I'm new & I NEED YOUR HELP

[INeedYourHelp]

Hello everyone. I have a serious problem that has me on the brink of depression. I have had long thick hair all of my life, but it had started thinning in the crown section almost 20 years ago. It was nothing that disturbed me or even got my attention because it was thin and only about the size of a penny. I was going to an older lady (for about 20 years) who conditioned my hair every week and never applied any heating products to my hair. After Katrina (I live in New Orleans) this lady retired. Luckily, I found another older who was ok; then she became ill. I started going to a younger lady who was all about flat ironing and extremely TIGHT rollersetting. A couple of months after her doing my hair I noticed that the once penny-sized thin area has turned into what I consider a golf course.
I have been so emotionally affected by this that I went to a dermatologist only to be told that there's scarring and only a few follicles (that are widely spread). I started taking prenatal vitamins but they have me eating like I'm expecting for real, so now I'm only taking Biotin.
I am desperate for any help anyone can give me.

 

[BroadstreetBully]

Welcome! Is your hair relaxed or natural?

 

[msa]

Can you tell us your regimen in detail? Hairstyles, products, heat usage, what you do with it at night, etc etc.

 

[INeedYourHelp]

Thank you for responding. My hair is permed (hasn't been for about 2 months and trying to go even longer). I normally get a roller set but opted for a flat iron about 4 times within the last 3-4 months. I've never really paid attention to the products that were being used on my hair because it has always been so healthy. The lady who had been doing my hair for years would ALWAYS use Fermodyl.
Can someone explain to me what can I start doing to my hair (it falls right above my bra strap) besides getting a perm or cutting it all off? What should I do as far as styling & upkeep go?

 

[msa]

Thank you for responding. My hair is permed (hasn't been for about 2 months and trying to go even longer). I normally get a roller set but opted for a flat iron about 4 times within the last 3-4 months. I've never really paid attention to the products that were being used on my hair because it has always been so healthy. The lady who had been doing my hair for years would ALWAYS use Fermodyl.
Can someone explain to me what can I start doing to my hair (it falls right above my bra strap) besides getting a perm or cutting it all off? What should I do as far as styling & upkeep go?

Well I think the first thing you can do is to stretch your relaxers a while so that you can have time to baby that thinning spot. I've read a lot about emu oil and it's supposed to help reawaken follicles, so you may want to research it and see if it's something you want to use. You should also research essential oils and herbs because a lot of them are good for scalp health and encouraging hair growth.

As far as styling, since you wear rollersets now, you could start by learning to do your own rollersets. That way you can control the combing, tension, and the amount of heat you use to dry. You could also start doing braid outs and twist outs and then style your hair in buns, updo's, or pinned up styles.

Since you felt fermydol was working for you, buy some and use it. As far as a regimen goes, the most simple thing to do is keep your hair clean, deep condition at least once a week, and then make sure to moisturize and protective style. Sistaslick's articles are a great place to start learning about hair care. You may also want to check out www.longhairdontcare.net...she's a member here and has a great "cleanse, condition, care" routine that's pretty basic and easy to understand.

 

[lashannasmall]

I would go to the dermotologist first to make sure everything was okay with the scalp.

It seems like you relied on other people to take care of your hair and you dont' know how to take care of it yourself. I would go through this board and do some serious research on hair care and come up with a regimen that you can do at home yourself. That why you have more control over what is going on with your hair.

Many stylists don't know anything about hair care and they will continue to do harmful things to your hair and not say anything. They just care about the end result. They know how to style the hair to hide how unhealthy it is. My hair was thinning due to weaves for the last two years and none of my stylist caught on to it or did anything to stop it. I started doing my own hair and I am seeing progress.

Long story short. Go to the dermotologist. Learn how to do your own hair. Do research and come up with a regimen.

 

[Geminigirl]

I think she said she went to a derm already. But co signing with the ladies and maybe someone else will come in and help you out more.

 

[onyxdreams]

I agree you should go to the dermatologist,you need to establish the health of your scalp rule out any illness.Then I would start with a vitamin regimine.We grow hair from the inside.Once the scalp's health has been established use more natural products such as acv rinse,coconut oil and henna .Breathe stress only adds to the issue,I know easier said then done but really stress does play a part.Good luck

 

[Finally Free]

Hi & Welcome! You've been given great advice thus far! Hopefully others will chime in with even more. Best Wishes!!!

 

[growth2come]

Hi

There are plenty of growth aids that people have used for their edges so maybe you could also look into this as you are you also working from within with the biotin. Their is MTG, Boundless tresses, biotin cream, essential oils as well as frequent scalp massages. I hope you will find something that will work for you and dont stress too much. I find that when I stress my hair falls out. So stay calm and try and get a regime that works and you will soon get you patch to start filling up.

 

[tiffers]

I definitely agree with the ladies who suggested DIY. Most stylists just don't know or care about healthy hair practices

To stimulate growth, you should:
Exercise
Drink plenty of water
Use a growth aid
Take vitamins

A few growth aids:
Boundless Tresses www.growthspecifics.com
Bee Mine www.beemineproducts.com
Mega Tek (MT)
Ovation Cell Therapy (OCT) www.ovationhair.com
Lenzi's Request www.sunriseproductsonline.com
Komaza's Growth Oil www.komazacare.com

You can also make your own MoGro oil or use plain ol castor oil and aloe vera gel/juice

Here's a great vitamin guide http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=132569

HTH!

