I'm thinking it's possibly time to get a hair transplant.

[Funkymonk]

So I've been on finasteride and also using a keto shampoo for about 7 or 8 years now. It's been great for me - no major sides and my hair loss hasn't got any worse.
That is until recently. Last few months my hair loss seems to have gotten worse and it's getting to the stage where I'm struggling to do anything with the front of my hair.
This is obviously a big decision for a number of reasons and I would be happy to just stay on Fin if I was confident it would work.
There's a number of things I need to research and any advice would be appreciated - firstly I'd prefer to find a reputable place in the UK that wasn't overly expensive rather then have to Turkey or whatever. Secondly I'm 43 now, is this too old to get a ht or doesn't it matter? Lastly I've got curly hair, do I need to find someone who specialises in curly hair transplant?

 

[hopeful]

43 is certainly not to old to get a transplant! It’s a good thing that you have managed to not have one younger.
As always it’s best to do lots of research and this forum and others are the places to do that.
Curly hair can give a great illusion of density.
What I would say is that I first set out to stay in the uk for my procedure but after taking my time I decided to go to Europe.
It’s easy to do so !

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Funkymonk. It would be useful to see some pictures of your hair loss. This will help to guesstimate how many grafts you’ll need and what hairline design. It is possible you’ve gone through a big hair shed that’s made your hair worse. If so, it should recover. You may need to add DUT or one of the minoxidil to your regimen. These may work and prevent the need for a HT.
If you do decide to have a HT your age is no barrier. Having curly hair would help with coverage, meaning less grafts used. You’d need to decide if you want FUE or FUT. Curly haired grafts can be challenging when it’s FUE. Have a look through the patient and clinic results. Have a few consultations with clinics that get your attention.
If you use the forum search for curly you should find a lot of information.

 

[Funkymonk]

Hi Funkymonk. It would be useful to see some pictures of your hair loss. This will help to guesstimate how many grafts you’ll need and what hairline design. It is possible you’ve gone through a big hair shed that’s made your hair worse. If so, it should recover. You may need to add DUT or one of the minoxidil to your regimen. These may work and prevent the need for a HT.
If you do decide to have a HT your age is no barrier. Having curly hair would help with coverage, meaning less grafts used. You’d need to decide if you want FUE or FUT. Curly haired grafts can be challenging when it’s FUE. Have a look through the patient and clinic results. Have a few consultations with clinics that get your attention.
If you use the forum search for curly you should find a lot of information.

I did consider it could be a big shed but if it is I've never had one like it and it scared me a bit.
Yeah minoxidil is an option but like I said I'm a bit cautious about the so called sides.
I'll see if I can get some pictures if you like.

 

[AJUK]

So I've been on finasteride and also using a keto shampoo for about 7 or 8 years now. It's been great for me - no major sides and my hair loss hasn't got any worse.
That is until recently. Last few months my hair loss seems to have gotten worse and it's getting to the stage where I'm struggling to do anything with the front of my hair.
This is obviously a big decision for a number of reasons and I would be happy to just stay on Fin if I was confident it would work.
There's a number of things I need to research and any advice would be appreciated - firstly I'd prefer to find a reputable place in the UK that wasn't overly expensive rather then have to Turkey or whatever. Secondly I'm 43 now, is this too old to get a ht or doesn't it matter? Lastly I've got curly hair, do I need to find someone who specialises in curly hair transplant?

I would definitely see a dermatologist and doctor first before changing medication or having a transplant. Posting some pictures of your hair loss would be helpful, as @Bigmac suggested. The picture will become more clear then.

Keep calm. Stress makes your body make more stress hormones. This can cause inflammation in every cell in your body, which isn't good for your hair.

Mindset wise, you should think it's just a shed. If it's worse, you'll deal with it when you get there. But here, now, it's just a hair shed, and everything's fine haha

But yeah, i’d definitely look into Minoxidil and Dutasteride, it does seem that Minox or DUT may be your last weapons of choice. If you're worried about the side effects, you can start at a low dose and work your way up over time. Nevertheless, I understand your concerns. There are sides for some people. It's a tough one.

I believe the general consensus is that hair transplants should only be undertaken if you have stabilized your hair loss or are pretty much bald. Getting a transplant and then watching your hair recede further is the last thing you need.

Finding a surgeon and clinic is relatively easy though so don't let it overwhelm you. You can use these forums and google to find out quite a lot about hair loss, surgeons and their clinics.

No need to limit yourself to the UK either. Globally, there are plenty of good surgeons in terms of safety and quality. Plenty are spoken about on this forum... So you're not alone.

Just a heads up that curly hair can be tricky, so you'll need a surgeon who has performed good work on people similar to your hair type. Look also for the kind of hair lines they create and whether that would be something you'd be happy with.

Good luck pal. Here if you need. AJ.

 

[Funkymonk]

I would definitely see a dermatologist and doctor first before changing medication or having a transplant. Posting some pictures of your hair loss would be helpful, as @Bigmac suggested. The picture will become more clear then.

Keep calm. Stress makes your body make more stress hormones. This can cause inflammation in every cell in your body, which isn't good for your hair.

