Advice on situation and HT possibility

[ginto]

I've been struggling with diffuse thinning (?) for a few years now (I'm 30) and have tried the commons medications. Minoxidil (and maybe ket shampoo) seem to stop any noticeable hair loss (at least in the shower where I otherwise find a lot of hair) but I'm uncertain if is viable long term... Finasteride gave me sides I couldn't deal with (whether nocebo or not, I just wasn't functioning for the week I tried a low dose).

Have had a break from minoxidil for several months and the hair loss started aggressively again. Trying to deal with the redness, itching and possible irritation on my scalp but to no avail.

 

There's no "complete baldness" in the family. I would say my dad has a similar pattern, but larger baldness on the crown and less noticeable thinning than me in the front, but his hair is of a slightly different character/color. My hair loss might have accelerated due to accutane (it went aggressive a few months after the course).

 

I'm considering HT and did get a quote from asmed a year back for 5k grafts + fin. I'm not sure what my possibilities are without fin, although minox seem to stabilize my hair loss, but for how long? Maybe the "how long" can be said for fin as well, so I shouldn't worry too much as long as something works?

I've also looked into SMP but I'm uncertain how well it would go with my blonde hair (eyebrows, beard and lower part of hair on head is however dark!).

 

Here are some pics with some greasy hair. I appreciate any feedback or long-term plans so I can get some peace of mind. Maybe stabilize with minox and do a HT, then possibly combine with SMP if needed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sean]

You have native hair scatterred in areas where you have receded.  Doing any surgery is risky because you can end up chasig repairs.  If hair is planted in between areas where you have wxisting native hairs, the surgery cna cause shockloss to your native hairs.  This can make it seem like nothing was done when your hair grows out.   If you can so so safely, see if concealer works for you, if finasteride and rogaine can help

best of luck with everything . It is a hard decision but some folks wish they can turn back time.  

[Melvin- Admin]

I am not sure why you stopped minoxidil if it was working for you? Minoxidil will keep your hair as long as you take it, it stops working and as you know hair loss will become aggressive once you get off of Minoxidil because all of the hairs the minoxidil was keeping will be lost. With that said, I dont think smp would be an option, I have never seen it on an individual with blonde hair and I fear that the ink may turn greenish overtime. A hair transplant is certainly an option. However, you need to stabilize your hair loss, because as Sean mentioned you could find yourself chasing your hair loss with surgeries and that is certainly not a place you want to be. I would get back on the minoxidil and give yourself at least 6 months before revisiting the idea of surgery.

Warmest regards- Melvin

[Sean]

Melvin nailed it and I completely agree.  Definitely consider the meds first.

You definitely do not want to chase surgeries.  

 

Best of luck.

[ginto]

Thanks for the input guys.

Well, I stopped minox because I was mostly set on doing the HT and prepared by stopping minox in advance, since that was the requirements. I also wasn't 100% sure minox was stabilizing my hair, or if any other factor was taking part (biotin, keto etc), and it's very uncomfortable having greasy minox hair. I even only used it once per day. I read about it bloating the face, causing wrinkles, dark eyes etc and while I don't notice anything in particular I would of course rather be without that medication. The middle part hair also don't have that same blonde color anymore, it's more darker and looks a bit less alive, but the same goes for the roots of the hair around my ears so it might not have anything to do with minox.

Reading on forums everyone seem to say fin (or at least stabilized hair loss) is absolutely necessary for a HT. I'm still a bit unsure how many people undergo HT (successfully?) using only minox instead of fin, since I don't think nearly all patients take that medication. And I rarely see any blonde HT results. Even though my hair looks super thin in the front in the picture above, it doesn't look that bad in reality with clean dry hair.

Well, I guess what I'm trying to convince myself right now is if minox can keep my hair stabile for more than "just" 5 years or less or if the general opinion says otherwise. I guess the feeling of not seeing 50+ hairs in the shower is worth the effort at the very least.

I'm also not overly worried about HT costs etc, I just don't want to regret not doing anything. But if it has a negative inpact on my hair for the future (scars, a few years of more hair at most etc) then I would of course not want to gamble. There seem to be so many people (outside the forums!) who seem oblivious to medication or their current condition but are happy with their results.

Edited July 14, 2018 by ginto

[quidproquo82]

I wouldn't say Minoxidil stops hair loss as long as you take it.  It certainly slows the progression down and keeps the hairs in Anagen (growing) phase longer.  But it does not stop hair loss indefinitely.  Eventually your genetics will overcome the effects of Minoxidil.  That said, there are people who are great responders.