Those dealing with Alopecia how long do you wait to get weaves/braids?

[africanqueen456]

In some of threads I read a good six months. Im sorry I can't! Im in school and I dorm; with my bald patch I feel so insercure. How long do you suggest I wait to a get a sew in or braids? I just recieved the cortisone injections so what should I do?

 

[imaccami]

You've been diagnosed with alopecia? Is it traction alopecia? The doctor should've told you not to wear any more styles that put tension on your scalp, so I don't think you should wear braids or sew-ins again. Try a wig until the rest of your hair grows to cover the bald spot.

 

[africanqueen456]

The doctor said he wasnt sure but he believes it is traction alopcia because they aren't smooth patches. But I have been going through severe stress....I can't really wear wigs cause I dorm.

 

[ebonyseas]

I really think a wig is going to be your best bet. You only risk further damage with a weave or braids, and as the spots grow larger ur going to be forced to wear a wig anyway. If you absolutely can't do that, try a weave with a net, but don't leave it in for extended periods, make sure the braids aren't tight, and look up as many threads as you can about caring for weaves.

 

[EllePixie]

Wow. I definitely would not continue to do tension styles with traction alopecia. Even if your hair has grown out some, it's still a weaker spot and will most likely get worse. I agree with the others who said to wear wigs until your patch grows out.

 

[africanqueen456]

So how long does everyone think I should wait? 6 months? a year?

 

[Tiye]

Do you mean you can't wear wigs coz you live in a dorm? Why not?

 

[africanqueen456]

Yes I am self conscious person..When I wear wigs I dont want everyone to know its a wig....

 

[Nonie]

Do you mean you can't wear wigs coz you live in a dorm? Why not?

Tiye My guess is she'd rather no one know what she's dealing with and in a dorm she'd have to take the wig off at bed time or to take a shower/wash her hair and have everyone know her secret.

OP, one day you'll look back on these days and wonder why you cared. How many people in your dorm and are they your friends?

 

[africanqueen456]

yes they are...

 

[ThickHair]

So how long does everyone think I should wait? 6 months? a year?

FOREVER. You have alopecia and you want to grow your hair back and then abuse it again? I don't understand.

On the real, those ladies in your dorm could really care less if you wear a wig or not. It really isn't that serious.

 

[africanqueen456]

Yea you're right... Im just insecure because of the patches....

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

Don't compromise your progress by putting undue stress on your follicles. I dormed myself and my white roommate sat right there and watched me as I put in all manner of extension PS styles, she just sat there in admiration and awe. When she was curious as to why I would PS when I could style my own hair I just told her, she got it, and that was that. I think you're building it up to be a bigger deal then it is. Heck I'm planning on starting to begin to PS through wearing wigs myself. It's so much easier as a student.

As for realism, wigs have come a loooooonnng way. Go on YouTube and look up quickweave wig and take a look at all the gorgeous natural looking wigs folks are making.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[africanqueen456]

aww thankx everyone!! Blackmasterpiece I love your hair!!! Okay quickweaves it is!

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

to you OP. Actually, I would recommend you either purchase a legit wig, or handmake one. The quickweave reference was just so you can get a feel for the way wigs are en vogue and realistic now. But the way quickweaves are done is short term, you need something that can last you.

If you prefer the DIY approach, go on youtube and search "hommade wigs" and "sew-in wigs". Buy a weaving cap, sew the tracks onto that and suddenly you have a washable durable wig that can last you a loooong time.

P.S. When you braid your hair or (flatten it somehow) underneath, be sure that it's done as gently as humanly possible

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[Tiye]

@Tiye My guess is she'd rather no one know what she's dealing with and in a dorm she'd have to take the wig off at bed time or to take a shower/wash her hair and have everyone know her secret.

OP, one day you'll look back on these days and wonder why you cared. How many people in your dorm and are they your friends?

Several years ago when i first discovered bhm, I was amazed at people over there talking about their own husbands didn't know they wore wigs or weaves. Some people are pretty good with keeping hair secrets.

africanqueen456 it's no one's business if you wear a wig, but if you feel awkward about it - get creative. Go to the bss and pick a style that's the same length and color as your hair. Or get a short wig - people think short wigs are very believable - they only get skeptical if you wear a long wig. Let everyone think you went to the hair salon to get your new style. Take the wig on and off in the shower or wherever you can go and be in private by yourself for a few minutes. At night wear a scarf and store your wig in a bag - not on a mannequin.

I agree with the others posters, don't think about wearing weaves and extensions now. You may have escaped permanent damage this time, but I know people who ended up with permanent hair loss coz they kept wearing weaves and braids when they should have stopped.

 

[EllePixie]

I used to buy wigs at the BSS and try them on in the car while my boyfriend at the time was driving. It's just a wig. Shrug. Braids and weaves are fake hair too...none of it belongs to the person wearing it - same difference to me.

OP, if you are self conscious now, think of how self conscious you would be if your hair kept breaking and stopped growing back? Look at Naomi!

 

[africanqueen456]

thankx ladies

 

[africanqueen456]

I used to buy wigs at the BSS and try them on in the car while my boyfriend at the time was driving. It's just a wig. Shrug. Braids and weaves are fake hair too...none of it belongs to the person wearing it - same difference to me.

OP, if you are self conscious now, think of how self conscious you would be if your hair kept breaking and stopped growing back? Look at Naomi!

...You're right mama...Oooh I can't

 

[mzsophisticated26]

Stay away from weaves and tight braids, I was diagnosed with centrifugal alopecia last year. I stopped wearing sew ins almost 2yrs ago and I wore lacewigs and now custom made half wigs which I gently cornrow or put my hair in a bun underneath. I recently learned how to make the custom made half wigs from watching a few yt vids. Blackmasterpiece gave excellent advice.

 

[glamazon386]

Yes I am self conscious person..When I wear wigs I dont want everyone to know its a wig....

If you get one that looks natural no one will know. I wore wigs when I lived in the dorm. Everybody assumed they were weaves. Even my friends didn't know until I told them.

 

[alishadawnelle]

I had alopecia as a child and while in college it came back. I had 3 large patches on my scalp. Now, I stay away from braids in general
And if I get a weave I don't allow them to braid tightly. I waited about a year after the spots grew back to even do that much.
My dermatologist also adviced that it can be stress induced, and I couldn't agree more because it was my freshman in college.
In summary, try to manage you stress, in life and on your hair