A Note For Existing Members of The Network

[Women's Hair Loss Project]

Hello Hello Network Ladies! Welcome to the new forum of The Women's Hair Loss Project, this forum in no way replaces the Network (http://community.womenshairlossproject.com), it just adds another way for women to interact and communicate with each other. Since having started the WHLP in August 2007, I have received many request for an actual forum. I have come to realize that some women find social networking confusing and are not really interested in setting up profiles to interact with others on that level. I actually never thought I would start an actual forum because I personally would get lost on them, never liked the way they were run and always felt disconnected, however, I know that with the amazing sisterhood we already have, that the forum will just be an extension of that warmth and support.

I definitely want to integrate the activity on the forum with the network, so I have created little button banners to place in the signature area of existing network member profiles that can link back to your page.

http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/images/styles/hairloss/misc/networkbanner.jpg

If you would like to add this to the signature area of your posts please create a thread in the "Private Support (http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/forumdisplay.php?f=47)" area with your request and we'll get that up for you. The private technical support area is for communication that may require the use of sensitive information such as email addresses. Threads created in that area are only viewable to you and administration. While the "Banner Request" doesn't really fall under the topic of "sensitive data" I want to keep those all in one area, and that seemed like the perfect place. :D

Thank you so much for being apart of The Women's Hair Loss Project, it has meant a lot to me and so many other women and it is all of you who make it the special, loving community that it is.

[RLL]

Thank you for the welcome

[goldie]

I'm new to the forum but eager to share my story. I've had my ups and downs with growing my hair. When it was good it really was good. Then just when I thought it was healthy enough I colored with a Clairol product to hide the gray. Wrong move. I've been down this path before and have had to start over getting my hair back healthy. You'd think I'd learn. I saw Veronica Webb on the Wendy Williams talk show and she mentioned that she doesn't color her hair because it breaks it. I could really identified with her. The only successful hair coloring product that I can use with my perform without breakage is Clairol Hydrience. It really works but of course this last time I tried a differenct Clairol product and my hair snap left and right. I'm done, I really think the hair color was old and that's mostly why it broke. So here I am again starting over. I know conditioning is the only way to get it back..What a slow process you'd think I'd learned by now. Patiently waiting for my hair to return.

[Momof3]

I've been advised by my Dr. to find a support group forthe depression that Im facing from my FPB...I've tried posting things, but even after signing up it says that it's been blocked, I really dont even know whree to begin. but thanks for at least making this available to be able to read other's stories.

[carolanne]

Has anyone noticed a connection between either topical tretinoin or oracea and hair loss? I also have thyroid and menopause factors, but I am suspicious of the tretinoin especially. CCA

[Brittey]

Hi I'm new and I need a friend !

[Jodie34]

Hello, I am new and very interrested in why I have been losing my hair for over two years. I have lots of hair still left but after two year after having my son I noticed that my hair started to come out in the shower and when I brushed it and it hasn't stopped. I am very interrested to why it started after all these years of my hair being just fine. Iron could be my problem and have started to take it but haven't noticed much a difference. I am one of those women who lose hair when I am pregnant and after the pregnancy my hair goes back to normal but this last pregnancy it cleared up for a two years and then hit again and hasn't let up. I have PCOS but what really is PCOS? No one really knows what causes it, doctors don't even have a direct answer so I have learned to do research on my own and that is why I am here to listen to others like myself and hope to come up with an answer. Okay now I can't wait to get busy reading.

[nevile]

hey hi frns newbie here,i find this thread appropriate to introduce myself.

[MrsK4Jesus]

Hello Sisters:) I need help in regard to knowing what tests to take to find out why I have been losing hair for about five years. The last "doctor" I went to, a Derm. flounced in, told me he had kidnesy stones, took a quick glance at my hair, announced alopecia, whatever and said, "Sorry, looks like we are both having a bad day". Needless to say I was angry and in tears!! I don't know what tests to ask for to find out the cause of this hair loss and that is what I need help with. Also, should I go to a Derm. or an Endo doctor? :>Thank you:o

[bpa9013]

Hi, I am a new member and I have suffered from hair loss for the past several years. After my initial loss, it grew back and I have controlled it pretty good with Minoxidil. Several months back I stopped using the Minoxidil just to see if I could and I have for the last few months been using Tretinoin Cream for help with wrinkles. (I am 64.) I started shedding more than usual 2 months back and started taking Minoxidil 3 weeks ago. For the last 2 weeks I have been having a major shed and I can no longer go out in public as my hair has gotten so thin. I also have hypothyroidism but I have been taking synthroid and I thought that was supposed to take care of it. I am getting a blood test Monday to have my thyroid checked and I also am going to see about buying a wig. I am at my wits end. I do not know what is causing this but it is ruining my social life. I only hope that it soon stops the shedding and starts regrowing.

