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Newly sly - but dealing with 20 yr old hair transplants by phigg on 15 Jul, 2010 13:33
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I'd wondering what kind of caveats I might face going sly, seeing as how I'd had hair transplants 20 years ago. I was mostly worried about scarring in the front of my scalp, from where the plugs went in.
Here's my experience, going sly, for anyone in the same boat as I and wondering the same:
The scarring in the front is not a real problem, however, wherever I had plugs put in, those spots tend to remain dark, as the hair follicle seems just below the skin and cant' be reached via the razor. In time, as my skin adjusts, maybe I'll get closer, I'm just not sure. I've used an electric razor for as long as I can remember, so I forget how that whole thing works. It's not really awful though. Just not as seamless as I would've preferred. Scar-wise, however, not a problem.
The real scars are the ones in the back - I have 3 of them, about 6 inches long, pretty deep, and one runs up towards above my right ear.
I look like I was in a knife fight, people will think I'm sort of gangsta badass! lol Not really the look I was going for, but hey, they're in the back at least. Not so bad. At least I have a story I can tell.. or make up, depending on who I wanna impress ..
So, I shall see how things develop as:
A) My skin/scalp adjusts to being shaved
B) Exposure to sun and elements "weather" my scalp, and it tans some
Hopefully, things will "even" out more. Time will also help, and probably has somewhat already.
I know I also have options such as microdermabrasion and laser treatment as well, something I wanted to do for my face anyway.. it's just a matter of $$.
All in all though, it's not that bad.
From the front, anyway, things look decent. Certainly not bad enough to prevent anyone whose had transplants in the past from going sly. If you really want to do it, just do it. You won't look anymore like Frankenstein than you probably already do, really. (Sorry, but that's how I felt about myself)
I'll gladly answer any questions anyone has, just let 'em rip.
If you want some shots of the back, I can do that too.
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#1 by D.A.L.U.I. on 15 Jul, 2010 13:48
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First, it looks really good, and I have to add, takes some years off too.
Second, great attitude on the plug stuff. I have a scar about the size of a quarter where a skin cancer was removed a few years before I scraped the grape, it's much whiter than the surrounding area--but my point is that no one, not one person, even my wife who isn't a sly fan--has said one word about it. People are like that--I doubt anyone will ever say anything, but if they do, I'd really like to hear the tale you tell. -
#2 by phigg on 15 Jul, 2010 16:45
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I'm all for taking years off!!!
I'll be 50 in two years as it is.. not looking forward to it, but, on the other hand, I don't feel like I'm 48, and I doubt I look it either.
I just went out in public for the first time with the new look. I was in the car, but still.. kinda cool.
Now to get some sunlight on the noggin.. -
#3 by mangosink12572 on 16 Jul, 2010 12:42
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You look great - - -Enjoy being SLY BALD
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#4 by Professor Melon on 19 Jul, 2010 23:01
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Ahoy, Phigg: Great, adult, realistic attitude. Best news, you look fine. No conspicuous scarring, and you're free of the pretense. Regards, Professor Melon
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#5 by pdxtodd on 19 Jul, 2010 23:27
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Looks awesome! Great attitude and I'm sure your comments will help others who have had transplants. Keep the look!
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#6 by johnnyo on 20 Jul, 2010 17:25
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Phigg, it looks really good. You should have done it a long time ago instead of transplants. Oh well, that's water under the bridge -- onward we go.
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#7 by xnewyawka on 21 Jul, 2010 10:01
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It looks fine phigg, definitely the way to go. Great decision!
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#8 by TheSlyBear on 21 Jul, 2010 12:29
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Good show!
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#9 by phigg on 27 Jul, 2010 14:36
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Thanks guys. To be perfectly honest, you can't see the scars from the photos I provided, as they're in the back and along my right side. (they couldn't even keep it somewhat symmetrical?)
From the front, it looks pretty decent - not great, but decent. I still have these stupid "dark spots" all along the top front, in a row of sorts, where the plugs are, but the follicles can be "killed" with laser, and that will fix that for the most part. In a way, it looks like some kind of tribal tattoo! The scarring there isn't significant, but it is in the back.
I was genuinely surprised at how wide and ragged the scars are!
