advice on HT please ;)

[rec22]

Hi all

I've been reading various forums for about a year now. I'm looking for some advice so hopefully somebody can help.

I'm 25, i've been receeding & thinning for about 5 years. My hair at the back and around the crown is thick still.

I'm now at the point where I want to get something done about this as its affectiing my every daylife in a big way- my loss of confidence, social skills, and its starting to hold me back at work.
I manage to hide it well and most people I tell seem surprised about it.
I want to get something done soon so that it isn't noticeable and so i can get on with my life and stop being a hermit.

After researching and speaking to several people i've got my options down to Dr Bisanga and Dr Rahal as i've heard a lot of good things about both.
I just need some advice on which procedure would be best for me. I've always worn my hair relatively long so haven't ruled out the strip procedure.
I've read it gets better results,. especially for the hairline.
should my preference be FUE, obviously im aware of the scaring involved with strip.
I was told I would need approx 2500 grafts, does this seem about right, should I allow for more?

Travel is not an issue, its just making the decision on what would be best for me.
money is a bit more of an issue having just left university, but i am prepared to borrow.

Do you think I would be a good candidate, I have fair skin and my hair is quite fine
I can't afford to make a mistake but at the same time I can't continue living my life like this.

Sorry if i've rambeled. Feedback is appreciated!

have hopefully attatched my picture below...

 

[janna]

2500 graft estimate seems reasonable - this would be with somewhat of a conservative hairline. It's not what you'd consider aggressive. You're very young so you'd want to be conservative anyway. FUT or FUE is a matter of personal choice as they both have it's pro's and con's. If you don't see yourself wanting to shave down in the future, I'd personally go with strip. Based on your current economic situation, FUT procedure will get you more hair for less money. FUT in the best of hands, produces very minimal scarring.

 

[El Nino]

Welcome to the forum.

Are you on any meds to help prevent further loss?

2500 grafts sounds about right. You are just about a candidate for a HT in my opinion, being 25 years old.

As for FUE v Strip, obviously I'm biased after having good results with Strip. The same will apply with people who've had FUE. Possibly being able to buzz down to a number 1 with FUE, isn't justified with the higher price and possible lower yield IMO.

Starting with strip is also the best way to get the most out of your donor supply as well. Get stripped out then start with FUE. This is of course worst case scenario.

But I hope you are aware that it is very rare to just get one HT and then be done. Especially if you get your first at 25...

Both of the surgeons you mention are great choices. Look at results from both and decide who's hairline design you like the best.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bigmac]

I agrre with Janna`s point re - 2500 will give you a conservative hairline however it will still look good and natural, also as El Nino states you should be on meds if not already.

Both doctors are a good choice imo, as for fue or strip, thats down to you.You may be swayed towards strip for financial reasons.

Cheers bm.

 

[Dr Arvind]

Here are a few points I would like to mention in your case that need to be remembered by most patients in a situation similar to yours

1. You are a caucasian with thin calibre hair.
2. You will need higher follicular unit graft density (50 to 70) per sq cm to give an appearance of fullness.
3. You have probably not met a past HT patient similar to your situation in person. Pls do so.

These are the things against you. Don't lose heart there are things in your favor too.

1. You have a low hair-skin color contrast
2. Being a caucasian, you will most likely have a higher density of follicular units in your donor area.
3. Probably you would have a robust beard donor as well.

So, all in all, it balances each other.

What you have not mentioned, and it is very important
1. Your speed of hairloss (do not go for an HT if you are experiencing rapid hairloss).
2. Your family history of hairloss (how bald are the male relatives on both sides of your family - maternal as well as paternal).
3. What is your preference on the sort of hairline you wish to go for? Graft estimates should be reached in conjunction with the doctor and patient both. Have you drawn a line on where you would like your hairline to be? If not, draw it on your picture. Ask the doctor to draw the hairline if you are going to use only 2500 grafts. If there is a big difference between the hairlines, you may need to reconsider.

Regards,
Dr. A

 

[rec22]

thanks for the replies all.
my hairloss seems to have happened over the last 5 years, my hairdresser was the first one to point out the thinning and since that day it has always worried me - It was my one feature people would always compliment.
It has been quite a slow process and as I mentioned, the crown and hair towards the back of my head still feels thick so its hard to tell how quickly and whether or not I will lose the hair.

I'm currently not on any medication, I tried minoxidil for about 10 months but i didn't find the growth to be very significant and it irritated my scalp. I have considered propecia but am worried about the side affects, especially the loss of lobido, I guess I must weigh up my options and think about whats most important, right?

My father still has a thick head of hair at the age of 44 with quite a low hairline.
My younger brother at 22 doesn't have any sign of loss yet.
Both of my grandfathers had a full head of hair when they died, but on my mother's side her brothers are all between norwood 4 and 7 i'd guess.


My preference at this moment in time would be a strip procedure as the results seem better and also due to my financial situation. I don't see myself having short hair any time soon anyway...
I'd just like to know a few things about it.
I've seen a variation of scar sizes, does this all depend on the doctor, or the amount of grafts?
Does the scar have a noticeable feeling when running your hands through your hair?
What would my best option be? I'm looking at getting something done towards the end of the year but I certainly won't rush the decision for the sake of saving money or getting it done sooner.

I have drawn below where i'd like my hairline to be.

 

[Bigmac]

Some scars can have a raised feeling to them while others may be smooth and practically invisible.

 

[El Nino]

The hairline you have drawn looks reasonable.

The outcome of all scars will be determined by your own physiology. But you can improve your chances of getting a good scar by going to one of the best HT Surgeons on the planet.

And Dr. Rahal and Dr. Bisanga both fall into this category.

 

[sl]

Looking at the hair line design, age, no meds, potential for more loss, we would not agree with such a low design and would certainly feel a more conservativre approach would be wise taking into account all of the above factors.

 

[T.C]

You need to bear in mind that your late twenties and thirties are usually the worst for hairloss,not for everyone but from what I have read it seems to pick up then for alot. So given you are getting loss so young for 5 years you may end up high on the NW scale,thats what early loss can indicate.So dont jump in just for a short term solution,plan long term and a good doc should explain this scenario to you.Without propecia it will likely be a loosing battle at least until the next solution comes out.

 

[Bigmac]

How are you getting on now.