Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: universal on October 23, 2009, 06:03:35 AM
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Hi there guys,
I just signed up to this forum. It looks great i like what you have going here. I will breifly tell you my story. At the age of 15 when swimming my dad noticed a receeding hair line. Dad is a macho type of guy and wanted to get it fixed so we consulted a 'specialist'. We ended up going the route of 2 hair transplants and propecia (age 16). I just tried to live my life but i suffered bad anxiety and never really felt too good. Fast forward 9 years later and i realised that i had no libido, problems downstairs, anxiety, poor cognition. I did some research and quit propecia. My anxiety is totally gone now, libido still non existant (might never come back!) My hair is ever so slowly receeding again.
I want to be bald. Oh how i just want to be free. I have a strip scar on the back of my head from ear to ear. Im not sure what i can do. Im thinking soon i might need to try to lazer the hair at the front off. Does anyone with hair transplants have experience with just shaving it? Will it grow during the day and look bad by night? I have also considered having some hair put into the scar so i can buzz it quite short.
Ive included some pics of me after shaving it all off a year or so ago. Also another picture of the scar and of me with short hair. Any advice / comments would be welcome. My mum doesn't like the idea of me being totally bald and i am not sure about it myself. I always liked the idea of a bit of hair, but because of the strip scar it looks bad. I dont look very happy in the bald photo as i was in a bad way at that time :XX
Thanks all
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F_SGNItNZBnU0%2FSuGaG0hQukI%2FAAAAAAAAACc%2FbOBGLUqxqn0%2Fs800%2FDSC00387.JPG&hash=add4f140630555b7d3058f9d3bceaf565fd01c69)
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Been there with transplants and had corrective surgery. Look up my postings.
FOr what its worth: a-I think u were too young. b-Consult a surgeon/dermatologist to get dermabrasion. Ive seen a few people have that strip scar worked on and make it quite more appealing. Long term, youre probbaly now better off bald.
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hey universal: 1st of all welcome 2 the sly fraternity. u look like a natural with the sly, smooooooth dome. it's a keeper. keep us posted on all the reactions of your new look. O0
WARHAWK O0
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Welcome to SBG. Thank you for posting up your story so that you may help others from dealing with the same thing your dealing with now.
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Cheers guys. Writing this on my way to work. Warhawk I'm not quite part of the club yet as I wasn't brave enough to keep the look going for more than a day. I'm trying to remember how bad the scar looked. My mum said it's a deal breaker. Nice to know at least from the front I can pull it off.
See ya
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Not sure if they have Pixel brand lasers in the UK (thats where you are ?). It is a fractionated laser that I have had 2 sessions with on my transplant donor scars which are all over the back of my head basically. JUst had the second session this week. So far the skin seems to be normalizing and tightening, making the scarred area smaller. The dermatoligist I found here in Chicago has never tried this before but feels my pain as he had transplants in 1969. He wears his hair quite long to cover the donor area. He comes from a time when being bald was not an option anyone would choose I guess. I would check into this type of laser as it used on all sorts of scars with good results and no real down time. Another option would be follicular unit extracrtion of SINGLE hairs to fill in the scar. But this extraction might cause some other scarring depending upon how the hair is extracted of course. But the laser will flatten and tighten the scar in any case. Also check the Tattoo section here about a UK company that does medical micro tattoos into hair transplant scars to make them look as it some stubble is there. I may do that after the laser if I am not happy with the results. It will be 2 or 3 more sesions for me with the laser to achieve the final result I am told. Both of us are here to warn guys off transplants for sure !
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I can't believe any doctor would be willing to make such a major scar on someone's head who was only 16 years old. I'm no doctor, but it would seem to me that someone who is balding at 16 wouldn't have a stable enough condition to know how the balding would progress. It'd seem inevitable that you'd get some sort of hair island on your head as you lose more and more hair.
I think you need to seek out a dermatologist who can minimize the appearance of the scar through surgical means. You may also be able to minimize the appearance of the scar by tweezing or killing off your hair with a laser. One of the things that makes the scar stand out is that the scar does not have any hair follicles growing within it so it does not have a hair shadow. The surrounding skin does.
On the plus side, the scar is on the back of your head so you'll never have to see it.
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Hey universal. Welcome to the fourm. First off you look great with your head shaved. I think it's pretty sad that a doctor would preform a transplant on a 16 year old. (Not your fault) I see in your picture that you have some stubble on your head showing the scar. Do you have or have you razor shaved it? I'm just wondering if your head was smooth would the scar be as noticeable? I can't speak from personal experience but I'm glad i read your post.
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Bald Mark got me wondering, it does look like you have a razor-shaved head in that one photo so were you able to shave over that scar without slicing up the skin? I have a new scar on my head that I often cut when I shave. I hate this scar.
