Topher91

Thanks to everyone thus far for your responses. I have received one of my consultation results. Dr. Rahal recommended 2000 grafts to re-establish my hairline. He did not recommend against a transplant. Any thoughts here?

I am new to the forum, but like everyone on here, I have researched and tried almost everything involved with hair restoration minus a hair transplant. I am the current owner of a "Lexington Hairmax Laser Comb". I purchased it two years ago after seeing its endorsement on a television program, the name of which I cannot recall at this time. After two years of using it, I have come to conclude that it just isn't worth it. It does not work. I have committed many hours to researching the benefits of laser therapy for hair loss - there is simply no empirical evidence that suggests any real benefits for hair growth. Do not be fooled by their money back guarantee - laser restoration clinics will NOT refund your money. I went to a laser restoration clinic that offered a refund...but the guy working at the clinic was doing my "pre-therapy count" and would do my "post-therapy count" microscopically. I tried returning my laser comb after the test period, and they told me that I should keep it for another 6 weeks because some take longer than others to respond. Well, after 6 weeks, I was given another story and after many attempts to return it, I gave up. The whole hair restoration laser therapy industry should seriously be evaluated. There is simply no real proof that it works.

Good question! And here is the issue. I have seen Bill go from relatively nothing to a great head of hair. Yes, it's not perfect, but its hair he'll have for life and it looks awesome. Personally, I'd rather have a good hairline and some thinning in the back than the other way around because I don't have to look at it or see people looking at my upper forehead during a conversation - I hate that! For the record, I still think I have better donor hair than Bill haha. It's thicker and denser.

Thank you for all of your input. The last few points really hit home on why I should wait. While I do not like my receding hairline, I certainly do not want to have a small "island" in the front with a HT should I continue to recede. My main issue is that i've been like this for 3 years now. I have not seen any considerable loss since then. I certainly would not consider an HT if I was convinced that I was still losing a dramatic amount of hair - in fact, the pics taken when I was 23 are almost identical to where I'm at today. I am going to put off an HT for now. I will reconsider it again after seriously committing myself to propecia and rogaine for a year, and check back with you guys again. I will also see what Dr. Rahal and Dr. Shapiro say (i have submitted a consultation to both). thanatopsis_awry: Do you have pics of your hairline? I ask because we are both relatively young, and Id like to know what prompted you to go for a HT.

Hah! Thanks Nelly! Now, you'd be very surprised. I do want to really improve my situation, but I will NOT do it to my detriment. If I did not value this community's input, I would not have bothered asking for your opinions. My real question is concerned with the "why" aspect here. Why should I not get a HT done? Is it because I won't have enough for future HTs? Personally, that's a concern of mine but guys like Bill have gone from virtually nothing to a great head of hair and I believe my hair is thicker, therefore more coverage. Guys, I cannot shave my head. My skin complexion is VERY fair, and having a bald head looks very funny with my skin color. I need to do something about it, hence why I am here. Nelly, I will submit to an online consultation with both Dr. Shapiro and Dr. Rahal and see what they have to say. I will also take more appropriate pictures. I just don't think the pics above properly show the whole picture. Better pics. Excuse the messy hair, I was pulling it back to send pictures for my consultation:

As for the technique, Dr. Blaine Lehr uses 100% microscopic Follicular Unit extraction. So far, there have been 11 posts in this thread but I am still not sure why everyone has told me that I should not repair my receding hairline. Please advise. Yes, I understand that hairloss is unpredictable, but I also know that I can have future procedures done if necessary. I know you guys have all gone through this stage before and know how tough it is to be 26 and balding, especially when all of your friends have a great head of hair. I may come off as a bit stubborn, but please know that I really want this done and I need reasons why I should NOT have it. By the way, I live in Oklahoma for those who asked.

Thank you for all of your posts! I would like to address a couple of your comments: 1) These pics show my BEST scenario. When its cut short it looks very thin and receded. 2) I appreciate your kind words, however many of you already know how damaging it is to lose your hair. I work in an industry where professionalism and image can cost money (no, im not a model by any stretch haha) 3) What is the "problem" with me having a hair transplant now? Even something modest like 1200FUs? I mean, I would have PLENTY of reserve for future HTs if necessary, I can afford the procedure, and I really want to try and correct and rebuild my hairline. I do NOT want my hairline to recede any lower than it is now and I do NOT want to wait til I bald more before decided to get a transplant. I don't understand why you guys never advocate several small transplants so that a person never has to completely bald before having a transplant done. I look at guys like Bill, who went from complete baldness to having a great head of hair and think "in my worse case scenario, that is what I could do too" and I really can live with that. I think he looks great and his hairline does too.

Hello friends, I am a 26 year old male who is seriously considering a transplant. My hairline has receded a LOT over the past couple years. I have started on Propecia but I still really hate my hairline. It's so bad that I rarely bother coming my hair or looking in the mirror anymore. I have resorted to wearing hats all the time. I no longer keep my hair short because it looks even worse when I do! I've consulted with a good doctor in the Oklahoma area named Dr. Blaine Lehr. He has recommended a 1200 FU procedure to restore my hairline to a more reasonable level. I understand that I won't get my 18 year old hairline back, but I *need* to do something because this has literally killed my social life and confidence. Give me your honest opinions. Be my devil's advocate if necessary. I know a HT won't stop future balding, but I'm willing to do future procedures if necessary but I understand that it is not desirable to chase hairloss, and I agree.

Hello friends, I am a 26 year old male who is seriously considering a transplant. My hairline has receded a LOT over the past couple years. I have started on Propecia but I still really hate my hairline. It's so bad that I rarely bother coming my hair or looking in the mirror anymore. I have resorted to wearing hats all the time. I no longer keep my hair short because it looks even worse when I do! I've consulted with a good doctor in the Oklahoma area named Dr. Blaine Lehr. He has recommended a 1200 FU procedure to restore my hairline to a more reasonable level. I understand that I won't get my 18 year old hairline back, but I *need* to do something because this has literally killed my social life and confidence. Give me your honest opinions. Be my devil's advocate if necessary. I know a HT won't stop future balding, but I'm willing to do future procedures if necessary but I understand that it is not desirable to chase hairloss, and I agree.