26 yo seeking advice -please help

[birdy07]

I am writing to seek advice from those who have had any experience with a HT (especially those in their mid 20's). I am a 26 year old male and a norwood 2-3. I am considering an HT but I worry that restoring the sides of my hairline may require further grafts later on when the center recedes -creating an awkward appearance.

 

I have attached a photo of my hairline below.

 

I recently just started on propcia (right now I have little to no loss in my crown) but I worry how my loss will progress into my 30's and 40's.

 

I have seen several doctors restore hairlines of patients in their mid 20s with great results but I wonder how those results fair several years later. Is it wise to wait for further recession in my hairline to nor 4 before getting an HT?

 

Has anyone had their hairline restored in their mid 20s with a norw 2-3 and had these results maintained years later?

 

This has all been very depressing for me being young. People assume that I am well into my 30s. I would greatly appreciate any advice that you guys can offer.

 

Best,

Birdy

[hoose]

birdy,

 

I would wait at least a year and see how propecia works before considering a HT; what is your family history of hairloss? At 26, chances are you could lose more hair; propecia should stabalize/slow down your hairloss; there are patients that have HT's with your loss similar pattern in their mid-twenties; but if you go that route you need to be conservative; allowing for future HT's if your hair loss progresses;

[Middleson]

Hey birdy,

 

I think I was about where you are now, twenty one years ago. At that age my hairline started receeding. In my case the recession was relatively slow and in my late 30's I also started thinning on my crown. The first pic in my HT weblog will give you an idea of how far that proceeded by the time I hit my mid 40's (I'll be 48 next year). So that is the context with which I'm offing you advice.

 

I always looked older when I was younger, and now at 47, people tell me I look younger, and honestly, when I see others my age I actually believe I do look younger than most of them.

 

Bottom line: I would not get a HT to fill in your hairline at this point, based on the limited information I'm able to get from your post and from your photographs. From what I'm able to see from you photographs, you appear to be blessed with a fine head of hair, even though your hairline may be maturing a bit faster than many of your buddies. If you get your hairline filled in or reinforced at this point, then you should know that more than likely you will be committing yourself to more HT's down the road if for no other reason than to avoid the "awkward apperance" you already seem know about.

 

Someone else will be able to better adsise you regarding the use of propecia, but be sure to ask them how effective it is on the hairline...I seem to recall that propecia was more effective on the top/crown, and not effective on the hairline, but I might be mistaken.

 

I may also be mistaken about a HT to restore your hairline being appropriate for you. There are many veterans here who will be able to better inform you (once you've answered more questions). However, I do want to office this unsolicited piece of advice from what I do remember about being close to your age.

 

Make sure to listen to and consider all of the advice you get, especially the advice that might be contrary to what you most want to hear. And be warned, there are many impressive looking, and impressive sounding people out there with medical degrees and impressive offices who will be absolutetly delighted to lighten your wallet, and the cost to you may involve more than dollars and cents.

 

Listen to the fellas here on this website, most all of them are unbiased and will be quite honest with you. The guys here do a very good job of keeping each other in check.

[pushing 40]

All good advice given. Slow down and relax. My hairline receded just like yours by the time I was 23 or so but then stayed that way for the next almost 20 yrs before it thinned out enough across the top to appear balding. You just never know how its going to go so take your time, learn more, and consult with ONLY ethical honest docs.

[Furless]

I started receeding/thinning at about 25 too.

My problem was that I was in denial for far too long

By 28, I could tell what pattern I was headed towards, and yet for the next 3-4 years I wasted time/money trying snake oil and magic potions which were "guaranteed" to work!!

 

If I could go back in time, I would see a good doc at the first sign of hairloss and get on medication based on his/her advice so as to curb/slow the thinning (if not regrow lost hair).

 

btw, I had my first transplant 10 days ago at ~32 and am now on finasteride.

[birdy07]

Thank you for the quick response everyone.

 

 

dhoose- I think you are right about waiting one year or at least six months on propecia. Both my grandfathers were around a Nor 5-6 in their mid 50's. My mother's dad was around a nor 3V by the time he was 34. My father is probably a nor 2 at age 55. My father's brother is probably a nor 4-5 at age 63.

 

Middleson- Thank you so much for the advice. Nearly every coallition doctor I have consulted (through email or in person) has suggested roughly 2000 graphs. Some have suggested more which seems a bit high to me. I was told that propecia will help stabilize or slow down the recession of the hair on the crown. The only way to fill in my hairline at this point would be through a transplant.

 

pushing 40- thanks. I have been reading a lot and it seems there are many more options now for hairloss than there was even 10 years ago. It is rough going through this in your 20s.

