My hair transplant journey

[Rroff]

I've already apologised for being insensitive, it's clearly a bigger issue for some men than I had anticipated. I personally find it really hard to understand that particular issue about hair loss. Though it has been made clear that for some men this is hugely troubling, something that I went through (I've been bald/balding since my early 20s - in my 40s now) and never really even thought about it in the aspects that others have highlighted here.

One thing that has quite an impact is how you look bald as well - my body tends to maintain lean and I currently wear glasses and shaved head I tend to look like I'm late stages of a terminal disease - completely different story if I ditch the glasses and keep up the effort to maintain bulk (and a bit of stubble around the chin doesn't hurt the look).

(It is actually a night and day difference to the point people don't even recognise me)

 

[Hades]

Guys this is going off the rails a bit! In the end, for the purposes of this thread, it doesn't matter how anyone goes bald... it's not a competition for the worst story behind it. All that matters is that someone is not happy with their hair loss, for whatever reason important and personal to them, and wants to address it.

Yes agreed. Personally I'm a big advocate of clipping or shaving it off. But if the OP feels the need to have a hair transplant then all power to him.

 

[tom_e]

I think I'd actually look quite strange now if I went back to having a full head of hair having clippered/shaved my head for the last few years due to the monk look I inherited from my grandad.

 

[Freefaller]

Guys this is going off the rails a bit! In the end, for the purposes of this thread, it doesn't matter how anyone goes bald... it's not a competition for the worst story behind it. All that matters is that someone is not happy with their hair loss, for whatever reason important and personal to them, and wants to address it. There's no need for friction or arguments because if you do not give a toots about your hair loss then there is no need to be posting in this thread unless you have anything constructive or helpful to add.

Agreed - and I feel partially responsible. Hopefully the mods will clean this up.

long time, no see, slaphead

hope you ok

Really good thanks - have some time off so thought I'd come and cause trouble...

One thing that has quite an impact is how you look bald as well - my body tends to maintain lean and I currently wear glasses and shaved head I tend to look like I'm late stages of a terminal disease - completely different story if I ditch the glasses and keep up the effort to maintain bulk (and a bit of stubble around the chin doesn't hurt the look).

(It is actually a night and day difference to the point people don't even recognise me)

Yes Rich made that point and I guess you're right, and it also depends on your self confidence as well which can take a hit because of hair loss - a bit of catch 22 I guess.

 

[m@rty]

One thing that has quite an impact is how you look bald as well - my body tends to maintain lean and I currently wear glasses and shaved head I tend to look like I'm late stages of a terminal disease - completely different story if I ditch the glasses and keep up the effort to maintain bulk (and a bit of stubble around the chin doesn't hurt the look).

(It is actually a night and day difference to the point people don't even recognise me)

Some people just have egg shaped heads and would look quite strange if bald

 

[adam cool dude]

I am lucky and have a very thick head of hair. It can be annoying as I have to have it cut a lot but I could totally understand why someone would do it. If I was going bald it would be something I would have done.

I find it hard to believe if someone had the choice of being bald or not they would choose bald. If you have the money then why not.

 

[dowie]

Yes agreed. Personally I'm a big advocate of clipping or shaving it off. But if the OP feels the need to have a hair transplant then all power to him.

Me too, mostly because I think the options to prevent it aren't worthwhile (for me). I mean if I had the choice then I'd prefer to still have hair, I'm OK with a shaved head look (it's something I'd tried on occasion before I started losing hair anyway) but it inevitably isn't for everyone, not all women like shaved heads for example - though some like the look and others don't mind either way but it is a factor that is going to be a negative for some. I guess, as others have mentioned, it is something that can motivate you to be in shape/work out a bit... obviously aside form the usual reasons for working out it just helps with the general look tbh..

I do wonder if wigs will become more popular though - seems like a bit of faff and expense but avoids surgery or taking medication daily. Personally I don't think subjecting myself to a hair transplant is worth it, didn't fancy taking medication either - the Finasteride can affect your libedo IIRC and the regain stuff just seemed like a total faff ot apply every day.

 

[Richdog]

Me too, mostly because I think the options to prevent it aren't worthwhile (for me). I mean if I had the choice then I'd prefer to still have hair, I'm OK with a shaved head look (it's something I'd tried on occasion before I started losing hair anyway) but it inevitably isn't for everyone, not all women like shaved heads for example - though some like the look and others don't mind either way but it is a factor that is going to be a negative for some. I guess, as others have mentioned, it is something that can motivate you to be in shape/work out a bit... obviously aside form the usual reasons for working out it just helps with the general look tbh..

I do wonder if wigs will become more popular though - seems like a bit of faff and expense but avoids surgery or taking medication daily. Personally I don't think subjecting myself to a hair transplant is worth it, didn't fancy taking medication either - the Finasteride can affect your libedo IIRC and the regain stuff just seemed like a total faff ot apply every day.

Hair transplant are generally a very successful procedure and a wig is no replacement for it. Natural hair is always preferable.

