would hair transplantation be the right option for me?

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

Hi all,

 

I apologise in advance for the long post - I probably won't stick around these forums for long (no reflection on the quality of this apparently excellent forum), nevertheless, I hope some experienced members might take the trouble to read my post and lend me their thoughts.

 

I'm 34 now. I suffered hair loss that happened within the span of a few weeks or months when I was 19. I don't think it has gotten worse since then, as far as my hair coverage and hairline are concerned. Therefore my interest is really in hair restoration as opposed to management; it's been several years since my initial loss and I don't seem to be actively losing what I have left.

 

I'm not that familiar with hair loss terminology, but I'd describe my hair loss as being diffuse, across the frontal region extending up to the vertex. My hairline might have receded half an inch or so near the temples. I used to have really beautiful, hair-model-esque hair (lol) and it was quite distressing for me early on; and since hair loss doesn't (apparently) run in my family either, it was quite unexpected. I admit it took me a shamefully long time to come to terms with it.

[Don't know if it helps, but my profile photo is my own (taken today), and I'll attach another at the end of this post (from a few months ago) that shows my hairline.]

 

I've *never* tried any "proper" medicines for hair loss: minoxidil, finasteride, or what-have-you; in my early twenties I'd tried some Ayurvedic medication and gotten treatment at "Dr. Batras", a homeopathy franchise in India, but let's face it, that's just sugar pills. (I was clutching at straws back then.) As far as I know, these did nothing for me - positive or negative.

I'm not interested in trying anything that will mess with my hormone levels.

 

So I'm wondering if hair transplantation might be the right option for me? I still have very thick hair on the sides and back of my head, and I'm quite hairy otherwise too - arms, legs, chest, etc., all hair that I don't mind giving up (especially the one on my shoulders and upper back - lol).

 

The thing is, the result I'd expect from my treatment is for my hair to be (nearly) as good as it used to be before I lost it, i.e. it's an "all-or-none" thing, no half-measures. I wear my hair fairly short now, and with the right shampoo, my thinned hair isn't really obvious. After treatment, I would want to be able to wear my hair long again and see my "old" self when I look in the mirror!

 

So does hair transplantation seem like the right option for me, given what I've said?

Or should I just be happy with what I have?

 

Your advice and comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

AK

 

[matts7989]

Hey, althogh im pretty new to this myself at 21 I dont hink you need it, your hair looks so healhy and thick, you wouldnt really notice your hairline haas gone inwarss you know?

And if you havent lost any more hair in them years then probably just keep what you have,

[edwardharvey]

this is hard to take seriously with that photo you have given, perhaps if you are worried about thinning hair trying out some of the available proven treatments first before considering surgery. You hair looks fine :confused:

[FUE2014]

you need to show us a photo of your thinning hair in order to be able to comment, not a photo of what appears to be a full head of hair

[Transhair]

Show a picture with your hair pulled back and if possible, Mayer don't blur your eyebrows, they help give an idea of the hairline height

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I guess my photos weren't very good as far as evaluating hair loss is concerned - but they do show what a casual onlooker might see under normal circumstances.

 

Here are some "better" pics: the first one was taken after a shower with hair slightly (but not totally) towelled off, directly under the light above the sink mirror. The second one was taken half an hour later after drying (for contrast). The rest show my hairline:

 

 

 

I am grateful for the hair I still possess, and the fact that it hasn't gotten much worse since the initial concentrated hair loss "stint" 15 years ago; although it was a lot more distressing back then, given how young I was and how thick and lustrous my hair had been, but given the time that has passed, I have better perspective on things - probably helped by the fact that I've retained most of what I was left with after the initial loss. I can only extrapolate about the distress felt by men who are much worse off than me.

 

However, it's all relative - from my perspective, I don't see why I shouldn't utilize the means available to make it look better. That's why I'm asking about what sort of results I should expect with hair transplantation, so I can evaluate whether it's worth it for me.

Edited June 10, 2014 by Hair2dayhair2moro

[Garageland]

Hairtoday,

 

Thanks for posting your photos most guys on here would be very happy with your hair as it is today and it seems that your loss that you suffered all those years back at 19 was just the transition from a juvenile to an adult male hairline with the temples receding and a slight thinning and recession in the hairline.

 

You have a good head of hair, the crown when wet is a little visible but so is the vast majority of guys. Whether you do something or not is how much it bothers you, everyone will give you opinions that your hair looks fine but it really depends on how you feel.

 

You seem although not checking your donor hair and the top of your scalp carefully for miniaturisation to be in good shape and could strengthen the hairline and temples a fraction to good effect. Would it drastically change your appearance, no not really and whether it would make you happy only you can answer that.

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

Garageland, thanks for the reply.

 

What do you mean by "not checking your donor hair and the top of your scalp carefully for miniaturisation"? Sorry if my questions are a bit basic, I guess I should read up a bit to understand hair transplantation terminology. I don't know much about this stuff yet.

