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Advice very welcome

  • Thread starter Here2dayHair2morrow?
  • Start date
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Here2dayHair2morrow?

Valued member
Hi Everyone.

I used to post and read these forums religiously before deciding on my plan for some more hair. I feel a mildly embarrassed that I have not contributed for so long and now asking for advice, therefore before asking for advice and posting pictures I will give a very brief synopsis of my journey and then in a few days ask for your advice.

I much like many on here became depressed early in my twenties when I discovered I was losing my hair. I guess I went through all the different stages of trauma we all go through denial, anger, sadness etc.

In my mid twenties I started on minoxidil and fin. I’ve stated previously these had a fantastic effect on my hair loss but terrible things to my state of mind and sexual function. I moved to dut with the same affects. I think I respond well, too well, however the side effects are exacerbated with me. I tried reducing the dosage but decided I needed to come off the dht blockers but still continued with minoxidil.

I’ve just had to check but in 2010 I had my first ht and a year later had another at the same clinic. The results were not optimal but glad I went with a reputable clinic recommended on these forums as they looked after me. I would say after the two procedures I would have been happy had that been the result after one.

I continued to experiment with lotions and potions, pills and oils. I did actually see an improvement with Saw Palmetto but eventually the sides got to me again so stopped all the while still using minoxidil ( oh and Nizoral )

I had another two ( this still shocks me that I have had 4 ht’s ) hair transplants up until now. I use concealer and stack up on hair vitamins and until recently was using a topical dht blocker.

I recently had to go to the doctor as I was experiencing short term memory loss, I had all the tests but nothing was wrong. I stopped the topical dht blocker and things have improved slightly however I still believe the pills I take have an effect ( and stress as it always gets better when I go on holiday )

So my dilemma is whether to shave my head as the dht blocker will have to remain off the list and the pills are only gradually slowing the inevitable, which is an ever increasing crown and thinning at the sides. The hair transplanted hair actually looks pretty damm good, I suppose after 4 it should do.

I’ll repost with photos and more direct questions ( if people don’t mind ) however some initial thoughts are;

What will my shaved transplanted hair look like?
Will there by scars visible in the recipient area that will make it look like I’ve had a transplant?
Will my donor area look like I’ve had 4 transplants and I won’t be able to shave too short?
Should i shave and then look for a SMP and FUE combo?
Should I have another fue but with the thoughts on wanted to shave down in say a year so with that in mind scatter the hairs so it will look like coverage when I finally shave my head?

Anyhow if I get good comments I’ll post the pictures and you can help me decide.

I have been lurking for a few weeks and seen some old faces still knocking around helping people which is great to see. I think in terms of happiness I’m happier now than when I joined this journey many years ago, but still striving for that coverage or look that makes me not embarrassed or ashamed, which are two really irrational feelings to have about your own appearance but real none the less.

Thanks for reading.
 
Raphael84

Raphael84

Valued member
Hi brother

Thats a pretty tough journey you have described. You know that you are in the right community of guys who understand and support.
Each of us have our own journey that is very personal and unique.
I feel for you.

I think that one thing is for certain, if your experience of oral DHT blockers is as you describe, then they should remain off the list.
Have you ever considered a combo of topical finasteride and minoxidil?

There is no definitive answers to your questions in my opinion. It depends on many factors.
The physician and the punch sizes used and your skin and physiology will all play a role in scarring.
How many grafts you have received.
If your density and the work that you have had done is good, then you shouldn't have an issue on shaving down/having shorter hair.
Without seeing photos it would be unfair to suggest further surgery or even SMP. You may shave your head an look great.

How old are you?

Perhaps when you shave your head, you really enjoy the look and feel great.

I like everybody else are wishing you the very best and are here to support in any way that we may.

All the best.
 
