Well, just back from my visit to a dermatologist.

G

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Bare in mind he wasn’t a specialist on just hair. He was the towns local dermatologist. He is a Dr and specialises in other things, but his practice wasn’t strictly hair.

First of all, I walked in the doctors office expecting to be alone. Instead a nurse was present sat in a chair opposite for the remainder of the time I was there. The doctor basically told me what I knew already. I walked in with my hat on, took it off, immediately feeling uncomfortable because the nurse sat opposite, saying nothing, just looking on at our discussion.

He asked me to tell him when I started to see noticeable hair loss. I told him that and gave him a run down. Telling him about how much this has effected my life. How I can’t get away with shaving my head etc. He then told me about finasteride and minoxidil. I then said, I want to look into a hair transplant. He then told me that about what he knew - where they take single hair out the back of your head and plant it in the front. He the said I will lose more hair, and explained that if I did get a hair transplant at the front it might look odd when my hair loss continues through my life. I then said, but what about if it’s used in conjunction with Finasteride and minoxidil, he then looked at me with his full head of hair and said, but you can’t use minoxidil and finasteride for the rest of your life - the next 40 years. I said, it was no hassle - with him telling me what I know about, saying once you stop using the treatments, you’ll lose hair.

He didn’t seem to accept my theory of helping to fight against future loss by using finasteride and min in conjunction with a hair transplant. He just went on to explain to me, by drawing little diagrams on the piece of paper on his desk, that, if your hair continues to recede and thin, then the hair at the front will look odd.

I just looked like a little kid with crap hair, trying to get my point across. I just couldn’t in the presence of the nurse who was looking on al the way through. I felt so awkward.

He basically said you have to get over it, looking at me with his full head of hair. Not very understanding. But I didn’t expect him to be. He then said he will or can direct me to someone else who can look into HT’s. I told him about Dr Rogers and he said he has never heard of him, but said he could write to him if I liked.

All in all it was quite negative. About HT’s, he dismissed using meds in conjunction with a hair transplant saying “you can’t use them for the next 40 yearsâ€
 

mvpsoft

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I talked with a dermatologist once and found it a complete waste of time. She didn't even know about the research of copper peptides on skin, knew almost nothing about hair loss. I was more informed than she was about skin health, I think, and certainly more informed about hair loss and how to fight it.
 

Cassin

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mvpsoft said:
I talked with a dermatologist once and found it a complete waste of time. She didn't even know about the research of copper peptides on skin, knew almost nothing about hair loss. I was more informed than she was about skin health, I think, and certainly more informed about hair loss and how to fight it.

Derms are a waste. I haven't read a single post where a user had a good experience that makes me think different.

I can understand a serm not knowing about name brands of CP's but not knowing anything about Copper-Peptides for skin is very odd! Even my GP knew about CP's.
 

bombscience

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Let's see what you have here:

Propecia x 1 per day since 24/4/03
Nizoral - every 3 days since 20/5.03
spironolactone - since oct 1st o4

There are so many things you should do before you consider a hair transplant.

Minoxidil?
Minoxidil 15%?

Maybe 6 months of experimental treatment?

Fluridil, RU?
 

GourmetStyleWellness

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Gunner said:
The doctor basically told me what I knew already.
There's a surprise

Gunner said:
He the said I will lose more hair, and explained that if I did get a hair transplant at the front it might look odd when my hair loss continues through my life.
True... He knows more than most dermatologists if he's aware of FUE (extracting from back of head and transplanting to the front).

Gunner said:
He didn’t seem to accept my theory of helping to fight against future loss by using finasteride and min in conjunction with a hair transplant.
He's basing his opinion on the fact that finasteride and minoxidil only really work for a good 10 years in most people.

Gunner said:
About HT’s, he dismissed using meds in conjunction with a hair transplant saying “you can’t use them for the next 40 yearsâ€
 

Buffboy

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I do agree with you too gourmetstylewellness.com, but the problem is Gunner and others CAN'T wait for ten years to get a full head of hair with hair transplant. It's now, being in the twenties that hair counts. That's why I went for a hair transplant (FUE). I figured if that could give me some good years while being in my 20's then its excellent. If/when my hair has thinned so much - which will take som time due to me being on finasteride, minoxidil and nizoral - that it's not nice looking anymore, then I will just shave my head completely. This is looking good on me and there will be no scaring from the transplants.