 

Regarding donor hair, as I mentioned I have quite a bit of body hair. Is that sort of a thing helpful? How is the quality of hair evaluated for suitability for a transplant? (The hair on the sides and back of my head is also quite thick, but I'd be happier donating body hair if that was suitable.)

 

You mentioned I could get my hairline and temples touched up, but really, I would prefer (if I were going for a transplant) to have denser hair on my crown as well. Is that not viable?

 

It doesn't bother me that much anymore. So if it's not going to make a considerable difference, then I'll probably forget about it.

 

BTW, can medications like rogaine, etc. help someone like me regain hair on the crown?

[Garageland]

In a consultation with the Doctor he would be able to clearly assess whether you have miniaturisation of the hair shaft in other areas of your scalp. This refers to whether your hair shaft has got thinner which is expected as you get older but it is to what extent.

 

Donor management is important and you don't want to be thickening the hairline and lowering the temples if you had the potential requirement for future thinning in other areas. You appear to be in good shape but the dry photos of the top of your scalp are kinda blurry.

 

Personally I wouldn't touch the crown it looks fine and I don't think a transplant would be possible as you just don't appear to have lost enough hair here.

 

Body hair is limited really to beard and chest hair but when you have a good supply of head hair you should always use that in the first instance as the match is obviously much better to the surrounding hair.

 

Rogaine can work for some and might be worth giving a try as you say you don't want to take anything like Propecia. That said propecia may work for you in improving the crown to the stage where it may no longer bother you.

 

At this stage I don't think you should consider a transplant and stick with what you have if it does not bother you that much. If the crown gets worse over the years then you can always revisit the idea.

[Transhair]

I think he means to compare the hair on top of your scalp to that of the hair in the non balding zone, maybe go to a dermatologist to get an accurate opinion there...

Your hair seems a little thin, but it might just be the light, plenty of people have hair naturally like that especially fine haired people.

I'd try the medications before surgery but of you're willing to take the medications to prevent further hairloss, I'd say you'd be okay to get a transplant and strengthen your hairline slightly.

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

@Garageland: Thanks for the clarifications.

 

Referring to your statement, "I wouldn't touch the crown it looks fine and I don't think a transplant would be possible as you just don't appear to have lost enough hair here.", I'd not considered that having more hair might actually be an impediment to getting a transplant! So if that's really the case, I guess things make more sense.

 

I guess I'm not totally against using Propecia, but I should mention here that I've been suffering from low testosterone (due to secondary hypogonadism) for several years now - recently started getting what seems to be the right treatment for it - my testosterone numbers are finally looking decent, and I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. So I don't want to do anything to mess with that. But I'll ask my doctor what he thinks.

 

@Transhair You're somewhat right - my hair is quite fine, which I guess makes the areas with less density more apparent. I guess I keep comparing my hair to before it got thinner/my hairline changed from juvenile to mature (as Garageland put it), because it used to be remarkably thick (density-wise) back then.

[Garageland]

I would need to see some clear photos with dry hair to be sure about the crown but it makes sense that you need some gaps to place new transplanted hairs or you are going to kill the native hair that you currently have called transecting. Net result of nil.

 

Talk to your GP about how finasteride will affect you with your T levels if he thinks you could be ok then give it a try but be mindful that very few GPs know much about the medication other than the possible side effects that you or I can read about.

 

I wish you all the best.

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

@Garageland Actually since my doctor is rather well-known as an expert in male health, I was able to find out indirectly (i.e. through the Internet) that he holds a dismal view of finasteride, propecia and proscar. So if that really turns out to be the case, those are definitely out for me.

 

I'll try to post clearer photos of my crown a bit later. Thanks

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

I hope these are better. The third was taken directly underneath a light, so the bald-ish spot is really shining through there lol

[FUE2014]

the crown is not too bad and definitely in my opinion not suitable for hair transplantation. you should be able to maintain or even grow back some hair there with fin and minox

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

@FUE2014 thanks for your input.

[Paulygon]

Considering your pics, I would try Minox and/or Finasteride for a good year before considering Hair Transplant.

[WHTC-7706631290]

Hair2dayhair2moro

 

Pursue medical therapy for a year. You have quite a few options for your choosing. Avodart, Propecia, minoxidil, saw palmetto, protein, and multi-vitamins. On the other hand, a fifty-graft test might prove to be effective in the frontal third. Therapy requires commitment either way you choose to decide.

[Hair2dayhair2moro]

Thanks to the additional responders.

 

The general consensus seems to be that I ought to try medication instead of thinking about getting a hair transplant.

@WHTC: how would a fifty-graft test be useful?

 

Regarding trying medication, as I mentioned before I'm a bit leery about using things that might mess with my hormone levels: I've been suffering from sex-hormone imbalance issues for several years now, and I'm finally receiving what appears to be the right treatment for it, so I don't want anything to interfere with that.

 

That said, I did speak to my doctor (Dr. J Crisler, who's regarded as an expert on male health matters) about hair loss products, and apparently there is a formulation that he approves of, and which is going to be available shortly. So I'm going to wait for that.