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The Mini Twist / Mini Braid Thread
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B_Phlyy
Pineapple Eating Unicorn
Long post ahead because that's what I do
Update from my dermatologist visit on June 6. Though I can't recall completely, I'm certain my hair was a few days unwashed and stretched out. I had been sick for about 2 weeks before so I was doing the bare minimum to keep my hair on my head. And this was of course, the first thing she noticed and she asked me to confess my hair sins.
She said my hair was much drier than in January and it seemed to be more than just my recent neglect. She asked about any diet and stress, as well as products. I told her I hadn't been protecting my hair at all at night for at least 2 weeks. Also, there was so much real life stress I was going through (hubby's car was stolen, we owed taxes, one of our pets was sick). Spring 2025 just overall sucked. Plus I found out I had low vitamin D and had only recently started the supplement. My diet and exercise was okay, I eat primarily a high protein diet (I shoot for at least 100g/ day) and I walk or about 4 km/day with strength training twice a week.
As far as products, I had been using the Nizoral shampoo as ordered once a week. I had stopped in May because I kept forgetting to move it back into the shower. I'm working through my stash so my deep conditioner changed ever so often but I mostly was using Shea Moisture. There were a few days I wore a wig but I made sure I had on a wig cap. I also did confess that I used demi permanent color to get rid of greys because henna dye release takes longer than the patience I have about my grey hair. She laughed at me about this because I'm living up to the claim that nurses make the worst patients.
She then did the microscope/camera thing on the newer spot and she was up there for a longer time than the last visit. I didn't know but she was taking and comparing the pictures. She made a mini slide show as she reviewed my prognosis with me and asked what I do I REALLY want to do as far as my haircare going forward.
The spot had not expanded so its 'stable' but not as much hair grew as she expected. This means the spot may be permanent and the follicles are no longer active. However, the hair that did grow was very strong and my length retention was great. My hair in the area grew and retained 3 inches in 5 months. Even in my 20s, I never did that. And since I had used a commercial hair dye with no I'll effects, she said it's okay for me to use it for grey coverage.
She said she had recommendations for follow up care but I had to be honest about the course of action I really want to take. She said my initial complaint was the thinning but the grey hair is what I always bring up now. Obviously I have to deal with both but the care can sometimes contradict the other. So whatever I decide, just know the other option will have to be dialed back. I think, subconsciously, I knew it would eventually come to this which is why I had no problem admitting my vanity and choosing no grey hair.
Her recommendations for color care were for me to switch to gentle permanent color that uses no more than a 20 volume developer. She recommended Redken professional color products but any non- box dye will do. Reason being is that most box dyes have 30-40 volume developer which would cause major breakage for me. She recommended keeping my hair dark because it's my natural color but it's also harder to see thinning in darker hair, especially when it's curly/coily. I can redo the color every 6-8 weeks if needed. No bleaching my hair whatsoever. If I absolutely am determined to try a lighter color, I should get a full cap human hair wig, preferably with bangs or lace so I don't have to strap or glue anything down. She said I need to have no tension on my scalp if at all possible.
Which brings us to the thinning. Given that there is a high possibility that no new hair will grow in the spot, I have to accept that I will now be limited in styling choices. Since I already have a permanent spot, I told her this won't be a problem. She said for the next 3-6 months, she recommends no tension on the top half and crown area of my had. She's of course seen my mini braids but she said even though it too much for now. So basically a wash n' go or super chunky braids/twists. I said we'll see. She wants me to use the Nizoral shampoo 3-4x a week (I'm a daily washer) but this will inevitably strip my color, even with pre-pooing beforehand. So she said to work my way up to that over the next few weeks and to use a color depositing mask once a week. My color will fade but it won't look nearly as bad. The shampoo was only product I used consistently enough where it may have done something so that's why she wants me to keep using it.
She said I can use hair filler sprays like Toppik (which I have). She also gave me a prescription for 5% minoxidil. This is the men's strength but since I'm a woman, pharmacy sometimes asks for it. It's over the counter so if it's cheaper that way, just say I'm picking it up for DH.
My next follow up appointment will be some time in January or February 2026.
Update from my dermatologist visit on June 6. Though I can't recall completely, I'm certain my hair was a few days unwashed and stretched out. I had been sick for about 2 weeks before so I was doing the bare minimum to keep my hair on my head. And this was of course, the first thing she noticed and she asked me to confess my hair sins.
She said my hair was much drier than in January and it seemed to be more than just my recent neglect. She asked about any diet and stress, as well as products. I told her I hadn't been protecting my hair at all at night for at least 2 weeks. Also, there was so much real life stress I was going through (hubby's car was stolen, we owed taxes, one of our pets was sick). Spring 2025 just overall sucked. Plus I found out I had low vitamin D and had only recently started the supplement. My diet and exercise was okay, I eat primarily a high protein diet (I shoot for at least 100g/ day) and I walk or about 4 km/day with strength training twice a week.
As far as products, I had been using the Nizoral shampoo as ordered once a week. I had stopped in May because I kept forgetting to move it back into the shower. I'm working through my stash so my deep conditioner changed ever so often but I mostly was using Shea Moisture. There were a few days I wore a wig but I made sure I had on a wig cap. I also did confess that I used demi permanent color to get rid of greys because henna dye release takes longer than the patience I have about my grey hair. She laughed at me about this because I'm living up to the claim that nurses make the worst patients.