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Hey guys. Thanks for replying i really appreciate it. You are all very perceptive, i didn't explain the pics very well. I did have stubble when the pic with the exposed scar was taken. That is partially why it looks so bad i think, because there is no hair growing there as Rusty said. I did go totally sly as you guys would call it, and to be honest i cannot remember what the scar looked like at this stage. Partially because i was in a bad way and partially because i cant see the back of my head lol.
I think the options you guys have given me are what i was thinking.
If i went totally sly i could possibly do dermabrasion on the scar. I wish the bugger wasn't that long though i look like i had a labotomy. Im from Australia by the way chgobuzzbald. Another option as you said could be FUE. I was thinking of taking arm pit or chest/stomach hair and having it placed into the scar. That way i might get away with buzzing it quite short. I have been dreaming about taking the hair out of the front via micro FUE and placing it in its rightful place at the back. This is probablly a ballsy/stupid idea though as if the top of my head scars i think im done for.
Do you think i will need some type of lazer surgery on the implanted hair Marty? Im gonna look like a doll in the next few months. If i shaved it in the morning am i stil going to have some type of shadow?
Anyway thanks for all your help. I really wish i had a site like this back when it all happened. I agree i was too young but now i have to man up and deal with this bullshit once and for all. I am now an advocate against non essential medications and of hair transplants. If this didn't happen im sure i could have rocked it like a bald man instead of becomming so insecure. Perhaps one day me and my scalp will get our day in the sun :)
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if u can take some closeups with a shaved or close to shaved head showing the front, it would be helpful.. start with a quality dermatologist and then a plastic surgeon to get a few answers. take your time and dont make a hasty decision. Im here to help. I went thru a version of it and there were days, when I was ready to totally freak out. Lets take it one step at a time. There is NO instant cure here.
Options may be: dermabrasion, folding over or rolling over the old scar on the back of head, etc. I just dont know what will work for ya.
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Cheers dude. By the way i tried to read your history but couldn't figure out the best way to search it! I will have to consider giving it a shave again as i want to know what im dealing with. Im just finishing exams and i work so shaving is not very simple but there are ways. Im certianlly not going anywhere as this problem wont fix itself lol.
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Universal, welcome to the site bro. I think it looks totally fine shaved down. OK so you have a scar....big deal. The biggest thing is you need to become comfortable with yourself. If anyone ask...just tell them what happened. Why continue living a lie? Be proud of who you are. Does it look bad? Well not really but in the pics it is noticeable. Just think of it this way....maybe those who are thinking about doing the hair transplant will see the scar and then see you shave your head. That should be a real easy answer to their questions of whether they should do it or not. To me, if I see a guy walking around with a scar from hair transplants and now has a SLICK SHAVED HEAD...that would tell me to just go ahead and shave it and save the money. Dont fret it bro...ENJOY IT! Just because you have a scar doesnt mean you are a freak or anything. I would hang with ya...but then again..look at me! lol
Keep us posted bro
Timmay
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Welcome. You've got a remarkably positive attitude in light of what you've been subjected to. But putting aside what could be said about that, it is what it is, and you've wisely chosen to address it head on--no pun intended.
You're receding hairline is symmetrical so a Statham close buzz is possible for the time being. There doesn't seem to be a hole in the back, some guys never get that so that helps that look too.
In addition to the ultimate selection of a competent and ethical plastic surgeon to address the appearance of the scar to the extent medically possible, you might also want to consult a responsible and ethical endocrinologist to see if there are any means to restore the other parts of your life have been disrupted by this event.
Whatever you do you seem to have a good mind and you will get this behind you. Meanwhile, please stick around. There are so many guys who come here thinking the drug treatments don't have side effects and they're willing to take a chance. You could make a positive influence on some other guy's life.
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Universal, my suggestion is the same that I give every guy that comes to SBG looking for help. Shave it down for 30 days. After 30 days, see how you feel and then make a decision. Right now you are playing out a lot of "what if" scenarios in your head and all it's doing in delaying your ability to get past this season in your life and move forward. After 30 days, you might determine that you want to get some dermabrasion, or you might think that the scar offers you uniqueness that you enjoy. You'll never know until you do it.
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Welcome Universal! SHame on the doctor that performed a srugery of this type on a 16 year old minor.... and then presccribed Propecia! This person should lose his medical license.
You look great shaved so i would also suggest the 30 day trial. Keep us posted on your thoughts and please continue to ask for help if you feel you need it.
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Wait, so that scar picture was taken soon after your surgery? One thing about scars is that they tend to look worse early on because they'll often maintain a pink color. I had a scar on my head that looked pink and rough for a while but when by the time I started shaving my head it took on the color of the surrounding skin. It's hard to notice now.
