FUT - Scalp elasticity and strip scar

[Falconary]

Hello,

I will probably need at least two hair transplants during my life time ( 5000-6000 grafts in total, first FUT will be 2500 grafts and in a few years do the rest with FUE, I am 33 years old), and after much research I think that FUT hair transplant will be the best option for me to begin with. I usually have- and would like to continue having a fade with very short hair on the lower back and sides, and the FUT scar will (hopefully) be covered by the longer hairs if the strip will be taken from the middle/upper part of the back of my head (if the scar turns out to be good). FUE will most probably decrease the density to a point were the scaring would be obvious if I have short hair on the back (I've seen so many examples were it is very obvious), so FUT yield better results, lower transection rate and no loss of density. But, the scar... I want to prepare in order to have a good scar as possible.

However, I think that I have pretty tight skin with low elasticity on the middle part of the back of my head. I've read that scalp elasticity exercises could help and I've been doing them for the past 4 weeks with extremely little to no change.

Does anyone here have any experience in doing exercises for scalp elasticity and if so, how is the results? Is there anything else I can do pre-surgery to prepare my skin and scalp for the strip, and to achieve a minimal scar? And as you see on the pictures, I have folliculitis and would like to know how the would affect a hair transplant? I've had a hard time finding answers...

Edited November 21, 2020 by Falconary

[aaron1234]

I think FUT then FUE for you is the wise choice.  Do you have a doctor picked out yet?  Are you on fin? 

Regarding scalp exercises: I did them, and I think they become more important to do with subsequent FUT procedures.  It's hard for me to say how effective the exercises are, but my strip scars are not atrocious even after 6 strip surgeries so they might have helped.  Have you had any in person consultations?  Have the docs said you have a tight scalp? 

[deitel130]

54 minutes ago, Falconary said:

Hello,

I will probably need at least two hair transplants during my life time ( 5000-6000 grafts in total, first FUT will be 2500 grafts and in a few years do the rest with FUE, I am 33 years old), and after much research I think that FUT hair transplant will be the best option for me to begin with. I usually have- and would like to continue having a fade with very short hair on the lower back and sides, and the FUT scar will (hopefully) be covered by the longer hairs if the strip will be taken from the middle/upper part of the back of my head (if the scar turns out to be good). FUE will most probably decrease the density to a point were the scaring would be obvious if I have short hair on the back (I've seen so many examples were it is very obvious), so FUT yield better results, lower transection rate and no loss of density. But, the scar... I want to prepare in order to have a good scar as possible.

However, I think that I have pretty tight skin with low elasticity on the middle part of the back of my head. I've read that scalp elasticity exercises could help and I've been doing them for the past 4 weeks with extremely little to no change.

Does anyone here have any experience in doing exercises for scalp elasticity and if so, how is the results? Is there anything else I can do pre-surgery to prepare my skin and scalp for the strip, and to achieve a minimal scar? And as you see on the pictures, I have folliculitis and would like to know how the would affect a hair transplant? I've had a hard time finding answers...

During my consult for my second FUT I was advised I can get 2200 grafts using the existing strip being cut out. Dr. Wong advised that if I did scalp Laxity exercises for 3 months I can loosen my scalp. I was consistent and did the exercises for 3.5 months. The day prior to surgery I was advised that my Laxity was great. I was able to get 3500 grafts. I was advised by Dr. Wong that I had a lot of scar tissue built up which he had to remove from my first procedure and had it not been for that I would have likely got 4000 grafts.

It definitely makes a difference but you have to be consistent and put in an hour each day. It was a chore to do but I wanted to get the most grafts I could and it worked. Check out the Hasson and Wong site they have a video on how to perform them properly.

Edited November 21, 2020 by deitel130

[Falconary]

3 hours ago, aaron1234 said:

I think FUT then FUE for you is the wise choice.  Do you have a doctor picked out yet?  Are you on fin? 

Regarding scalp exercises: I did them, and I think they become more important to do with subsequent FUT procedures.  It's hard for me to say how effective the exercises are, but my strip scars are not atrocious even after 6 strip surgeries so they might have helped.  Have you had any in person consultations?  Have the docs said you have a tight scalp? 

I am considering dr Saifi in Poland right now, he has 24 years of experience, excellent merits, seems to prefer FUT over FUE, and also does 'trichophytic closure' which supposedly is a very good closing technique for FUT. No I don't take any fin and no minoxidil. I used minoxidil 2% during a few years but stopped couple of years ago because I simply got tired of using it.

I have not had in person consultations because no one in my country does FUT, and the FUE clinics a very few and average. Poland is 1.5 hours away with plane so I might go there and have consultation or just book for FUT in January an continue using elasticity exercises (perhaps more frequent) and hope for the best. No doc has told me that I have tight scalp, it just feels like I have tight scalp on the middle part of my back head because I cannot pinch the skin together with my thumb and finger. The sides are no problem, I can pinch the skin... So that made me thinking of how they would be able to cut a strip out and sew it. 

[Falconary]

3 hours ago, deitel130 said:

During my consult for my second FUT I was advised I can get 2200 grafts using the existing strip being cut out. Dr. Wong advised that if I did scalp Laxity exercises for 3 months I can loosen my scalp. I was consistent and did the exercises for 3.5 months. The day prior to surgery I was advised that my Laxity was great. I was able to get 3500 grafts. I was advised by Dr. Wong that I had a lot of scar tissue built up which he had to remove from my first procedure and had it not been for that I would have likely got 4000 grafts.

It definitely makes a difference but you have to be consistent and put in an hour each day. It was a chore to do but I wanted to get the most grafts I could and it worked. Check out the Hasson and Wong site they have a video on how to perform them properly.

Thank you for the answer, will check out Hasson and Wong videos. I guess 4 weeks is not enough to notice a different in my case. I want to do the surgery in January, maximum in february, do you think I can achieve better elasticity in two months? Did you feel that your scalp got more elasticity?

[deitel130]

@Falconary I noticed a difference fr about the 5-6 week mark. But keep in mind I was spending almost 45 mins each morning and about 30 mins at night. If you put in the time you should see laxity improve in 6 weeks.

[deitel130]

One thing I would suggest is that you get on meds. Finasteride and Minoxidil. This will make a huge difference in your final results otherwise you will end up chasing HTs your lifetime and we all have limited donor supply. Finasteride should thicken your existing hair and you may possibly be happy with the one procedure in the front for now. If you don't take meds hair loss will progress and you will need a lot more than 6000 grafts. Hair transplants need to be done in combination with meds otherwise you will not be happy in the long term and you may also risk the chance of a lot of shock loss from your surgery if you don't take meds to stabilize the loss.