[KathyLI]

I understand completely. I am only 43 and dont want to leave the house. Its a beautiful Friday night and instead of being out I threw on a baseball cap so I dont have to look at it and am hanging out with my dogs! Pathetic I know....

[happy4life]

The warm welcome is very encouraging. However, this will be the first time I have ever participated in a forum. I also consider myself low-tech, so members please bear with me as I learn the procedure.

Thanks, again.

[jamie]

around march of 2010 i noticed my hair falling out i was diagnosed with chron's but my doctor insist that it is not causing my hair loss. my hair fell out and new hair grew in and fell out and new hair grew in it did this about 6 months. no i wasn't completely bald but you could clearly see my scalp. my hair has always been my thing it was long and curly and its been colored and not colored. in october it finally seemed to slow down and it was comming back in thick and i was feeling better in april i had enough hair i didn't have to wear my wig any more and i went and got a hair style. it was short very short! but it looked like normal hair and it was mine. all summer my hair has grown and been healthy i have not colored it i have just left it alone. well in the past 2 weeks it has started again and i can feel the depression sinking in i cry in the shower with handfulls of hair. Then i realized i have been telling my aunt that my scalp burns and hurts and thats when i notice the hair comming out in hand fulls. so i have looked up a few things online but cannot find a remedy most of the answers is stress. well everyone has stress and i have dealt with it my entire life so why is it different now??

[homegirl]

I am about your age and am having hl too. Rogaine causes extra shedding. The info that comes with the package states there me extra shedding. Rogaine does not guarantee that the shedded hair will grow back. I also read that there is no guarantee that it will work, and if it does, hair gain may be minimal. I think Rogaine works best for users under 40 years old

[Tracy C]

Rogaine causes extra shedding.

Shedding is associated with every treatment for hair loss that actually works. Shedding is part of the process of reversing follicle miniaturization. The hairs in those weak shrunken follicles need to shed out of the way as those weak follicles are returning to normal. How much a person will shed depends on how many follicles where weakened. The more weak follicles you have, the more you will shed. The less weak follicles you have, the less you will shed. Shedding stops when those weak follicles have returned to close to normal. The hair usually grows back. It is actually rather rare for it to not grow back. It does take a long time though - about a year.

I started using Rogaine and generic women's Minoxidil when I was 42. I am now almost 47. Guess what? I grew a lot of hair back thanks in part to Rogaine. For many women, Rogaine is enough to treat hereditary female pattern hair loss - if they would ride out the shedding period and stick to the treatment. Some women need more and I am one of those who needed more - but Rogaine played a significant part in my recovery.

[homegirl]

Hi, It's great that Rogaine is still working for you. I read something about Rogaine being somewhat effective for women up to the age of 40. After that it supposedly becomes less effective. I am near 60 years old; and am very concerned that because my hair is already very thin on top that shedding will be very obvious.

[Tracy C]

The effectiveness of Minoxidil (Rogaine) is widely misunderstood, as is the way it works. It is one of those medications that takes a long time to do its job. It takes four to six months to find out if it will work for you. Then it takes at least a year to 18 months before you will know if the results will be cosmetically significant. Its not great but it is better than nothing at all. The results improve over time if you keep using it. Many folks give up and stop using it because it takes so long.

I did not realize you are 60. I am not a doctor but I have read and I've been told that if you are going to try to treat hair loss you need to start before age 50. I honestly don't know if that is true. However, I have read similar things about weight loss so there might be something to it.

[homegirl]

I first started using Minoxidil when I was about 43. I was going through menopause. My hair loss stopped, so I thought it was working. Then when I was about 50 (and still using Minozidil) the hair loss started up again. I began to use Reviogen, and that made my hair thicker on top. Then three years ago I lost about 20 pounds and had an additional bout of hair loss. The Reviogen did not work so I started taking Viviscal and my hair came back. Now it seems Nothing is working! I just ordered a hairpiece for $2,800 from Joseph Fleischer in NYC.