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Risingforehead

member
You mentioned you have had 4 transplants but haven't said whether they are FUE ones or the type with the linear scar at the back? Haven't seen many shaved transpants myself so i assume it's due to the lack of density when cut so short. Your not going to know really what it would look like until you actually shave it off but if you have the strip scar too then you might have problems disguising it.
 
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Risingforehead

member
Having SMP with a shaved transplant seems to be getting popular, but iv'e only seen the end results and never a shaved transplant without the SMP sorry.
 
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Here2dayHair2morrow?

Valued member
Hi. Thanks for the replies.

I had 4 fue surgeries. I’ll have to dig out the number but probably about 3000 grafts in total.

I’ll post pictures on Friday.

Appreciate the support.
 
sl

sl

BHR Clinic Patient Advisor
Scars in the recipient should not be an issue if you went to a good doctor as you say. Donor as said here by Raphael, type of FUE done, punch size, type, harvesting pattern, how short you go etc etc. Be good to see photos and then people can comment more. Best.
 
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Here2dayHair2morrow?

Valued member
Hi

Please see attached photos.

As mentioned wondering whether I may just shave it off or have another surgery but with a more overall coverage so if and when I do shave it will hopefully look better and less like I’ve had a hair transplant. Then maybe conside add some density by smp.

Thoughts appreciated.
 

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sl

sl

BHR Clinic Patient Advisor
Thanks for posting. You are wearing your hair to give the best semblance of coverage and density with some length and the way it is combed which is normal, we play to our strengths and I think it looks good. Obviously shaving will give a very different look and expose more the skin and does highlight any imperfections in that hair with length can be manipulated and styled to the needs there. Once you shave it short gaps will be more evident and which is why some will top up with SMP or apply concealers etc.

How many grafts in total did you have transplanted? What is left in your donor? I think with shaving you can cherry pick carefully some more but some areas probably have been exhausted. Do you have any readings from the clinic or data on what else is possible?

Is all that you have on top transplanted? You reached to the top of the crown, the density is less but the hair quality is good and not miniaturised so I guess transplanted back to that point and then lessened the density as the placing stopped to lessen an abrupt wall of hair which is the norm.

You probably as said have enough for one more with careful work, and if you shave then SMP or similar may be good. Be good to see the hair line also with the hair line exposed.

So, if you shave then it will be a very different look and I don't think it is easy to forecast how it will look until it is done but if the hair line looks good and framing the face well when shaved and you have coverage going back then you should pull it off but probably will be a case of suck it and see as it is drastically different to now.
 
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Here2dayHair2morrow?

Valued member
Thanks Steven. I had two sessions with BHR I will pm you my name and I’ll be happy for you to share on here the number of grafts and density for another session if you have that info.
 
sl

sl

BHR Clinic Patient Advisor
Thanks. Ill speak to the rep and get the info that we have on the donor and graft amounts and get back to you. Be good to assess you in person and I can let you know when Dr.B is back also in the UK.
 
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reddwarf

member
Looking at them pictures if your hairline is strong I think a shaved head would really suit you because you don't have a large forehead or any major recession. if money wasn't an object I would get one more surgery then have that scalp pigmentation done that people get to add density.
 
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Here2dayHair2morrow?

Valued member
Thanks

I think I’ll only get another one if I feel it will help down the line when I finally shave or go shorter. What would your advice be? More density mid/rear scalp or try with coverage to the crown?

Cheers
 
janna

janna

Moderator
My advice would be to address the crown with another FUE procedure. This will give you more options down the line on hair length and even to do smp to achieve the shaved or thickening effect. As for shaving your head, I'd approach it cautiously - meaning to cut your hair to a grade 5 at the start then move to lower grades if you feel comfortable doing so. Of course if you are going to do another FUE procedure your donor will be shaved. This can give you a sort of a military look.
 
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Here2dayHair2morrow?

Valued member
Hi Janna,

Thanks for the post. Some good advice around gradually shaving to understand what looks best.

Appreciate it.
 
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