Is it worth it.

[Going Bald]

My first post here, hopefully I will get some answers.... I am a 50 year old male suffering from hairloss, my hairloss began in my late twenties, a slow gradual progression spanning 20 years to my current state of affairs, Norwood 5 is the nearest comparison to my current situation.... The lateral humps on the sides of my head are strong but as you can imagine I have no hair from my hairline to my crown, it's shiny bald unfortunately.... I have been on Propecia the last 6 years which may or may not work, it's hard to tell although it could be the reason the lateral humps have not dipped down.

I have realistic expectations in what can be achieved for someone in my situation, a mature thinning hairline to frame my face with a thinner coverage behind, maybe a little coverage in the crown donor permitting.

Now the risk factor.... My father has extensive hairloss, his pattern has no level on the Norwood scale as it's so severe, he would be somewhere in the region of a Norwood 10 if it existed.... He was at this stage by 40 so I'm weathering a little better than he did, what concerns me is I may progress to this stage later in life which means all my transplanted hair will fall out, my donor area will thin out dramatically exposing the donor scar creating a problem.

I have lived with my hairloss, although it has made me unhappy and dented my confidence I have soldiered on.... Now I am in a financial position to do something about it, would you guys risk it if in my position?

I'll try to get a picture of my fathers hairloss pattern to show my predicament, this may prove a little tricky as he thinks the idea of a hair transplant is nonsense.

Please share your thoughts with me and thanks for providing this helpful site.

 

[TR38]

What you're proposing is a major gamble were you to end up like your father. I would not risk it.

 

[Going Bald]

Thanks for your honest opinion Tr38.

 

[Bigmac]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If the meds are working then a Ht is a possibility especially as you have realistic expectations,however if you do progress further like your father you will have to deal with a strip scar on show.

You could maybe have a consult with a Ht doctor and have them check your donor hair for miniaturisation, then you may be in a better position to decide what you want to do.

 

[topccat29]

NW10......I would say it's probably a very bad idea.

 

[Going Bald]

Thanks BM and TC,

I think I'll adhere to your suggestion to have my remaining hair checked over.

 

[Bigmac]

Glad the forum is helping you, it would be interesting to see a picture of your father to see how much hair he has lost.

All the best with whatever you do.

Bm.

 

[Going Bald]

Here is a picture of my father, as you can see theres not much hair left.

 

[Bigmac]

Thanks for posting the picture of your father, anyone who is progressing to that level is not a Ht candidate.

 

[TR38]

This picture reinforces my earlier thoughts of not risking it. Your father has definitely topped the Nw chart.

 

[Going Bald]

I'm beginning to think I should wait another year or so.... then decide what to do.

 

[Bigmac]

No harm in waiting.

 

[TR38]

Going Bald wrote:

I'm beginning to think I should wait another year or so.... then decide what to do.

I would wait also.

 

[bullitnut]

Welcome to the forum I too think it's wise to wait.

BN

 

[Going Bald]

Thanks Bullitnut

 

[Going Bald]

Hey all. I'm back with an update on my situation.... I decided to buzz my hair to just above a zero, I'm pleased I chose this option as I lost more native hair leaving a sparse donor supply. This amount of hair I have left would at best give me a thin hairline which is not worth the hassle.
Hairloss is something that everyone should research thoroughly before choosing their path.

 

[Bigmac]

Good to hear your research helped you with your decision making.
All the best.
Bm.

 

[bullitnut]

Thanks for updating us on your situation....its nice to see someone who weighed up all the pros and cons before taking the plunge and i believe you mad a very sensible decision in not pursuing a HT. What could have been unfortunate for you though if you hadn't asked for advice on here is that some unscrupulous clinic could have taken advantage and you would have been in a terrible situation down the road.
I know hair loss is tough and i feel for you but trust me you made a good call.

 

[Going Bald]

Thanks guys.... I`m happy with the call I made.

 

[ANTOINE]

You should also try good shampoo such as Regenpure