Seems like things work for a few years then either they stop working because the body becomes immune to them or it's just age and genetics.

[Tracy C]

I first started using Minoxidil when I was about 43. I was going through menopause. My hair loss stopped, so I thought it was working.

If your hair loss stopped, Minoxidil was working.



Then when I was about 50 (and still using Minozidil) the hair loss started up again.

It is very important for readers of this thread to know what you were doing to address the cause of your hair loss. Minoxidil is a growth stimulant, but it can do nothing about whatever is causing hair loss to happen in the first place. Minoxidil is only part of the solution. The cause of the hair loss needs to be determined and treated.



Seems like things work for a few years then either they stop working because the body becomes immune to them or it's just age and genetics.

It will seem this way if you do not address the cause of your hair loss. Adressing only the effect is only half of the problem. Finding the cause and treating it is very important.

Men and women both need to userstand that there are two parts to this problem. You need to treat it from the inside out and from the outside in. You need to find the cause, treat the cause and stimulate regrowth. I don't see how anyone can do this on their own. You really need to work with a doctor who specializes in treating hair loss. That is what I did and that is why I am getting results.



Now it seems Nothing is working! I just ordered a hairpiece for $2,800 from Joseph Fleischer in NYC.

I was wearing hair for several years before I started treating my hair loss. Thankfully, with the help of Dr. Haber, I no longer need to wear hair if I don't want to. I still do sometimes though. But at least now it is not because I have no choice.

[homegirl]

What kind of a doctor can diagnose causes of hairloss. I saw my dermatologist who just said "Rogaine" I went to my hemotologist who tested my blood for thryoid and hormonal problems; plus Lups. Everything came back negative.

If I would find a doctor in NYC to help me, believe me I would go.

[Tracy C]

What kind of a doctor can diagnose causes of hairloss.

A doctor who specializes in treating hair loss. Preferably a doctor who is an IAHRS member. The IAHRS is a patient advocacy organization. There are a few doctors in the NYC area who are IAHRS members.

Rogaine certainly is part of the solution. I feel laser therapy helped me a lot as well. In my case (and my sister's) Spironolactone stopped the cause of my hair loss to enable my hair to start growing again. Rogaine and laser stimulated my hair to start growing again. I still needed surgery as well though because I had lost too much hair before starting treatment. My sister will do much better than me. She started treatment well before she lost as much hair as I did. Our mother never did anything to treat her hair loss. Now she is cue ball bald and she has lost so much hair that there is nothing anyone or anything can do for her.

[Beverly]

A doctor who specializes in treating hair loss. Preferably a doctor who is an IAHRS member. The IAHRS is a patient advocacy organization. There are a few doctors in the NYC area who are IAHRS members.

Rogaine certainly is part of the solution. I feel laser therapy helped me a lot as well. In my case (and my sister's) Spironolactone stopped the cause of my hair loss to enable my hair to start growing again. Rogaine and laser stimulated my hair to start growing again. I still needed surgery as well though because I had lost too much hair before starting treatment. My sister will do much better than me. She started treatment well before she lost as much hair as I did. Our mother never did anything to treat her hair loss. Now she is cue ball bald and she has lost so much hair that there is nothing anyone or anything can do for her. have they tried a light treatment before for your mom.

[Tracy C]

have they tried a light treatment before for your mom.

My Mom let it go untreated for too long. She has never bothered to try to treat it. Like many other women, she wrongfully believed there is nothing a woman can do about her hair loss. Oddly, she still believes that even after seeing my Sister and I recovering from our hair loss. She is a very stubborn lady.

