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I'm so glad you asked for more details! I think this is a very interesting case with many helpful points to elaborate upon.
Normally, Dr. Cole will design a hairline that increases in density gradually, with the least density on the frontal hair line and more density as you move further back. This patient expressed that he preferred a different style, where the density is very thick throughout. Dr. Cole is capable of many different styles of hairline design as long as the patient is a good candidate for such a procedure and expresses his preferences during the planning phases.
With a very thick frontal hairline design, one must exercise caution and consider fully the consequences that can occur as the hair loss progression continues. Should this patient go to a NW class 3, he would be left with an island of dense frontal hairline and little or no density in the frontal third behind the hairline. This would obligate him to another large surgery to retain a natural look. It would also necessitate the extraction of much of his donor reserves. Should this patient recede even further to a NW class 6, he would be obligated to more than one large surgery in the future, extraction of all the scalp donor reserves, and body hair would also be needed to fill the gap between the dense frontal hairline and the back of the crown. Due to these dangers, Dr. Cole is more likely to create a more conservative hairline because he has his eye on the patient's possible future hair loss.
This patient, however, has very little risk of progressing to these extents. Because of his hair characteristics, density, family history, current hair loss status, etc. Dr. Cole was willing to grant this patient the thick frontal hairline that he desired after being educated fully on his options and the possible risks.
A more conservative hairline would be positioned higher up on the forehead. It would be shaped so that it comes up higher in the temples than in the middle. The density would be lighter in the front and more dense farther away from the frontal hairline. Here is an example of a more conservative hairline design: http://www.forhair.com/hairtransplant/viewtopic.php?t=715&highlight=fit+results. As hair loss progresses, this type of hairline is easier to maintain if the patient recedes to a NW class 3. Another surgery might be needed to maintain a natural look, but it would necessitate less grafts. It takes less grafts to match a lower existing density. If a patient stands a good chance of receding to a NW class 6, then frontal hairline work is not advised unless the patient is willing to be obligated to future large session work.
This patient comes in for small touch up sessions almost every year to keep his hair loss in check and matching to his transplanted density. Small touch up sessions are a great way to maintain your look and also to tweak the hairline and make small adjustments as the patient sees fit. Meeting with your doctor for touch up sessions or follow up consults allows him to check on your hair loss progression and keep you up to date on new medicinal advances and treatment options that apply to your specific case.
Combining FIT and strip procedures can be advantageous to some patients in some cases. Consult with your doctor or clinic to determine what your goals are specifically, and which path is best for meeting those goals.
This patient had his first procedure with Dr. Cole in 2000. It was a strip. The FIT sessions subsequent to that were small touch ups with Dr. Cole. The bulk of the grafts were derived from the first procedure with Dr. Cole, which was a strip. The 2000 grafts are total from all procedures with Dr. Cole, strip and FIT. |
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