They really stand out, as there are still fine hairs which darken the rest of the normal skin area, so there's a bit of contrast working against me. They also make shaving a real pain in the arse, as the skin is uneven there. I can't use my headblade there, I'll cut myself up and/or get razor burn and big red bumps which make the scars look even worse. I'm using Mederma on them several times a day, but supposedly it takes months for an improvement. Argh.
Yeah, I really, really, REALLY wish I hadn't done the transplants; I got a cool shaped dome, and I love the new look, but the scars'n' stuff are really bothering me. Of course, 20 years ago, the sly look was not nearly as accepted as it today, things were different then, plus, I was in a band, and big hair was all the rage.
If it weren't for those, I'd PROUDLY show off my noggin.
As it is though, I'm a bit uneasy, and there's nothing I can really do about it. I don't wanna walk around looking like the Frankenstein monster. Even if microdermabrasion and laser can fix a lot of it (not all), I don't have the $$ to even begin to address it.
Hmm.. then again.. what if I got a tattoo on the back? Can you tattoo scar tissue? Maybe I could hide the scars within some kind of pattern!
Or I could wear Elvis shirts with huge collars flipped up in the back.. or even dress like a Ferengi from Star Trek, lol.
Some family members say they think it's fine though, that I look "badass", and that I should tell people I was in a bar fight years ago, and people should see what happened to "that other" guy, lol..
I don't wanna lie though, but I also don't feel like admitting to the stupid surgical procedure I chose to have done, so I think I'll just tell people (if they ask) that it was a "stupid mistake on my part, 20 years ago, and I don't like to talk about it".
That's fair enough, and leaves some mystery about me too!
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#10 by D.A.L.U.I. on 27 Jul, 2010 14:49
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I think I'll just tell people (if they ask) that it was a "stupid mistake on my part, 20 years ago, and I don't like to talk about it".
That's fair enough, and leaves some mystery about me too!
This sounds like a reasonable and workable course of action. At some point you may have some extra coins to get some plastic dermatological work done to minimize the damage. I would hope that at some time, if asked by a guy w/ mpb, you could tell the guy not to engage in the plug route and prevent the huckster hair transplant "doctors" from harming another person. But until then listen to your family members, no one will talk. My son-in-law has a very good friend who was in the wedding. Sly, looks great--but why is he sly. Brain cancer, several operations but he's alive and will be a new dad in early August. He's a great person, no one says squat about his scarring. His personality and demeanor are fantastic, and that's all anybody notices. Great dome too. Something to think about. -
#11 by Razor X on 27 Jul, 2010 19:43
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I've seen people with transplant scars. While they are noticeable, a scarred dome still looks better than bad hair. There are some dermabrasion procedures that can help minimize the scarring. Some of the guys here have had it done and can probably offer you some advice.
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#12 by The Noggin on 28 Jul, 2010 14:08
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I don't wanna lie though, but I also don't feel like admitting to the stupid surgical procedure I chose to have done, so I think I'll just tell people (if they ask) that it was a "stupid mistake on my part, 20 years ago, and I don't like to talk about it".
We all make mistakes, and I think telling the plain truth - depending on the person and situation - might be even better. No mystery, no more curiosity.
That's fair enough, and leaves some mystery about me too! -
#13 by phigg on 30 Jul, 2010 14:31
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I would definitely warn someone away from transplants if the situation arose.
I'm looking at future options, seems I have some to minimize the damage. Actually, even today, it seemed to look better. The closer a shave I can get, (w/o nicking, so far, so good) the less contrast there is between scar tissue and regular skin with hair follicles or stubble. Also, I think plain ol' exposure to the elements should help things even out a bit too.
It's only been 2 weeks, though I already have some good color thanks to being on vacation and getting some sun. -
#14 by Nate on 04 Aug, 2010 20:21
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I am in your boat but with one scar yet I am sitting on the fence thinking will I look like a freak shaved to a buzz 2 or 1 or shaved. I talked to a HT Doctor who seemed to think I would in fact look obvious and freak (gee thanks Doctor) but I guess hes either being honest (He wasnt pushing me to have a hair transplant he was just offering his opinion when I talked about shaving my head)
That and I dont think my headshape or body size (I aint a big guy) would look that good however I can tan up so one positive
You look awesome by the way definitely suits you
It annoys me hair loss as I have a motorcycle and want to ride it but tend to shy away as the helmet. I am truely f**ked up in the head... Its a big industry the hair one
Why cant I just be the asian Kelly Slater!