[Caryl Ann]

Hello everyone, I am new, and my name is Caryl Ann. I am losing my hair, and so very upset. Four months ago I used this anti dandruff shampoo called Nizrol. It was the then that my hair became fried after 3 uses. I did not over use, and upon throwing it away the bottle felt full. I think that shampoo was the start of my hairloss. My hair has always been highlighted and blow dried. However, since the 4 months from my Nizrol use I have not, and WILL NOT color my hair. I do blow dry 1-2 per week. Today, was the first day I used a small bit of shampoo in months, I blew dry carefully and I can honestly say that there is not one healthy hair on my head. It feels like wire, and I look just terrible. I have become very nervous and depressed. Since the initial use of Nizrol my hair had grown out about an inch. I know this sounds crazy, but I would touch this healthy hair every night, and comfort myself that one day I would have normal hair. Well, after today's washing and as always deep conditioning every last strand on my hair, including my precious 1 inch of healthy hair was completey fried. I was shaking. Other than my hair I have a great life, wonderful husband, child, and love running my animal rescue. I am worried after the new 1 inch of healthy hair is destroyed, that I will never again grow healthy hair OR perhaps in the last several months the follicles were damaged and I will never grow hair at all. My concern is that it is now more than fried hair. It is the weekend, of course, but I plan to see a doctor on Monday if it's the last thing I do. I am so worried over this, I think it's making me sick. Please any help would be so appreciated!!! I will be checking replys constantly in hope of any help! Thank you!

[Tracy C]

Caryl Ann, It is not likely that Nizoral caused the damage you described, especially in only three uses, even if it was three days in a row. If Nizoral did cause damage like that, the product would have been taken off the shelves years ago. I use Nizoral myself and I have never experienced anything like that. I know many others who use Nizoral and they have not experienced anything like that either. I don't know what caused it but you do need to see a doctor who is a specialist in treating hair. You also need to find a way to ease your worries. Worrying and stressing out over this can and likely will make the problem worse.

[midnite113]

Hi. I'm no professional but I would guess that because U stopped using the Minoxidil, your having these problems. I don't think it's because of your other cream. Minoxidil tells U U can't stop using it once U start or U will again lose your hair, & it will be worse than where U started. From what I've learned here, your hair follicles shrink & this causes the shedding. I think that once U stopped the Minoxidil, U were left with a lot of the causes of shedding & your suffering from this original problem. Maybe it was made worse by stopping the Minoxidil when U did. This is the biggest reason I don't want to start using it again. I once tried it for a while but when I saw that I had almost no growth at all, I stopped. I believe this is why I have less hair now than I did back then. I believe the Minoxidil is the cause, because my hair no longer came out in clumps, it's mostly breaking off now. I think if I never used the Minoxidil, the clumps would've ended & I could've found out why ithappened in the 1st place & corrected that without using Minox. But because I did it, I'm left with what I have now.

I'm heading to a Endocrinologist to see if there's an internal thing I can treat 1st. (which I should've done in the 1st place)Then if there is, I will be patient & do that. Any external help will have to be safer than Minoxidil for me. Maybe something like laser or anything that won't cause shedding for any reason.
While I'm waiting to see response, I'll use a wig or hopefully still be able to use just a piece.

I really never liked the idea that once U take to using Minoxidil, your stuck using it for life. May as well just get used to wearing a wig right away. Seems eventually you'll have to anyhow. FPB has to have a internal cause if U ask me. And so do other forms of it. Including what causes MPB. I think it's just that men accept their baldness easier than women do & leave it be.
Some of them go to using Minox. & stay with it; so they have more hair now.
Women however, have a more difficult time using products in general.
I hope you've found a successful way to treat your problem by now. If U have, please let me know. Thanks & Good Luck !!
By the way, don't let this ruin your social life. If you've had a good one up until the hair loss...keep it going !! I'm pretty sure the people who felt U were beautiful before will still think so.

[homegirl]

I wear a topper now. Tired of chasing after things that dont work for me anymore. No one knows I am wearing my topper. Some people just say "you're hair looks good like that".

[midnite113]

Hi. Yes, me too. Tho I do have some wigs for days when I have no time to do anything else. I prefer the piece to a wig because I hate wigs !! The wigs I do have look pretty good tho. Took me a while to find the right ones, but I feel pretty good about these, if I absolutely have to wear them. Nobody realizes I'm wearing mine either, unless I tell them. They all just tell me my hair is beautiful or looks great. I do get tired of wearing it the same way, however. It used to be nice to be able to just pin it up, then let it down when I wanted to. It's the beach thing that depresses me. Even just somebody's pool is terrible for me. Altho...I have actually gone in the water wearing my piece once. Just had to worry about my own hair falling down. But I was close to home at the time, too. I was in the complex's pool at my condo. Not there anymore.

[midnite113]

By the way....Have U read about the possibility of hair "cloning" in the near future ? If I see it happening anywhere, I am going for it !! It sounds wonderful !!

