notbb Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 This is my first post here, so hello everyone! I noticed about 1.5 year ago that my crown was thinning and since then I haven't been left with a completely bald patch but I believe the thinning has somewhat progressed. My hair loss has been probably going on for the last 4 years, judging from pictures that I hadn't observed closely in the past, and it is mostly diffuse. This is causing me quite a lot of stress on a daily basis, but fortunately I think I am coping with it better now than last year. Nevertheless, I am considering my possible options for the future: going for the completely bald-shaved look or trying my luck with a hair transplant. As far as hair transplants go, I have seen various before-after pictures and skimming through the forum I have observed some very good results. However, I cannot bring myself to believe that this could be a viable option. How is it possible that a small, single strip from the back of the head would be enough to fill with hair an area that is much bigger? I would really appreciate it if some of you guys who already had one could tell me how good the result is in comparison to a full head of hair. Is it worth it? How close is it to giving you a natural look? I am attaching a recent picture of my crown and front for reference. Thank you in advance for your replies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Blake Bloxham Posted February 26, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 26, 2013 Notbb, Frankly, based upon the images you shared, I think you would be a great candidate for preventive measures like finasteride and minoxidil. Furthermore, I'm not certain you need a hair transplant procedure at this point in time. Having said that, yes - the procedure is effective. The density in the donor region is approximately 80 - 100 grafts/cm^2, and strips can be anywhere between 1-2 cm in width and 20 + cm wide. Obviously, these numbers are very rough, but a large strip of thick density could provide somewhere around 3,500 to 4,000 grafts (and upward). Normally, grafts are implanted in balding scalp at a density of 50-60 grafts/cm^2 (on average), meaning 4,000 grafts could cover around 80 square centimeters of balding scalp with adequate density. Altogether, this is pretty significant, and I think the results shared on the forums reinforce this point. Hope this helps! "Doc" Blake Bloxham - formerly "Future_HT_Doc" Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum All opinions are my own and my advice does not constitute as medical advice. All medical questions and concerns should be addressed by a personal physician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member TommyLucchese Posted February 26, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 26, 2013 I agree with Blake, try the medications first and see how they work for you. Might bring back most of what you lost and discard/postpone the need for surgery 2,000 grafts FUT Dr. Feller, July 27th 2012. 23 years old at the time. Excellent result. Need crown sorted eventually but concealer works well for now. Propecia and minoxidil since 2010. Fine for 8 years - bad sides after switching to Aindeem in 2018. Switched to topical fin/minox combo from Minoxidil Max in October 2020, along with dermarolling 1x a week. Wrote a book for newbies called Beating Hair Loss, available on Amazon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member james84 Posted February 26, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 26, 2013 Defo try the medications suggested, very good chance yow will get good results from these since propecia and rogaine work best for thinning/crown areas. Also give toppik a go, works well on me:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Faizy1992 Posted February 26, 2013 Regular Member Share Posted February 26, 2013 Try Hair Max Laser comb too. Though i started it after a month of HT. What i feel is it did improve the color and texture of my hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member nativeremdies Posted February 27, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 27, 2013 Your losing hair in the front all the way back to the crown. Norwood 5A+ A HT for you would restore your hair for about "5 years" give or take, and depending if the meds work, and your hair loss slows down. As you age, and (if the meds don't work) your hairloss continues, you would need another HT, to continue with what you think you need. If you got a HT now, you would LOVE the results, because of the instant gratification and mostly you have lots of native hair. But as you age, your hair line is going to pull back, and you will need another one. They will become less effective, (due to your increase hairloss) Believe ir or not, I think your hair is still way to good to warrant a HT. Don't use the wet shower bright sunlight pic, but the other to judge. You can use concealers, different hair style with a good barber for the next several years. You also need to see if you like the shave look. You absolutely need to try it out, it will solve SOOOOOOOOOO much if you have the courage to shave it down. Hairloss can be a brtual boy to man process. Try the meds, the concealers, try shaving it down.. hold off on a HT just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notbb Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Dear friends, First, thanks a lot for the answers as they give me some hope. Fact is I am not considering to have a HT soon, but after becoming aware that I have an issue last year I think it is natural to consider solutions for the future. In regards to minoxidil and finasteride, I have considered them but frankly I have been extremely put off by reports of people losing even more hair as a result (minoxidil) or by side effects that have to do with sexual dysfunction. I would rather be bald than this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member james84 Posted February 27, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 27, 2013 Notbb, You could give propecia a try on a low dose to start with and if you have any side effects, just come of them. The side effects will disperse once you continue use, it is not permanent. Propecia does give some users side effects but not many, i have not had any in the last 3 years(touch wood). Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member nativeremdies Posted February 27, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 27, 2013 Try Propecia, quarter tablet every third day. If your wee-wee goes soft, then stop. DO NOT try to power through the sides, as James84 is suggesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member james84 Posted February 27, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 27, 2013 james84 is suggesting a low dose....not to power through the side effects! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member nativeremdies Posted February 28, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 28, 2013 " The side effects will disperse once you continue use, it is not permanent." maybe you are meaning discontinue use. It is my belief through countless hours of reading, friends, various sites, that Permanent Propecia side effects are 'mostly' through guys that got sides, and thought they could take a supplement and "power on through" (my term) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member james84 Posted February 28, 2013 Senior Member Share Posted February 28, 2013 My bad. Was meant to say discontinue use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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