Hi. I have been wearing a hair piece for 13 years. I have had varying degrees of success w/ hair systems in general. I originally started out with the tape/glue method and that was a nightmare. I then went to the surgical suture route which did really well for me in terms of low maintenance. Up until recently I traveled extensively for work, I am an entertainer and needed the least amount of fuss required for maintaining the system/piece. I have recently somewhat settle down a bit travel wise and to give my scalp a break, removed the sutures/surgical thread and have gone back to a higher maintanence glue system. I am not happy at all with this and want to pursue the HT option but I am really nervous about going the HT route. The system sucks...thankfully I can comb it forward into a caesar style and cover the very easy to see start of the base.
I really appreciate this site because I think it is invaluable to hear from those of you who have had success with HT. As we all know, HT was not such a great option several years ago because of the really low quality results. It seems now that it has advanced to a much higher quality result and I am impressed with what I have seen in the picutres you have all shared.

Here is my dilemma...I started losing my hair in wads during high school from excessive stress during my fathers terminal illness AND from the brutal color processing I was doing to my hair. I was a teen of the 80's...hair every color of the natural rainbow and then some. Fast forward to college and the loss was in the fast lane. I started auditioning for shows in NYC and would get cut/passed over all the time. Singing and dancing circles around the competition but not the right "look/type". I got my hair system on a Friday morning and by Sunday afternoon, I had been offered 3 contracts. The difference of hair or not meant having a career or not, unfortunately. All of my friends have known me with hair or rather w/ a piece. This process of removing the piece and going through this process is as much psychological for me as it is physcial and financial. I am having maintenance done tomorrow and I am gonna take pictures of my "bald" self and upload them to this site.

I have been doing lots of research. I have a ton of questions more from those of you who have done it per say rather than asking a doctor...which of course I will do as well. I would say on the scale used for balding patterns I am a 5. My balding has stopped and I think my donor area is of a good quality to generate enough to get a solid regrowth. Has anyone ever had the experince of spending all this money and having it totally not taking. I know there is no guarantee and I think that's another reason why I have waited so long to do this. I need this community forum very much.

I would appreciate any insights any of you care to share.

Hi

I was a N4 and used cosmetic coverups. I had my HT last Feb and the results are great (1417 grafts).I plan on another at the end of the year. The science today is pretty solid and with a quality Dr I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work for you. the only negative is it will probably take you a couple sessions to get the look you desire.

Hope this helps

Time to grow:

One thing to keep in mind is that a hair transplant, even an outstanding one, is not a substitute for having a full head of natural hair. The goal is to create an "illusion of coverage," framing the face with hair. Under everyday circumstances, hardly anyone would suspect that your hair was not completely natural. However, your hair is still likely to look somewhat thin. No one has enough donor hair to cover their crown. You're still going to have a bald spot.

But the harshness of stage lighting, I think, is another matter. My guess is that you would still need to wear a wig when you were performing unless of course the character you were playing was a man with thinning hair.

These are just my thoughts. Spend a lot of time on the boards and talk to as many patients as you can. Best of luck to you.

Marc

Timetogrow,

I wore a "hair system" for over seven years. It was no fun but it was just better than being a class 5 a at the age of 30.

There is no question for me that having my own real hair back is vastly superior to wearing a hair system. If you are a class 5 with good donor you should be able to restore the look of fullness across the top of your head.

As a system wearer you may also want to check out the photo ablum showing a hybrid system/transplant done by Dr. Konior in Chicago. This is an option for a person who is extensively bald and wants a very full look with a natural hairline.

As a 5a to another 5 I suggest going all natural from front to back unless you intend to find work as an Elvis impersonator.

I let my new hair grow in under the hair sytem. Then after 4,000 plus grafts fully matured I took my last hair system out back and burned it like a feminist burning her bra.

I hope you will some day be just as "liberated".

Best wishes and welcome to our community, Pat

quote:

burned it like a feminist burning her bra.

I for one am ok with no bra's. That plus a great HT makes me a happy man