Scar Grafting with Dr Cole

[35YrsAfter]

I've heard so many controversial patients's stories about dr.cole. I saw some pictures and reviews from his patients, and didn't like attitude and responses. he seems to entitled nd charges too much. not for me

You mentioned leg hair grafts in another thread. Living in the LA area did a Southern California doctor perform your surgery? If so what is his name?

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office - forhair.com - Cole Hair Transplant, 1045 Powers Place, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 - Phone 678-566-1011 - email 35YrsAfter at chuck@forhair.com
The contents of my posts are my opinions and not medical advice
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. Ask for Chuck

[northeastguy]

While reading Paul's very informative and educational post I realized its been sometime since I posted a good photo update. I did my own cut about 5 days ago. I'll post 6 month post beard grafting photos right after I have a professional cut my hair..... in the mean time. here's 5+ months. basically a 1,2, and 3 guard.

[chicago99]

Looks absolutely fantastic NE! Thanks for the photo update. Do you think you could pull off a 1 guard all over? Looks like you could.

[northeastguy]

Well, without doing a little laser to even out the color It would be tough. I still don't think I have gotten close to full benefits from this last procedure yet...Beard grafting can take up to a full year to start growing. I will say this, I am very close to a 2 guard. very. I am positive if I did a one guard in 6 months or so, did a few passes with Pulse dye laser, and added Tricopigmentation ( temporary SMP) I will, without question get away with a 1 guard.

Regarding Trico, I have been in communication with Dr Shapiro's facility who is now doing Trico. they have been for over a year now. I simply feel, if I want to achieve my goal, this will have a big impact. I'll know more over the next few months. I have an open dialogue with Nicole who has been very helpful. Whoever I choose will have extensive experience in this. For me that is invaluable.
I will not risk doing permanent SMP. Way to risky. And from the feedback regarding Trico, I don't see why anyone would go any other route. Simply put, if someone has a problem with permanent SMP, it would be catastrophic.

[gillenator]

NE,

Your result from beard grafts continue to improve and definitely see more regrowth in both scars.

And I agree, there will be more regrowth coming since you are still barely halfway there in terms of time passing post-op.

Amazing results my good friend and very happy for you!

[sweetpotato]

I also want scar grafting with Cole

OK. I have lurked enough. I have the same problem NE Guy and I am trying to do something about it. I have 2 strip scars on the back of my head as well. I am in my 40's. I don't care that I am loosing hair anymore. I just want to be a normal guy. I want to be able to cut my hair short and look normal - without the harsh fake front hairline and the freakin Frankenstein scars on the back of my head. Here is what I do not understand:

You can find on the internet right now pictures of guys that have done scar grafting with amazing results. One picture from Cole indicates the dude had only 80 grafts. Another DR. has a picture of a guy that had 101 grafts in his strip scar. Looking at the pictures, there is complete coverage of the strip scar. Looks great and they have short, short haircuts! However, you have had around 900 grafts in your 2 scars and it is not enough. I don't understand.

Here is the kicker: seems like when the Dr.'s are in control of the messaging, the outcomes are great and the graft count is low - marketing! But when the patient is in control of the messaging, the outcome is not so great and the graft count is much, much higher. You are not the only example of this on the internet.

This is BaldTruth. I would like some truth.

[sweetpotato]

scar grafting

northeastguy,

Since I got no response in a thread that otherwise seems pretty active, let me go at it a different way.

There are examples on the internet of guys getting their strip scars seemingly covered to the point that they can get very short hair cuts. Some of these cases involved a much lower graft count into the scar. There is a case that involved 80 grafts. There is another case that involved 101 grafts - and this guy had really short hair... like 1 or 2 guard. There are others, but lets just focus on those.

My thinking is that these guys got grafts made up of 3-4 hairs per graft into the scar. Doing the math, that would give them about the same number of hairs that you are getting NE Guy (400ish per scar). Seems like you are getting 1 hair grafts due to your objective. Is that right?

[chicago99]

Hey NE, hope you have been well. Any photo updates? Any closer to doing the 1 guard?

[gillenator]

Hopefully, we will get some more updated pics from NEGuy soon...

[35YrsAfter]

Hopefully, we will get some more updated pics from NEGuy soon...

