendation has been about ~1500 grafts. My goals are to: 1) Maintain my currently hairline 2) Thicken the frontal area where the hair loss is occuring. 3) I do not need to recreate a hairline or lower it from where it currently is, I've always had a high forhead and actually like it. Reasons for wanting to do it: 1) I know the hair I lost will not grow back, and I know that the hair that is still there will not go from minaturized --> normal again. 2) I am not happy looking at pictures when I am in the sun or bright light and the first thing i always notice is my scalp. 3) I don't see the point of waiting till the majority of my minaturized hairs fall out and then try and recreate an artificial hairline. I feel the hair line I have now is great and will serve as a good guide (all I need a doctor to do is fill in the spaces between the current hairs!). 4) Restore my confidence/cockiness around people. No I don't want people to like me because of my looks, but I know my increased confidence will be a big plus. 5) I'm too young to be losing my hair, especially when I used to always get compliments on it. I think people forget how much of an impact having hair can have on someone, and I think its MORE important for a young adult to be fully confident in themselves at my age because my life can still at the stage where it can go anywhere. To be honest, I think by the time you reach 40-50... you're pretty much set on what you are going to do and how you feel about things. Reasons for not wanting to do it: 1) slightly paranoid because of john36 2) Don't want a constant life of hair transplant procedures. However, if by some miracle stem cells make a breakthrough and we can grow donor hair, then I'm all for multiple transplants. I can envision myself having nightmares of all this hair in the front of my had and a bald back of my head. Questions: 1) Right time to do it? I know i'm kinda in the grey area right now. I think i'm a good looking guy, but I think i could be better looking. I've actually gone and seen what I looked with the clipper set on zero... not my thing right now... maybe in 20-30 years, but not now. 2) Do you think 1500 grafts is enough to achieve my goals? I've been told that I would probably need another session, but should notice significant improvement with 1500...(btw, I do not want to shave my recipient area, which I think is part of the reason why 1500 was the suggested amount) Sorry, no pics... I actually don't have a digital camera with me. Funny thing my aunt told me is that "God only created a few perfect heads... the rest he covered up with hair." My feelings on that is that I'm practically perfect as it is now, so it would only be fair to the rest of society if I had one imperfection!

Is there a reason that you think Siporin and Reed will more likely set their patients up for a second surgery?

Is there a particular reason to shave versus not shave?

I heard its difficult for blacks to get the FUE procedure because of the extreme curl to their hair. It makes the extraction of the hair much more difficult.

anyone have an idea of what the average cost would be for about 1500 grafts? Does it vary by state, I live in CA. Also, what are some other costs that are tacked onto the procedure. Do estimates include any kits or medications?