My 7th Hair Transplant Surgery - FUE Scalp, Beard Hair, FUE Into Scar, PRP

[PurePhase]

That €™s a pretty impressive result for so few grafts. It sounds like you are planning on going for a second pass for the scars, how many grafts would that require?

 

[Dazzster26]

Hi David
Great documentation as always you can see the difference that amount of grafts placed correctly has done for you , I love how you try to go through all barriers to try and get that desired but realistic results taking into account the Donor availability congratulations as always ¬b`

 

[David Anderson]

I felt it was long overdue to share an update on my hair restoration journey.

What I never really documented publicly until now, is that in November 2023, while working for Dr. Ball, I underwent what became my 8th transplant.

Some might think it was a strange decision. My hairline wasn’t pluggy, the angles were good, there were no multis, it was good work. But as I’ve aged, with more wrinkles and greying hair, I began to feel that my hairline wasn’t aging with me. It remained very strong, probably stronger than most of my friends in their early 50s.

I’d been considering raising the corners of my hairline to give it a slightly more mature appearance, something that would visually connect better with my temple points. I even considered rebuilding the temple points a little to support the strong hairline, but my coarse hair would have made that quite challenging.

Having witnessed first-hand the incredible repair work carried out by Dr. Ball and the team over the years, I decided to go ahead.

• 158 grafts were extracted from the hairline itself
• An additional 311 grafts were removed via no-shave FUE
• Total: 469 grafts

The reason for the no shave approach in the donor was due to my limited donor area and the presence of prior scarring from earlier surgeries. I did not wish to shave my head and expose my scarring for such a small number of grafts.
The grafts were placed strategically into two areas of the crown, aiming to improve my profile from both the left and right sides.

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Observations & Healing

A few notes that might be helpful for others:

• I see no visible damage or white dot scarring where the hairline grafts were removed, which I found really interesting. While my FUT and FUE scars in the donor are white and noticeable, the forehead area, being so vascular, seems to tolerate extraction better than the donor area.
• The donor area in 2017 (when shaved) showed the scarring I’ve lived with. Today, however, I can comfortably wear a grade 3 on the back and sides, and the scars are far less visible, mainly thanks to the salt and pepper colouring of my hair now, which reduces the contrast.

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Medical Regime & Medications

• I started 1mg daily finasteride back in 2006. Over the years I’ve stopped and restarted a few times, and each time I came off it, I noticed crown thinning and overall reduction in volume around 6–9 months later. Re-starting always clawed back the losses.
• About 4 years ago, I did the TrichoTest genetic test, which showed I’d be a good responder to minoxidil.
• I trialled topical finasteride + minoxidil for a year, and I did see some benefit but I became inconsistent in using it do to the daily faff.
• I then switched back to oral finasteride 0.5mg daily, and started oral minoxidil 2.5mg daily, which I’ve now been on for 3 years.
• I’ve also had occasional PRP sessions over the years. While my hair felt fuller afterwards, it wasn’t something I continued long-term.

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Current Hair Status

The photos taken today show my hair in the best condition it’s been since I first started losing it back in 1994.
While the small transplant into the crown in 2023 has made a decent difference, I believe oral minoxidil has really improved the volume, especially in that area. Interestingly, my temple points seem more defined, even without having been transplanted.

Getting older and going grey has had its perks. The contrast between hair and scalp is less, which helps with the illusion of density. And haircuts, which used to be a dreaded experience due to visible scars, are no longer a source of anxiety.

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Summary

It’s been a long road—and if I were 23 again with the options available today, I’d do things very differently. But I’m incredibly grateful for where I’ve ended up.

A good transplant is always an illusion of density—but today, even in harsh lighting, I’m really happy with how it's holding up.

Thanks to BigMac for running such an unbiased forum and all the work he has done in helping others over the years.

After 3 FUT procedures from 1996-1998. Pre Op at Hasson and Wong in 2006 age 33

Pre Op November 2023 planning before my 8th surgery

Immediate Post op November 2023

10 Days Post op close of of hairline to show healing

My hair in July 2025 now aged 52!

No sign of any scarring to hairline from punch outs

 

[David Anderson]

Bright sunlight

 

[balody]

Whoa blast from the past , looking good mate! Dr Ball did great.

 

[Bigmac]

Thanks for sharing your amazing journey. Threads like this will help many with their research.
Your hair is looking good.

 

[David Anderson]

Thanks Bigmac

 

[janna]

Hi David!
Great catching up with you the other day…
Gotta say I was surprised by all grey/white hairs in recent pics but it suits you and your hair looks fantastic!

 

[David Anderson]

Hi Janna, Thanks for the message, it was nice to catch up with you too. That's what working 15 years in this industry can do for you! I certainly have gone grey since turning 50!

 

[SimBa]

Good for you buddy, that has been one LONG journey, no doubt expensive financially and emotionally and it looks like its been worth it for you, congrats. The hair going lighter has actually blended the scar so that it's invisible at the length in the pictures unless you're really scrutinising it, so that's a major plus it looks like. From where you were 20+ years ago where it looks like you would have definitely been bald by now, instead you have a good head of hair.

 

[David Anderson]

Thanks very much for your kind words. I would definitely have been bald most likely by my late 20s to early 30s had I not have done anything.

 

[MaxMidlander]

Incredible story David. You've been on quite a journey through the years though your hair now looks incredible! Beard also

 

[David Anderson]

Incredible story David. You've been on quite a journey through the years though your hair now looks incredible! Beard also

Thank you very much for the kind words.