 

[dacads]

Is finasteride actually necessary though? From what I’ve read it’s just a preventative measure but what would be the actual chances of transplanted hair falling off?

if it’s necessary to take I’d definitely be put off but I don’t think it is

 

[dowie]

Hair transplant are generally a very successful procedure and a wig is no replacement for it. Natural hair is always preferable.

I dunno - a hair transplant isn't going to be as thick as regular hair, also if you have one done but carry on losing the rest of your hair then you'll perhaps need repeat procedures (or take the drug to prevent that as discussed before).

Some of these modern wigs look very realistic, I'm not talking about some dodgy toupee with the danger if it getting ruffled and looking like a small animal sat on your head here - clearly some people use them so natural hair via a hair transplant isn't always preferable, it's down to the individual, these things offer solution without undergoing surgery or taking medication.

If you've not seen them then take a look at this - you'd generall not get that sort of thickness etc.. from a hair transplant even if going for a more expensive option involving more hairs than usual per square cm:

 

[Participant]

^ Wow that's pretty dramatic! He does look much 'hotter' in the conventional societal norms and platonic sense!

Lol at the above interchange. OcUK never fails to produce its fair share of drama queens.

Though I must say Freefaller commenting on people's hair insecurity is rich, since insecurity is at the heart of why he lifts weights .

 

[Maccy]

Okay so a cancer patient comes to you and all their hair is falling out and they feel terrible.

Your answer is I don't understand why you are so upset. It's just hair.

Not sure if serious.

Hair is a huge industry as a leader of large businesses you should know this. People spend thousands per year on haircuts, shampoos, conditioners, oils, scrubs, treatments, etc. It's a big part of people's lives. I know people who go to the barber on a weekly basis and he's the top guy in Glasgow and spend the best part of £50 a pop. He does footballers often too. If you want lines depending on the complexity it ranges up to £200 that will last 2 weeks at best.

Whether you have cancer related loss or not some people have a huge affinity with hair and losing it affects them deeply. Alopecia is another example as is male pattern baldness.

Hair is seen as a natural sign of beauty. As is a lot of other things. So yeah bald men can look good as can bald women. But majority of people would prefer a partner with thick hair that looks good.

I don't see what is so hard to understand.

What the actual....just don't.

 

[Richdog]

I dunno - a hair transplant isn't going to be as thick as regular hair, also if you have one done but carry on losing the rest of your hair then you'll perhaps need repeat procedures (or take the drug to prevent that as discussed before).

Some of these modern wigs look very realistic, I'm not talking about some dodgy toupee with the danger if it getting ruffled and looking like a small animal sat on your head here - clearly some people use them so natural hair via a hair transplant isn't always preferable, it's down to the individual, these things offer solution without undergoing surgery or taking medication.

If you've not seen them then take a look at this - you'd generall not get that sort of thickness etc.. from a hair transplant even if going for a more expensive option involving more hairs than usual per square cm:

Hair transplants can be more than sufficiently thick, do your research as there are tons of before and after photos on many websites and it's better to be informed. https://www.google.com/search?q=hai...XSmFwKHe_0BWMQ_AUoAXoECA4QAw&biw=1048&bih=999

Are all transplants perfect for all people? I doubt it, but that's the nature of surgical procedures. For most people it seems to work fine if they have the cash for it.

A wig, no matter how advanced, is still a wig. It is no replacement for natural hair that grows out of your head. The main driver behind wigs is that they are generally much cheaper than transplants.

 

[Freefaller]

^ Wow that's pretty dramatic! He does look much 'hotter' in the conventional societal norms and platonic sense!

Lol at the above interchange. OcUK never fails to produce its fair share of drama queens.

Though I must say Freefaller commenting on people's hair insecurity is rich, since insecurity is at the heart of why he lifts weights .

Is it? Oh cool - I learned something new. It wasn't about fitness or rugby then? thanks Participant for your insights - much appreciated, I feel much more aware and complete now.

You complete me.

 

[dowie]

Is finasteride actually necessary though? From what I’ve read it’s just a preventative measure but what would be the actual chances of transplanted hair falling off?

if it’s necessary to take I’d definitely be put off but I don’t think it is

I'm not sure about the hair transplant itself but if you look online then various places do seem to recommend it - if you're losing hair and you get a transplant that doesn't in itself stop any ongoing loss of your natural hair in other areas... so you might either want to prevent that or get additional transplants.

For example from a quick google search:

https://www.treatmentroomslondon.com/do-you-have-to-take-finasteride-if-you-have-a-hair-transplant/

Taking finasteride is a good way to prevent future hair loss and regrow any thinning hairs. It helps to preserve your existing hair and your hair transplant so that you don’t require any more transplants in the future.

https://www.iahrs.org/q-a/propecia-hair-transplant

Hair restoration specialists use Propecia and Minoxidil preparations in conjunction with hair transplantation not to maintain the transplanted hair but to prevent as much as possible loss of native hair from the balding scalp. Since donor supply is ultimately limited and less than ideal to treat extensive balding it is just common sense to hang on to as much native hair as possible.

Ideally would perhaps be better to take it before you even get to the point of going for a hair transplant if you're going down that road tbh...

