Gorpy,

You got it bro. That is precisely what he is referring to. Possibly going with a natural density figure of 95 Fu/cm2, but yes that is what he is referring to.

As you pointed out however, I'm not sure of the definition of "hairline" in terms of the depth of this density and whether it is congruent in frontal zone and temple area??? I think that with this type of technique they tend to heavy load the front and taper slightly at temple to blend, just as they will taper as you head back. This is an Armani approach to hairlines, but I am careful when I say that because it doesn't imply any negative connotations. It will be an awesome result for Hairfree.

Laters

Hey guys..thank you for educating me on this. It all makes sense now. You are putting me at ease that the number of graphs in the area covered should be enough to have positive results. I didnt know that the natural density falls in the range of 95fu/cm2 and also that everyone's natural density differs. I know I never had extremely dense hair when I teenager and my donar area is currently characterized at medium density. I am looking forward to the final results and most of you have already pointed out that I can get a 2nd HT if I am not satisfied. I know I will need one eventually down the road for the mid scalp and crown area. I am working on retaining it now with 1/4 proscar tablet every other day and starting up Rogaine again in a couple weeks.

I know the sentiment on this forum about Armani. Nervousnelly..I know where you are coming from. He does produce great results and not everyone agrees with where he stands on ethics but I think that he is a great HT surgeon and I love his results. I know you meant it in a postive manner. Armani was one of the reasons why I went with Rahal. He didn't personally reccomend him but they both have similair techniques.

As I become more educated I plan to reach out and help others on this forum as others before me has helped me. Thank you Gorpy and Nervousnelly for your time!

quote:

Glad I could be of help. When a doctor talks about percentages, I think they are referring to percentages in relation to your natural density. So, since people have varying natural densities, it becomes much more difficult to translate into grafts per cm2 without knowing the base density he is using to calculate the percentages.

Hairfree,

Gorpy is right on! I couldn't have said it myself. I wouldn't think that 100 FU/cm2 is the average...that's a bit on the high side...I would guess you may be more like 70 FU/cm2 from looking at your donor area...but that's just a guestimate! We could know with certainty if Dr. Rahal provides the measurements of the strip length and width. We could use simple math to determine what your donor density is! That being said...you will have excellent results! Even if your hairline was approximately 50 FU/sq cm, this would give you an outstanding result. It will all blend nicely by the time it all grows out. Rest well thinking of such things

Falc

It is all very interesting. I didn't know that we could possiblily etimate the density by looking at the area covered and using math to determine the likely result.

We should promote Gorpy on this site to the title of HEAD DENSITY ESTIMATOR!

Everyone can go to him to make sure they got the results promised from their doctors. Pull that calculator out GORPY

Thats me just being silly. I hope that I didn't give you more work

I feel honored to be the HEAD DENSITY ESTIMATOR . I enjoy doing it. It was no trouble at all. With B Spot as our LEAD STRIP ESTIMATOR we have all the bases covered.

LOL...Gorpy...I think you should put this under your name in your profile!

Falc

Happy Resurrection Day!

Just updated photos - Day 4

I pulled out the clippers! Buzzed it down to 1/4 all around. Left it a lil longer at the stiches. Stiches still show but thats ok with me

Haifree,

Good look for you dude! Not that one can tell from these pictures, but the goatee adds to it too...it will also help keep anyone's focus off the front of your head by the time you go back to work! By tomorrow morning you should be able to resume washing as normal and then gently massaging the grafts with your fingertips with the shampoo...very gently at first....but be consistent with circular motions...this will help slowly loosen and remove the crusts. It will take several days of this, but by day 10-14, the majority if not all the scabs should be gone.

Falc

Hey Falc..Thank you for the tips and compliment on the picture I showed you via email with my full face. I am hoping that the goatee will create a bit of distraction from the front of the head when I return back to work. I will get to work on working the scabs off. I am still apprehensive to touch the grafts. Last night I kept waking up because I was afraid to sleep on the grafts. Has anyone experienced this? How many days out did you feel comfortable sleeping in any normal position without worrying about the grafts? I know there is a time frame for them to heal and for the bottom half of th graft to remain intact in scalp.

Hairfree-

Cool haircut, my man! Really.............your recent pics say it all, density is good and quality of work is good, I believe you'll be ecstatic with the results.

I did the same thing with a goatee for awhile, I do think it takes some of the emphasis away from the hair.

