its752

mav, Call me an optismist because I think a doctor will end up dense packing closer to 2800-3000 grafts in that front area considering that a ton of 1s and 2s will be used, so insist on more!!

myhairr..... There is no drug other than Propecia/Avodart/Proscar for slowing down hair loss in the top/crown area of the hair, but that's a good place to start. Unfortunately, there's nothing proven to re-grow or even stop hair loss in the front--yet. At only 19 years old you will most certainly be encouraged to start on one of the three meds that I mentioned and of course Rogaine can be applied to the head as a topical foam together, again, with one of the three. The path that is the best, generally speaking, is to start that regime and see how your loss slows down, hopefully, then because of your young age wait to see even further how and if your loss is progressing and eventually get a consult with a doctor who will map out a long-term plan for the best use of your finite donor hair. There's way more to learn about so when others chime in you'll get their advice and directions. Good luck!!

mrsportsy, In a nut shell, you have more common sense than the consultant probably. Where are you thinning or are you receding? Topicals, shampoos that is, are just part of a regime once someone's had an HT and are using Propecia/Proscar/Avodart and or Rogaine and not as some magical formula alone with Rogaine. "Nizoral" shampoo is a good starting point for you because it contains 1% Ketoconazole which removes surface DHT. You can buy it at a drug sotre and the top-of-the shampoo you can order online is "Revita" by DC labs. There are not always side effects with Propecia either, something to think about, but try the Nizoral shampoo 3 times per week and Rogaine together. Remember Rogaine works on the crown mostly.

thana, I just read a post yesterday--thank god for you because some member had said that after extensive research he did on finesteride concluded that taking it every other day was still controlling his hair loss and cut out his side effects. He also had blood work done verifying his DHT levels were staying about the same.

rick055, The whole no-effect thing after 5 years doesn't make total sense to me, but I would like to know about it if it is a fact, but even if it works for only 5 years or so, I'll take the temporary imprvement over nothing.

petesman, Good question and it deserves some research for long-term effects.

jx66, I've heard "Restylene" is the newest thing for wrinkles so before you do anything look into it, and the doctor here might chime in also.

MORE_HAIR, The sun is brutal, and I never chance it with sunblock either and just wear a thick hat to not let any rays through, especially if you still have slight redness.

PGP, I didn't know blood work was analyzed for DHT and do you request that specfically when you go for the blood work?

Cooperman, When I clicked on to see to your post/video I was pleasantly surprised to see Joe Tillman and Hasson & Wong!! I looked at your hairblog and saw that you had 4100 grafts!! How sweet is that!! I am also from Southern California and went to Vancouver in July 2007 to see Dr. Hasson and can't wait to go back, but the journey is always the best part for me.

cooperman, If I'm correct, you're talking about the back of the neck being pulled tighter because of the donor suturing, and that does loosen up again after several months to a year's time so you can have future HT(s)!

gimmehair, "bro66" mentioned he was African-American just a couple of days ago. You can private message him!

PLEASE GROW PLEASE, What have you come up with researching Finesteride/Proscar that you've concluded every other day is a sufficient amount to use?

petesman, Sounds to me like thana pretty much handled your being stopped on going to the gym!

Jasmine, I know that a transplant is done basically the same way for woman as it is for a man, but at this point as a newbie I can only encourage you to get educated and familiar with the different doctors and the individual approaches they take to hair transplantation needs. Read about "dense packing" an area to give you the absolute fullness you want from your transplant, and there's really so much to learn before you would ewven want to approach a doctor. Good luck!!

mav, Just to let you know, I did put my trust in the Coalition of Doctors' list on this site and especially one of the doctors you are considering and it really turned out to be as good as everyone said who went before me!!!

Gizmo, Keep one thing in mind: Try not to lift anything heavy or do any pulling with weights or reach for anything to avoid any possibility of stretching your scar. Skin does stretch back thank god or nobody could get a transplant to begin with.

petesman, That's it! I'm buying protein powder w/Biotin tomorrow and adding another weapon to my arsenal, and thanks to all for the info.

petesman, If you can, checkout the adverse affects of too much protein in your system. I remember hearing something about it at one time and it was a little scary, but check it out to be sure.

blowdry, Did the gastritis happpen after an HT you had? If so, wouldn't it be temporary? You could find out from the clinic or google your question.

JoDirt, My journey started about five years ago with two HTs two years apart. I had my third HT done in July 2007 with 2451 grafts transplanted to the frontal-third and into the temples, and had the hairline designed into a cool point. I hadn't posted any postop pictures because of the disappointment in years past waiting to see only weak results both times, but my enthusiasm is definitely back and should see some pics from me not far away.

josh-b, I didn't go to Bosley thank god, but had 800 minigrafts done with a now retired doctor who thank god didn't butcher me! After a couple years I had 1600 FUTs done with a decent and compassionate local doctor but didn't even come close to getting the results I hoped for until I went to H&W.

JoeDirt, You don't know how right NG2Gbald is!!!! Get it done right the first time!! I did two HTs two years apart with weak results each time, and only after I found this site and used what would be considered one of the very very best doctors in the world did I get a bad-ass head of hair!! You do need 1500 grafts--on one side!

Dewayne, Sounds like you got it pretty well handled.

Dewayne, Have you tryed looking into a different laser to remove your tattoo? I know that even going from one doctor/laser operator to another can make a big difference in how long it takes to remove tattoos and other skin conditions. I know that first hand with a skin problem I had. Some doctors are just not as aggressive as they could be. I finally put my foot down, went to another doctor and said, You have to do better than the treatments I've been getting and it worked.