Blu217
Well-Known Member
I saw the derm today and want to share my big-time update to the stress-related hair loss I'm going through. I've never read anything here about the kind of treatment I received, and I think this will maybe help someone going through the same. I thought, going in, it was going to be the usual recommendation to avoid tight hairstyles and use some Nizoral.
Instead, I'm sitting here with FOUR STITCHES IN MY SCALP from a biopsy, AND I had at least ten additional injections of cortisone right in the dome! It's definitely not for the faint of heart. And yes, my head is on FIRE.
My derm, a black woman like me, was incredibly thorough; I really cannot believe it. She was caring, concerned and compassionate. She pulled through my hair, tugged at some hairs and told me her diagnosis.
This is the part I'm not really understanding: She said it looks like my follicles are withering--that means my hair has started DYING--and she said it looks like my scalp is SCARRED from possibly relaxing for so long, and from scratching my head. And here's where my problem lies with her suspicions.
I get my relaxers done ONLY by a professional at a salon. I don't typically get chemical burns, and on the very rare occasion I do they're usually tiny and along the hairline. Women relax their hair to the grave and it grows; I know I've everything right regarding my chemical treatments--including seeing only stylists I trust who take care with their application. Plus, I have never worn braids, tracks or weaves of any kind, wigs or fancy, tight hairstyles. I don't use curling irons, flat irons or pressing irons--I rollerset and heat dry, but for the last 6 months I've been airdrying. I wear my hair back in a loose scrunchie--there is no stress on my hair, or my head, that I know of. And there is CERTAINLY nothing I'm doing that could possibly be worse than all these women I see who have heads full of hair, who are manipulating it like crazy yet it thrives. I do scratch it when it itches, and I've been known to scratch vigorously now and then if it's driving me nuts--but who doesn't? So... how would my head be scarred?
She wanted to biopsy my scalp to be sure. Ladies, this is not cheap, and they don't file insurance, so I'm $454 lighter--but I couldn't have cared less; I want ANSWERS and cost is little object to the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what is causing my balding. She gave me a shot in the scalp to numb it, then came back and cut out a small section of skin to be sent for a full range of tests. They're looking for everything from psoriasis to fungus to scar tissue to stress-related shedding. I didn't feel much, but they sure were tugging and sawing up there! I got 4 stitches I can feel, but can't really see. In a week they take them out.
I asked about cortisone shots, which I hear are administered to help with thinning, and she elected to give me some. Over and over again with that frickin' needle in my head--and this time no anaesthesia, but I took it like a woman... in a cold sweat with curled toes!
I've only read about these treatments before; I am just so thrilled to have found someone who knew how to really examine my issue so thoroughly, someone who understood what I'm going through and someone who used a variety of effective procedures that will FINALLY just give me an answer.
She told me to really think about going natural. My hair is almost BSL now and while I kinda like the idea of exploring my natural texture, I think I'll look like a little gay dude with boobs till it grows out. I don't care about losing the length, because my hair grows fast, and well. The only thing that worries me is that my lost hair may never grow back, because despite practicing the most gentle haircare most women ever will, I might still have damaged my head somehow. I don't know what to say about relaxing right now. I suppose this could be a revelation for all us relaxed ladies to contend with.
But I have faith. I have faith that, no matter what the results say, I can get my hair back. I don't know why I believe that, but... I just feel it inside.
We will see. As soon as I have results, I'll post an update.
Instead, I'm sitting here with FOUR STITCHES IN MY SCALP from a biopsy, AND I had at least ten additional injections of cortisone right in the dome! It's definitely not for the faint of heart. And yes, my head is on FIRE.
My derm, a black woman like me, was incredibly thorough; I really cannot believe it. She was caring, concerned and compassionate. She pulled through my hair, tugged at some hairs and told me her diagnosis.
This is the part I'm not really understanding: She said it looks like my follicles are withering--that means my hair has started DYING--and she said it looks like my scalp is SCARRED from possibly relaxing for so long, and from scratching my head. And here's where my problem lies with her suspicions.
I get my relaxers done ONLY by a professional at a salon. I don't typically get chemical burns, and on the very rare occasion I do they're usually tiny and along the hairline. Women relax their hair to the grave and it grows; I know I've everything right regarding my chemical treatments--including seeing only stylists I trust who take care with their application. Plus, I have never worn braids, tracks or weaves of any kind, wigs or fancy, tight hairstyles. I don't use curling irons, flat irons or pressing irons--I rollerset and heat dry, but for the last 6 months I've been airdrying. I wear my hair back in a loose scrunchie--there is no stress on my hair, or my head, that I know of. And there is CERTAINLY nothing I'm doing that could possibly be worse than all these women I see who have heads full of hair, who are manipulating it like crazy yet it thrives. I do scratch it when it itches, and I've been known to scratch vigorously now and then if it's driving me nuts--but who doesn't? So... how would my head be scarred?
She wanted to biopsy my scalp to be sure. Ladies, this is not cheap, and they don't file insurance, so I'm $454 lighter--but I couldn't have cared less; I want ANSWERS and cost is little object to the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what is causing my balding. She gave me a shot in the scalp to numb it, then came back and cut out a small section of skin to be sent for a full range of tests. They're looking for everything from psoriasis to fungus to scar tissue to stress-related shedding. I didn't feel much, but they sure were tugging and sawing up there! I got 4 stitches I can feel, but can't really see. In a week they take them out.
I asked about cortisone shots, which I hear are administered to help with thinning, and she elected to give me some. Over and over again with that frickin' needle in my head--and this time no anaesthesia, but I took it like a woman... in a cold sweat with curled toes!
I've only read about these treatments before; I am just so thrilled to have found someone who knew how to really examine my issue so thoroughly, someone who understood what I'm going through and someone who used a variety of effective procedures that will FINALLY just give me an answer.
She told me to really think about going natural. My hair is almost BSL now and while I kinda like the idea of exploring my natural texture, I think I'll look like a little gay dude with boobs till it grows out. I don't care about losing the length, because my hair grows fast, and well. The only thing that worries me is that my lost hair may never grow back, because despite practicing the most gentle haircare most women ever will, I might still have damaged my head somehow. I don't know what to say about relaxing right now. I suppose this could be a revelation for all us relaxed ladies to contend with.
But I have faith. I have faith that, no matter what the results say, I can get my hair back. I don't know why I believe that, but... I just feel it inside.
We will see. As soon as I have results, I'll post an update.
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I doubt it. A similar thing happened to my cousin and was just stress. She kicked some stuff (and people) out of her life and it got better. Not completely, but a lot better. I'm not saying that's your issue I'm saying your derm is getting PAID. In my old age I've gotten very skeptical.
So sorry to hear you're going through all this! 
especially since you baby your hair. I cant wait until you get some answers. Keep us posted!
way suggesting that you may have Lupus, I am only saying I have been through what you are going through and YES it could be caused by stress.
. There is someone who has survivied and my hair grows back, it is almost bsl. It would be but, I called myself giving myself a haircut...that's different story for a seperate thread.......
