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HLC | 3260 Grafts | September 2023


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Hello guys, opinions please.

I am 34 years old.
I have tried topical minoxidil twice over the last 4 years, each time for around 9 months. The first time, I used it twice a day and felt it worsened my situation. The second time, I used it only once a day with no effect.
I've been taking finasteride (7 mg per week) since November 2022. Initially, there were small improvements, but since then, there has been no change. I intend to lower the dose over the next few years and eventually stop it long-term.
I had a hair transplant in September 2023 at HLC with 3260 grafts.
I believe I am not the fastest grower, but it seems like it will get there. If hopefully all the baby hairs grow, it will result in good density.
My next appointment in April (I know I should wait longer, but otherwise it's not possible this year.) is for the tonsure, with 3000 grafts planned at 40 grafts/cm². It's a bit strange because I found an article on their website stating that 30 grafts/cm² is enough for that area.

Pros:
Good support for German speakers.
Polite and relaxed staff.
I never felt like I was in the wrong hands.
Graft extraction was done well; not even my barber noticed anything had happened at first glance.
Aftercare instructions were simple but effective.


Cons:
Only 2600 grafts were initially planned, but in the end, I was given the option of 3200 or 3400 grafts.
The entire planning procedure felt a bit rushed for me.

 

before

8-Kopie.thumb.jpg.1c6a49b73ca5d2c6e5ff9ca6782094ed.jpg

IMG_5129-Kopie.thumb.JPG.7aa788c6ed5eb75dc0a1066078144c8f.JPG

after

IMG_5804-Kopie.thumb.JPG.71abe9960cf5b4997ae97ada49f90d68.JPGIMG_5819-Kopie.thumb.JPG.88229ca4071b930bd64a97b6c01b4378.JPG7978fbb9-30b6-4304-b64e-248dda9e26b2.thumb.jpg.26811e3654875d0f57f087326b5b3ac1.jpg

after 5 month

20240227_124452-Kopie.thumb.jpg.d0c2e4ac7c1cebbf5e5f6f8e0834f71b.jpg

20240226_191328-Kopie.thumb.jpg.f3003a6178005229400120bc36dfe51f.jpg20240227_124514-Kopie.thumb.jpg.1f96f6962622ecaf5d7724a623acdf43.jpg

microscopic pictures after 5 month (a few big ones popping out, alot of babyhair)

Snapshot@2024_0226_185109.jpg.a8cff18ed75c1da5aaf0382b4c7cbed0.jpgSnapshot@2024_0226_185153.jpg.ce2a8c22d20d8d00be6be61cf0e70c55.jpg

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It seems that you are a slow grower, from the pictures youve provided there is not big difference between the before and after 5 months result. You have to be patient and wait for the next 6 months to see how it goes. You seem to have some retrograde alopecia on the donor and being compeletely honest i dont think your donor can take another 3000 grafts per fue for the crown.

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If topical minoxidil failed have you considered looking into oral minoxidil? It will go through the liver and become systemic. I have had great benefits from oral minoxidil compared to topical. If you found after receiving benefits from finasteride and then felt there was no change then it is still working and has stabalized your hair. If you want to cease the drug for personal reasons then of course yes do that. But it can mean the difference from keeping the hair you have for a long time to losing those gains and then MPB will continue it's genetic course.

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11 hours ago, jjalay said:

being compeletely honest i dont think your donor can take another 3000 grafts per fue for the crown.

I think the same way. That's why I want to keep the graft count as low as possible in the next operation. Additionally, I would like to have reserves in case the front isn't as dense as desired or if there is fallout when I reduce the dose of finasteride.

5 hours ago, Gatsby said:

I have had great benefits from oral minoxidil compared to topical.

I don't know how to get it here in Germany, but I also didn't ask my dermatologist yet, maybe it's possible.

5 hours ago, Gatsby said:

But it can mean the difference from keeping the hair you have for a long time to losing those gains and then MPB will continue it's genetic course.

I have side effects, so I think that 1mg is too much for me. Therefore, I would like to try reducing the dose somewhat.

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4 minutes ago, PowerLocke said:

I think the same way. That's why I want to keep the graft count as low as possible in the next operation. Additionally, I would like to have reserves in case the front isn't as dense as desired or if there is fallout when I reduce the dose of finasteride.

I don't know how to get it here in Germany, but I also didn't ask my dermatologist yet, maybe it's possible.

I have side effects, so I think that 1mg is too much for me. Therefore, I would like to try reducing the dose somewhat.

You should really wait for 12 months after committing to another surgery. Then you will have the end result and you will be able to decide how to use any grafts left, depending of the result of the first surgery. If the result is not satisfactory and you are going to have a second surgery for the crown 6-7 months after the first surgery you will have zero estethic benefit. Also i think you should get a second opinion about your donor reserves. If you live in germany hattingen hair in switzerland oder doctors in belgium like bisanga, lupanzula or feriduni are great options to have an opinion about your donor reserves.

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5 hours ago, KSA91 said:

How did you have a microscopic picture taken? Do you have a special camera or did your dermatologist take the photo?

microscop camera 20 € on amazon. pretty funny little toy.

 

12 minutes ago, Gramatik said:

Its still very early at 5 months. Be patient and you will have a nice result at 12 months. 👍

How can I imagine things to happen? Will the hair that's already grown and the babyhair just become thicker, or will there be hair appearing out of nowhere? 😀 Ot both of them?

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47 minutes ago, PowerLocke said:

How can I imagine things to happen? Will the hair that's already grown and the babyhair just become thicker, or will there be hair appearing out of nowhere? 😀 Ot both of them?

Both of them. 

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11 hours ago, PowerLocke said:

microscop camera 20 € on amazon. pretty funny little toy.

 

How can I imagine things to happen? Will the hair that's already grown and the babyhair just become thicker, or will there be hair appearing out of nowhere? 😀 Ot both of them?

Is it the one with a long wire connected to it? We can't post links to websites here but on Amazon all the Microscopic cameras £25-£30 have a long wire. I'm assuming that's the one you are talking about. 

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19 hours ago, KSA91 said:

Is it the one with a long wire connected to it? We can't post links to websites here but on Amazon all the Microscopic cameras £25-£30 have a long wire. I'm assuming that's the one you are talking about. 

Correct. It has an USB-C adapter at the end.

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