pink gator
Well-Known Member
Happy New Year, everyone!
In 2007, after wearing locs for six years and sew-ins for a few months, I wanted a short pixie cut. I felt that it would look better if it were relaxed.
The stylist used a regular-strength Affirm and, since my hair was natural, she used a fine-toothed comb to smooth it out; in the process, she scratched my scalp and caused severe burns in my crown area.
I consulted with my dermatologist, who prescribed betamethasone dipropionate drops and ointment to prevent further damage. But I didn't fill the prescription, so my hair promptly fell out in that area.
I was so self-conscious about the bald spot that I actually did comb-overs or used tracks to cover it.
In 2011, my dermatologist used a magnifying glass to determine if my follicles were scarred. Seeing that they were still viable, she started injecting cortisone in the area and prescribed the betamethasone dipropionate liquid (later, the gel) and 5,000 mg biotin, which I used for a couple years but results were slow.
So, in March 2013, she prescribed a compounded mix of 5% Minoxidil to be applied twice daily in the scalp area, along with cortisone injections every three months. I was skeptical until many of the African-American staff members told me that they also use it, which explained why their hair appeared longer every time I visited. (They didn't have alopecia; they just liked the growth
!)
The derm called in my prescription at a nearby compounding pharmacy. I started on March 22, 2013, and only skipped days when I shampooed or had a color service or relaxer touch-up (which I now do myself; I don't trust anyone anymore to apply my relaxers
).
The new growth at first appeared as scab hair and was a bit lighter (color-wise) than the surrounding hair, but became darker and thicker as the months progressed. It's now about 3/4 inch long and I am so excited!
It's covered by most insurance prescription plans; I've found that Walgreens (those what have a compounding service) is the easiest route. However, most compounding pharmacies may not be reimbursed by insurance, so you may have to file a claim afterward.
Another con, I've been told by a couple of staff members, is that one may have to use the ointment almost indefinitely, or hair loss may occur. I'm unsure if that's true because my doc only prescribed three refills. It's not as if I had been suffering male-pattern hair loss, so I believe I will have long-term growth; I just had to get the follicles stimulated for regrowth.
I think my results would be more optimal if I regularly massaged the area. I was using a soft boar-bristle brush to stimulate the area; I need to revisit that today.
Please feel free to hit me up with any questions!
Pink Gator
First Pic: March 22, 2013 (Day One)
Second: June 22 (3-month check)
Third: September 26 (6-month check)
Fourth: November 22 (8-month check)
Fifth: December 29 (9-month)
In 2007, after wearing locs for six years and sew-ins for a few months, I wanted a short pixie cut. I felt that it would look better if it were relaxed.
The stylist used a regular-strength Affirm and, since my hair was natural, she used a fine-toothed comb to smooth it out; in the process, she scratched my scalp and caused severe burns in my crown area.
I consulted with my dermatologist, who prescribed betamethasone dipropionate drops and ointment to prevent further damage. But I didn't fill the prescription, so my hair promptly fell out in that area.
I was so self-conscious about the bald spot that I actually did comb-overs or used tracks to cover it.
In 2011, my dermatologist used a magnifying glass to determine if my follicles were scarred. Seeing that they were still viable, she started injecting cortisone in the area and prescribed the betamethasone dipropionate liquid (later, the gel) and 5,000 mg biotin, which I used for a couple years but results were slow.
So, in March 2013, she prescribed a compounded mix of 5% Minoxidil to be applied twice daily in the scalp area, along with cortisone injections every three months. I was skeptical until many of the African-American staff members told me that they also use it, which explained why their hair appeared longer every time I visited. (They didn't have alopecia; they just liked the growth
!)The derm called in my prescription at a nearby compounding pharmacy. I started on March 22, 2013, and only skipped days when I shampooed or had a color service or relaxer touch-up (which I now do myself; I don't trust anyone anymore to apply my relaxers
). The new growth at first appeared as scab hair and was a bit lighter (color-wise) than the surrounding hair, but became darker and thicker as the months progressed. It's now about 3/4 inch long and I am so excited!
It's covered by most insurance prescription plans; I've found that Walgreens (those what have a compounding service) is the easiest route. However, most compounding pharmacies may not be reimbursed by insurance, so you may have to file a claim afterward.
Another con, I've been told by a couple of staff members, is that one may have to use the ointment almost indefinitely, or hair loss may occur. I'm unsure if that's true because my doc only prescribed three refills. It's not as if I had been suffering male-pattern hair loss, so I believe I will have long-term growth; I just had to get the follicles stimulated for regrowth.
I think my results would be more optimal if I regularly massaged the area. I was using a soft boar-bristle brush to stimulate the area; I need to revisit that today.
Please feel free to hit me up with any questions!
Pink Gator
First Pic: March 22, 2013 (Day One)
Second: June 22 (3-month check)
Third: September 26 (6-month check)
Fourth: November 22 (8-month check)
Fifth: December 29 (9-month)
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she should know better than what she did.