Unfortunately, your scar is significant but like I said it's on the back of your head so it's not like you will see it and others will not stare at it while speaking to you because it's on the back. The reality about scars is that they are the result of a story, and always cause others to wonder what that story is. With yours, the scar will pretty much tell others what that story is. No matter how well the scar is revised, it will always be somewhat visible so I think you need to accept that you won't be able to keep your hair transplant history a secret. I bet once you "reveal" it to others you'll find that they care surprisingly little about it.
I still recommend finding a way to reduce the scar because that's just the way I am. I like myself to be the way I have defined myself to be, but work to reduce the scar for YOURSELF and not for the purpose of HIDING YOURSELF from others.
BTW: You mentioned that the hair is continuing to recede, but how well did the hair look immediately after the surgery? I'm just kinda curious how it worked in the short term.
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Hey Brothers,
Its quite strange. When i first came here and saw all the bald heads it made me feel a little weird. But as i stayed longer and looked around at the avatars my perception has changed. Im seeing you guys for who you are (awesome people) ;)
Well if anyone was to ask me about propecia i could tell them a story. I was on that drug for 10 years. At first everything was ok and then slowly but surely my soul was taken away. I often felt like i was falling while standing still, the anxiety was so bad. When i spoke to a doctor he mentioned morning erections. It struck me then and there that i had not had a single one for as long as i remember on the drug. (i remember them as a kid). I quit the drug and for about a month i felt like a god as the DHT flowed back into my system. Then it crashed. This is another story though and i dont want to talk about that as much. Im combatting that side of things with exercise and good health, and im noticing improvements. Take propecia at your peril, screwing around with nature is not a good idea.
I do have a positive attitude and that has saved my bacon. Still i cant deny that this next year will be very tough. The scar photo was years and years after the operation mate, so i suppose thats as good as it gets. In all honesty the transplant looked good and my appearance was fine. I looked good but felt bad. Im not ashamed of what happened. Both men and women all across the world fall prey to the lies and pressure of the cosmetic industry. Buddhist monks shave their dead protien off because they are wise enough to know that vanity is not a good thing.
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Universal,
I feel your pain. I like some others on here have been through the HT nightmare. I have been shaving my head for 5 years. I showed my scars to the world for years.
I had 2 procedures done when I was in my 20's. Shaving my head in my late 30's set me free. But here is something maybe others who have not gotten the HT's may not understand. But growing the hair back in on the sides & back , and shaving the HT'S also set me just as free. This is about embracing going bald and just being alright with your hair loss. Having lived with a bald dome for 5 years , I can't imagine myself with a full head of hair now. I am totally happy with my head being bald it just who I am. That's the horrible part about Doctors preying on someone insecurities so young, for with wisdom they are like the lucky guys here on SBG, truly happy with themself's and confident being bald.
I am able to grow hair in on the sides and back, covering up that strip scar, I grow in a beard and feel a little like Jason Stathom.
I am considering permanent hair removal for the HT's. I hear there are some good results from electrolisis , even better then laser.
Ironically , I am trying to look the way nature intended the first place. Here are some pics of my dome with my hair just long enough on the sides & back to cover up the scars. But short enough to look clean & buzzed.
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Parents who let someone prescribe a powerful drug that interferes with hormones to a developing adolescent have lost any claim that they have enough of a clue to tell you what to do with your body. That doesn't necessarily mean I think you should do whatever you want, either--this board is great, but I hope you can find someone in real life who can do a better job of guiding you through your teenage years, ideally someone your parents might also respect. Don't get me wrong--it sounds like you are mature and responsible, but even when they haven't been scrambled with propecia, those hormones and growing pains can throw off anyone.
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Welcome Universal. I feel your pain. Personally, I would use the scar to broadcast to the World the down side to HTs. I had a smaller version of the procedure. Had hair transplanted to my eyebrows. I have about a three inch scar. Fortunately, it is down low on the head. I applaud you for your broadcast of the money grubbing doctors who don't seem to care about the long term effects they have on their patients.
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Hi Universal and welcome,
First I am not going to tell you what you should do but I will say what I would do in your shoes. I would shave it off, it looks good shaved off. As suggested before, grow some facial hair. I would spend some time in the sun, not get a sun burn but see if tanning your head a bit will help. I find a little suntan helps fade things like tattoos and scars. Scars usually fade over time anyway though it may take some time. There is always the dermal options the others suggested but I would see how shaving, a little suntan works out after a few years. The longer you wait to have any procedures the better they become because doctors have more experience and better technology (such as laser you mentioned, which was not available years ago). You talked about transplanting hair to the scar, I don't think I would do that but that is me. On my forhead, I have a 2 inch scar from a water ski hitting me in the head at 16 years old causing a 3 way split. It was very noticable when I was young but you have a hard time noticing it even on my picture (avatar). During the winter it is a little more noticable, in summer with a litte tan I would have to point it out for you to notice it.
