5 Months Progress - Should I get medication?

[RioIndy]

Hello there.  I am wondering if I should give in an take medication to help with my transplant, that I was hesitant to take before. 

 

I am at the 5 month mark since I got the transplant (Norwood 3 / 4 - 4,100 grafts done).

And overall I think it is "ok" but my "vertex / crown" is feeling like it's not making much progress and the hair there are very fine and short. 

The frontal-temporal portion I just hope for a bit more density.

 

I am considering going with a topical cream of 3 compounds: Finasteride (~2.5%) + Monoxadil (~5%) + Bimatoprost (0.03%) / Latanoprost (0.1%).

 

Attached is my hair today.  What could I reasonably expect from here?

Thanks any observations / feedback / recommendations 🙏😊

(I will post below for the progress pics along the way.)

Edited May 5 by RioIndy

[RioIndy]

Just before the transplant:

[RioIndy]

During and immediately after the transplant  (Norwood 3 / 4 - 4,100 grafts done with FUE):

Edited May 5 by RioIndy

[RioIndy]

1 Month Progress (January):  Shock-loss and shedding has started in by this point.

Edited May 5 by RioIndy

[RioIndy]

3 Months Progress photos (March, and by far the worst looking, which I now know is the "Ugly Duckling phase":

Edited May 5 by RioIndy

[RioIndy]

5 Months Progress (May):

Overall I think it is "ok" but my "vertex / crown" is feeling like it's not making much progress and the hair there are very fine and short. 

The frontal-temporal portion I just hope for a bit more density.

 

What could I reasonably expect from here?

Edited May 5 by RioIndy
Added more photos

[davidn]

yes, take 1mg a day.

[davidn]

oh nvm just read you consider the topical treatments. yeah, do that, but even better just take oral fin.

[Al - Moderator]

This is actually looking very good for 5 months. At 5 months you still have a decent amount of growing left, so it will certainly still improve from here.

 

[Eureka]

Hey man, definitely take a DHT blocker to maintain your existing hair. Otherwise you’ll likely need another procedure in a few years as that hair thins 👍

[RioIndy]

Ok I ended up finally giving into the medication route.  Went with a topical foam of 3 compounds:  Finasteride (0.25%) + Monoxadil (~5%) + Bimatoprost (0.02%)

How long before I should expect it to help with the existing hairs to get thicker and longer?

Very expensive though at $300 (CAD) for 220ml.  I might consider switching to just Oral Finasteride + Foam Monoxadil simply because I believe it it much cheaper, but then I will want to see if I am one who has side effects from Oral Finasteride (like lower libido / ED).   

[mr_peanutbutter]

17 hours ago, RioIndy said:

Ok I ended up finally giving into the medication route.  Went with a topical foam of 3 compounds:  Finasteride (0.25%) + Monoxadil (~5%) + Bimatoprost (0.02%)

How long before I should expect it to help with the existing hairs to get thicker and longer?

Very expensive though at $300 (CAD) for 220ml.  I might consider switching to just Oral Finasteride + Foam Monoxadil simply because I believe it it much cheaper, but then I will want to see if I am one who has side effects from Oral Finasteride (like lower libido / ED).   

6 months

 

but finasteride maintains, id say less then 50% see actually improvement

 

if you are maintaining that would be a huge success though, because if you dont take meds i think youre balding will continue 

and if your lateral humps dissapear it will look akward for sure and will need fixing

[RioIndy]

6 Month Update:

I think I am fairly happy with the result on the front 👍, I feel like I can go around without a hat 🧢.

Though the crown / vertex area has seen minimal improvement 😕.  Hoping that still manifests improvements over the next few months.

Also been on the topical medication (listed above) for like almost 1 month now.

[JoeD]

My understanding is that crown takes longer due to less blood supply.  Lags behind, in general, 2-3 months on growth starting, not complete til 18 months.