 

Furless- I just started on propecia and have been told by many doctors that it helps almost 90% of their patients. Would you mind telling me where your loss is on the Norwood scale? I have been considering waiting for further loss before getting a HT but I am very selfconscious right now at a nor 3.

[pushing 40]

Hey, out of curiosity, how is the rest of your hair? It looks as though the forelock area and maybe the top are still rather dense? That sure as hell beats diffuse thinning all over, so maybe things will turn out well for you. Here's to hoping. Either way, you seem to have a good emotional grip on this so keep up with that or it'll get the best of you. And remember, we are our own worst critic; meaning- your hair loss to you looks like a huge neon sign hanging over your head. To others, it is more comparable to a tiny little advertisement on the back page of the paper. Don't forget that!

[TheHairLossCure]

Birdy,

 

You can restore the temples and hairline surgically. Should your loss progress further in the frontal area, and it most likely will, you will need at least another session. Some patients can treat the entire front third in your situation if the core area is thin enough to graft between existing hair. This does not seem to be your situation though.

 

I like to see patients get a stand alone result that will not require additional sessions to maintain a natural appearance. In order words, additional session would be optional, not mandatory. That is the ideal.

 

The first and best step is almost always medical therapy if appropriate. That will hopefully buy time while you look at your surgical options. Meds will not restore your temples but will likely help you keep what you have while you plan the next coarse of action.

[Guest josh - b]

birdy,

I'm not sure where you live but go for a consultation with a reputable doctor recommended here.

It looks to me that apart from your recession the rest of your hair is very strong.

Give the meds about a year and document with comparible pics. If your hair loss has stabilised, which it should, then you can, at 27, confidently go about restoring your hairline.

As for the graft estimates...i have slightly less recession than u and i got estimates ranging from 1300 up to 3000. The reason being that some doctors suggested lowering my hairline.

Don't deplete your donor supply by chasing your 21 y.o hairline .

And as pushing 40 quite rightly pointed out, we are our own worst critics. I started receeding at 24 and thought in my own head that i had aged 20 years.

I'm 35 now, have only receded to a norwood 3 and look good for my age.

 

Stay on the meds and keep active on this site. Both will help u lots !!

[Bill - Seemiller]

birdy,

 

As you can see, our community members have given you some excellent advice and food for thought.

 

I would agree that 2000 grafts or so would be around what you need for now, but I would personally give the Propecia some time 6 months to a year to do it's magic before considering surgery.

 

Keep in mind that hair loss is a progressive condition, and if you lose more hair, you will most likely need subsequent hair transplant procedures. This is all about planning for the long term.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[birdy07]

Thanks for the response guys.

 

pushing 40- the rest of my hair is pretty solid though I am noticing my front area has receded quite a bit in the last couple of years. I do not think my hair has thinned at all on the back or top of my head.

 

thehairlosscure- thanks. Yeah, it sounds like I should wait a bit or be prepared for multiple surgerys. I will give the propecia a bit of time before I consider the surgery.

 

josh- I have had two consultations in southern california and several online. Both doctors in california estimated the same amount; roughly 2000 grafts. I am very cautious about lowering my hairline and probably would only fill in the recession around the front sides. Most of the doctors suggested lowering my hairline (which didnt seem very ethical to me and surprised me quite a bit)

 

Bill- thanks. With the more research I have done it seems that one procedure solving my issue is probably not very realistic. Thanks for the link to your articles. I think you are right on point with your advice about planning for the long term.

[guyfromsydney]

Bill,

 

I guess my hairline would be maybe similar to this guys.

 

Although its hard to tell.

 

You say around 2000 grafts would be enough?

 

But is there any chance u could draw on that guys pic how far you think 2000 grafts would bring his hairline forward.

 

Can you also draw on his pic how far 1000 grafts would bring his hairline forward (ie around 500 each side)? Just to give me/people an idea?

 

 

I am thinking of only getting 1000 grafts, do you think that would look ok? I dont want a str8 hairline.

[guyfromsydney]

birdy?

 

with there 2000 grafts, what did they say that would look like? Would that be for a str8 hairline?

 

Can you draw it on your pic? Because i think using words can be very confusing.

 

Thank you

[guyfromsydney]

1 last question.

 

If my hair is similar to this guys, im 28.

 

Would you recommend Propecia or Rogaine?

If i was just going to take one of them?

 

I want to get maybe a transplant in a few months time.

 

Is it true that propecia gets better results?

[Bill - Seemiller]

guyfromsydney,

 

You say around 2000 grafts would be enough?

 

 

It depends on your hair restoration goals and the characteristics of your hair - but 2000 grafts should be enough for birdy's case from what I am seeing if he sticks with a conservative hairline. I would not recommend lowering the hairline too much at this point because of the great potential of future hair loss.

 

After all, donor supply is limited!

