Dr Lam's Hair Restoration Forum

[NorthShore87]

Hi,

I'm a 33 year old male of middle-eastern descent. I have black hair that is quite thick and that has a frizz/wave movement.

About a year and a half ago, I consulted with a local hair transplant surgeon who told me I was not a candidate because there was no room for him to place any follicular units. He did however see some "gaps" in the hair on top as well as some miniaturization happening in the temple region.

Since then, the following has taken place:

- general loss of density all over (including sides and back) but much more on the top of the scalp

- continued shedding and miniaturization taking place, albeit quite gradually so no major bald spots

- hairline has receded about 1/4 to 1/2 of a CM in the front region and probably 1/2 to 1 CM (or more) in the temple region

My questions:

1. Is it possible to have a HT to "fill in" gaps and restore density on the top so that it is more like that of the sides and back?

2. Since I still have a lot of hair (I'm probably a Norwood 1.5-2), what would be the consequence of getting a transplant at this stage? What will it look like as time goes on and the non-transplanted hair continues to fall out?

3. What is the impact on the results (aesthetic) of a transplant if donor hair has a different movement/texture than the rest of the hair on the top of the scalp (i.e. it is more wavy)

Thanks.

[dr. lam]

1. Is it possible to have a HT to "fill in" gaps and restore density on the top so that it is more like that of the sides and back?
YES. IT MAY NOT BE 100% AS DENSE BUT WELL ANGLED AND WELL DISTRIBUTED GRAFTS CAN RESTORE A LOT OF DENSITY DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH HAIR LOSS YOU HAVE AND HOW MUCH DONOR DENSITY YOU HAVE TO GIVE.

2. Since I still have a lot of hair (I'm probably a Norwood 1.5-2), what would be the consequence of getting a transplant at this stage? What will it look like as time goes on and the non-transplanted hair continues to fall out?
THAT IS ALWAYS THE QUESTION. I TRY TO BLEND IN AREAS FOR SOMEONE YOUNGER LIKE YOURSELF SO THAT IT WILL HOPEFULLY AGE BETTER FOR YOU. BUT WHENEVER I TALK WITH SOMEONE IN YOUR AGE GROUP I ALWAYS SAY YOU MIGHT NEED BETWEEN 1 TO 5 MORE PROCEDURES OVER YOUR LIFETIME TO MAINTAIN THE RESULT. IF YOU ARE TRULY A 1.5 TO 2 THEN YOU MAY HAVE NO PROBLEM SINCE AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW A 1 OR A 2 ARE NOT CONSIDERED HAIR LOSS CONDITIONS. ONLY A 3 TO 7 ARE. SO IF YOU ARE TRULY A 1.5 OR 2, YOU PROBABLY DO NOT NEED A TRANSPLANT. I WOULD HAVE TO SEE YOU TO DETERMINE.
3. What is the impact on the results (aesthetic) of a transplant if donor hair has a different movement/texture than the rest of the hair on the top of the scalp (i.e. it is more wavy)
IT WILL GROW IN LIKE THE DONOR HAIR. IN GENERAL THE REASON THAT HAIR FROM THE TOP OF THE HEAD DIFFERS IS THAT WITH MINIATURIZATION THE HAIR BECOMES THINNER, SHORTER, AND STRAIGHTER. IF THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AND YOU WERE BORN THAT WAY ON THE TOP OF THE HEAD, THEN YOUR HAIR WILL GROW MORE LIKE THE DONOR HAIR. IF BLENDED IN WELL WITH YOUR OTHER HAIRS I DO NOT THINK THERE WILL BE MUCH CONSEQUENCE.
BEST,
SML
Thanks.