Baldness has ruined my life. What is a good option for me.

Question

I am not wealthy but could afford $3000 or $4000. I have remained at a low paying job for 20 years because it allows me to wear a cap. My current hair loss would be a 6 on the Norwood scale. The sides are also thinning. I don't know what my options are. I'd try anything. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any surgeons in my area. I'm lost.

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

If you like to wear your hair short, a combination of hair transplant and scalp micro-pigmentation may be a good option for providing the appearance of coverage. With the Dr.UGraft system, a “less is more” approach can be taken by safely extracting grafts from either the head or body and transplanting them diffusely. Tricopigemtnation can then be applied to the scalp in order to mimic the appear of individual hair follicles. To see an example of this more conservative approach, visit the link below.
Many hair transplant clinics also offer discounted procedures in exchange for being granting permission to use your before and after pictures.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

If you are considering a cosmetic surgery it would be in your interest to see a doctor for an examination to make sure you would be a candidate.

David Deutsch, MD · Answer

Without photos it is difficult to evaluate your situation and give you a realistic opinion .However,based on your description it seems as if you would only have enough donor supply to restore a hairline and give a thinnining appearance to the front of the scalp.Although this doesn't seem like much it often makes a dramatic change in ones appearance (in a good way). The only other option would be a hair system (hairpiece).

Michael Vories, MD · Answer

Is it possible for you to download photos of the area you are concerned with?  That would allow for a quote for the number of grafts needed to repopulate the area.

Parsa Mohebi, MD, FISHRS · Answer

A hair transplant would be a good option but to give you a better more thought out option I suggest you send some photos showing just your hair from front, back and sides and your beard hair if your can.  If your density is good in your donor area, even with a NW 6 you have enough to at least recreate a hairline and cover a little of the top with reasonable coverage.  If you have good density in the donor zone that means you have at least 6000 grafts to choose from.  On top of that, you always have the beard.... which on average could yield another 1500 to 2000.  I think your basic goal here is to frame your face and give you back a hairline, so that from the front (what people see first) you are not bald anymore.

Jennifer Krejci, MD · Answer

If you are truly a Norwood pattern 6 then by definition you have limited donor hair.  At best, you may be able to have a frontal hairline placed after extraction by either by FUT or FUE. If you could afford one session of transplant to do this, then you would still need a hair system (a.k.a. toupee) to cover the back if you want the look of a "full head of hair." There are various options for this, some require a membership, other can be obtained in a qualified salon for maintenance of your hair piece. Some of my patients have been quite happy even with hair restoration of the frontal hairline.  This frames the face and gives you hair to groom but does require acceptance of a certain degree of baldness. In my opinion if your hair loss has altered your choice of jobs, you may qualify to see a psychiatrist and/or a dermatologist who could write you a prescription for a hair prosthetic. This is used more often when people have trauma to the scalp from burns or radiation but in severe cases of emotional distress, I think a case could be made for it's use. I don't know anyone in your area specifically but I recommend checking with the Dermatology Faculty at the University of West Virginia. I hope this helps.

Regina Rodman, MD · Answer

Hair loss is frustrating for many people, men and women both! I recommend the Neograft hair transplant system.  This harvests hair one-by-one follicular unit and then transplants them to the area needed one by one.  The result is a very natural looking new hairline without a big linear scar in back. This is the best procedure available and is what I would recommend.  Of course an in person consultation is needed to see if you are a candidate, as there is a necessary amount of donor hair needed (in the back) to make this work. It is expensive, but worth it.  I recommend saving your money and doing it right.  There are cheaper alternatives, but they do not offer the same results.  We have many patients come from out of town for hair procedures.  Because there is no big scar, patients can travel home within a day or so of the procedure and feel well with minimal pain right away. Best of luckDr Rodman

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

It is better to see your photos  in order to understand the problem you have, treatment methods and/or estimate how much graft do we need to cover area and cost of operation.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Hair transplants are an excellent option but you are correct, costs are high. Some people in the US go overseas to get their hair transplant where costs are less

Baldness has ruined my life. What is a good option for me.

Answers (9)

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