Mindset wise, you should think it's just a shed. If it's worse, you'll deal with it when you get there. But here, now, it's just a hair shed, and everything's fine haha

But yeah, i’d definitely look into Minoxidil and Dutasteride, it does seem that Minox or DUT may be your last weapons of choice. If you're worried about the side effects, you can start at a low dose and work your way up over time. Nevertheless, I understand your concerns. There are sides for some people. It's a tough one.

I believe the general consensus is that hair transplants should only be undertaken if you have stabilized your hair loss or are pretty much bald. Getting a transplant and then watching your hair recede further is the last thing you need.

Finding a surgeon and clinic is relatively easy though so don't let it overwhelm you. You can use these forums and google to find out quite a lot about hair loss, surgeons and their clinics.

No need to limit yourself to the UK either. Globally, there are plenty of good surgeons in terms of safety and quality. Plenty are spoken about on this forum... So you're not alone.

Just a heads up that curly hair can be tricky, so you'll need a surgeon who has performed good work on people similar to your hair type. Look also for the kind of hair lines they create and whether that would be something you'd be happy with.

Good luck pal. Here if you need. AJ.

This is a picture from a few years ago. My hair here is deliberately brushed back with the thinning areas also uncovered to give a good idea of how much hair loss there is. It's difficult to get an accurate picture now because my hair is much longer and it looks like I've got a thick head of hair believe it or not lol. There's also a bit of scalp showing at the crown but not that much.

 

[AJUK]

This is a picture from a few years ago. My hair here is deliberately brushed back with the thinning areas also uncovered to give a good idea of how much hair loss there is. It's difficult to get an accurate picture now because my hair is much longer and it looks like I've got a thick head of hair believe it or not lol. There's also a bit of scalp showing at the crown but not that much.

View attachment 35314

Without seeing a birdseye picture of the top I can only guess and it looks like you have fairly good density for the most, its just your hair line that is noticeable. You mention this pic is from a few years ago also, so hard to make a call and we don't currently know what its looking like. I think a hair transplant can definitely help you get your hairline back if your hair is similar to a few years back.Google hair cycles and telogen effluvium to rule these possibilities out then go and see a doc, whether that be a general gp or a doctor at a transplant clinic, they'll know how best to advise you .

 

[Funkymonk]

Without seeing a birdseye picture of the top I can only guess and it looks like you have fairly good density for the most, its just your hair line that is noticeable. You mention this pic is from a few years ago also, so hard to make a call and we don't currently know what its looking like. I think a hair transplant can definitely help you get your hairline back if your hair is similar to a few years back.Google hair cycles and telogen effluvium to rule these possibilities out then go and see a doc, whether that be a general gp or a doctor at a transplant clinic, they'll know how best to advise you .

You're right, even I don't know for sure how comparable that picture is to my current hairloss. I mean, for a while the Fin and Nizoral actually seemed to grow some hair back but now it's maybe got worse. Like I said it's difficult to compare as my hair is much longer now but I guess it's not massively different either way.
I looked up cycles and telogen effluvium and I think it would be sensible to give it a few months to see how it looks first.
Thanks again mate!

 

[Philw]

Stay on meds
U prob got shed
I know u said u been on meds 7ys
Sometimes u get a big shed from time 2 time
Uk dr ball

 

[I_am_Doll_Grafts]

I got a hair restoration surgery 2 years ago at age 44: NW3 at the time & 2337 grafts. I am getting another one in January; sadly, to fix it.

You're not too old.

 

[Bigmac]

This is a picture from a few years ago. My hair here is deliberately brushed back with the thinning areas also uncovered to give a good idea of how much hair loss there is. It's difficult to get an accurate picture now because my hair is much longer and it looks like I've got a thick head of hair believe it or not lol. There's also a bit of scalp showing at the crown but not that much.

View attachment 35314

Hard to tell from that picture. If you were to get the all clear to have a HT I`d say 2000 plus grafts would provide a nice result for you.

 

[TBH]

I got a hair restoration surgery 2 years ago at age 44: NW3 at the time & 2337 grafts. I am getting another one in January; sadly, to fix it.

You're not too old.

Where did you go the first time?

 

[I_am_Doll_Grafts]

Where did you go the first time?

Sadly, I went to Dr. Diep.

 

[TBH]

Sadly, I went to Dr. Diep.

Ah yeah that explains alot, I'm pretty sure he used to have a good reputation. That's certainly gone now.

Where are you heading for the second?

 

[I_am_Doll_Grafts]

Ah yeah that explains alot, I'm pretty sure he used to have a good reputation. That's certainly gone now.

Where are you heading for the second?

I have booked with one of my fave surgeons. But I am thinking of adding in leisure and traveling to a good destination like Brazil, Thailand, Korea since I am doing it in early January after the Holidays. I might change my mind as a result and don't want that to reflect poorly on the surgeon, so will keep his name under wraps until it actually happens.

 

[Funkymonk]

I got a hair restoration surgery 2 years ago at age 44: NW3 at the time & 2337 grafts. I am getting another one in January; sadly, to fix it.

You're not too old.

Sorry to hear that, I hope your second surgery goes better.
This is another reason why I'm not too sure about getting a ht. Like I said before I'll probably wait till I'm 100% sure I really need it before taking the plunge.