Saw Derm for Thinning Hairline

[DigitalRain]

I picked a random dermatology clinic out of the yellow pages and was able to get in the next day since some one had just called to cancel an appointment. The derm I saw was a black lady, thank goodness. She looked at my hairline and told me that the culprit was probably a combination probably chemical relaxers left too long on hair line and aggressive brushing, which I am guilty of. She did say the follicles didnt appear destroyed. She gave me corticosteroid shots along the hairline and a prescription for a topical steroid ointment to use at night. I also have to return monthly for the shots once a month for four months, which I am okay with since the shots are inexpensive. If she doesn't see an improvement, then she is going to do a biopsy, but she seemed pretty sure that the shots and ointment would do the trick along with laying off aggressive hair brushing and skip relaxing the hairline or 1 minute mild relaxing of the hairline at least until the four months are up.

She also gave me a report she did on black hair loss for a magazine. Some of it, we already know, but she also had some new info regarding hair loss and causes and treatment. I will type this up when I get a chance, and post.

 

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

Was the shot in the scalp painful?

 

[DigitalRain]

No, it was uncomfortable, but not painful. It felt like annoying tiny needle pricks, nothing major.

 

[cutebajangirl]

What was the topical ointment?

 

[melodee]

I've had the shots and they did help my condition. You may want to be cautious DigitalRain, about getting this treatment repeatedly. I asked my new derm about why they didn't give the shots and he told me that adverse effects were being shown on people who had this done time after time. I use the external cortecosteriods now.

 

[LaNecia]

I'm glad to hear you were able to see someone knowledgable about your problem! I know someone who had to get the same shot for a scalp problem that cropped up where he had a patch of hair just disappear seemingly over night, the shot helped. I wouldn't have know it if he hadn't of told me.

 

[MissB]

DigitalRain,

I am suffering from the same problem. What was the name of the topical ointment that was prescribed?

Thanks, MissB

 

[DigitalRain]

I dropped the prescription off at the pharmacists and I can't remember the name!!! I pick up the ointment tomorrow and I will let you know.

Thanks for the tip, Melodee. I will definitely ask her about that on my next visit.