Tried Dermatch today

[divinem]

It does a good job of covering, but I don't like how it dulls my shiny hair. I guess beggars can't be choosers, though. It does what it says it'll do. It definitely adds to getting ready time.

For Dermatch users. Do you apply yours to dry or wet hair? I applied mine to towel dried hair so I could see my bald spots easier.

[esmerelda]

I have some DM but I've only tried it once. I think the applicators are too big for my needs; I only need to get the powder down along my part and those big applicators are just far too big. I think they'd be great for anyone needing a lot of coverage. I'm going to use some plain eyeshadow applicators and see how those work. I can see how it would dull your hair if you got it on your hair instead of the skin.

[divinem]

Started using it after styling my hair -- just in the areas that are noticeably thin after styling. Much better. Don't have that dulling effect, and my head didn't feel like it had chalk all over it. :D

Just had my hair cut (FINALLY) and it looks SO much better after it's been shortened and styled. Went to dermatologist yesterday to start some other blood testing.

So far I'm negative for
Vit D deficiency
Thyroid meds are where they should be

He took an iron and ferratin test, which I should get results back on next week. This is a very conservative derm. He prefers to rule out one at a time. http://www.preeminent.org/melissa/images/rolleyes.gif

[esmerelda]

I've noticed that now that I'm letting my hair grow out, I can see where my hair is thinner. I've had it very short for the past three years. Its not too bad. I know thatI have DM on hand in case I hit a shed period; that gives me some comfort :)

I am curious about your derm... he tests for only thing at a time? Do you get charged an office visit for each time he tests? I am wondering why he does this. It sounds very expensive for you and profitable for him to test for one thing at a time (and forgive my brash suspicion, please.)

Started using it after styling my hair -- just in the areas that are noticeably thin after styling. Much better. Don't have that dulling effect, and my head didn't feel like it had chalk all over it. :D

Just had my hair cut (FINALLY) and it looks SO much better after it's been shortened and styled. Went to dermatologist yesterday to start some other blood testing.

So far I'm negative for
Vit D deficiency
Thyroid meds are where they should be

He took an iron and ferratin test, which I should get results back on next week. This is a very conservative derm. He prefers to rule out one at a time. http://www.preeminent.org/melissa/images/rolleyes.gif

[divinem]

Hmmm.... Interesting that you should ask this, Esmerelda, because I was rather irritated that he wouldn't run a battery. In the "Questions for the doctor" section, I wrote:

Are you willing to do the following beyond a physical examination?:
◦ Full blood count
◦ Iron studies
◦ Thyroid function tests
◦ ANA autoantibodies
◦ Syphilis serology
◦ In women with hair loss and evidence of excess androgens measure total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and prolactin
• Skin and hair scrapings - for microscopy and culture looking for bacteria and fungi.
• Skin biopsy - will help identify lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, alopecia areata.

He really put the brakes on me, but I was desperate to get in to anybody to start getting some answers. I have an appointment with another derm but since I'm a new pt., I can't get in until August. I had already seen the doc in 2007, so I knew I could get an appt.

I'm tempted to visit that derm in Chicago someone mentioned. I'd be willing to travel for that. I just want an answer dangit! :mad:

[esmerelda]

Perhaps you could speak with the billing person and compare the costs of having the tests done one at a time w/ follow up visit as opposed to having them done all at once.

In the doctor's defense, he may be against any unnecessary testing, but in your defense, it could get expensive over time... maybe the billing person could help you with this. If it does look to be expensive, you may be able to use that as leverage to get the doctor to run a battery of tests on you rather that one-at-a-time approach (which would drive me up the wall and down the other side!) :) I have an apt with a new derm in mid-late September. I feels like forever until I will be there. This doctor is so old, (but very knowledgeable!) that I'm worried he might die before I get there. I saw him when I was in high school as a patient, and he was old then ;p

Hmmm.... Interesting that you should ask this, Esmerelda, because I was rather irritated that he wouldn't run a battery. In the "Questions for the doctor" section, I wrote:

Are you willing to do the following beyond a physical examination?:
◦ Full blood count
◦ Iron studies
◦ Thyroid function tests
◦ ANA autoantibodies
◦ Syphilis serology
◦ In women with hair loss and evidence of excess androgens measure total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and prolactin
• Skin and hair scrapings - for microscopy and culture looking for bacteria and fungi.
• Skin biopsy - will help identify lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, alopecia areata.

He really put the brakes on me, but I was desperate to get in to anybody to start getting some answers. I have an appointment with another derm but since I'm a new pt., I can't get in until August. I had already seen the doc in 2007, so I knew I could get an appt.

I'm tempted to visit that derm in Chicago someone mentioned. I'd be willing to travel for that. I just want an answer dangit! :mad:

[Angela]

It does a good job of covering, but I don't like how it dulls my shiny hair. I guess beggars can't be choosers, though. It does what it says it'll do. It definitely adds to getting ready time.

For Dermatch users. Do you apply yours to dry or wet hair? I applied mine to towel dried hair so I could see my bald spots easier.

You can get some baby wipes which have a mild soap in them, and wipe them all over your hair. I found that the wipes take off the excess that dulls the hair. It worked really well for me.

[mymanego]

I tried Dermatch last year and liked the coverage but found it to be so messy. Like you I decided I would rather apply it after my was dried and "styled" so I could cover up the spots that were visible.

I've switched to Shabo which is a powder that is applied to dry hair/scalp. It comes with a brush which I found difficult to use effectively so I bought some art brushes so I could apply it in the exact spots where I need it.

I think it would be great if there was a product that stained the skin rather than using a powder which tends to accumulate in the hair follicles.