I haven't seen you post for a while. Hope everything is good.

chuck

[gillenator]

I was wondering the same Chuck...it seems like the volume of activity has slowed down since the format here recently changed. I liked the former format much better.

No longer receive email notices when new posts are made on these threads which is a nice feature especially when tracking certain thread topics.

[northeastguy]

Sorry!

Hey Guys. Sorry for the absence. Been a busy summer and I just wanted to take a break from this for a while..... just let things grow. I am at 7 months post beard grafting. I've been playing around with different hair cuts but tempt a 1 guard when the time is right. Tomorrow I am booking my first PDL... pulse dye laser appointment. I have to say, the lower scar's color is much improved. Not sure I'll need that many passes with the laser. I will do 2 to start as I am looking to improve the scars texture anyway. Once that is completed it is on to Trico with Dr Shapiro's group. I would like to do that early December.

I am getting a cut this Saturday. I will have my hairdresser take a few photos to post.

@ sweetpotato. I understand your confusion. Had I been happy with longer hair, I could have stopped after 1 session. I believe I went from a 6 guard to a 4 guard with full coverage. Once you get down to a 2 and 1 guard, you see much more of the scalp and any flaws that exist. I would venture to guess if these individuals who had 80-100 grafts buzzed to a 1 guard, you'd see it. Obviously they were happy with the results they got with one pass and didn't see themselves ever going shorter with a cut. That being the case, why do more.
It's also about the area needing to be covered. Basic math..... Top scar was 19.5cm x .5cm and bottom was 15.5 x .5cm. that is 17.5 sq. cm. total. Based on my hair density, I would multiply that number by hairs needed per sq. cm to create a consistent blend of density at a short scalp visible cut. I did get a consult from Dr. Umar when I began this and he suggested 1500-1600 grafts would be needed and I think that's pretty much where I am. Hope this helps you and I wish you luck in your journey. If I can help out with any other questions please ask.

again guys, so sorry for the absence.... Pics by Saturday.

[35YrsAfter]

Once you get down to a 2 and 1 guard, you see much more of the scalp and any flaws that exist. I would venture to guess if these individuals who had 80-100 grafts buzzed to a 1 guard, you'd see it.

You would see it. You cut hair 1/8" long and every scalp imperfection shows. The degree to which you see the scalp depends upon hair density, lighting and angle. We had a patient in recently with an excellent strip scar. His hair was approximately a #2 guard (1/4") length. You couldn't see the scar when he held his head at certain angles. When his head angle allows looking directly down the hair shafts, the scar became visible.

Actual hair length/clipper guard varies a little among clipper brands.

See guard = inches article.

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office - forhair.com - Cole Hair Transplant, 1045 Powers Place, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 - Phone 678-566-1011 - email 35YrsAfter at chuck@forhair.com
The contents of my posts are my opinions and not medical advice
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. Ask for Chuck

[northeastguy]

7 month post op beard grafting.

Ok, fresh from a haircut. Asked her to do a tighter fade. So photos are showing a 1 guard over the lower scar and a 2 guard over the upper scar. Hair on top is maybe a 3 but that was done to blend into my top hair which is a little longer. In certain lighting I can see a density difference, but that is because I am looking for it. the light area below the lower scar is a result of the "horses tail" Because the scalp was pulled up 3 times, the hair is no longer angled downward. It basically comes straight out. Giving the elusion of decreased density. In reality, that area has the same number of hairs per sq cm than the surrounding area. Just doesn't look that way do to angulation of the hair. This is where the Trico will make all the difference. Using it will fix up that issue no problem. In my case, a little will go a long way. Long and short, photos at month 7 post beard grafting with a 1 and 2 guard....

[chicago99]

Hey NE, looks fantastic! I can't believe the difference from when you started. I could never tell you had any strip surgeries. Quick questions:

1. You mentioned you are getting PDL done to get rid of some of the redness. I don't see any redness. Where do you see it? Is it more noticeable in person?

2. Is the redness continuing to go down, or have you noticed that the redness has stayed the same for a while? If so, at what point did the redness stop fading?

3. Do you see a big difference between your pre-beard session and post? It seems your results pre-beard sessions were equally fantastic.

4. How did you get info about trick from Shapiro Clinic? Their website gives no info. It seems you have made the decision to go with them. What did they tell you that convinced you to go with them?

Sorry for all the questions. I greatly appreciate your input. Thanks