Hi - Newbie - TWA with Extreme Thinning Concerns

[MizzTbone]

Hi everyone. Enjoy the forums here, but got tired of lurking and decided today to interact. Where to start.....???? I need HONEST feedback on my hair ... Should I continue on this hair journey, or face the realities of the side effects that accompany advancing age, throw in the towel and start a wig assortment.

I've uploaded pics of my hair dilemma here: http://public.fotki.com/MizTbone/

I believe my hair is 4b but it is EXTREMELY fine and EXTREMELY thinning. You can see what I mean when you look at the freshly washed hair, because what little bit I have kinda clumps together. What in the world would cause my hair to thin in such a strange pattern?

Thank you all for your informative threads and look forward to relating to someone with similar hair texture/hair issues.

 

[MrsJaiDiva]

Can you tell us more about your regimen?

 

[0live0il]

When I first BC'ed I could see a bit of scalp as well. I don't think that's unusual.

I would say.. let your hair grow a bit more & you'll see the difference. Bdw you don't look 4b at all.

In this picture http://public.fotki.com/MizTbone/my-first-album/taken-the-week-of-13.html#media I would say your type 3 actually or maybe a mix between 3c and 4a. Also I think in that TWA stage.. that's fine/normal. We all have different hair density & it's more obvious when your hair is that short and scalp is showing.

 

[DominicanBrazilian82]

Genetics play a large role in why our hair does what it does. My Grandma has extremely thinning hair, as do her sisters and my Mom is now experiencing some thinning and loss. My hair can not take a lot of chemical processing otherwise I thin and lose. Did you experience thinning after any type of process done to your hair?

 

[faithVA]

I am also moving up the age scale, but i don't think you should just accept thinning as inevitable. I have pics in my album of my reversal of hair loss. There is also a healthy scalp and edges challenge where people are making progress in their reversal.

You have quite a few options.
1. Make sure your diet is balanced
2. Take supplements for hair, nails and skin
3. Drink plenty of water
4. Add scalp massages to your regimen. Try for at least 3x a week but more if you can.
5. Use any of the treatments the other ladies are using. I use just a combination of oil and essential oils. Some use garlic or onion mixed with their DC. Some are using commercial products.

If your hair is thinning I do believe you can reverse it and stop it, especially if you are in the early stages of it.

 

[MizzTbone]

Thanks everyone for responding. I'm still having trouble finding my way around on here. I'm not sure on the hair classification ... I used to think it was 4a, then recently switched to thinking it was 4b. I think when it's wet it tends to look c'ish because it so durn stupidly fine. I'm trying hard not to hate it.

As far as a regimen, I just recently started the Monistat treatment at night. In the morning I wash my hair, either with a conditioner, no-sulfate shampoo/cleaner, or a clarifying shampoo if I feel there's lots of buildup. From reading everyone's posts, I'm beginning to think I may wash it too much, but I don't know any other way to get yesterday's oils, creams or gels out of my hair. I next have been applying, for moisture aloe gel/juice. Next I add a leave in, which right now is either the SheaMoisture reconstructor or Giovanni Direct. The Kimmaytube leave in sounds sooooo good, but it seems like its mostly oil and oil doesn't to a whole lot for my hair. I seal with whatever oil I have. Then I'm applying either the flaxseed gel (I added oil to that too) or Eco Styler gel. I'm trying to follow what I'm reading on these posts, but it's confusing. Sometimes it seems like Im putting way too much stuff on my poor, almost-transparent strands...all FIVE of them lol.


Thanks again everyone.

 

[MizzTbone]

Oh I forgot, I've been taking Biotin for some time now also. Trying hard to get water in my diet ... I can go all day without ever getting thirsty and realize at the end of the day that all I've had to drink is a large cup of coffee. That makes sense though, as far as my dryness. The hair/nail supplement pills are just too large for me.

 

[faithVA]

Oh I forgot, I've been taking Biotin for some time now also. Trying hard to get water in my diet ... I can go all day without ever getting thirsty and realize at the end of the day that all I've had to drink is a large cup of coffee. That makes sense though, as far as my dryness. The hair/nail supplement pills are just too large for me.

Take your time. It is a lot of information. Try a little at a time to see what works for you.

I'm with you on the horse pills. I split my open and put it in my morning smoothie. Otherwise I wouldn't take it. I am going to finish up my 2 bottles and be done with it. I like keeping things simple.

 

[virtuenow]

Welcome aboard. Your questions (thinning) are outside of my expertise, so I hope n pray you get answers.

 

[NappyNelle]

Welcome to the board!

I don't see any thinning OP. Your hair looks clumped in a TWA style and looks pretty good to me.

 

[Lynnerie]

Hi OP! You have really pretty hair. You can join the sulfur challenge or simply open up vitamin e pill and put it on your edges if you are worried about them. Also, if you are using gel on your edges I would try something else. As you continue on your natural journey I believe your hair will thicken up.

Welcome to the board!