[Tracy C]

Have U read about the possibility of hair "cloning" in the near future ?

There are a few companies in trials right now to gain FDA approval to bring their treatments to market. Though the word "cloning" is often being used, it isn't actually a very accurate description of the treatments. More accurately, they are cell-based hair transplants.

The biotech company I feel has the best treatment is Replicel. Though I have regained enough hair to not need wigs any more, I would love more youthful density. So as soon as Replicel's treatment is available, I am going to have it done.



Minoxidil tells U U can't stop using it once U start or U will again lose your hair, & it will be worse than where U started.

Some important things to note here... First and formost, if you stop treatment, you are generally not any worse off than before you started - unless you stop treatment because of shedding (more about that below). Secondly, those with Androgenetic Alopecia do need to keep using Minoxidil once they start. Those who do not have Androgenic Alopecia probably do not need Minoxidil at all, except maybe to accelerate regrowth. If so they probably do not need to continue using it once they have resolved the cause of their hair loss. Finding the cause of your hair loss is of the utmost importance. You need to know the cause in order to determine what treatment is appropriate for you. In the case of women's hair loss, there is no "one size fits all".



Maybe something like laser or anything that won't cause shedding for any reason.

Another important thing that needs to be said about this... A very important thing that every woman who is dealing with hair loss needs to know... Shedding is associated with every treatment for hair loss that actually works (Minoxidil, Finasteride, Spironolactone and low level laser therapy). There is no way to avoid shedding if you want to resolve your hair loss. Shedding is an indication that the treatment is working. The damaged follicles need to shed their hairs as they are being repaired by the treatment. Stopping a treatment because of shedding is usually a mistake that can leave you worse off than before starting treatment. You need to ride out the shed until your follicles are repaired. It's hard. I know. Been there done that. The shedding stops eventually and hair grows back thicker than it was before.

[midnite113]

Well Tracy, U can bet that if the cloning or whatever U want to call it is a go, I will be right there in line with U to get it !!

I can't say that I know yet what the cause of my hair loss is...but because it's such a familiar thing in my family, I'm guessing it's from that; even tho I was hit with it worse than my sisters. They never said they saw their hair come out in clumps like mine did.
Once I get to the Endocrinologist & I know for sure what my cause is, I will treat as indicated.
I also would assume that depending on which drugs/treatments one uses, results will differ as each treatment does. I don't take Spirolactone for my blood pressure. I take Accupril. (& a water pill with it. "Microzide, I believe".) There are different types for different types of blood pressure issues. Yours may be different than mine. Or your doctor saw it fit to treat U for your combination of problems. Mine addressed only one thing.
I have never noticed anything like shedding happening to me, but I haven't tried too many things either. I would expect it tho, should I get on that new therapy for growing hair back. I'd be happy knowing it was because my follicles were getting thicker & I was losing the thin ones. Yayyy !!! ( I hope. )
I had considered going to Bosley before for transplants, but because I would likely need so many of them, I felt the cost would've been far too much, so I backed out of going.
What I think is happening to my hair at the moment, is it seems to be breaking off, more so than falling out by the root, or follicle as U say.
I also get some itching on my scalp, which I'm not sure it's from any hair trying to grow back or from where I attach my pieces. I lean towards it being from attaching my pieces, since I don't feel or see any extra hair up there. It may also just be that my scalp is so dry.
I used to have to wash my hair every single day or I couldn't go out, it was so oily at the roots. But since having started this trouble with my hair, I notice I can go a few days before I see that effect. My hair used to be quite shiny too, but not anymore. It's very dry now. And I don't even color it anymore. Maybe might do it once or twice a year now, just for highlighting. But since I have no gray, I don't care much if I do or don't. If I don't...it's just a little duller.(mousey)

I'm very happy that your hair is at a stage that U can feel near normal again. Congrats !! I know it took a lot of work & patience from U.

[Tracy C]

I had considered going to Bosley before for transplants, but ...

Please don't do that. If you ever think about doing that again, don't go to Bosely. Go to a doctor who is an IAHRS member.

This brings up another very important thing every women dealing with hair loss needs to know. Women are usually not good candidates for hair transplant surgery. Some women are but most women are not. Ethical doctors know this. A compny like Bosely will not care and will do the surgery on anyone who is willing to pay for it, whether they are good candidates or not.

