Help!!Where do i Start? It all Fell OUT!

[kj_evans90]

I just joined the forum & i hope i can get help from some or all of you. I think I am a 2/b-fine/thin, relaxed hair & it will break from the smallest amount of mistreatment (& IT ALREADY HAS-OVER RELAXED IT ). I have the top of my head covered by braids but the back of my hair has fallen out sooooo bad. From the top tip of my ears down. i don't know where to begin to get it back. i've always had fine hair but it never was really that healthy. my first goal is health & then we'll work on length.......HELP A SISTA OUT, PLEASSSEEEE & THANKSSSSS!!!!!
Sorry my pic won;t load i'll try again later. basically we start from scratch.
i'll HYH 'til it grows back!

 

[Eiano]

Sorry this has happened to you.
I know a lot of ladies here will be able to help you. But I think you should start by seeing a trichologist and go from there.

Also, maybe give yor hair a break from chemicals (relaxers) and weight (braids and weaves) and heat. Try wigs until your hair starts to fill in.

 

[hOnii]

hello & welcome!

Sorry to hear about this. I know it can be very discouraging. What is your regime? What kind of relaxer do you use, and do you self-relax?

I can't see your hair very well, but are you sure you are a 2a? If so, you may not need relaxers, or a very mild one at that. Here is a link: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curl411/types.php

You may need to start looking for some wigs as you try to get your hair back to a healthy state. That way you can give your hair some rest, without putting much stress on it. Also, it may be best to just cut out all the rest of the damaged hair and just start over clean.

 

[kj_evans90]

i do self relax, b4 the braids i washed & roller set every 2 wks- i was using infusium poo & conditioner & aphogee conditioner & that other pantene for black hair. i found a dominican product website & ordered some stuff from them-avacodo treatment, aloe conditioner etc. but then i got the braids-i just couldn't take feeling the wind against my neck lol.

 

[kj_evans90]

i do self relax, b4 the braids i washed & roller set every 2 wks- i was using infusium poo & conditioner & aphogee conditioner & that other pantene for black hair. i found a dominican product website & ordered some stuff from them-avacodo treatment, aloe conditioner etc. but then i got the braids-i just couldn't take feeling the wind against my neck lol.

 

[kj_evans90]

what is that & where do i find one? (trichologist)

 

[sareca]

Here's my favorite site on damaged hair. http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_72.htm

I had a bad case of [FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]trichorrhexis nodosa when I first got here... about 8-10 months later I couldn't find one.
[/FONT]

 

[tia123]

WHAT DOES A TRICHOLOGIST DO ?

A trichologist helps people who have problems with their hair or scalp.

The client may complain of sudden excessive hair loss from all over the scalp, a bald patch which has suddenly appeared, or itching and excessive scaling of the scalp.

These are the sorts of problems a trichologist sees.

The trichologist will carefully question each new client and examine the scalp thoroughly to assess the problem and its cause. A microscopic examination of the hair might be required to aid in the diagnosis of the problem.

The trichologist must then decide if treatment is necessary and whether the problem is within his or her realm to treat, or should be dealt with by a medical doctor. Treatment by the trichologist might consist of the application of a particular cream or lotion to the scalp or the use of nutritional therapy.

 

[MoniintheMiddle]

First, let me say that I have been in your shoes. When I first started lurking on LHCF; the back of my hair was gone (and I went to the salon weekly)! However, now, just one month shy of taking care of my own hair, I am an inch shy of shoulder length (I really wish that I had taken before pictures but at the time i was so distraught thinking that my hair would not grow back---another stylist i went to told me that maybe my hair was stagnate ). My back was so short that i had to brush it up to TRY to pin it up! What help me was PROTECTIVE STYLING and stretching my relaxers. You will get a lot of great advice from this board and you will probably experiment with several products until you find what is right for you. There are some great threads on whether your hair needs more moisture versus protein, etc. However, the less you manipulate your hair at this point the better.
I had my touch up a few weeks ago and my stylist complimented me several times on how healthy my hair is.
So, you can do it. I would try wigs in the interim though b/c the briads may be creating tension on your hair.

 

[HoneyDew]

Here's my favorite site on damaged hair. http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_72.htm

I had a bad case of [FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]trichorrhexis nodosa when I first got here... about 8-10 months later I couldn't find one.
[/FONT]

I really love that site, too. Great info. I hope they never take it down.

 

[kj_evans90]

will my insurance cover this visit to the trichologist?

 

[Missi]

I just joined the forum & i hope i can get help from some or all of you. I think I am a 2/b-fine/thin, relaxed hair & it will break from the smallest amount of mistreatment (& IT ALREADY HAS-OVER RELAXED IT ). I have the top of my head covered by braids but the back of my hair has fallen out sooooo bad. From the top tip of my ears down. i don't know where to begin to get it back. i've always had fine hair but it never was really that healthy. my first goal is health & then we'll work on length.......HELP A SISTA OUT, PLEASSSEEEE & THANKSSSSS!!!!!
Sorry my pic won;t load i'll try again later. basically we start from scratch.
i'll HYH 'til it grows back!

Girl: Don't worry there has been plenty of girls that were in ur boat: and now have fixed that: for some hope, smiles, & motivation: look at this lady's pic: http://public.fotki.com/Ambitious1013/
......she started about the same length as you are now and she's almost at APL.
From my experiences: my advice: is start out w/ a Protein and a Moisture Conditioner for your specific hair need and use a spray/creme moisture: just see if you see progress after 4 weeks (1/2 in) or mabe 2 weeks (1/4 inch)

 

[tia123]

I too joined this site in Dec. 06 in hopes of finding tips to help me because I lost my shoulder length hair at what seems like over night. However, I had been feeling weak for months but did not know what was wrong with me. I went to my primary care physician and had a physical done. My doctor suggested that my iron and thyroid be checked. My thyroid was normal but my iron level was severely low. My doctor put me on iron pills, 65mg of ferrous sulfate a day. Not long after the iron got into my system my hair stopped falling out, but by then, I had lost nearly all of my hair. I definitely feel your pain.

Here are some practical things that may help that I have been doing:

• Get a medical check-up to see if something internal is causing the hair loss.
• Eat healthier: more protein, fruits, vegetables etc.
• Drink more water at least 6-8 glasses a day (if you are not a water drinker then start with 2-3 glasses and then work your way up)
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day or as much as possible during the week
• Incorporate a vitamin routine into your daily schedule
• Try to get more sleep
• Do scalp massages daily
• Keep your scalp clean
• Always condition your hair after you wash it
• Wear styles like box braids, twists, buns, or even wigs until you get some growth back. (I have to do this because I actually have big bald spots)
• Try some topical growth aids (Right now my stylist has me trying Dudley Advanced Hair and Scalp Serum. I have not noticed any change at all, and this stuff is expensive the Serum alone is $50.00 for a 2 or 3 oz bottle (it’s supposed to be a DHT blocker) and the combo serum with shampoo is $60.00. I have only been using it for 2 weeks though.)
• Use the search feature here at LHCF and read some of the previous posts on hair loss/thinning maybe some of those will help you.
• Have patience because it’s going to take a while to nurse your hair back to health

 

[Bint Yusef]

will my insurance cover this visit to the trichologist?

You should definitely call and ask them

I am so sorry this happened to you.

I dont know if its too early to start any topical treatments, but maybe some Boundless Tresses to start help your hair fill back in?