For your dad to pay (I assume at 16 years old) for any procedures or drugs proves to me he was only trying to help you and his own insecurities and ignorance to the consequences caused him to make poor judgements which in the end affected you. I like the bald look so I am biased but I think you should consider it and keep the look for over a month and if I were you I would tan my head a little and see how it looks.
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What to do about a hair transplant? Simple.... don't get one! O0
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What to do about a hair transplant? Simple.... don't get one! O0
thats kind of an insensitive reply, he obviously already got one so why rub it in?
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That was a touching story, good for you for the courage to share it. I believe the whole idea behind SLY is loving yourself and being happy with who you are...AND not caring what others think. I know, those are tough to do. I think that you are on your way. Good luck!
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Hello there Everyone!
Its good to hear from you all again. Firstly, i apologize for dissapearing for almost a year. At the time of writing my post, i was almost certain that i would continue to go bald. Since then, i don't think i have lost any hair whatsoever. In order to explain how this is possible, i will need to explain Propecia. When someone quits propecia, the DHT floods back into their system. This happened to me in the first month after i quit. I felt a tingling in my scalp, and the DHT caused extremely rapid loss. Then it stopped. The current line of thinking is that propecia somehow turns off 5 Alpha reductase expression, possibly via epigenetic gene changes (I don't understand the science myself). Suffice to say that it means that the drug may permanently change the way the body handles some hormones. This is not good at all. I haven't been here, because my home is the propeciahelp forum. As shitty as my hair problems are, i have to say that propecia's side effects are my true nightmare. Im suffering from Sexual dysfunction and it hurts a great deal. Since the photos, ive lost a lot of weight and i look better. I have plenty of girls interested in me, but i literally cant do it so i remain single.
Anyway, enough about all this negative stuff. My experiences are a perfect example of the folly of vanity and trying to correct hair loss. Not only did i screw with my appearance by having hair transplants, i took a drug which stripped me of what made me a man. I dream of my body turning back on again, and my hair disintegrating. I would then be among your ranks and maybe even at peace. Still, as it is i have no need or desire to go sly as i am happy with my appearance.
Good luck to all
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Good luck bro in wherever life brings you next.
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Hello there Everyone!
Its good to hear from you all again. Firstly, i apologize for dissapearing for almost a year. At the time of writing my post, i was almost certain that i would continue to go bald. Since then, i don't think i have lost any hair whatsoever. In order to explain how this is possible, i will need to explain Propecia. When someone quits propecia, the DHT floods back into their system. This happened to me in the first month after i quit. I felt a tingling in my scalp, and the DHT caused extremely rapid loss. Then it stopped. The current line of thinking is that propecia somehow turns off 5 Alpha reductase expression, possibly via epigenetic gene changes (I don't understand the science myself). Suffice to say that it means that the drug may permanently change the way the body handles some hormones. This is not good at all. I haven't been here, because my home is the propeciahelp forum. As sh*tty as my hair problems are, i have to say that propecia's side effects are my true nightmare. Im suffering from Sexual dysfunction and it hurts a great deal. Since the photos, ive lost a lot of weight and i look better. I have plenty of girls interested in me, but i literally cant do it so i remain single.
Anyway, enough about all this negative stuff. My experiences are a perfect example of the folly of vanity and trying to correct hair loss. Not only did i screw with my appearance by having hair transplants, i took a drug which stripped me of what made me a man. I dream of my body turning back on again, and my hair disintegrating. I would then be among your ranks and maybe even at peace. Still, as it is i have no need or desire to go sly as i am happy with my appearance.
Good luck to all
ugh propecia should be fucking illegal.
Sorry to hear about your misfortunes, good luck with wherever you take your life.
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Find a doctor with a good reputation to help you overcome any side effects.
I hear that raw foods can help you a lot.
Enjoy the blessings you have and NEVER give up seeking a solution to the side effects.
There is always a way out! It might take a long time but have hope man. You can do it.
Go to many doctors.
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Hmmmm hair transplants sound really drastic. Are you sure you couldn't just use rogaine?
--Matt
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I am hoping that someone who reads this can give me some advice. I had a hair transplant. I regret it. I now want to laser off all of these minigrafts (2-5 hair grafts).
Can any of you tell me if laser removal of hair plugs is advisable? Has anyone here done it?
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read my old posts...I had it done. But we need to see pics (discreetly) to answer your question. I had laser; surgery and dermabrasion on the implants in front/ Since mine were done 30 yrs ago, I left the punchhole marks in the back alone. Good luck!