She then did the microscope/camera thing on the newer spot and she was up there for a longer time than the last visit. I didn't know but she was taking and comparing the pictures. She made a mini slide show as she reviewed my prognosis with me and asked what I do I REALLY want to do as far as my haircare going forward.
The spot had not expanded so its 'stable' but not as much hair grew as she expected. This means the spot may be permanent and the follicles are no longer active. However, the hair that did grow was very strong and my length retention was great. My hair in the area grew and retained 3 inches in 5 months. Even in my 20s, I never did that. And since I had used a commercial hair dye with no I'll effects, she said it's okay for me to use it for grey coverage.
She said she had recommendations for follow up care but I had to be honest about the course of action I really want to take. She said my initial complaint was the thinning but the grey hair is what I always bring up now. Obviously I have to deal with both but the care can sometimes contradict the other. So whatever I decide, just know the other option will have to be dialed back. I think, subconsciously, I knew it would eventually come to this which is why I had no problem admitting my vanity and choosing no grey hair.
Her recommendations for color care were for me to switch to gentle permanent color that uses no more than a 20 volume developer. She recommended Redken professional color products but any non- box dye will do. Reason being is that most box dyes have 30-40 volume developer which would cause major breakage for me. She recommended keeping my hair dark because it's my natural color but it's also harder to see thinning in darker hair, especially when it's curly/coily. I can redo the color every 6-8 weeks if needed. No bleaching my hair whatsoever. If I absolutely am determined to try a lighter color, I should get a full cap human hair wig, preferably with bangs or lace so I don't have to strap or glue anything down. She said I need to have no tension on my scalp if at all possible.
Which brings us to the thinning. Given that there is a high possibility that no new hair will grow in the spot, I have to accept that I will now be limited in styling choices. Since I already have a permanent spot, I told her this won't be a problem. She said for the next 3-6 months, she recommends no tension on the top half and crown area of my had. She's of course seen my mini braids but she said even though it too much for now. So basically a wash n' go or super chunky braids/twists. I said we'll see. She wants me to use the Nizoral shampoo 3-4x a week (I'm a daily washer) but this will inevitably strip my color, even with pre-pooing beforehand. So she said to work my way up to that over the next few weeks and to use a color depositing mask once a week. My color will fade but it won't look nearly as bad. The shampoo was only product I used consistently enough where it may have done something so that's why she wants me to keep using it.
She said I can use hair filler sprays like Toppik (which I have). She also gave me a prescription for 5% minoxidil. This is the men's strength but since I'm a woman, pharmacy sometimes asks for it. It's over the counter so if it's cheaper that way, just say I'm picking it up for DH.
My next follow up appointment will be some time in January or February 2026.
B_Phlyy
Pineapple Eating Unicorn
This will be my primary parting/styling situation for the time being. I'm sure I showed a picture similar to this but the area is bigger now. The middle portion is where the thinning is but all the hair around it is okay. My temples on the left side are slightly shorter than in the right but every thing can get into a short ponytail/bun in the middle. If things get really unruly, I gently tuck them in as I don't want to add tension with pins or hair clips.
Currently, the sides and back half of my hair is in mini braids. The middle portion is mostly loose but every few days, I'll do an over hand Dutch braid to make things look neater. I've worked my way up to using the Nizoral shampoo twice a week. I'll try for every other day starting next week.
When I'm on a desktop, there will be a link to my full length check from the SL/APL/BSL threads.
Currently, the sides and back half of my hair is in mini braids. The middle portion is mostly loose but every few days, I'll do an over hand Dutch braid to make things look neater. I've worked my way up to using the Nizoral shampoo twice a week. I'll try for every other day starting next week.
When I'm on a desktop, there will be a link to my full length check from the SL/APL/BSL threads.
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keranikki
Natural, 4a, Fine, medium density
I ended up combing my brists out anyway and dyed my hair black. It came out great! I used Sally’s Ion Collection Dye in Blue Black. I’m going to install my twist extensions sometime this weekend
snoop
Well-Known Member
My summer off mini free hair, while easy going, hasn't been the best thing for my hair.
I'm going on vacation in 3 weeks so I think I will go back to my old school routine and install medium small twists this weekend and then break them down to go away. (I really didn't want to wear minis away, but it'll be easier to handle when we come back and start school. )
I'm going on vacation in 3 weeks so I think I will go back to my old school routine and install medium small twists this weekend and then break them down to go away. (I really didn't want to wear minis away, but it'll be easier to handle when we come back and start school. )
I'm still mini braiding. I didn't post last time cause I was very tired due to trying wash, detangle and blow out my hair as preparation for my mini braids.
Took out my mini braids on May 21st and re-braided it on May 27th. I'm currently re-braiding sections of my hair to remove shed hair and freshen it up a bit. I plan to keep these braids by the end of August hopefully. These are the photos I took around that time.
They are totally meh, I wish I can figure out how to take better photos.
Took out my mini braids on May 21st and re-braided it on May 27th. I'm currently re-braiding sections of my hair to remove shed hair and freshen it up a bit. I plan to keep these braids by the end of August hopefully. These are the photos I took around that time.
They are totally meh, I wish I can figure out how to take better photos.
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