Ok, here we go...My story so far, with pictures

[MyNameIsRich]

Hey. I've been a member of this forum for several months now, asking various questions and having viewed 100s of HT blogs, I'm certain that I will be getting a Hair Transplant at some point in the future.

About me:

I'm currently 21 1/2, and have always had considerably bad hair, in that its quite thin, kinky, and sparse in places (mainly the left side, above my ear, but also all over) as well as this, I've always had somewhat of a high hairline, and a largeish forehead, even looking bad at pictures as a child, I would never look that great with short hair, and always better sporting a fringe/bangs as aposed to having haired styled upwards.

I have always been very obsessed with my hair, but have come to terms with what I am, and also what I can expect from surgery, so, I may as well take the plunge and have the operations I want, right?

 

Anyways, I noticed what I originally thought was hairloss at around the age of 15, however this was just how my hair parts in the centre of the hairline, and has always been like that ( see photos ), it wasnt until 19 that I really noticed hairloss, but its been a slow process...

originally my temples receded, and I would imagine they wouldn't recede anymore, the next thing to be happening however is my hairline seems to be thinning out at the sides, more so on my right than the left..

I have been taking monthly or so photo updates to monitor the hairloss, and If I'm honest with myself, it does seem a little thinner on the right side now than It did back in Feb 2011.

 

I also seem to have inherited my mothers hair, as she has hair of a very similar style to mine, thin, sparse and frankly, crap, where as my fathers hair is very thick and great. All of the males on my mothers side have generally a full head of hair, which is reassuring, and I seem to be following the same sort of recession as my moms father, however my own father has suffered from some hair loss, but that didn't start until he was aprox 33 years old. he is now 53, and honestly, he is looking into having a HT himself, but I am certain he will have great results as he has only lost hair on the imediate top and there are still hairs present throughout that area and even on his hairline.

 

So, thats a bit of a back story, generally a good family history for hair, at least on my mothers side, but my fathers hairloss is definitely not the worst case scenario when you look at HT options...

 

Myself? Well I'm sort of at terms with it, but at times I feel really shitty if I can't conceal it, after a bad haircut or something..I'm also anxious to see how much more hair I will lose and in how much time it will take to happen. I can only really take advice from people here, and wait it out until I say enough is enough, but thats what the planning and research is about.

 

 

Enough Ranting, heres some photos from a few days back, directly after showering, with my hair wet and combed back:

(Note, my hairline has always been high, and never been directly straight across, the main hairloss you should really note is at the temple areas:)

pulled back very hard ^ ^ ^

 

resting as it would naturally, having dried somewhat now by towel ^ ^ ^

 

 

 

Heres a few photos of my hair, having just been dried and how I would wear it normally, as due to large forehead, having my hair as it is in the above photos wouldnt look as good:

 

 

Well thats pretty much it for now, I guess I could upload some pictures of my fathers hair and grandfathers for reference but, more importantly I just wanted to hear some feedback before i start planning and looking into the HT future...

Am I a lot more worried than I should be, at this point in my 21 YO life? or Is this definitely signs of something?

 

Thanks

[MyNameIsRich]

Also, I am not currently taking any meds and have had no consultations, however I did message Dr Path and am awaiting his suggestions, as well as all of yours

If taking propecia or Rogaine may buy me a few years before a HT, then thats cool.

I do use DermMatch concealer on the sides where my temples are thin, to add the illusion of density, when my hair is shorter and difficult however

[aaron1234]

Dear God don't get a HT now. You're too young and have tons of hair. If anything just get on propecia!

[Spanker]

I don't really see anything wrong with your hair. I would hold off and at most get on propecia.

[RCWest]

I think your hair is just fine. Even though you have a high forehead, lots of people have a high forehead, it's genetic. Your hairline looks good. If anything just take Finasteride. How much hair do you shed daily?

[kathie47]

I also don't see the need for HT. It's a pretty serious process--at MOST I think you could go on finasteride.