 

Taking both Propecia and Rogaine together are said to have a synergistic effect (thus being the best fighting force agains hair loss when taken together). However, if you were going to choose one over the other - I'd suggest Propecia. Of course, I recommend researching any medication and learn about the benefits, risks, and limitations before simply ordering it. Consult with a doctor as well.

 

Birdy07,

 

I'm glad we could be of help to you!

 

Bill

[Arrie]

Birdy,

I am a 25 year old male with mpb that is currently at a nw scale of 3, would progress to a 5 or 6 if meds don't work. I am 2 months post op and I have gone through the same emotions your going through and are about to go through. You are in the right place and we are lucky for that. I would agree with Josh that the rest of your hair looks solid, and I would have to agree with many members that you have to be pt and informed on all your options. It appears that your hair is thicker and more course than mine and I received 2000 grafts. Not to say thats a bad graft amount, but I would definitely take the approach you are and receive multiple opinions by peers and doctors alike. You can PM me any time if you like. I also have a blog if you wanna check out to see how similar our situation is. Hope this helps take care.

[guyfromsydney]

How dramatic would 2000 hairs improve the hairline?

 

If i only got 1000 grafts, with a similar hairline to birdies, do you think that would be ok?

 

Ive never had a ht before, im thinking of starting off a bit slower.

 

im not that ambitious as i say, i dont need a str8 hairline, i am happy to have it partly receeding. I just want to reduce it a little.

 

Do you think 1000 grafts could achieve that?

[guyfromsydney]

Where is your blog, i would like to see it arrie.

 

 

 

Bill, also if i take propecia and rogaine? both of those create shedding correct? Would it be better to take one before the other for a couple of months, to let your hair adjust, rather than bombard it with 2 products?

 

or can you start them both at the same time?

[Arrie]

guy look under my name and click on that link

[guyfromsydney]

Ohhhhhh, Im a dumb arse. That looks good dude.

 

Do they need to shave the back of your head to take the donor hair?

 

how much shock loss did you experience?

[Bill - Seemiller]

guyfromsydney,

 

Shedding is possible in the first few months from trying these hair loss medications, but it is a sign of the medication working as the hairs go into telogen (shedding), a stronger thicker hair is growing underneath (anagen).

 

Using both medications combined is better than one individually.

 

Bill

[guyfromsydney]

Is it ok to take propecia every second day like some people on here advocate?

 

 

According to your knowledge you think its perfectly fine to use rogaine and propecia together from the start?

 

Am i correct in assuming that rogaine is a less effective product? less benefits and less side effects?

 

Rogaine is rubbed onto the hair? not a medication?

 

 

 

Bill, in your opinion would 1000 hairs on a hairline like birdies still produce ok results?

I am happy to keep the cow licks just to reduce them a bit? 1000 grafts might give me an inch or so wouldnt it?

 

 

I understand rogaine comes in 2 and 5%? should you start on the 2%? or you can just go str8 onto the 5% solution?

[Bill - Seemiller]

guyfronsydney,

 

It's question/answer time

 

Is it ok to take propecia every second day like some people on here advocate?

 

Consulting a hair restoration specialist to see what he/she would recommend for your specific case is best

 

According to your knowledge you think its perfectly fine to use rogaine and propecia together from the start?

 

 

Yes

 

Am i correct in assuming that rogaine is a less effective product? less benefits and less side effects?

 

 

Not necessarily. Everyone responds differently to a medication's benefit and possible side effects. You may find that Rogaine works wonders for you whereas Propecia isn't doing much. But many find that Propecia is the most beneficial of the two because it combats hair loss at the hormonal level rather than stimulating growth. Combining forces would certainly be your best line of attack, but keep in mind that stopping either medication will eliminate the benefit.

 

Bill, in your opinion would 1000 hairs on a hairline like birdies still produce ok results?

 

 

It depends on your hair restoration goals (how low do you want to bring your hairline? How about temple work? How much density do you want?) and your hair characteristics.

 

If I were you, I wouldn't be nearly as concerned about the number of grafts required - but instead what you would like to accomplish given your hair characteristics, available donor, and future planning for the long term.

 

I understand rogaine comes in 2 and 5%? should you start on the 2%? or you can just go str8 onto the 5% solution?

 

 

This is a personal choice, but I feel it's better to go for the 5% - and only downgrade if you are experiencing any side effects.

 

Bill

[guyfromsydney]

Often on HT websites people talk about getting multiple HT's.

 

often atleast 2. If you have a similar level to birdie, might you be able to get away with just one HT?

atleast for a couple of years?

[Bill - Seemiller]

often atleast 2. If you have a similar level to birdie, might you be able to get away with just one HT?

atleast for a couple of years?

 

Again, this depends on your hair restoration goals and future hair loss.

 

Bill