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Thread: Rant: Alopecia sucks

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Rant: Alopecia sucks

    I started noticing my hair thinning a few months ago. When I used to wear my hair down and straight, it looked thick and voluminous and sexy.

    About 6 months ago, I noticed when I wore it down it looked flat and sad. I figured it was just hormones changes, stress,whatever. But I started to concerned when my ponytail, which used to be pretty thick at the elastic, now took me 5 or 6 wraps to get snug. It started to resemble the thickness of a little girl's pony. More and more hair was coming out in the shower too.

    Then one day I woke up to a large bald patch right at the top of my head on the middle part. Then another one. Then another one.

    I've had bloodwork done to rule out anything more serious, and my doctor and my derma agree it's alopecia. Nothing serious medical wise, it just makes your hair fall out. Some lose it all, some lose patches. Right now, I'm still in the patch phase, though now I've also lost most of my eyebrows.

    In the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal. I'm healthy and I feel good...but it's hard to not be depressed. I LOVED my hair. It was beautiful, and then one thing that made me loo traditionally pretty.

    Right now i use a mix of spray hair filler and clip-in extensions and I can pass, but wigs arent too far off

    Anyone else have alopecia?

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    I'm sorry. I have been loosing clumps of hair since 08 when I had the real extensions. The dermatologist diagnosed me as hair loss due to the extensions. You should see my brush. We as woman are very connected emotionally to our hair. I think someone else here did have it. Maybe they'll chime in. I was very depressed too. It's normal. But your spirits are good.

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    Arrow Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    Well, I am so sorry to hear this^. Ok, I didn't actually have this, it turned out to be, I believe, stress maybe age-related. But I did notice a bigger 'part' more of my scalp showwing
    I recommend, 1st of all no ponys or anything that pulls on your hair. To bed you can wear it up w/a silk scarf or wrap, & I use a specially made wooden stick to keep it up & off my face. If I do a pony, I use a comb/clasp thing,(NOT those spring clamp things, ugh) it does have some pull but it's looser..I don't really like it a lot cause plastic isn't great for your hair. Sally's has it, along w/those tiny mini rubber bands, these will have a little pull as well, but you won't have to keep going around several times like w/the hair bands
    Try this: http://www.sephora.com/shampoo-P388828?skuId=1646496
    & definitely this http://www.sallybeauty.com/braid-she...=true&start=10
    Oop, I think I put the 2nd 1 in twice..
    Anyways, always get the AP Braid Sheen spray, not the extra one w/red cap, it's just not as good.
    This's very stimulating/soothing for your scalp..also gentle massage w/finger tips, yoga
    Hair loss's very complicated, but start w/the no pony/extensions, or anything that pulls on scalp. I like also the herbal hair growth supplements from Nature Sunshine, HSN-W.
    You can put no alcohol 100% aloe gel on your scalp as well..Fruit of the Earth brand I use, you can get a mini bottle @ Target or the big size @ Ulta.


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

    -Eartha Kitt

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    Hey Kandie, I have it too and it does suck. Mine is hereditary. One of the reasons I love dancing so much is because I wear wigs to the clubs (partly as a disguise, but mostly because it looks way better than my regular hair). I invested in some beautiful wigs, and the more I wear them, the more I get used to them. They no longer feel so itchy, sweaty, etc. Out of the club I do not need to wear a wig yet, but my hair is thinning all the time so I will need to wear one eventually. It will be awkward to make that transition I suppose, and obviously wigs won't help with swimming, sleeping etc so I'm looking into other options. I do wear my hair in particular styles to hide the thinness and bald spots but it is really just a matter of time before I can no longer hide it. Having thinning hair is really depressing and such a difficult thing to experience as a woman. It makes me sad but I try to remember beautiful hair (or any hair!) isn't the be all and end all of life.

    I used to wear extensions to improve the appearance of my hair, but now they simply put too much strain on the hair I do have and they also start to show a bit - so this is not an option any more. I'm going to look into having a custom hair piece made so that perhaps I won't need a full wig right away.

    Where do you get your spray filler? Does it work well? I will look into this.

    Anyway, thanks for sharing. I sometimes feel like I'm the only one with this so know you are not alone! And you are right that we are lucky to be healthy otherwise since this is just cosmetic. I'm grateful wigs are an option to at least hide it temporarily too. I'll post any ideas or solutions I come across!

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    Hey Kandie, I have it too and it does suck. Mine is hereditary. One of the reasons I love dancing so much is because I wear wigs to the clubs (partly as a disguise, but mostly because it looks way better than my regular hair). I invested in some beautiful wigs, and the more I wear them, the more I get used to them. They no longer feel so itchy, sweaty, etc. Out of the club I do not need to wear a wig yet, but my hair is thinning all the time so I will need to wear one eventually. It will be awkward to make that transition I suppose, and obviously wigs won't help with swimming, sleeping etc so I'm looking into other options. I do wear my hair in particular styles to hide the thinness and bald spots but it is really just a matter of time before I can no longer hide it. Having thinning hair is really depressing and such a difficult thing to experience as a woman. It makes me sad but I try to remember beautiful hair (or any hair!) isn't the be all and end all of life.

    I used to wear extensions to improve the appearance of my hair, but now they simply put too much strain on the hair I do have and they also start to show a bit - so this is not an option any more. I'm going to look into having a custom hair piece made so that perhaps I won't need a full wig right away.

    Where do you get your spray filler? Does it work well? I will look into this.

    Anyway, thanks for sharing. I sometimes feel like I'm the only one with this so know you are not alone! And you are right that we are lucky to be healthy otherwise since this is just cosmetic. I'm grateful wigs are an option to at least hide it temporarily too. I'll post any ideas or solutions I come across!

