JakeVig

B-Spot I thought that you could also lose up to 200 grafts for every successive surgery since the strip will contain the scar tissue from the previous HT. I also heard that the bigger the HT (# of grafts) the lower the yield. Does anyone know what is the optimal HT strategy to get the most yield from your donor hair?

Here is an informative article that contains more info on the subject: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/newsletter/article255.htm

Hi Eagle10, From what I understand there are small traces of Propecia/Finesterade found in semen. It is known that Finesterade can cause problems in pregnant women. So if you happen to concieve while on Propecia I would recommend adding a condom to your routine to stop transference of further traces of Finestrade.

It seems like we have come along way from the plugs and mini/micrografts of old. So now we have FUE and FUT where we are able to move the naturally occuring follicles which now can create almost undetectable hairlines. So I'd like to pose the question if hair transplants can get any better? So to find out I thought I would identify things that are not perfect and could possibly improve: - Shock Loss (still happens) - Donor Scar (is still detectable) - Yield of transplanted hair (still not 100%) - Dense packing (Is 45-55 the max that can be achieved at the moment) Im thinking maybe the future is FUE as it would eliminate the donor scar. Still the disadvantages of FUE is cost and yield. What else can be improved? does everyone else agree that a perfected FUE technique would be the future? Anyone have any other thoughts on the topic?

It seems like we have come along way from the plugs and mini/micrografts of old. So now we have FUE and FUT where we are able to move the naturally occuring follicles which now can create almost undetectable hairlines. So I'd like to pose the question if hair transplants can get any better? So to find out I thought I would identify things that are not perfect and could possibly improve: - Shock Loss (still happens) - Donor Scar (is still detectable) - Yield of transplanted hair (still not 100%) - Dense packing (Is 45-55 the max that can be achieved at the moment) Im thinking maybe the future is FUE as it would eliminate the donor scar. Still the disadvantages of FUE is cost and yield. What else can be improved? does everyone else agree that a perfected FUE technique would be the future? Anyone have any other thoughts on the topic?

Yes I agree that it is a concern that it has not been approved for hair loss by the FDA, but the clinical studies have shown it to be more effective than Propecia. I guess the important thing is that it has still been approved by the FDA for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) so to a certain extent it can be considered safe at least. It seems also that Avodart(dutasteride) has been around since 1995 and has the same side effects of Propecia(finasteride) albeit a bit stronger. Unfortunately though there is no longterm studies on the effects of Avodart as there have been with Propecia, so taking does carry it some risk. The truth is though even though it is not approved for hair loss, many hair loss sufferers have been taking it with some success. Here is a page with literally hundreds of positive feedback on the use of Avodart for hair loss. http://xenicalwtloss.hypermart.net/AVODARTHairLossPrescriptionINDEXpage.html Also some of the best hair transplant surgeons in the world have started recommending its use over Propecia. I however don't believe anyone should start Avodart without first trying out Propecia for a couple of years. It is a safer alternative and has yeilded good results in some patients.

Hi Robert, I know that you have done some considerable research on Avodart and I read that you decided to 'front load' your dosage of Avodart for 10 days. This was interesting as I have just read this article: http://www.hairlosstalk.com/newsletter/article189.htm "HairlossTalk has recently learned that Glaxo made a slight modification to its Phase III trials as far as dosing goes. It seems the plan, were they to continue, was to administer 2.5mg daily to the trial participants only for the first six months, and then reduce dosage to 0.5mg for the following six months.*" Do you have any further information about the benefits of an increased dosage of Avodart for a short period of time?

We'll you're going to have a hard time getting hard facts about propecia results because it has different results for different people. The truth is that it should slow down your hairloss. In some cases it will halt your hair loss and in some rare cases it will regrow some of your hair. It is generally thought though that if there is any regrowth it will not occur in the hairline - the same is thought with Minoxidil/Rogaine. For now hair transplants seems to be the only way to restore hair in the hairline. Here is an article from the www.propecia.com website that contain the results of one of the clinical studies on propecia: http://www.propecia.com/finasteride/propecia/consumer/facts/clinical_study.jsp Hope this helps.

