Crown Area

[GCFella]

I'm a 37 yo man in Oklahoma and I've had 5 hair transplant sessions done over several years (totaling a little over 3,000 grafts). Most of the grafts are on the top of head and hairline and some on the crown area. Results are good and acceptable....I still don't have hair like I did when I was 18 (and was told I wouldn't) so I use Toppik to fill in and make my hair look thicker (like it did when I was younger) particularly in the crown area. I've been happy with using Toppik for that but I think there is room for improvement....the crown area will sometimes look sorta flat and not like lifted hair. I've also been on propecia for many years but I think it has just prevented more hair loss...and regrew little. I still feel a little insecure about the crown area. What are some options I have to help the crown area look better? the following are some options I'm considering and would like your opinions:

1. Laser therapy. Thinking of using Cirrus Hair Engery Centers but I'm not sure yet - has anyone had an experience with them?
(I did find 2 medical studies in Medline database that said laser therapy is safe and does help to thicken hair but does not have evidence of regrowing hair).

2. Get another hair transplant just for the crown area...my doctor said I have PLENTY of more hair in the donor areas (back and sides) to have a few more sessions done. Reluctant to do this again tho due to expense and want to avoid another surgery.

2. Prosthetic hair strands stuck to skin and hair strands are replaced periodically.

4. Will Dermatch do a better job than Toppik? (is there a better product?)

Any help/advice would be very appreciated...as hair loss has been extremely devastating to me. I'm very grateful for this forum..a place to get advice and share comments and learn the experiences of others. -GCFella.

[dgman21]

Guys check out this toppik site.... I don't knoe if the pictures are correct!!!!

http://www.toppik.com/keratin-protein-hair-building-fibers-product-toppik.asp

[Spex]

hi y - do you have any pics? this will enable us to possibly help better

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

I strongly recommend against any type of synthetic/prosthetic hairs that are permanently placed into the scalp. This will most definetly cause major problems for you later. Some patients have told me recently that a little bit of the 5% Rogaine foam and some toppik on top of that works really well. The more permanant solution would be do have more transplants.

[dgman21]

If you only had 3000 grafts for 5 Ht's, your saying you only had 600 grafts per session??

[GCFella]

Thanks for the responses...I was looking forward to hearing from responders.

Yes, actually a little over 600 grafts and up to 700 per session. Doctor said there were always extra grafts. He said I could do more but recommended I wait a few years to see if hair loss progresses. I don't think loss has gotten any worse...due to propecia I think. (Feb 2008 was my last session)

I may try to get some pictures posted.

Thanks. I will try the rogaine for the top and continue Toppik. I'm now reconsidering getting more transplants done. The doctor I used is now retired so I will have to see if there is an IARS physician in Oklahoma

I would love to have more feedback on anything mentioned above...and to know of anyones experiences with low-level laser therapy. -GCFella

[bigmac]

All fairly small surgeries you had,what are your donor scars like.
Nanogen is very good to use on the crown providing you have enough native hair for it to take hold.
You can also use hair thickening shampoos which work well.
Hope that helps.

[25 going on 65]

In addition to minoxidil ("Rogaine"), try adding Nizoral 2% to your regimen (you'll need a prescription). These two products combined could definitely improve your crown.
There's very little to show that laser therapy works.

BTW, adding grafts to the crown is a solid idea - it will improve natural thickness (obviously), and correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems it would remedy that "flat" appearance you speak of since the Toppik will have lots of healthy new hairs to cling to.

[Winston]

Please don't even consider artificial hair implants. They are banned in most countries and usually cause damage to the scalp that is permanent. It’s good that you are happy with your results but hair transplant session sizes are usually much larger these days. The average hair transplant is probably between 1500 to 2700 grafts. Dermatch and couvre can help if you have enough hair, but you should be checked out by an IAHRS doctor to see what your options really are. If you have images to share you’ll probably get more specific answers.