Is It Worth Me Getting A hair transplant? Pics Attached

[Londoner]

Hi there,

I was just hoping for any thoughts from people may have on my current situation? Photos, both wet and dry, below.

I am 29 and have had stable hair loss since around 25, using a regime of light finasteride usage (0.25mg eod (anymore gives me sides)) and minoxidil (daily) plus dermarolling (0.8mm weekly).

I’m generally satisfied with my appearance when using concealer, and I’m confident that my loss (whilst very slowly progressing) has generally stabilised, but have considered getting a hair transplant for a long time as I am not really satisfied with my hairline without concealer.

A few surgeons have suggested approx 1,500-1,800 FUE grafts to fix my hairline (crown is currently fine). I have been holding off due to the more extensive balding patterns of other men in my family (NW5-NW6, but no medication), but thinking that it might be time to finally take the plunge.

I am happy with the surgeons I have quoting me (currently leaning towards Dr Cole in Athens) but I would be very grateful for any thoughts at all.

Many thanks

 

[Londoner]

Just to add, all of these pictures are without concealer, freshly washed hair, and under direct bright lighting - giving it the worst possible appearance

 

[DoctorHouse]

How much does Cole charge in Athens per graft? If your hair bothers you every day then go for it but just remember you will need to have more work done in the future. I would switch to a topical finasteride minoxidil combo if I were in your shoes.

 

[Londoner]

Hi - thanks for the quick response.

I actually tried topical finasteride for several months last year but suffered sides, so had to revert back to oral. I’m clearly quite sensitive to it. Got phenomenal results on 1mg daily, and with topical, but (whether real or psychological) my tolerance seems to hit its limit at 0.25mg every other day sadly...

The quote from Dr Cole’s team, who I’ve been immensely impressed by, came in at an introductory offer of EUR 3 per graft, which I considered to be very very reasonable given his credentials. However, I’m not sure if that price would still be honoured, given that it has been a while since they opened.

 

[Bigbone]

How much does Cole charge in Athens per graft? If your hair bothers you every day then go for it but just remember you will need to have more work done in the future. I would switch to a topical finasteride minoxidil combo if I were in your shoes.

Have I missed something while I've been gone, is topical finasteride more effective or what?

 

[Londoner]

Have I missed something while I've been gone, is topical finasteride more effective or what?

I’m not aware of it being more effective, but I did see people suggesting topical as a way of avoiding sides, if you suffered them with the tablets.

Given my v reduced finasteride dosage on tablets, due to sides at higher quantities, I thought topical would be well worth trying.

As above, it worked seemingly just as well as tablets for me but didn’t stop the sides.

Everyone responds to things differently though, I suppose...

 

[Bigbone]

I’m not aware of it being more effective, but I did see people suggesting topical as a way of avoiding sides, if you suffered them with the tablets.

Given my v reduced finasteride dosage on tablets, due to sides at higher quantities, I thought topical would be well worth trying.

As above, it worked seemingly just as well as tablets for me but didn’t stop the sides.

Everyone responds to things differently though, I suppose...

Got it! Regarding your hair, it looks similar to mine and in my opinion, it's definitely acceptable as it is. Especially with concealers as you said. All I can say is that if I had the money right now I would probably do a transplant. But that's only because I want to have a "perfect" head of hair again,

 

[Londoner]

Thanks Bigbone - it's often quite hard to look at yourself and know. Really helpful and encouraging.

Would be grateful if anyone else has any thoughts, particularly with respect to having a pre-30 hair transplant, and whether I should give it a few more years (either because of possible loss progression, or advancing technologies(?)).

Do let me know!

 

[whatintheworld]

I would wait for a few more years. Remember, for one, there is no guarantee your transplant will be successful. If it is not, what will you do? Transplants should be considered as a last resort to fix baldness, not to achieve perfection. Of course we would all want to have our youthful Norwood 1's back but it is important to be realistic.

If you need further assurance, do some research on failed transplant cases, they are out there across many different forums. The clinics won't show you this of course, they will say it is due to patient negligence or error. Keep your eyes open though and realize you have excellent hair for your age, and there is no need to pull the trigger and potentially make things worse.

 

[el_duterino]

go for it you will be young only once and NOW is the times. Only do FUE so you have the option to shave it. I had a semi failed hair transplant for my first FUE, the density was poor but that is not a big issue you just have to add another surgery to improve it. You may need 2 steps but again, no big issue

 

[DoctorHouse]

go for it you will be young only once and NOW is the times. Only do FUE so you have the option to shave it. I had a semi failed hair transplant for my first FUE, the density was poor but that is not a big issue you just have to add another surgery to improve it. You may need 2 steps but again, no big issue

In all these years of you posting even on HLH, I did not remember you mentioning you had a hair transplant. I always thought you always maintained with topical and oral treatments only. How many grafts did you do and who was your surgeon?