Hair Loss Despite Transplants, Propecia And Minoxidil Please Help!

[Phil777]

Can someone please help... I apologise for the long post.

I am 49 and 5 years ago I was receeding asymmetrically on my right front side and noticed the front thinning quite a bit. I decided in Sept 2017 to have a DHI hair transplant with a clinic in Manila, Philippines. My friend had a transplant done there and he was quite bald and the results were amazing! They have clinics all around the world and use the new DHI technology over the old FUE system.

I had the transplant done (Sept 17) and straight away the transplanted areas started growing, I was on Propecia and Minoxidil and slowed the minoxidil to once a day as it was making my scalp itch. Overall I was very happy with the results... Around the end of May/June I noticed my hair was thining significantly around the transplanted area. I had some general blood tests done around April for vitamins minerals etc and everything was good. I contacted the DHI clinic and they offered to redo the procedure for me free of charge after the 1-year mark. By this time the previous transplant they did had failed around 85% and they were puzzled as to why.

I had another procedure with them done Aug 10th and unlike previously every transplanted hair they did shed within 3 weeks. Again I am on Minoxidil and Propecia but my head has been constantly itchy since June. I went back for PRP after 4 weeks and they inspected my hair and said everything looks normal with the scalp and I have no rash/infections and that the itchiness could be down to Minoxidil. Now 6 weeks on 100% of the transplanted hair has shed and I am feeling itchiness and around these areas, the hair is getting worse. it's like the DHI procedure has made things worse and I am thining even more. Since June my front hairline has visibly changed. I notice every time I sit on my computer hair is all over the keyboard and every morning my pillow is covered in hairs.

I mentioned this to the DHI clinic and all they said is that it's completely normal for all of the transplanted hairs to shed and they can take up to 4-6 months to show signs of growth. I have said to them why is my hair falling out constantly and thining so rapidly when I am healthy? They told me its not male pattern baldness as at my age of 49 it would have happened by now and if it did the crown of my head would also show signs and I would lose it from the sides first not the front.

I can't understand why the second round has shown signs of failure already and I am continuing to significantly incur loss at the front?

Could it be the DHI technique is flawed? Is the propecia/minoxidil causing this? Or is it I am just suffering quite rapid male pattern baldness?

I have had a couple of operations this year and each time a round of antibiotics has followed, I have also had back issues and had Arcoxia, pain killers etc. I asked the docs would this interfere with my hair and they all said no.

WHY did the first transplant fail and by the looks of it this second one? Am I doing something wrong? I am not showing signs of alopecia so I know it's not that.

Sorry for the long thread but could someone please offer me advice? I am getting so depressed.

Thanks
Phil

 

[Phil777]

This is hairline before transplant in 2017

 

[Phil777]

This is after the transplant 2017 and then 6 months post transplant

 

[Phil777]

This is 10 months post-transplant, where you can see failure of the original transplant

 

[Phil777]

This is 1 week before the second transplant (DHI method) in sept 2018

 

[Phil777]

This is 5 weeks post-transplant (yesterday)

 

[Phil777]

As you can see a rapid deterioration in my hairline. Anyone have any ideas why the failure? DHI in Manila claim to have a very good post-op result and claim they have never had a procedure fail. Could this just be male pattern baldness? But in just 4-5 months?

 

[Phil777]

Hairs on my pillow just after 10 minutes

 

[GreekGod]

Why would you get DHI instead of FUE and why would you ever go to a "clinic" in the Philippines? If you're going to go to an Eastern country for a hair transplant, go to someone reputable who's an actual doctor. Try a surgeon who's part of this group. https://www.iahrs.org
Also, if you can afford an English or American doctor that's who you should really go to. Luckily for you, you have very minimal hair loss especially for your age. So you have grafts to spare after that first mistake of a surgery.

 

[Retinoid]

It is common that there are shedding periods after transplants. That is what it looks like. I am unsure what country you are in but why get something done in the Phillipines? Just because it is cheaper? I live in the US and would rather pay more for a doctor here.

 

[Phil777]

I live in HK and so the Philippines is near. They are DHI and have clinics all around the world, London, Paris and even in HK but the procedure is twice the price but the same. The Doctor who did the procedure in Manila was a Filipino Australian guy. The technique they use is the same in all clinics. Also, DHI offer a 100% guarantee or they will do the procedure for you again free.

But thanks for the reply. I am still not sure why the first transplant failed?

 

[GreekGod]

I live in HK and so the Philippines is near. They are DHI and have clinics all around the world, London, Paris and even in HK but the procedure is twice the price but the same. The Doctor who did the procedure in Manila was a Filipino Australian guy. The technique they use is the same in all clinics. Also, DHI offer a 100% guarantee or they will do the procedure for you again free.

But thanks for the reply. I am still not sure why the first transplant failed?

People in the Philippines aren't well-trained as people in developed countries. The grafts were probably not properly inserted into the scalp due to poor equipment or low surgeon skill. Then they fell out and never grew back. I really think you should get it from an IAHRS accredited surgeon. You have almost no loss anyways, so I dont think you need a hair transplant. But if you want one get it done right from a better place.

 

[Phil777]

I understand what you mean and that may happen in some areas of the world but Manila is very modern and they are pretty good with medicine etc. so I disagree. DHI is a worldwide clinic and my friend had his hair done there 4 months before me and his results were awesome, as attached.

 

[Pequod]

You can't be putting in new grafts into the same area that much and expect it to come out as you want. You needed a hairline specialist and this one fucked it up. and you went back. Once someone can't do it, never go back again.

 

[Phil777]

Can you guys recommend anyone for next year? I need to give this at least 12 months.

 

[Phil777]

No offence meant here but it seems many guys are getting treatment in Turkey with good results... That to me is in the same category as Philippines, Thailand etc.