Hey Thanks Hairbank..The change in look should help. I have a funny story. I just got back from the mall to shop for a hat to wear at work. I am a PE Teacher and today is a day off for the district so I ran into two of my students at the mall. One is 11 yrs old and the other is 9. I am standing in line at the hat store for some time because the store computer system froze for the people in front of me and the two brothers came walking in with their father. I extended my hands and said Hey and shook their hands. They looked at me as a complete stranger the whole time. They had no idea who I was! This all lasted about 5 seconds and immediately after I shook their hands and said "How are you?". I walked out the store. I didn't want to be in line with them for a period of time and eventually theyll know who I am and figure out something is different at top of my head. I think it was a good call to walk out and return 30 mins later after eating lunch at the food court to buy the hat

I have always had medium to longer hair, clean face and the new buzz cut, goatee, and new hairline especially from their perspective looking at it from below as a kid and seeing me outside of school gave me an entirely new identity. My feelings were not hurt because I know its something positive

Cool story, HF.

I found that when I clipped down as you have, people just noticed the short haircut, not the remaining graft that were hanging on from the HT. My famous comeback for any stray comments was "how do you like my new summer haircut"......just totaly breezed through any questions and people quickly put it behind them. Neat thing is, if you keep it short while it's coming in (as Master Falc did), it comes in together and I'd venture to guess NO ONE will have a clue you now have more hair in front!

Hairfree,

Excellent cut. Must say I am a bit envious of you being able to do this at 4 days! Like you, I wore my hair a bit longer but due to redness at the front and donor area shock loss at the back, I am unable to buzz and still in the hat zone. At 70 days plus!!

Looks like you will get great density with an excellent hairline.

Here's to growing!

Bayer

hairfree,

I posted on your other thread sharing your story...very funny!

I have always had my head covered when I went out after the HT so most people didn't say anything. Although I did take off my hat to a few people so they could see my buzz cut! Some people thought it was really cool! Maybe I should have just shaved my head and never got an HT....NAH!!!!! I look better with hair

Falc

I am now on Day 8 -

After taking everyone advice on this forum I started to massage my scalp on Day 6 to work the scabs off. I took long showers and applied a lot of VIT E oil on it to keep it moist. I would also dip my head and hold it under water in the sink for 5 mins 2-3 times a day. This morning I noticed a large amount of scabs were starting to come off and were just hanging on by the grafts. The scabs were very oily from the VIT E and this evening I soaked my head in the sink for 10 mins. After that I got in the shower for another 10 mins and massaged my head and all the scabs just came off easily. I did not pick at the scabs or use my finger tips. I just used the end of my fingers and massaged gently. I think the Vit E made a big difference. It is now neat to see all the grafts embeded into my actual scalp. Before I couldn't see them as well because I had a scab helmet! Tomorrow I will start applying Aloe to the scalp to work on the pink.

HEY....your day 8 looks great!!! Much better without the scabs eh? Now all you need is some Aloe to help with the pinkness! It will take some time...even up to a couple months...but it will go back to normal!

Talk soon bro.

Falc

Hairfree,

LOL on the scab helmet. Thought mine was made of Kevlar!

Could you or Falc provide me with details on the aloe? Is this lotion or green gel? How often do you apply it and for how long do you leave it before washing?

Your pics look excellent.

Bayer

Bayer -

Good question! It just emailed Falceros the same question. I saw the Aloe lotion at Walgreens and almost bought it. Im glad I didn't. Falc said its the green stuff. Im going out today after work to get the Aloe and start on it. I think you can leave it on as long as you want and apply it twice a day. Im only guessing. I will find out. Will let you know..

Haifree and Bayer,

Yep, I use the green stuff...I find it cooling and refreshing...helps with any itching too. Definitely soothes the skin and facilitates healing.

Technically you can use it as much as you want...it's not going to harm anything. I like to let my scalp breathe a little bit though, plus with life passing by, I tend to only put it on in the morning and the evening.

Just a little heads up though...it will most likely make your scalp a litltle greenish, so rub it in good...and if you are going to a place where you can't wear a hat, you might want to apply it in the evening only.

It will also dry a little flakey...that's normal...

And you don't have to do anything special to wash it off. What doesn't absorb will be washed off when you shower.

Falc

Looking good at day 8

Haircut ooks natural. Hows the scar looking? I'm at day 24 and all is well. Scabs and pinkness are gone on top and I've been using the awesome Aloe shampoo which is really helping my scar heal fast.. Big difference than my last 2 as I am being more agressive in cleaning the donor area ( with the aloe shampoo)

Happy growing