Hair transplants can be more than sufficiently thick, do your research as there are tons of before and after photos on many websites and it's better to be informed than speak form ignorance. https://www.google.com/search?q=hai...XSmFwKHe_0BWMQ_AUoAXoECA4QAw&biw=1048&bih=999

A wig, no matter how advanced, is still a wig. It is no replacement for natural hair.

Eh? A wig literally is a replacement for natural hair - that is it's purpose. I'm not speaking from ignorance either, current hair transplants won't be as thick as natural hair, no one claimed they're not sufficient to cover baldness. A hair transplant involves a surgical procedure and might then involve further procedures or indeed can involve taking daily medication too. I'm not really sure what you're trying to argue here (a wig is a wig? well yes...) - a wig is clearly an option for some people and it's clearly quite a viable one these days as there are advanced options via barbers etc.. it's not just something dodgy looking you buy and stick on which looks obviously fake, that's the point. If it's not for you then that's cool, it doesn't mean it's not a potential option for others though. Ultimately the choice is down to personal preference there isn't some inherently right choice here.

Can an expert tell who is wearing a wig:

Edit - Note also hair transplants aren't always effective perhaps when lots of hair loss has occurred or perhaps as noted in the above for Afro-Carribean people with thicker hair, if they want to wear their hair short etc..

 

[m@rty]

Dowie clearly has a wig!

 

[Richdog]

Eh? A wig literally is a replacement for natural hair - that is it's purpose. I'm not speaking from ignorance either, current hair transplants won't be as thick as natural hair, no one claimed they're not sufficient to cover baldness. A hair transplant involves a surgical procedure and might then involve further procedures or indeed can involve taking daily medication too. I'm not really sure what you're trying to argue here (a wig is a wig? well yes...) - a wig is clearly an option for some people and it's clearly quite a viable one these days as there are advanced options via barbers etc.. it's not just something dodgy looking you buy and stick on which looks obviously fake, that's the point. If it's not for you then that's cool, it doesn't mean it's not a potential option for others though. Ultimately the choice is down to personal preference there isn't some inherently right choice here.

Can an expert tell who is wearing a wig:

Edit - Note also hair transplants aren't always effective perhaps when lots of hair loss has occurred or perhaps as noted in the above for Afro-Carribean people with thicker hair, if they want to wear their hair short etc..

Dowie, if you can't get the rather obvious context of what I meant, and took "a wig no replacement for hair" as a literal sentence, then I am not sure what to say. Lets just agree to disagree as I really don't get where you are coming from and there is nothing to be gained by continuing with this particular wig vs transplant discussion. They are two very different things.

 

[dowie]

Dowie, if you can't get the rather obvious context of what I meant, and took "a wig no replacement for hair" as a literal sentence, then I am not sure what to say. Lets just agree to disagree as I really don't get where you are coming from and there is nothing to be gained by continuing with this particular wig vs transplant discussion. They are two very different things.

Where I'm coming from? I've simply highlighted that they're another viable option these days and that is simply down to people's personal preference. Clearly some people do find them useful and others perhaps aren't aware of what they're like/what is available these days ergo it's worth perhaps sharing in the thread.

I'm not entirely sure what you're even arguing or disagreeing with tbh... I'm well aware that a surgical procedure and a wig are different things - I'm not disagreeing with you on that - yes they are different. No one is saying you must personally like the idea of wigs here, they're simply another option re: hair loss vs shaving it all off, or taking medication or going for a transplant - that's all.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

I dunno - a hair transplant isn't going to be as thick as regular hair, also if you have one done but carry on losing the rest of your hair then you'll perhaps need repeat procedures (or take the drug to prevent that as discussed before).

Some of these modern wigs look very realistic, I'm not talking about some dodgy toupee with the danger if it getting ruffled and looking like a small animal sat on your head here - clearly some people use them so natural hair via a hair transplant isn't always preferable, it's down to the individual, these things offer solution without undergoing surgery or taking medication.

If you've not seen them then take a look at this - you'd generall not get that sort of thickness etc.. from a hair transplant even if going for a more expensive option involving more hairs than usual per square cm:

You know they cost like £200+ a pop and only last 2-3 weeks right?

Google Antonio Conte and tell me his doesn't look thick and he was bald before

 

[dowie]

You know they cost like £200+ a pop and only last 2-3 weeks right?

AFAIK they're supposed to last like 6 months.

All these options have a cost associated with them: regain you have to buy and use regularly, finasteride is only available on a private prescription. The other poster highlgihted that wigs aren't a replacement for real hair... if he meant in the sense that there are compromises then that applies to other solutions too - hair transplants won't be as thick (that isn't to say they can't provide sufficient coverage of baldness), regain might not be completely effective ditto to finasteride (might also have side effects - note the OP mentions he tried this but then stopped because of side effects).

Some people fly to Turkey and get the operation done at a lower cost (as per OP), there are different procedures (FUE vs FUT) and you might well require multiple procedures depending on how much coverage and thickness you want... in the UK if you want it done comprehensively at some of the top places then it can run into tens of thousands of pounds (as per Rooney).

In some cases it might not work out - some methods that work for some people won't work for others - OP mentions trying other (medical) solutions, those might be things others swear by, likewise some people probably love their hair transplant.