The only thing at stake for me is: money. And screw them. I will not be happy even if I had millions of dollars as long as my hair looked like it did before.
 

Thomas

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Most hair transplant doctors recommend that you take propecia after you get a hair transplant.
 

GourmetStyleWellness

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Most hair transplant doctors recommend that younger guys in the 19 to 26 year old range use Propecia and minoxidil *before* getting a transplant, and the reason is always the same. You're going to continue to lose hair and possibly be in a world of trouble in 10 years when the permenant hair is patchy and still there and the old hair is thinnin out.

Its your choice if you want to insist on the surgery though. Completely up to you. Its very difficult to talk someone out of it if they've decided their life is over unless they have a mega thick head of hair.

I don't think it is ever wise to only see a couple years into the future, and neglect thinking far enough a head to plan. The doctors are trying to be responsible by advising younger guys against transplants. They're turning down cold hard cash because of the fact that this issue is going to be a big problem for the young guy later on down the line. They're trying to think ahead for you... but ... as I said ... ultimately it's your decision. You will have to deal with what happens in 10 years, if anything.

I personally have to take the conservative approach like the doctors do, and advise that people exhaust the treatments before considering surgery.

Ultimately all of us will be getting the cosmetic surgery - once they perfect the follicle cloning technique. That will be the norm in the future. Propecia and Rogaine will be history, and we're all anxiously awaiting it. But for now, its still a knife and blood procedure and it should be considered carefully.

gourmetstylewellness.com
 

Petchsky

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GourmetStyleWellness said:
Ultimately all of us will be getting the cosmetic surgery - once they perfect the follicle cloning technique. That will be the norm in the future. Propecia and Rogaine will be history, and we're all anxiously awaiting it. But for now, its still a knife and blood procedure and it should be considered carefully.

gourmetstylewellness.com

Good point. If you have only just started using current hairloss drugs over the last few years you have bought your hair 15-20 years for the majority in my opinion. And the future will not be bleak. 8)
 

Buffboy

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To me there is only one solution if I lose so much hair that it's noticeable: shave it all off. I don't see the difference in this, whether I have had sugergy or not. The option is still there. Even if I hadn't have a surgery done, I would never go around Kojak-style.

So what's the issue here? If you don't shave it all off it's going to look like crap - surgery or not.
 

elguapo

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gunner,

1) have you thought of therapy? I started seeing a councelor a month ago. Best thing I've done in a long time. It really helps.

2) I know this sounds bogus, but I said it before- you younger guys out there might have it made. You are losing hair now, but I, personally, do believe that hair cloning will be available within 5 years. So I think you guys will be the most confident mother f'ers with a new head of hair once that happens, after suffering with hair loss for so many years before.

3) First off, the doctor should not have a nurse there. What an idiot! He should know that you are there because you have a problem, and who wants to talk about the problem with a nurse present? I have been in the same situation, and I simply told the Doctor that I wanted to discuss my problem in private, and he kindly asked the nurse to step out. I recommend you do the same next time.

4) Dude, other than your hair, is there something else bothering you about yourself? Don't lie, especially not to yourself. Concentrate on fixing that aspect, and your hair will take seat in the back and shut the hell up (figuratively speaking, of course).
 

Whammy

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Hey Gunner I think I agree with the transplant Dr. You might be willing to use treatments for the next 40 years, but realistically do you expect them to work that long? Hell, who cares about the next 30 years, I say the next 10-15 is what most should really concentrate on, but even then I don't see a transplant giving results you'd be satisfied with.

I think I've said many times you should start working out, and that'll help build confidence, but for whatever reason you ignore that advice and put more effort into being pessismistic about everything. You have a slender build, putting on some mass would do wonders I imagine.

I was out partying a few weekends back with my friends, and one of their gf's friends was a real slamming chick. A little off the wall, but a real hot babe. Anyways, saw her bf at the bar, he was short, and bald. But built. So working out definately helps.

I was checked your pics for the first time, and I think you're totally overreacting. When I look at picture 2868, your hairline is actually pretty decent, it's more the thinning that's a problem. But hey, you're buzzing it real short, which helps to hide the problem, so who cares? You know how many guys do the exact same thing? You think all these guys have buzzed hair just for the looks?

I think when you get older, and your hair probably isn't as good as it is now, you're gonna think you were foolish for letting it take control of your life. Bald men get chicks too, and it becomes less of an issue as you get older.
 
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