 

[Nonie]

OP, at the risk of being stoned, if I were you, I would not be using MN. A steroid cream does nothing but make you dependent. Yes, if used for a fungal infection, it may temporarily treat the problem but the next time it arises, you'll find you need more of it. So to me all steroids do is cover up the problem until later. Even if I had a fungal skin condition, a steroid cream would not be on my list of remedies. Experience has shown me they do not work.

If I were you, and I really thought my thinning was from hair loss, I'd opt for something natural like the concoction I used which has helped many people regrow their hair. You can read about it here: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=39645

If I really knew my hair loss was fungal related, I'd use oil of oregano or open a caprylic acid supplement capsule and make a paste with the contents and apply that to scalp. Caprylic acid is an anti-fungal (anti-microbe actually IIRC) that comes from coconuts. That probably means virgin coconut oil taken and applied may also be a good thing.

But then I don't know why people assume all hair loss is fungal related so jump to MN. That would be like taking antibiotics every time you feel pain in your abdomen even when it's just menstrual cramps. Hormonal changes play a role too. Our hair changes when we get pregnant, have babies, hit menopause....etc. You can find more causes of hair loss here: http://www.add-hair.com/hair-loss-causes.htm

What people need to stop doing is copying others' ways w/o first understanding what it is that is going on with themselves. Not every medicine cures every ailment. You need to find out what your problem is in order to address it best and get it right.

And then it could just be as @OliveOil else said, that there's nothing wrong. That you just never realized that besides having fine strands you also have few strands. It's easy to be thrown off if we spend so much time looking at other heads and comparing them with ours. As your hair grows, you may find it less see-through. I don't know if you've got other pics from before when your hair was that short that you can look at. Or even pics of female family members that would let you see how genetics are in your family. They may just make you realize your hair is just unique and OK as it is.

 

[DarkJoy]

Hello and welcome!

As a thin/fine hair'd lady mysef, I don't think its as bad as you think. Fine hair is it's own animal and needs different handling...

From what I see (and I'm no expert and could be wrong) it looks like the "thin" areas are where you have parted your hair in the past? One pic, the thin areas have a definate stair-step pattern, where it looks like the hair had been plaited in the same spots over and over.

Thin haired folks (esp in TWA phase) should remember to part in different areas every time or else the hair kind of stays separated on the scalp. It will fill in eventually.

Gel and fine hair don't always mix either. The flax is probably better than the Eco (eco wreaks havoc on my fine strands).

Castor oil seems to be good for regrowth and retention. Try that on your edges and scalp. It also makes a great sealant.

 

[My Friend]

Welcome to the board Ms. Mizz

Whoa. You are doing the most. Literally. Slow down and take it one step at a time. You have forever and a day to grow your hair I think it takes about 4-6 years for most people to reach their goal from a twa.

We would never be able to determine what is working and what is not working because you are doing everything all at once. One thing LHCF has figured out is 'everything" doesnt work

Try this for 3 months and then post results. If things worsen STOP and update us, if it's working continue and then ask what you should add if anything.

Do this 7 days a week.

Take a liquid multi vitamin (Ok it w/ your Dr.)

Drink 1 cup of water every hour on the hour from the 9am-5pm. Don't sip it Drink it up in a few swallows.

Walk atleast 30 minutes per day


Do this once per week.

1 day a week, Pre-poo your air with castor oil (walgreens). Leave on w/baggy for 2-4 hours or under heatcap/dryer for 30 minutes.

Co wash your hair with conditoner (non sulfates)

Put in a leave in conditoner

After a few hours seal w/ oil (coconut, olive, castor)

Sleep w/satin bonnet.

Repeat next week

 

[upscale0198]

The first bandwagon I jumped on was the MN when I first started. I tried several before I realized that it was just overkill. I purchased JBCO several times, and it caused these fine bumps, so I switched to regular castor oil. It is doing great with no bump issues. I use that daily on my edges and they have grown thicker.

I just discovered Aloe Vera Juice as a moisturizer and I have three bottles of moisturizer sitting on my counter that I'm going to give away from all the purchases I made listening to what people said worked for them. I will always stick to AVJ.

Keeping it simple when you learn what your hair needs will work wonders for you. I think your hair is beautiful and other than the edges, I don't see thinning as an issue. Looks like your hair is 3ish to me.

Whatever you do, have fun on your journey, and don't let this become a chore that you don't like doing. Join some challenge if you have to and within those challenges you will get support. Good luck and Welcome!!!

 

[My Friend]

I also think those headbands you are wearing around your head is doing more damage than good. I know you are using them to cover the edges but that cotton may be sucking the goodness out of your hair and causing friction.

 

[MizzTbone]

I also think those headbands you are wearing around your head is doing more damage than good. I know you are using them to cover the edges but that cotton may be sucking the goodness out of your hair and causing friction.

Thank you for that feedback. I've often thought I may be causing more damage with them also ... just didn't know what to do about the unsightly thinning edges.

 

[MizzTbone]

Welcome to the board!

I don't see any thinning OP. Your hair looks clumped in a TWA style and looks pretty good to me.

