The safe zone, just how safe?

[Coopman]

This is something that i have been thinking about for a few months. When we first start balding and even many years down the line after that we all check out other peoples hairlines whom are non balding, just have a mature hairline or whom are suffering from MPB.

Now since i have been researching hair transplants, i have suddenly become prone to checking out peoples donor hair (that is hair in the safe zone that even Norwood 7s maintain).

What has become quite apparent to me is that friends/colleagues whom are balding have suffered from loss of hair in their safe zone (eg it is not as thick there as it was a few years previously and the density is not as good as it once were).

I know people whom are between a NW2 and 3, have suffered from a reduction of density in the safe zone even at this early stage in the balding process. But then on the other hand i know people who are a solid NW6-7 and have no apparent loss of density in this zone.

Does anyone know why this may be the case? Is it a normal part of the balding process that starts earlier in the case of some people, whilst others may never be affected as such?

 

[Sparky]

None of the head is safe imho, my Dads donor isn't as thick as it used to be.

 

[Bigmac]

It's a tough one as some people will lose hair completely in the recognised safe zone, some will just thin out and some will never lose it.People losing hair in this area may be the reason why some transplants don't turn out so good with growth not ad expected.People who start losing their hair at a young age are usually prone to extensive hairloss as they get older which is the main reason most are classed as non candidates.
Some doctors will only do transplants on patients who are taking Fin, they may suspect that the patient could lose hair from the safe zone.In my opinion the majority of people won't lose this hair, it's only the minority but if you're in that minority it's going to be very tough for you.

 

[Young Guy]

If you turn out to be this unfortunate, even a hair piece is not an option.

I've seen SMP done all over the scalp, donor-included that looked quite good. This may be the only viable solution for people who have their donor thinned out as well.

 

[bullitnut]

Hairloss is weird, i have a brother in law who has a full blown norwood 7 pattern and a very thin horse shoe but surprisingly he has his lateral humps still there.

 

[Coopman]

I have just been completely surprised that people who are not yet NW4+ are thinning in this zone, learn something new every day. As Bigmac suggests the importance of Finasteride usage needs highlighting.

But yes some people are just damn unlucky.

 

[Bigmac]

Yes being on meds, then coming off them may cause you to lose transplanted grafts, patients need to know everything this when having work done.

 

[Bigmac]

So IMO there is this safe zone that applies to a lot of people but what percentage will fall into the category of losing hair outside this zone.

 

[bullitnut]

Bottom line IMO if you are high up on the scale or are looking like you are going that way and are young to middle aged then without meds it could be risky.

 

[Boberto]

this is one of the reasons i went FUE in my case. Will shave it all off if im out of donor and the transplanted hair thinned out down the road in years to come.

 

[topccat29]

I agree with Boberto 100% and that would be my thinking knowing what I know now. Much safer to have less hair now with fue if you believe you will experience substantial hair loss later in life or if you choose not to take lifelong medication.