Hair loss started at a relatively young age. On the photo below we can see how Xherdan’s corners are vividly thinning. He was about 20-21 years old in this photo.
In case you are in a similar situation, it is advisable to start with anti-hair loss treatment as soon as possible (e.g Minoxidil, Finasteride, Derma rolling, Ketoconazole Shampoo) to slow down or even stop further hair loss progression.
You can check out my article on “The Big 3 of Hair Loss Prevention”
Most of the men who develop advanced hair loss (Norwood 6 or Norwood 7) over the course of their lifetime, are usually also the men who start experiencing hair loss early on.
After 1 year the full result from a hair transplant is generally to be expected. Sometimes though, new hair can still appear until 18-24 months but it is usually only the case with transplanted hair growing on the crown area (vertex).
In Xherdan’s case it is very unlikely that new transplanted hair follicles will sprout new hairs after 12 month period post surgery.
Why it could have been done better?
Below you can see, how Xherdan’s hair transplant could have ended up in an ideal scenario. I call it an ideal scenario, because such hair transplant would be hardly detectable unlike Shaqiri’s actual result.
On the photo above you can spot a difference between going “conservative” vs “aggressive” with your hair transplant strategy as a Norwood 3.
Conservative strategy means slightly lowering the hairline on the corners but no temporal hair restoration.
Aggressive strategy usually means not only lowering the hairline on the corners to the lowest possible point, but also restoring the hair on the temples.
The lowest possible point on the forehead for the start of the new hairline is exactly at the border with the top of the scalp and forehead muscles. Wrinkling your forehead as a Norwood 2 or higher can tell you how low your new hairline could be potentially positioned.
Although there is always going to be a temptation to go for the aggressive approach with more defined hairline and temples giving your face a better frame, often times it is not the smartest choice long-term.
Trying to restore your almost juvenile-like hairline can work exceptionally well for candidates who:
Below you can see, how Xherdan’s hair transplant could have ended up in an ideal scenario. I call it an ideal scenario, because such hair transplant would be hardly detectable unlike Shaqiri’s actual result.
What could be done right now for Shaqiri’s hairline in order to achieve a more natural-looking/undetectable hair transplant result?
The single follicular units should ideally come from the back of his head – so called nape area.
This area of the scalp provides especially soft single hairs, which may not be permanent and DHT could potentially miniaturize some of the in the future.
Nonetheless, they’re normally the best suit for temporal hair restoration because they add a lot to the “feather-like appearance” of the transplanted hairline and temples.
Such approach will make the transplanted hairline look less detectable and more natural.
If such approach won’t be utilized, there is a higher chance of the transplanted corners not matching the hair on the temples and sides properly in terms of hair follicle diameter and direction of hair growth.
We can unfortunately see it in Xherdan’s case as well.