Too young for HT? Advice needed

[elvispoem]

Hello everyone,

 

This is my first post on this forum. I hope I am able to gain insightful knowledge and educate myself on hair loss.

 

Here is my story -

 

I started loosing my hair about 4 years ago. For about 10 months, I was on monoxodil. However, for the last 6 months, I have been using Propecia.

 

I am currently 25 years old and my father is also bald. Do you think I am too young to get a hair transplant? I am desperate to do something about my hair loss, especially in my crown area. My hair loss started from the crown is heading down towards the vertex.

 

Ali

[1978matt]

A little early but many doctors would not think twice about offering you a procedure.

 

You mention the Crown but transplantation would have to start at the front hairline and work backwards. It is the number one most important area.

 

The thing about having it done at 25 is you will lose the option of shaving down to a grade 0-2, even with FUE because the likelihood is you will need a 5000+ grafts to get a satisfying result. Even then it may not cover much, if any of the Crown.

 

It's pretty clear you will be a Norwood 6 so it's also a question of how well your donor area is likely to stand up over time. Your dad's loss could be a reasonable indicator.

 

Best of luck and spend a good amount of time researching and looking at examples of what the final result could look like.

[elvispoem]

Thanks for your reply!

Can you provide some more information on what you mean by "shaving down 0-2"?

 

I was thinking that in my case, an FUT would be better method given my case. Ofcourse, I would leave that up to the surgeon to decide.

 

Any idea how much it would run me to get a HT if I get it from a certified surgeon? I hope this question isn't one against forum rules.

 

Thanks again.

[KO]

I would take finasteride for at minimum a year, wait for it to stabilize, then consider an HT. Try getting on proscar, it is a cheaper version of propecia, but the same drug.

 

Let us know what you decide, and best of luck! Also in terms of styling, I would cut the hair on the sides short, and regularly get haircuts.

[1978matt]

Thanks for your reply!

Can you provide some more information on what you mean by "shaving down 0-2"?

 

I was thinking that in my case, an FUT would be better method given my case. Ofcourse, I would leave that up to the surgeon to decide.

 

Any idea how much it would run me to get a HT if I get it from a certified surgeon? I hope this question isn't one against forum rules.

 

Thanks again.

 

Sorry I meant grade 0-2 hair cut. With strip surgery, especially multiple ones you may have to accept a hair length grade 4-5 on the back and sides. Anything lower and the scar may be visible.

 

A north american / canadian coalition surgeon is going to be around $15-16k for 4000 grafts.

[hairisimportant]

I am 26 and had my HT with Dr Madhu. But getting a HT has its own reason and it varies from person to person. So research more, consult few docs then decide on HT.

 

All the very best!

[Blake Bloxham]

Elvis,

 

I don't think you're too young for a potential transplant. However, I agree with KO: stabilization with preventive treatments -minoxidil and finasteride- should probably be investigated first. Have you consulted with any hair loss specialists?

[venkz111]

1978Matt,

 

I would recommend a FUT as more number of grafts can be transplanted in a single sitting. Plus its cheaper than a FUE.

 

Along with Finesteride a HT should the way I would go, if I was you.

 

Do your research for specifics.

[Garageland]

Elvispoem,

 

I am really glad to hear that you have been on Propecia for 6 months, hopefully it has stabilised your loss and you may see some improvements over the coming months.

 

At 25 some would argue that you are too young but in your situation having lost so much hair already if you have the donor hair to make a good improvement then I do not take that view.

 

You need to be prepared to commit to Propecia for the long term tbh.

 

As for making a plan for you, your hairline seems pretty strong still but you need to keep grafts in reserve if this starts to thin in the future which is most likely will. Dealing with the mid scalp would be a priority and coverage over the crown albeit light would be possible if you have the donor hair then more might be possible.

 

FUT will get you more grafts in one session unless your scalp is very tight. You should set up some in person consults with Doctors on this website that are recommended and near to you. You should also get someone to take clear photos of your donor zone with a comb parting the hair to show the density. These are the things I would wish to see if you are sending photos to clinics for online consults. Take some time to research on here similar cases to yours and where they went and what they did.