Considering HT...

[Martin M]

First of all I want to say that this site is an incredible resource for people losing their hair. All contributors should be extremely proud of what this has become.

 

I'm a relatively young guy who's been experiencing mild hair loss for the past 5 months or so. My crown and frontal area have been thinning. I haven't get sat down with my dermatologist to discuss the issue (she's been booked for 4 months), but am doing so this week. Obviously there is no "quick fix" to hair loss, as any treatment takes months and even years to resolve the problem. I'm considering propecia - however from what I understand that will take months to only STOP my hair loss - which by then will probably be significant. I've been looking into the possibility of a transplant, which seems like the best (albeit expensive and risky) solution to having hair that looks full and continues to grow. I also know that there are some issues (as I learned here) with younger guys getting HTs, namely the fact since my hair is still falling out, I'd have to keep getting surgeries to keep up with the balding. In any event, I've scheduled some free consultations with some clinics - Hair Club for Men, Boseley, and Medical Hair Restoration Clinic just to see what they're about. I know some of this information is on this site elsewhere, but could anyone share their experiences with these places, or direct me to some good clinics in New York? Also, does anyone have some good questions that I should address while at these clinics? Any comments and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Martin M]

First of all I want to say that this site is an incredible resource for people losing their hair. All contributors should be extremely proud of what this has become.

 

I'm a relatively young guy who's been experiencing mild hair loss for the past 5 months or so. My crown and frontal area have been thinning. I haven't get sat down with my dermatologist to discuss the issue (she's been booked for 4 months), but am doing so this week. Obviously there is no "quick fix" to hair loss, as any treatment takes months and even years to resolve the problem. I'm considering propecia - however from what I understand that will take months to only STOP my hair loss - which by then will probably be significant. I've been looking into the possibility of a transplant, which seems like the best (albeit expensive and risky) solution to having hair that looks full and continues to grow. I also know that there are some issues (as I learned here) with younger guys getting HTs, namely the fact since my hair is still falling out, I'd have to keep getting surgeries to keep up with the balding. In any event, I've scheduled some free consultations with some clinics - Hair Club for Men, Boseley, and Medical Hair Restoration Clinic just to see what they're about. I know some of this information is on this site elsewhere, but could anyone share their experiences with these places, or direct me to some good clinics in New York? Also, does anyone have some good questions that I should address while at these clinics? Any comments and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Dewayne]

Originally posted by Martin M:

In any event, I've scheduled some free consultations with some clinics - Hair Club for Men, Boseley, and Medical Hair Restoration Clinic just to see what they're about.

 

STAY AWAY!

 

I wore a HC for Men 'system' for about 2 weeks when I was 30 and it was awful. I drove four hours to have it removed, and shaved my head for the first time in my life. It was very unnatural.

 

Check out the 'Find a Surgeon' above as there are several great surgeons around the NY area. Epstein, Feller and Bernstein immediately come to mind.

 

Welcome to the Forum. You should try Rogaine and Proscar (finasteride).

[thanatopsis_awry]

God yes, please....for your sake...."STAY AWAY!"....no joke bro, you just listed the single worst clinics I could possibly think of...and you live in an area rich with talented places....that are worlds better in every facet AND less expensive....

 

Research a lot; this site is excellent, research other sites if you feel uncomfortable looking at just one source....though, this "source" is really an amalgamation of various people from various places on earth....

[Dr. Michael Meshkin]

Usually male pattern baldness is hereditory although some medical problems could cause hairthinning in men. If there is a family history of male pattern baldness in your family,then most likely yours is family related. Surgical treatment is the only proven permanant solution to regain hair in men, medical treatment can be used to minimize future hairloss. If a client has enough donor hair to provide a good coverage of the thinning area and is at risk for future hairloss, we perfer to do hair transplant to regain the hair back and in addition try medications to minimize future hair loss. The donor hair is in the back of the head from one inch above the ears and all the way down to the neck. The transplanted hair which is from the back of the head has a genetic disposition that is resistant to the DHT which is the male hormone that causes hairloss. The transplanted hair starts to grow after 3 months and it may take up to a year for all the hair to grow out.

On younger clients we prefer to begin with medical treatment first and defer hair transplant, but it depends on clients degree of hair loss.

[thanatopsis_awry]

Ah, right, you actually asked some questions, I forgot admist the fury of seeing you name The Horrible Three!

 

Questions....ask the docs you consult w/, and the ones Dewayne mentioned would be excellent starts, to analyze your hairloss, rate your hair charachteristics, and ask them about how many grafts you immediately would require, and your overall gameplan.

 

FYI -- Don't be surprised if one or two turn you down (for a HT), but one thinks it is totally fine.

[Martin M]

Thanks everyone for your comments so far. I had that consultation with HC for Men today. According to a "hair specialist," I have some moderate thinning in my frontal area and advanced hair loss occuring at the crown. The "specialist" said that I wouldn't be the best candidate for a surgical procedure (since I'm so young and most doctors would reject me), and then proceeded to offer me a product called "Extreme Hair Therapy" - which includes some shampoo, conditioner and vitamins that adds up to a couple thousand bucks. After hearing everyone's skeptical opinions of HC for Men, however, I highly doubt that I will take that route. Right now I'm leaning toward getting on Propecia, evaluating those results and adding some Minoxil or something for regrowth down the road - though a transplant does look very alluring with some of the results I've seen.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Martin,

 

We have an article about Extreme Hair Therapy and many others on the Hair Loss Learning Center. I recommend reading through these to help you evaluate treatments and their efficacy.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[Fallenstar]

i think of one thing here, " Murphys Law"

u couldnt have picked any worse 3 places to consider my friend, i almost make the mistake of going the Bosleys some 7 yrs ago...boy was i glad i stayed away and researched. only took 7 yrs.:-).but i am glad i did.

 

the majority of members on this brilliant forum will agree with me on the above i think, but lets hear them in person.

 

i think the timing of ur HT is very important factor. i know this will sound difficult as u sound quite young, but i would wait until the hair loss has stabilized to a degree and then have a HT.

but good luck in whatever u decide

but remember 2 words, research & patience !

best of luck

FS

[Clive McQuire]

Martin

 

As the guys have said, research long and hard, and have consults with the top surgeons recomended on this site.

 

From my perspective, long term useage of drugs like propecia would not be an option, but from research on here, you will see that it is the only proven non surgical way to slow your hereditary H/L.

 

When thinking of a H/T at a young age (Under 30) you must consider future hair loss, and be very cautious with the use of your limited donor supply. I'm sure a top surgeon would help you with your long term options.

 

Good luck with your research.

 

Clive.

[Bp1]

If you are near the City go see Dr. Dorin or Dr True. I've had a procedure done with Dr. Dorin and he did a great job

[Martin M]

Does anyone know if shaving your head or cutting your hair really low will do anything to curtail your hair growing back? I am considering a buzz cut during my treatment process (Rogaine, Propecia, etc.) but am unsure if this will make it more difficult to grow my hair back.