 

[Ms_CoCo37]

I definitely agree with the ladies who suggested DIY. Most stylists just don't know or care about healthy hair practices

To stimulate growth, you should:
Exercise
Drink plenty of water
Use a growth aid
Take vitamins

A few growth aids:
Boundless Tresses www.growthspecifics.com
Bee Mine www.beemineproducts.com
Mega Tek (MT)
Ovation Cell Therapy (OCT) www.ovationhair.com
Lenzi's Request www.sunriseproductsonline.com
Komaza's Growth Oil www.komazacare.com

You can also make your own MoGro oil or use plain ol castor oil and aloe vera gel/juice

Here's a great vitamin guide http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=132569

HTH!

Tiffers, you forgot to add your Baggy Challenge to the list! I think she would benefit from it, Lord knows I'm loving it!

 

[vivEz daNs lamouR]

My mother went through a similar rough patch except it was from a hairdresser overprocessing her hair and she had to go to the Dermatologist to get steroid injections to her scalp to stimulate hair growth.

I don't think you'll need this, but you can get a second MD opinion just to be sure.

I would try to K.I.S.S, find a selection of products that don't contain many harsh ingredients since your hair seems to be in a fragile state. Get a good clarifier, moisturizing shampoo, deep conditioner, and try to learn to do your hair yourself!

I highly, highly, recommend the Aveda Damage Remedy line - you can get their shampoo, conditioner and the intense Damage Remedy treatment. It's a bit expensive but it works.

Get some topical growth aids if you want to stimulate hair growth - I personally like Boundless Tresses and Ovation Cell Therapy. If you don't have a reaction to it, you can take a multi-vitamin as well as Biotin to stimulate hair growth.

Are you moisturizing properly? Moisturizers should be water based and then sealed with some type of oil. Neutrogena NTM works, and I usually seal with either castor, coconut, or EVOO.

I would lay off of the heat for awhile, focus on doing some protective styles such as wet bunning and other styles that will give your scalp and hair some time to rest and heal. Scalp massages should also do you some good too.

I know I said a lot, but the main point is to cleanse, condition, and care as another poster mentioned. Hope this helps.

 

[INeedYourHelp]

I thank you all so very much for welcoming me and giving me advice. It is a lot to take in, mainly because I am not used to doing my own hair but I'm going to give it a try.
I'll keep you all posted and will continue to read and take heed to your posts.

 

[INeedYourHelp]

Someone here in New Orleans recommended Lisa Akbari's products, can I get some reviews on those please?

 

[SEMO]

I'm sorry to hear about your hair. I'm definitely no expert in hair loss. But the only thing I can think might help would be perhaps castor oil and tea tree oil. The tea tree oil may help stimulate your hair follicles and the castor oil may help thicken the strands that are there now.

I hope your hair starts to thrive again.

 

[MummysGirl]

Hello and Welcome!!! Sorry to hear about your hair/scalp issues.

I agree - I think you've been given really good advice so far.

 

[INeedYourHelp]

Ok ladies, I appreciate each of you who took time and replied to my initial post but I'm still lost. It's so much good information and advice that I don't know where to start. I'm not sure if I want to go natural or continue with perms (once my hair has thickened and strengthened again). I'm not used to doing my own hair so I need your help in getting started. You all seem sssoooo dedicated to your hair, and I honestly don't think my schedule will allow me to devote that much time into my hair (I thought I was dedicated getting it washed and set once a week). I would like some suggestions on shampoo and conditioning products, oils and moisturizers. I probably seem helpless and clueless, but that's because I am... I've never done my own hair so I need some serious training and I would greatly appreciate any help you all give to me.

P.S.- some of those abbreviations are mind-boggling

 

[diva24]

Okai I will go out ona ledge and say until you can figure out what exactly is causing your hair loss it is best to not use any chemicals like relaxers. Also tight styles like really tight rollers and braids also need to be put to rest for right now.

Simple things you can do are wearing our hair in buns as long as you dont use rubber bands or put your hair in too tight ponytails. Also try not to use direct heat (flat irons, straightenign combs, curling irons or anything that put heat DIRECTLY on your hair).

Also go back to your dermatologist and have them explain exactly what they think you need to do for your scalp. You need to know what type of damage you are dealing with so you can address it. They may be able to give you shots to help stimulate growth. At home you can try products with sulfur. Be careful because some people are allergic to them. Sulfur 8 is something you can buy in stores and there are 2 or 3 product you can buy online.

There are a few stimulating oils that people have mentioned about, emu oil, castor oil, jamaican black castor oil (they are different), etc.

Also I do not know if you want to try Miconazole Nitrate (I haven't but if you search this board you will find LOTS of people that tried it). Its an antifungal cream that has promoted growth for some of the women here. Its commonly known as Monistat.

Do not get upset. I understand that this can be very overwhelming. We have tons of information and to try to absorb it all at once is impossible. There are so many ladies here that will help you understand. This is your thread, ask all the questions you like.

As far as products that all depends on the person. We all use very different types of products on our hair. As well as devoting time, you do not have to do as others do. If you set aside time to go to a salon then you can use that time to work on your own hair. One day time hour a week and a few minutes a night is plenty of time to effectively care for your hair!

 

[INeedYourHelp]

My scalp has become extremely sore & itchy in the past week or so, and it also feels somewhat bumpy in the real itchy areas. I have been taking Bioton & prenatal vitamins for about a month now & I still don't see any results. I've tried using the ORS Hair Fertilizer (2 weeks) but it has my hair so heavy & oily. Could it be some sort of reaction to the fertilizer or is this normal?
I wasted my money going to the dermatologist because he didn't tell me anything, not even my diagnosis so I'm going to go to my PCP & let her refer me to someone. I thought by now I would see some kind of results but it seems worse because I've never experienced the sore scalp before.