Hair transplant diary (ongoing)

Thank you everyone for the information. I will definitely do my research on this area before I make any financial decisions. I'm finding the whole experience very stressful and it's magnifying my hair loss, making me very paranoid and unhappy in myself. I seem to be reading more and more horror stories compared to success ones, which isn't helping me. I would prefer to stay in Ireland though to get the procedure done, for obvious reasons.

I will firstly make an appointment with Dr. Andre Nel to get his opinion and then take it from there.

Has anyone had any experience with Regaine?

I'm going to make an appointment with Dr. Nel and just go from there. No point spending weeks and months researching and stressing out more about it.

Is there any surgeons out there in Ireland worth going to?

In Ireland, the cost of a hair transplant varies between €4 and €10 per follicular unit grafted, depending on the clinic you choose. I’ve personally visited both Dr. Nel and Blackrock clinics, and I can attest that both are very good and will give you a natural looking hair transplant. While I won’t disclose specific prices online out of fairness to both clinics, I can share that the average hair transplant involves around 1500 grafts for individuals with mild thinning and around 4000 grafts for those with significant hair loss. The extent of coverage achieved depends on each person’s unique hair characteristics so don't just go by what me or anyone says online. For financing options, consider a loan over a 5-7 year term—it’s a practical way to manage the cost.

I know absolutely nothing about them but I'm sure like all places they might be worth visiting if they are on your radar. What i'm seeing online looks okay so they would be worth a visit.

Did you have to pay for the consultation?

I think in Ireland at this point most of the more reputable clinics will get you a good result. Some are better than others at achieving a natural looking hairline but for many people, cost will be a factor. I weighed up cost and quality when picking a clinic so I think it’s always good to dig deep online, and if you can’t visit more than one clinic for a consultation, go with the one who you think offers the best balance of what you want. Make sure there is a doctor doing the surgery and don’t be driven too much by cost. Hair transplants are no longer overly expensive considering that getting a small loan is relatively easy these days. Some places offer loans over 7 years at around 8% APR. Lenders don’t care what a loan is for so just look around for the best rates and repayment times.

Most good surgeons will have the option of body hair.Beard hair is the most commonly used by far as it mimics the characteristics of scalp hair the nearest. Chest hair is also used but isn't as effective as the growth cycle is much different .Body hair should not be used in the hairline but more in the midscalp and crown.

I was advised to use some beard during my 2nd HT but I didn't want to (managed to get enough from scalp anyway)

The pros

It give you more donor area to harvest.Shockloss rarely occurs in the beard donor and the area recovers quicker than scalp donor.it gives people an option when they don't have sufficient donor (be that through multiple previous surgeries, a botched HT or other factors)

The Cons

Beard hair is much more coarse and thick,you can usually feel the difference by touching but wouldn't notice to look at obviously. It's extremely rare to have multi hair beard follicles so beard hair will all be single hair grafts.

All things considered it wasn't for me but luckily I had sufficient scalp donor.

With SMP it is used in two ways.Firstly on a completely bald head to give the illusion of stubble,secondly on thin hair or diffuse thinning.

The former doesn't look great in my opinion, you can always tell its fake.The latter is better and can be very subtle and effective.

I never looked into it too much as its not something I was interested in so can't recommend any practitioners.

Yeah recommend SMP all the way, just make sure they do it dark enough as it goes a slightly lighter colour once absorbed.

Lasts around 7 years, as long as not exposed to too much sunshine. It works best when you have hair you can cover over the area as this also protects against the sun.

It basically shades the area that is covered so if you go grey it would look like your roots are dark and should blend well, or of course you can dye your hair.

Just reading through the thread has anyone else any experience on the topical spray of fin+minox from hims.co.uk?
I’ve just started my second bottle so I’m about 3 months in and I’m noticing some regrowth in my crown and hairline.
A free people have also commented on it.
Im also taking biotin and magnesium every morning, but aside from that nothing else.

Ok, firstly thank you all for this wonderful information all in one thread. I have spent 2 days reading it. I am a 43 year old with hair loss(Ive always had a high forehead but have noticed it getting worse) I am considering a HT abroad as I cannot afford it here.

I have contacted many many clinics in Turkey and have got myself into a head spin now.

Sule- firnd had it done here, but I have ruled it out now

Smile- Seems available whenever but now having read the tread they don't have a good rep.

Dr Cinik- can get a date in June.

FueCapilar- Waiting on a price.

HOI- was 2k more than the others

Vera Clinic- can't find much about them

Dr. Serkan Aygin-

Does anyone have any experience with these ? Also I am not sure I am prepared to take medication so if that's the case am I better off not having a transplant at all?

most likely the minox causing the shed ?

Meds for life.

There's different things to consider here.

You'd certainly be looking at finesteride for the long term and minoxidil would be recommended too.You can get both of these in oral or topical form.

There are pros and cons to both.

Topical minoxidil is available over the counter in the form of Rogaine.Its a pain to use and makes a mess of your hair.

Oral minoxidil is more effective and less hassle,its generally accepted its more effective. You will need a prescription and there's a bigger chance of side effects Recommend dosage is 2.5mg to 5mg

Topical finesteride (I haven't actually used this) but its a spray,not sure if it makes a mess etc Less chance of sides but less effective. Can be obtained legally with online prescription

Oral finesteride is handy to take,bigger chance of side effects (big range of sides and I've had a lot of them but not the more serious ones) Recommended dosage varies but usually .5mg to 1mg daily.

There are sprays out there that combine the two also in a Topical form.

From my own experience the more effective form of the meds are the ones most likely to give sides.Maybe you won't get any,maybe like me you'll get some but be happy with the trade off.

They are herbal alternatives.

Biotin doesn't do much if anything in relation to hairloss,its keeps your hair in good condition and your fingernails will grow faster!

You can get the proper meds in spray form, you can even get both meds in one spray.