Uneven/patchy growth after nearly 5 months post-FUE (detailed picture timeline)

[Bigmac]

No problem. It’s good to compare even though there can be some differences such as hair shaft thickness and hair to graft ratio. Usually though, you can get a good idea what should be a ball park result.
It’s good you can get by without the concealer but have it handy for that special occasion.

 

[lightmare]

Here's my 9 month update. What do you guys think? It seems like shedding has reduced further, I am pretty close to baseline level shedding before it increased 3-4 months ago. But most of the hairs that do shed now are thicker, darker hairs with the white telogen bulb. Additionally, some more of the persistent stubble has fallen recently. These darker hairs are not shedding from any other part of my head other than the recipient / balding regions. Could anagen desynchronization be happening at this early stage, or is that too early?

 

[Bigmac]

I think your crown is responding to the meds, the area does not look as big. The frontal third varies with some parts looking like they've improved a bit but your hair is styled slightly different in each image.
This video by Eugenix explains synchronisation Hair synchronisation

 

[lightmare]

Thanks BM. According to the video it seems like it usually starts around month 15, after all hairs grow in phase with each other for 10 months. I wonder if the onset of desynrchonization can vary a lot from patient to patient since growth time varies a lot too.

 

[Bigmac]

I’m not sure on that. I’ll tag the clinic @Eugenix Hair Sciences to see if they can answer your question.

 

[Kevboy]

How many grafts are you looking at for another one?

 

[lightmare]

That's a great question. Honestly I'm not totally sure how (objectively) successful this one is given the smaller # of grafts over a big area. My doctor is happy with the result, given a second procedure was always in the cards, but I'd love to hear what you guys think.

I also did get an evaluation from another clinic I've seen a lot of promise from on these forums. They mentioned 3500 more (3000 scalp, 500 beard) will get me a full appearance everywhere while keeping my current hairline. 2000 front, 1500 crown.

So that'd be a total of 6000 grafts over 2 procedures. But I don't mind leaving the crown a bit thinner to save grafts for the future. What do you think given what you see in the photos? Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[smokeybacon]

I would consider only dealing with your hairline and frontal area. As your crown is responding well to meds maybe leave the crown. Conserve your grafts. Around 2000 for the front area with good growth should give you what you wanted.

 

[Bigmac]

If I were in your position, I’d get a few more opinions on your next HT. It won’t do any harm to have something to compare to.
I’d concentrate on the frontal half. What donor density/grafts available did this other consult say?

 

[Kevboy]

Starting out did you ever think you would be looking at 6000 grafts? What other clinic quoted that?

 

[lightmare]

Thanks you guys, I also thought the count was a bit high. I never thought I'd be looking at that many grafts, to be honest. But to be honest I did not do enough research before starting on this journey - back then I'd have guessed 2500 would be good but 3500 would be great. Knowing what I do now though 6k still sounds like a lot for my level of baldness. I agree that leaving the crown alone is a good idea and did let the clinic know I'd be open to reducing crown coverage.

Eugenix gave me this quote, though for full transparency I did mention I wanted good density with shorter hair that wouldn't be ruined by wind, rain, etc. I haven't quoted another clinic, and will see my doctor hopefully in the next couple months to get an estimate on yield. My doctor seems happy with the result and seems to think I'm just about done growing but I'd like some quantitative estimate.

Here I am at 10 months. If you had to evaluate it, how is this result for the smaller 2500 # of grafts used?

 

[lightmare]

Here I am relative to the beginning:

 

[Bigmac]

Would you be able to add some pictures showing your hairline pushed/styled upwards? This will provide a better indication of what has grown there.

 

[lightmare]

Sure thing - here are some photos.

 

[Kevboy]

Growth looks decent. I think initially you should have had more grafts if the 2500 have all grown. One more with Eugenix and I think that will be enough.

 

[Bigmac]

It looks as though you got the growth in the hairline, going further back is still quite thin but overall it’s an improvement and provides a baseline to have it completed with another surgery. Are you happy with the hairline? I think you could style your hair better and with a little hair fibres, it would look good,
I do see a double graft in the hairline. This probably doesn’t stand out too much.

 

[lightmare]

Thanks guys for your feedback! This is really helpful for deciding what to do next, knowing how round 1 turned out.

In terms of the hairline placement, I am happy with the design and placement but now that it's there I sometimes wonder how it'd look if it was a smidge lower at the sides. I kinda doubt I'll change it on the second pass, though, and don't want to fall victim to hair greed. You are right, I am not too worried about the double(s) up there, but I have a few rogue hairs way below my hairline that bother me a bit more. I hope to get rid of those during round 2 if possible.

In terms of the hairline density, I feel it is good when feathered over / styled down, but is still see-through when styled up, blown over, wet, or with short hair. Ideally I'd get some extra density up there (the hairline was planted at ~30 grafts/cm^2) but it is good to know that it looks like it mostly grew.

I do really wonder about the frontal third though in terms of how much growth I got, and whether some of the thin hairs I have there now are grafts that will thicken up or natives that will not. My doctor said it was less densely packed than the hairline but the difference aesthetically is pretty stark so I'm wondering whether I got good yield up there or not.

 

[Bigmac]

For peace of mind I would have an in person consultation with another doctor who can advise on the density. From that you should get a pretty good idea of what percentage grew and it’ll help make your next decision. 30 per cm sq is fairly low for a hairline density. It will look ok but as you know, it’s a thin appearance. I would add some density here on your next pass. I’d leave the hairline design as it too.

 

[Kevboy]

I would keep the design and concentrate on improving the density.

 

[lightmare]

Thank you so much guys for your comments. That helps a ton in terms of thinking about the outcome and what to do next.