I wouldn't go to a Doctor in India even if they were free. I have yet to see a convincing transplant result from india. If there are any please post on this forum.

If your concerned about your hairloss perhaps you might consider adding minodoxil to your regime as well, it is the only other FDA approved med for hairloss. Avodart is not approved for hair loss and is more potent than propecia/proscar so the side effects can be even worse - so you should research it carefully before considering it. It is important to know that a Hair Transplant is not a cure for hairloss. If you do not take any medications to prevent your hairloss it will continue.

I have to agree with you there buddy! Unfortunately we are in the industry that is still highly motivated by profit. There is a lot of Snake Oil out there who's only growth is the hole it puts in your wallet. Although its great that we have this forum as we can help each other share what has worked for us and what doesn't.

I believe that price is close to what you would pay for the best doctors in the world.

Welcome Queezy, Unfortunately most of the best doctors in the world do shave the head when trying to increase hair density. I would tend to side with the better doctors unless you are happy with the results Dr Khan has provided other patients where she did not shave their head.

Hi Hairbank, My procedure is just less than 3 weeks away. Yeah Im a little nervous as well as excited at the same time since this is my first procedure. I just turned 27 so Im only getting 1200 grafts placed consertively in my hairline which I know is not generally advised for a virgin scalp . With laser treatment I originally heard that SMG was suggesting them to their patients on this forum. Since I was in consultations with Matt anyway I quized him about it and he confirmed that they were suggesting their use and he would tell me more about it at my appointment. I will relay all I find out

Matt Zupan from the SMG has said that A lot of data is indicating that they may work similar to Propecia. People who have used them believe the quality of their hair is stronger....healthier. It sounds like he has gotten some positive feedback from its use.

We'll its good to see someone has one the lottery! The best that most people can hope for is to slow down their hair loss - you have got amazing growth my friend!

Hi elastic, Welcome, first of all are you currently using any medication to stop hairloss like Propecia or Rogaine. If not I would definately recommend getting on them ASAP just to see if you respond well to them. I would stay on them for about 9 months before considering a HT. It should stabalize your hair loss and help you prevent shockloss from a HT. I would recommend any of the quality doctors in the coalition of independent hair restoration physicians at: http://www.hairlosslearningcenter.org/hair-loss-content...s/our_physicians.asp

Hi hairbank, I don't think regrowth is on the cards but rather to create stronger, thicker healthier hair which would give the appearance of more hair. I personally would not buy into it except that it is now being recommended by leading clinics. I will let you know more when I get back from my HT with SMG.

We'll I believe the correct terminology would be Low Laser Light Therapy. There is actually quite a lot written about it. A quick search on google yielded a pretty informative article: http://www.newhair.com/treatment/other-laser-therapy.asp

My word 37 with that head of hair, you are truly blessed my friend. If anything take some propecia for a while and if for some reason you still think you need a HT I would look into a FUE procedure.

Hi Robert, Thanks for the very detailed info on Avodart vs Propecia. Have you actually achieved regrowth and do you know what the chances are that a person would actually achieve some regrowth with Avodart?

I think laser treatment is an interesting topic, I know that some of the best hair transplant clinics in the world are recommending its use - stating that it has similar growth properties to propecia where it strenghtens existing hair helping create thicker and healthier hair.

hairbank, I think you are spot on with the average age. If we base the patient photos in the photo album as a sample I would still say that the average age is close to early 30's. Of course younger people will probably be more likely to be private about their HT which could reflect on whether they allow their profile to be displayed. Then if we take an account of Bosley's aggressive marketing towards younger people who should 'stay ahead of their balding' then it will be younger again.

We'll if the tricho technique was used then I imagine the scar will become less visible in time. I guess to make it less visible I would grow your hair out longer and to use concealer like Toppik.

MTLien44, who was your surgeon? and do you know what closure technique that was used?