[Capelli11]

There is definitely not a need for a HT at this point for you. Since you are so young and have a good amount of hair (sure perhaps your hairline can be beefed up and/or straightened but it is too early in your hair loss for that)...I recommend as everyone did, to get on Propecia to stop any further loss. Give it at least 1 year to see if your hair loss has stabilized. Re-visit this in 1 year after meds and go from there. Good Luck!

[MyNameIsRich]

Thanks a lot for the responses so far, guys. I just want to clarify that I am definitely not considering getting a HT at this stage, I am however researching and learning as much as I can about hair loss reversal and HTs so I can attack the future as it comes... Do you believe I should start taking meds/rogaine? Or do I hold off and just keep monitoring my hairline every few months as I have been doing?

And to answer the question about how many hairs I shed daily, I really wouldn't know. I'd say from my daily morning shower I lose a handful of hairs but it doesn't bother me as about 4 years ago I used to lose about 4 times as many, and they were coming out just by running my hand through the wet hair... This is no longer the case

[aaron1234]

Go see a doc and get a miniaturization check. He'll be able to tell you if you need propecia at this point. It's hard for us to say if you are actually balding or not.

[multiplier]

See a doc and get on Propecia + Rogaine if you really see evidence of thinning. But boy, I think most people on this board would kill to have the amount of hair you have, so count your blessings

[MyNameIsRich]

See a doc and get on Propecia + Rogaine if you really see evidence of thinning. But boy, I think most people on this board would kill to have the amount of hair you have, so count your blessings

Thanks, but it has to start at some point, right? I could look very different in a year - two years time, thats why I'm doing my research and planning now

[RCWest]

You can lose upwards of 50% of your hair before it really becomes noticeable, so you really need to have a density check. What state do you live in? There may be a hair transplant surgeon nearby who can check you out for free.

[MyNameIsRich]

I live in the UK, and am moving to Australia next week so... *shrugs*

I'm pretty anxious to go and see a specialist in person, as stupid as it sounds.

to kind of hear in person 'yeah, youre losing your hair' is something that could really bother my confidence and self esteem... then again, it may let me combat it while its still young

[Blake Bloxham]

Rich,

 

Thank you for sharing your story and these photographs. Like other community members said, I do not believe you are a candidate for surgical hair restoration at this time. However, getting an early start on preventive medications like minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) may be a good idea.

 

If you're looking for an evaluation (which is a good idea) by a talented hair restoration physician before leaving the UK, you may want to consider contacting the Farjo Medical Centre and scheduling a consultation.

 

Good luck! Keep us updated.

[MyNameIsRich]

I shall look into doing it when I'm over in Australia, or even when I'm back in the UK around Christmas.. But I will keep monitoring my hairline and taking monthly photos as I have been doing.

 

It's going to cost a fortune to be on both Propecia and Rogaine though, surely? Even to just be on one of them is kind of expensive monthly cost...

[Capelli11]

Cost is always a barrier when it comes to maintaining and/or having a HT. But if you want to keep your hair and are truly serious about it, you will find a way to pay for it. Propecia is not cheap but you can get generic FIN for very cheap and cut the pill into 1/4's. I have spent a lot of monies thus far on concealers and propecia and now my upcoming HT but in reality I say to myself and now you...what is the cost/expense of losing your hair worth to you? To me...it is priceless to hold onto and have a good head of hair so I am willing to pay for it. You need to see what means the most to you and you will be able to pay for it accordingly. Hope this helps.

[MyNameIsRich]

Cost is always a barrier when it comes to maintaining and/or having a HT. But if you want to keep your hair and are truly serious about it, you will find a way to pay for it. Propecia is not cheap but you can get generic FIN for very cheap and cut the pill into 1/4's. I have spent a lot of monies thus far on concealers and propecia and now my upcoming HT but in reality I say to myself and now you...what is the cost/expense of losing your hair worth to you? To me...it is priceless to hold onto and have a good head of hair so I am willing to pay for it. You need to see what means the most to you and you will be able to pay for it accordingly. Hope this helps.

 

True, I will look into the best possible treatment for myself, I guess the first thing is to be assessed by a true hair specialist in person, but I'm going to put that off for a few more months to see if I notice any difference myself in photos and such...

Sounds smart?