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    The filler spray is Toppik-you can get it at Sallys or on Amazon. You can just sprinkle it on your scalp, but they sell a little spray attachment for it that I think makes it go on much nicer. It is fibers that cling to the hair you do have. It covers up small patches beautifully (most of mine are about half dollar size). It lasts until you wash it out.

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    My hair is wavy/curly, so it looks fairly thick, but I've noticed a bit of thinning along my front hairline. I've used this spray shampoo from CVS called" Not Your Mother's Spray Shampoo". It smells soooo fresh! I originally bought it to use when I didn't have time to wash and style, but what I noticed was the hair by my roots just totally perked up! Even some customers asked if I had done something different to my hair. It looks a good 40% thicker.

    The only thing: it does give kind of a dull finish. I use a lot of glossing spray when I use the shampoo product.

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    THere are quite a few hot oil hair treatments and alternative remedies to thinning hair on the net.... for example, fenugreek seed paste. I also highly recommend getiing rid of any nasty chemical hair products such as sulphates.

    Are you a big drinker? Drugs? Smoking? Lose it. Maybe just a glass of red or two per week

    Silica and grass-fed gelatin supplements.

    Plus I have just started using essential oils on my skin to prevent wrinkles/improve the quality and I am honestly seeing improvements. Perhaps there is something in this for your hair too?

    I would def join a support site as I'm sure that they will be aware of heaps of things you can do to help.

    Im glad you are still feeling beautiful and appreciative of your many qualities, I know many beautiful short/shaved hair women. i think it can be very sexy; vulnerable and commanding!
    Tiny tweaks----->BIG CHANGES

    Quote Originally Posted by Kirakonstantin View Post
    More fear-mongering? Really? Yes, this is not the 1990's anymore. Yes, things are changing. Either dance or don't. Freaking out and sowing fear isn't going to help anyone.




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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    Quote Originally Posted by DorienG View Post
    My hair is wavy/curly, so it looks fairly thick, but I've noticed a bit of thinning along my front hairline. I've used this spray shampoo from CVS called" Not Your Mother's Spray Shampoo". It smells soooo fresh! I originally bought it to use when I didn't have time to wash and style, but what I noticed was the hair by my roots just totally perked up! Even some customers asked if I had done something different to my hair. It looks a good 40% thicker.

    The only thing: it does give kind of a dull finish. I use a lot of glossing spray when I use the shampoo product.
    I love that shampoo. I'm using the clarifying one, bc I have hair extensions. I notice very little hair shedding with that shampoo, or maybe bc I'm washing gently due to the extensions and cooler water? Idk. It smells great and leaves the hair soft. My hair is so fried and this shampoo makes it manageable without a greasy feel.

    I used castor oil religiously, every night and grew baby bangs.

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    Veteran Member DorienG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    Quote Originally Posted by Vyanka View Post
    I love that shampoo. I'm using the clarifying one, bc I have hair extensions. I notice very little hair shedding with that shampoo, or maybe bc I'm washing gently due to the extensions and cooler water? Idk. It smells great and leaves the hair soft. My hair is so fried and this shampoo makes it manageable without a greasy feel.

    I used castor oil religiously, every night and grew baby bangs.
    That's so weird that you grew baby bangs, because I've noticed tiny bangs as well! Unfortunately, because of the curly/fine texture of my hair, they coil up and frizz. And we've been having bad humidity lately. But nice to have some new hair!

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    Yes, the whispy frizzies (I have 3b type curls)
    Tiny tweaks----->BIG CHANGES

    Quote Originally Posted by Kirakonstantin View Post
    More fear-mongering? Really? Yes, this is not the 1990's anymore. Yes, things are changing. Either dance or don't. Freaking out and sowing fear isn't going to help anyone.




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    Senior Member pranceprance's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    My hair was sooo thick. I've always shaved the sides and once I slipped and ended up shaving right above my neck too - but I had so much hair that I could part it down the middle and you couldn't even tell any was shaved. Last year I got a big bald patch on the back that kept growing. I cut my hair very short and wore wigs at work. Months passed and it grew back but now some patches in the front are falling. This makes me really sad because if the front goes first I won't be able to hide it and will probably have to cut it all off. I always thought my hair was my best feature - it was so wavy and black and made me look feminine - short hair makes me look really, really boyish.

    I tried everything but my doctors said nothing really helps with alopecia. he said it might have been stress but i was actually doing really well last year.

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    I have alopecia universalis (complete loss of hair all over body). I hate wearing wearing wigs everyday but at least I'm otherwise generally healthy. I still cry sometimes and mourn my hair but in the grand scheme of things it's not even close to the worst thing that could happen. I get to switch up my look often and this disease hang stopped me from making $$$. The only affect its had on my dancing is that I don't do crazy inverted pole tricks and I won't let custies touch my hair too much. Oh, and since I have to wear fake lashes and pencil in my eyebrows it takes me a bit longer to apply my make up. I definitely recommend in investing in some good quality, suction cap, human hair wigs. Oftentimes your insurance will cover it. Some support groups yo might want to check out are www.heralopecia.com and www.naaf.org PM me if you have any questions. It's a brutal, debating, self-esteem eroding disease but eventually you learn to accept it and sometimes even enjoy it (no shaving!). Start trying on some fun wigs. Good luck Hun.
    Adapt and Overcome.

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    Default Re: Rant: Alopecia sucks

    Great post
    Tiny tweaks----->BIG CHANGES

    Quote Originally Posted by Kirakonstantin View Post
    More fear-mongering? Really? Yes, this is not the 1990's anymore. Yes, things are changing. Either dance or don't. Freaking out and sowing fear isn't going to help anyone.




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