Long curly hair - hair transplant.

[Rippone]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, just found it yesterday when doing some research. I'm 38 and my situation is as per pictures below.

I'm struggling to find clear information. Does any of you know whether it would be possible to have a hair transplant keeping long hair? If so, what technique would be better? I don't mind having a strip on my back in the donor area shaved as this would be covered by the hair around.

What I am looking for, as many I guess, is going for a natural look on my hair line and density on the scalp and crown. And hair placed with direction and realistic look since I will have my hair long. Importantly, I am not looking for crazy density if this means that, as my hair grow progresses, I won't have anymore available donor hair to address the new receding areas.

(hope I've posted in the right section!)

 

[Bigmac]

Hi Rippone.
Welcome to the forum.
Are you on any type of hair loss prevention regimen? Having a hair transplant without could result in you losing more hair and possibly transplanted grafts. At 38 you look to be between a Norwood 4 - 5. I would guess you`ll need around 4000 plus grafts which will create a new hairline with decent density behind and the crown.
Your donor looks quite dense but this would need to be examined by a doctor to establish what you have available. If I were in your position right now I would opt for a FUT/Strip procedure. I believe this will best utilise your donor area and preserve more grafts for future use if required.

Clinics prefer to shave down your recipient area because it makes it easier to place the grafts. However, it`s not a requirement. You could have a hair transplant without shaving. The donor strip area will be shaven but your long hair will conceal this easily.

Here are a few examples of unshaven transplants to show what it looks like.


Unshaven hair transplant

Unshaven hair transplant

 

[Rippone]

Hello Bigmac,

Thank you for your reply and the links to the examples, all very helpful.

I am currently not on any type of hair loss prevention regimen (besides biotin). I am a bit worried about taking long term medications for possible long term side effects. But it is certainly something I would consider. If I could choose I would probably opt for something topical rather than oral. I hope I will be able to find a good clinic that helps me to explore also this matter.

Interesting your comment about the FUT/Strip procedure. I had the idea that FUE is always preferable to FUT. Looks like I have a lot to learn still.

I have read with interest the post from Dr Unger in another section of this forum. It made me reflect that it may be possible (and maybe preferred) in my case to go for a lower density. Long curly hair do look a bit more dense / voluminous by their own nature, so maybe a satisfactory look can be achieved with less grafts. I certainly hope so, as I think it is unrealistic for me to think this will be the first and last transplant, and so one of my goal would be to have a good amount of donor hair left for future ops.

 

[Bigmac]

You could be a good candidate for FUE as well. There are quite a few examples of larger sessions on the forum but they require the donor area to be shaved. Curly hair does help in creating the appearance of density that could result in fewer grafts required to achieve a similar result.

You have options of Topical Finasteride or Dutasteride. There is the possibility of side effects with them. This video explains a few options hair loss regimens In the medication section further down the forum Dr Mark Tam talks about topicals also.

Dr Unger's article is an excellent educational read. Planning for future loss is important.

 

[Rippone]

Thank you again Bigmac. Lots of food for thoughts

 

[Bigmac]

What`s the reason you don`t want your hair shaven off? I`d guess it's taken quite a while to grow it to the length it is now.

 

[Rippone]

Many reasons! Which can be summarised as:

1) Very very scared of trying a new look, I have had long hair for almost of my adult life.
2) I am a metalhead, having long hair is part of my identity in a way.
3) I was hoping to be able to hide the procedure from my work colleagues. It's a big office, it worries me that people would start gossiping. I know, I know I shouldn't care about what other people may think and eventually they would notice it anyway. Damn insecurity!
4) it would take me 2 years (or more?) to get back to length it is now.

But after reading a bit more, I have come to the conclusion that I should bite the bullet and shave to maximise the chances of success. I now understand a bit more of FUT, you are right, it seems more reasonable to go for this procedure for me considering my extensive hair loss and large area to be covered. And I don't have to worry about the scarring in the long run anyway - the whole reason of having the hair transplant done for me is to continue keeping long hair after all.

 

[Bigmac]

I thought you might be into the Metal look with your long hair.
Are you working from home right now? If so, you could easily have an FUT procedures. You could ask some clinics if they’ll do an unshaven recipient area for you. This way you could style your remaining hair to cover as much of the transplanted areas as possible.
Once the grafts shed around 2 weeks you’ll begin to look pre op again with the possibility of redness which you can say is a reaction to a shampoo or something if anyone asks.
Look at some female hair transplants. You’ll see the fut donor closures are completely hidden.
I had FUT back in 2008. No one noticed it at all and my hair was a lot shorter than yours.