[Capelli11]

I wouldn't wait considering many consultations are free. It can't hurt to see a Dr. and see what he says about your hair loss. Because in all honesty, I only thought I was a hairline case but upon consulting with various doctors I realized I have a little thinning in other parts...so it was beneficial for me to see this because I went on Propecia immediately instead of say doing what you said you want to do and waiting a few months. The goal is to get on meds ASAP if you feel you are losing your hair. It unfortunately is the only way (or I should say one of the best ways) to hold onto the hair you have. Hope this helps.

[MyNameIsRich]

It's just a really difficult time for me to be able to, with me going away and what not.. Otherwise I'd take the advice and see somebody within the month. I don't suppose a few months will make that much difference anyway, really?

[MyNameIsRich]

I wouldn't wait considering many consultations are free. It can't hurt to see a Dr. and see what he says about your hair loss. Because in all honesty, I only thought I was a hairline case but upon consulting with various doctors I realized I have a little thinning in other parts...so it was beneficial for me to see this because I went on Propecia immediately instead of say doing what you said you want to do and waiting a few months. The goal is to get on meds ASAP if you feel you are losing your hair. It unfortunately is the only way (or I should say one of the best ways) to hold onto the hair you have. Hope this helps.

 

Do they give you the feedback there and then, or is it based on the differences seen from the first and second consultation?

Can they also figure out how much hair you will lose at the end of it all?

[wylie]

You kids and your "hairloss"....LMAO

[MyNameIsRich]

You kids and your "hairloss"....LMAO

 

everybody starts at some point, you should know as you're a member here

[MyNameIsRich]

I don't really see anything wrong with your hair. I would hold off and at most get on propecia.

 

I think your hair is just fine. Even though you have a high forehead, lots of people have a high forehead, it's genetic. Your hairline looks good. If anything just take Finasteride. How much hair do you shed daily?

 

I also don't see the need for HT. It's a pretty serious process--at MOST I think you could go on finasteride.

 

There is definitely not a need for a HT at this point for you. Since you are so young and have a good amount of hair (sure perhaps your hairline can be beefed up and/or straightened but it is too early in your hair loss for that)...I recommend as everyone did, to get on Propecia to stop any further loss. Give it at least 1 year to see if your hair loss has stabilized. Re-visit this in 1 year after meds and go from there. Good Luck!

 

I've been reading up a little on Propecia from Spexhair website, and he does state that branded Propecia is very very expensive, and suggests using this product:

Finpecia (Finasteride 1mg) Generic Finasteride - Hair Pharmacy (UK)

 

Does anybody have anything to say about Finpecia as a form of Finasteride? how good are these generic propecias?

[MyNameIsRich]

Also, to be honest I don't believe the images in the original post fully display my concerns with my hair, as it seems to blend in with itself when combed back like that.

I took some photos directly after showering earlier, check these pictures and the annotations:

I've let my hair rest by pushing it wet to the left, clumping it and then on the side of the hairline it's coming down, notice how where the arrow points it seems to be a lot thicker and almost has it's own edge, or is that just me?

 

 

 

Some pictures of the same from the front

 

 

 

 

A close up

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I brushed my hair back in the same fashion as in the original post's pictures, and I was surprised to see how it pretty much disguises my worries from the previous pictures moments before.

 

Does this help indicate my worries now, to those of you who are saying there's nothing wrong? Or is there really little wrong, at this stage?

 

Cheers

[evoke]

i have been suffering from hair loss right from when i was pregnant with my daughter who is now 5yrs old. i decided to seek help with advance hair studio hence they sound very convincing. i attended my consultation n agreed to go ahead with the strand by strand, n that same day they convinced me to pay 2k of the 3k which i did. so i got home n told my family what i had decided to do only to find out that they are a big scam. so some few days later i called to get my money back n the rather turned around to threaten to take me to court.

even though they claim they hadn't even done the order n wouldn't do so until i had completed the payment. i asked to speak to a manager in charge only to find out he was a good liar too. he also threatened to take me to court. so i drop the phone n never called back. and up to now they haven't refunded my money back nor did i get the strand by strand done....someone help n give me advice on what step to take to get my money back hence it's over a year now