hello

[omar1021]

My name is Omar, I found this site while perusing the internet looking for reviews from people who have had hair transplant procedures. I am 26 with MBP, and although I'm not completely bald, I have thin hair to begin with, so it's much more noticeable. I was hoping I might be able to get some feedback on different procedures and what they entail. Many of the acronyms that I have read on this forum thus far are like Greek to me. What exactly is FUE, and how does it differ from STRIP? What is STRIP? Costs, doctors, medications, etc, are all things that I would like to get to know better, as I may go ahead and go forward with some type of replacement therapy within the next year or so. I did actually go for a consultation 2 years ago with a Bosley doctor in Charlotte, but I was very leery of the possible results and cost, so I stayed away. Much of the information that I received on that particular visit has already been discarded/forgotten, and I want to make sure I'm as informed as I can be before taking any action. I appreciate any helpful ideas that you guys (and gals) might have.

Thanks
Omar

also, I can post pictures of my scalp if it might mean that someone here could better recommend a course of action for it, lol

 

[Avery]

You can get the answers to those questions by reading the first page of most of the forums, but I'm obligated to tell you to never, ever, under any circumstances, and for no reason to go to Bosley for a hair transplant. They give you terrible advice, do bad work, butcher your scalp, and steal your money. Likely the number of grafts they gave you is a fifth of what you really need, but quoted you a price five times what a better surgeon would have for that estimate. Use the search function for "Bosely" and you won't find a single positive thing about them.

Also, don't pay for any type of hair replacement therapy. You save yourself time and hassel by doing some research on these forums and creating a regimin for yourself by purchasing products online and from local stores. Any of those chain hair therapy clinics are using the same remedies as the rest of us, but they're charging retail prices.

A popular regimin, and the one I myself use, is 1mg finasteride (active ingredient in Propecia/Proscar/Fincar/Finpecia) daily, 2 applications of topical minoxidil (active ingredient in Rogaine/Regaine) daily, and 2-3 applications of Nizoral shampoo weekly. I believe it's also beneficial to include a daily men's vitamin and omega-3 (fish oil) supplement. As I said, that's the popular route, but there certainly are other remedies people have used to combat hair loss. You'll have to read a lot of threads about their individual cases and decide for yourself.

 

[omar1021]

thanks man, appreciate the information. believe me, i'll definitely be doing the homework necessary to make sure i'm not getting f'ed, thanks for the heads up on bosley, btw. let me ask you this, though: with that type of regimen, how satisfied are you with your current state of hair? what is the outlook in the future for it, based on what you're doing right now? will it hold up? again, i'm pretty much a "rookie" on this topic, so any advice is always welcome.

 

[Avery]

I'm starting my ninth month on the Big 3 and I'm extremely pleased. I wish I had more density in the front, and even though my hair looks really flat in the front and it's an inch long, I no longer see scalp when my hair is dry. I'm currently growing it longer because I'm at the point where length will help disguise the loss.

From all accounts, since I had good, fast results, I'm hoping to keep what I've regrown for 5-10 years. Everything I've read says hair loss begins to catch up with you then no matter what you're using. If I can save a good chunk of money I may have a hair transplant, but probably not. I'm leery of the hair transplant route because I know that one day I'm going to be a Norwood 7 (my hair loss is identical to my mother's side of the family, where my grandfather is a N7, my uncle a N6, and my grandmother has been wearing wigs since I was little but no one knows why) and I'd die if I looked unnatural; I'd rather be bald. A little part of me hopes that in 10 years one of these companies that seems to be on the edge of new growing techniques comes up with something, but I'm trying to be practical about it.

My advice regarding hair transplants is to never consider cost or location. Be sure that you aren't being ripped off by comparing other surgeons, but don't look for a bargain, and travel wherever you need to to be seen by a surgeon you're happy with. You'll hate yourself forever if you come out the other end disfigured or unnatural looking to save some money. Also, be as conservative as you can. You'll never have your 18 year old hair again, don't except closed temples and a hair line at your eyebrows. =p