+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 2 of 2
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Posts
    2

    Default Managing post-HT ugly duckling phase

    I'm wondering what advice people might have on managing the 'ugly duckling' phase. I had 1800 grafts placed in the frontal half from an FUT procedure 4 days ago with a reputable doctor recommended on this site. The doctor shaved my entire recipient area, which has caused some anxiety as I will have no hairline whatsoever when the grafts fall out.

    Fortunately, to an extent, I had a 'long combover' style before the HT--I grew my hair long at the sides and top (minimal crown loss so far), so I anticipate having to comb my hair forward over the recipient area. I will probably try to use hair wax to hold the hairs forward, and toppik on the combed-forward hairs to hide the bare scalp underneath. Is this a sensible plan for the next 6 months while waiting for the HT to grow in? Anything I should be careful about? I'd love to hear other peoples' 'ugly duckling' stories and any advice they might have.

    More about me: I'm East Asian and in my mid-20s. I might post some pics later but the shave job I got is similar to this guy's: http://www.rahalhairtransplant.com/m...catable/day-7/

    Problems I anticipate having to solve:

    1) Wind. I work in an office but step out for lunch with coworkers several times a week. Should I play it save and wear a cap every time I do this? Have people had success with using styling wax/gel of some sort to hold their hair in place when the wind blows?

    2) Transplanted hairs sticking out where my comb-forward can't hide them. My comb-forward might not be able to hide the sides of my transplanted hairline. I go back to work in about a week and a half (took two weeks off), and I've read that the transplanted hairs will only be just starting to fall off then. Would it be OK to just shave those transplanted hairs since they will be falling out anyway?

    I'm also curious about the timeline for native hair returning in the recipient area. My recipient area was shaved and transplanted because it had thinned a fair bit, but was still useful for keeping a low contrast between my combover and scalp. I presume some of those hairs will not be coming back if they were far gone enough. But some of them might just be 'shocked' from the procedure, and if so, how long should I expect before they start growing back? And is it possible that some of those shaved hairs escaped shock loss? If my recipient grows back somewhat, perhaps I'll be able to use Toppik to lessen the contrast between the longer hairs I comb forward and my scalp.

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    67

    Default

    Great thread mrcombover,

    From a personal perspective, and as a cliche as it may sound, the most important way to manage the ugly duckling phase is to take confidence in the fact that you made this decision for yourself, not for others. Try to tell yourself that what others think or know is irrelevant, as hard as that it is. And believe me, I know that can be extremely difficult.

    As far as expediting healing, I strongly recommend you use rogaine/minoxidil foam for healing and growth, but i would try to stay away from Toppik hair fibers or any other concealers for at least 6 months. My only successful surgery was with Dr. Umar in January of 2016. It was a major repair for my prior 4 botched procedures. It was for 6500 FUE head, beard, and body hair grafts, and the only successful one I had. The reason I mentioned this is because Dr. Umar was adamant for me not to use any concealer for at least 6 months due to potentially blocking the grafts and/or pores from developing and/or growing. I take his advice very seriously for he is the only one that produced a successful result for me.

    Best of luck to you.

Similar Threads

  1. Ugly Duckling Phase
    By Driver in forum Hair Transplant: Start Your Own Topic
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-04-2016, 12:13 PM
  2. How was your duckling phase
    By chriswalkerr in forum Hair Transplant: Start Your Own Topic
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-25-2015, 01:38 PM
  3. Post-Transplant Rest Phase
    By baldymcgee in forum Hair Transplant: Start Your Own Topic
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-06-2013, 01:36 PM
  4. So how long does the "ugly duckling" phase last?
    By CarlosMiller in forum Hair Transplant: Start Your Own Topic
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 06-18-2012, 01:58 PM
  5. My hair transplant journey Phase I- Post Procedure Video, 2900 grafts
    By SunRay in forum Hair Transplant Veterans
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-23-2011, 07:13 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

» IAHRS

hair transplant surgeons

» The Bald Truth

» Recent Threads

Benefits of Resveratrol for hair and health
05-05-2022 01:46 AM
Last Post By felixten
Yesterday 11:59 PM
1800 graft repair case results by Dr. Lindsey
03-27-2024 08:38 AM
Last Post By Dr. Lindsey
03-27-2024 08:38 AM
Navigating the German Job Market as a Kenyan Citizen
11-04-2023 06:31 AM
Last Post By Keegan212
03-27-2024 03:51 AM