QuestionHi Claire,
My question is about the types of hair texture. Between the different possible types of texture and density, I have always felt confused (and this was before the internet existed). Using the internet, I tried researching the differences between hair textures, but I'm still as confused. It sounds to me like you are born, either with a thick or thin full head of hair, and strands of individual hair will be fine (wiry and small), and coarse (thicker and larger). I think I have one type and then start believing that I have another type. I wish that I knew what type of texture I had, and would regain by choosing to get a transplant. I don't know which specialist has the most knowledge of hair: my basic barber (I feel too embarrassed to walk into a salon), a dermatologist, or even asking a transplant surgeon during a consultation.
Everybody seems to want "thickness". Just what is a thick head of hair look like? Who are men that have thick heads of hair? Your profile says you are in the UK, so when I think of famous English men that might have thick hair, I think of Hugh Grant, David Beckham, and even Christian Bale. When it comes to famous American men, I think of Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Tom Cruise, and Robert Redford when he was younger (nearly identical looking to Pitt). Brad Pitt and Hugh Grant are probably the perfect examples. If they don't have "thick" hair, then just what is it that makes their texture so beautiful?
Unfortunately, I've been a hair loss suffer since my young 20s, so I don't have any current helpful photos, since I wear a thinning crew-cut. I do have a photo on my computer saved from elementary school and high school, to show just how my texture was at those stages of my life. I can send them to you for your opinion about the texture; rest assured, I would not be sending you a virus. Now that I'm weighing the reward of going in for a hair transplant, I wonder if I even had a good texture because it never resembled the fluffy, thick looking heads of hair on the men mentioned above. Purely a guess, I'd believe that Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Hugh Grant, Robert Redford, Matt Damon, James Dean and every other similar man have, thick and coarse hair. I'm probably wrong, but I just wonder how different my hair is from someone like Brad Pitt/Hugh Grant and just exactly how far off my hair is from them. I know its far off because each strand isn't as thick, and my hair doesn't naturally have that same poofy, thick, voluminous, layered feeling. I doubt its the way their hair is being cut. I'd believe its just the natural way their hair grows out, because of their genes. Its very hard for me to describe (and I'm sure for you to read), but they have what seems like extremely thick strands of hair, and some beautiful layering (I think) as it grows to longer lengths. Apart from sending you copies, would my best bet be with a salon professional, dermatologist, or a hair transplant surgeon?
Thank you so much for reading my letter!
Mike
AnswerHi Mike, thanks so much for your question. I hope I can do it justice.
Hair loss is, as most things, a very personal experience. A lot of men lose their hair as this is linked to testosterone production, the main male hormone. Some men say it is a sign of virility. (You might want to hold on to that thought)!! You listed some film stars with lots of hair but there are also a good number of film stars both sides of the pond without so much hair that are equally attractive. I'm not trying to diminish your feelings because this is obviously an area of concern for you but sometimes it's helpful to get some context from others too.
I think what constitutes thick hair is an interesting question. You are obviously a very intelligent chap and you have given this a good amount of thought but I'd guess that some people must have more hair follicles, placed closer together. As you say, there will be people with a different style of hair. Some individual hairs must be thicker, curlier, and generally denser which would also offer a more general appearance of thickness. I suppose if you have both the above then you have really thick hair. Hair tends to be thinner either where balding patches start to develop or the individual hairs are straight and thin. Hair like this tends to be softer. Also the longer the hair the thinner it appears. I've found that with my own hair that I get it trimmed every so often to tidy up straggling ends and thicken it up again.
As far as hair transplants are concerned. If this is something that you feel knocks your confidence then I definitely recommend talking to a surgeon. I believe there are a few methods of grafting hair so that it continues growing. One method uses hair-by-hair grafting, another has strips of hair. This isn't my area of expertise though so I'm not sure where they harvest the hair from or what the success rates or costs are. The nearest I've got has been hair extensions but that was more for length and involved gluing little clumps of someone else's hair onto the bottom of my hair so it gained 14 inches. I think this tends to be more a woman thing though.
I hope that's helped but you've got nothing to lose from having a chat with a hair transplant specialist and asking him what is involved but have a look around at just how many gorgeous men have good virility like you while you're at it!
Take care and good luck, C x