This wasn't for me, was it??? Because my hair is, not only thinning...looks like I actually have bald spots.

 

[MizzTbone]

OP, at the risk of being stoned, if I were you, I would not be using MN. A steroid cream does nothing but make you dependent. Yes, if used for a fungal infection, it may temporarily treat the problem but the next time it arises, you'll find you need more of it. So to me all steroids do is cover up the problem until later. Even if I had a fungal skin condition, a steroid cream would not be on my list of remedies. Experience has shown me they do not work.

If I were you, and I really thought my thinning was from hair loss, I'd opt for something natural like the concoction I used which has helped many people regrow their hair. You can read about it here: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=39645

If I really knew my hair loss was fungal related, I'd use oil of oregano or open a caprylic acid supplement capsule and make a paste with the contents and apply that to scalp. Caprylic acid is an anti-fungal (anti-microbe actually IIRC) that comes from coconuts. That probably means virgin coconut oil taken and applied may also be a good thing.

But then I don't know why people assume all hair loss is fungal related so jump to MN. That would be like taking antibiotics every time you feel pain in your abdomen even when it's just menstrual cramps. Hormonal changes play a role too. Our hair changes when we get pregnant, have babies, hit menopause....etc. You can find more causes of hair loss here: http://www.add-hair.com/hair-loss-causes.htm

What people need to stop doing is copying others' ways w/o first understanding what it is that is going on with themselves. Not every medicine cures every ailment. You need to find out what your problem is in order to address it best and get it right.

And then it could just be as @OliveOil else said, that there's nothing wrong. That you just never realized that besides having fine strands you also have few strands. It's easy to be thrown off if we spend so much time looking at other heads and comparing them with ours. As your hair grows, you may find it less see-through. I don't know if you've got other pics from before when your hair was that short that you can look at. Or even pics of female family members that would let you see how genetics are in your family. They may just make you realize your hair is just unique and OK as it is.

Thank you. The "OP" is confusing me here. I believe there may be some genetics at play, as well as advancing age. I only resorted to the MN because, at this point in the game, I'm like a cancer patient reaching out for every straw out there. Its a frustrating battle. I feel like I'm already bald headed, so what do I have to lose. Also, I ALWAYS scour the Internet for the pros and cons of a treatment before jumping on the bandwagon. Thank you for the herbal options you mentioned...I will certainly check further into them.

 

[faithVA]

MizzTbone[/USER];16708609]Thank you. The "OP" is confusing me here. I believe there may be some genetics at play, as well as advancing age. I only resorted to the MN because, at this point in the game, I'm like a cancer patient reaching out for every straw out there. Its a frustrating battle. I feel like I'm already bald headed, so what do I have to lose. Also, I ALWAYS scour the Internet for the pros and cons of a treatment before jumping on the bandwagon. Thank you for the herbal options you mentioned...I will certainly check further into them.

I also recommend what Nonie suggests using the herbal path. I didn't use the exact ingredients Nonie did but I kept it simple and have been able to reverse a lot of my hair loss. My pics are in my album.

It is definitely worth a try.

 

[MizzTbone]

Welcome to the board Ms. Mizz

Whoa. You are doing the most. Literally. Slow down and take it one step at a time. You have forever and a day to grow your hair I think it takes about 4-6 years for most people to reach their goal from a twa.

We would never be able to determine what is working and what is not working because you are doing everything all at once. One thing LHCF has figured out is 'everything" doesnt work

Try this for 3 months and then post results. If things worsen STOP and update us, if it's working continue and then ask what you should add if anything.

Do this 7 days a week.

Take a liquid multi vitamin (Ok it w/ your Dr.)

Drink 1 cup of water every hour on the hour from the 9am-5pm. Don't sip it Drink it up in a few swallows.

Walk atleast 30 minutes per day


Do this once per week.

1 day a week, Pre-poo your air with castor oil (walgreens). Leave on w/baggy for 2-4 hours or under heatcap/dryer for 30 minutes.

Co wash your hair with conditoner (non sulfates)

Put in a leave in conditoner

After a few hours seal w/ oil (coconut, olive, castor)

Sleep w/satin bonnet.

Repeat next week

Wow, thanks ... This gives me something very definite to start working with ... Is the JBCO better than the laxative kind? Was wondering also about waiting to seal. This one means I'll need to take the oil to work, but I'm all for it and excited to start.

 

[NappyNelle]

This wasn't for me, was it??? Because my hair is, not only thinning...looks like I actually have bald spots.

Honestly, yes! I have fine hair with medium density, so your pictures look like mine would have I had gone the route of a TWA; especially if I allowed my hair to curl instead of combing or brushing them out for scalp coverage. I'm not sure how your hair looked before, but I understand feeling self conscious about your scalp and wanting thickness. It has taken me years, but I finally feel like my hair looks thick.

I hope the advice that the other ladies have given you help you out with increasing growth. Good luck on your journey and join us in the hair challenges and support threads. I particularly recommend the TWA Support thread, and the Healthy Crown & Edges Challenge.