Well, just back from my visit to a dermatologist.

November 19, 2004

Bare in mind he wasn't a specialist on just hair. He was the towns local dermatologist. He is a Dr and specialises in other things, but his practice wasn't strictly hair.

First of all, I walked in the doctors office expecting to be alone. Instead a nurse was present sat in a chair opposite for the remainder of the time I was there. The doctor basically told me what I knew already. I walked in with my hat on, took it off, immediately feeling uncomfortable because the nurse sat opposite, saying nothing, just looking on at our discussion.

He asked me to tell him when I started to see noticeable hair loss. I told him that and gave him a run down. Telling him about how much this has effected my life. How I can't get away with shaving my head etc. He then told me about fin and minox. I then said, I want to look into a HT. He then told me that about what he knew - where they take single hair out the back of your head and plant it in the front. He the said I will lose more hair, and explained that if I did get a HT at the front it might look odd when my hair loss continues through my life. I then said, but what about if it's used in conjunction with Finasteride and Minox, he then looked at me with his full head of hair and said, but you can't use minox and fin for the rest of your life - the next 40 years. I said, it was no hassle - with him telling me what I know about, saying once you stop using the treatments, you'll lose hair.

He didn't seem to accept my theory of helping to fight against future loss by using fin and min in conjunction with a HT. He just went on to explain to me, by drawing little diagrams on the piece of paper on his desk, that, if your hair continues to recede and thin, then the hair at the front will look odd.

I just looked like a little kid with crap hair, trying to get my point across. I just couldn't in the presence of the nurse who was looking on al the way through. I felt so awkward.

He basically said you have to get over it, looking at me with his full head of hair. Not very understanding. But I didn't expect him to be. He then said he will or can direct me to someone else who can look into HT's. I told him about Dr Rogers and he said he has never heard of him, but said he could write to him if I liked.

All in all it was quite negative. About HT's, he dismissed using meds in conjunction with a Ht saying "you can't use them for the next 40 years" - but said he could direct me if I wanted.

I left the hospital feeling like crap, hidden because of I've become an expert out of hiding my disappointment and emotions. Saw a couple of decent looking girls on the way home. Didn't even bother to look at them. No point when I'm wearing a hat.

Although it's not my biggest concern or never was I've never had a real girlfriend at 24? That's a joke. Ah well, more important things I guess.

I just got home, shaved my head to a 1guard, looked in the mirror with the conclusion and in a resigned way that no one around me knows how much this has changed my life, but me. Everything from my mindset to opportunities. My appearance has gone. I'm mentally and emotionally tired and I have no piece of mind.

All that aside, I might take up his request to give him Dr Rogers' details and see if he can pass them on or write to him. At least I'll be getting advice from an expert.

November 19, 2004