[midnite113]

Hi Tracy,
I'm getting ready to hit the pillows now, but wanted to answer 1st.
I already realize that places like Bosley can easily rip off a woman & talk her into their transplants whether or not she is a good candidate for it. I never felt that I was & didn't go. Not only because I couldn't afford it, but because I'd lost too much hair.
I'm pretty wary of false advertisers. I'm a very cynical person about those things.
However, I mentioned Bosley, only because I noticed on the "cloning" sight, that they are connected to the place that may have the 1st opening of treatment centers. Offhand I don't remember which it was called, but it's right there on the "cloning" sight. If it hadn't been for that, I wouldn't have mentioned them.
As far as the "cloning" goes....they do seem to have different concepts & ways of doing it; depending on which company is doing it. I don't know which process is best, but I think I'd be willing to try almost any of them. I'd even volunteer to be a guinea pig !!
I neglected to ask before, but I noticed U said to someone that U had surgery for your hair loss. Can U tell me what that was ? I'd assume U went to someone certified & this is what your talking about. Or...I could be totally mistaken. In that case, I apologize early.
Have a good night.

[Tracy C]

I neglected to ask before, but I noticed U said to someone that U had surgery for your hair loss. Can U tell me what that was ? I'd assume U went to someone certified & this is what your talking about. Or...I could be totally mistaken. In that case, I apologize early.
Have a good night.

Yes I waited too long to start treating my hair loss. Though I did grow a lot of hair back with medical treatment alone, I had hairless patches that could not be filled in with non-surgical treatments. My pattern was very similar to my mothers except I retained my hair line. Anyways, the only solution that works to fill in areas that are totally void of hair like that is transplant surgery. Fortunately, I am a good candidate so I had surgery to fill in those areas. Ten months after the surgery to fill in the holes, I had a second surgery to build up density. I chose a doctor who is approved by the American Hair Loss Association and a member of the IAHRS. IAHRS members are held to much higher standards of ethics and quality of work.

I am a living example of the importance of finding the cause of hair loss and treating it early. Knowing what I know now, I thoroughly and fully believe that if I had started treatment much sooner than I did, I would not have needed surgery. My sister took this lesson to heart and started treating her hair loss shortly after I did. She is seven years younger than me so she started treatment seven years earlier in life than I did. Since she does not have patches that are completely void of hair and she started treatment early, she most likely will not need surgery. Our mother never did anything about her hair loss. Our mother has lost too much hair and too much time has gone by for her to be able to recover enough to not need wigs.

[midnite113]

Okay Tracy, thank U for explaining to me.
Unfortunate for me, my hair has been super thin since a very young age, & I don't think hair recovery products were even out then. My Mom used to warn me every time I put something in my hair that I would lose it some day. (she used to perm my hair when I was a child, tho I don't know why...so I blame her for starting it )
I really didn't notice anything until my hair came out in clumps at the age of 50. I'd been used to dealing with baby fine hair all my life, so a little thinness didn't bother me. But when the clumps came out, it showed up really bad, really fast. I instantly ran to the Dermatologist, who did nothing but tell me to use Minoxidil or wear a wig. I was very disappointed. Then I got so busy with other health issues that I didn't find a good Endocrinologist right away. I actually went to one but for a different reason.
Now, I want to go back to one for the hair loss. I don't know if the one I saw back then was certified as an IAHRS member or not. How would I find this out ?

Also, U say if I don't have actual bald patches already I may not need extreme means. I don't really know if I do or don't. I seem to have very thin hairs all over my head, but they're so very thin & sparse, it appears to me that I'm bald. They may not be if looked at with a magnifying glass. I don't know how closely a doctor would check it or how he would judge it. I just feel very bald !! It may just be covered in fuzz, if ya know what I mean. I can't really tell by touching it, alone.
To me...the areas of my head that seem bald to me, kind of looks like a man would have baldness. It's mostly around the crown area. I do have my hairline, tho. There's just A LOT of area that needs hiding. And it happened very fast.
I'm pretty sure if I cut it short, it would look like a man's bald head. So I don't cut it. I leave it long so I can comb it on top of my head & pin it to hook a piece onto it. Without my little hairknot, I would have to wear a full wig all the time. And if U know me, U know that's not my cup of tea, if I can avoid it.

[Tracy C]

Now, I want to go back to one for the hair loss. I don't know if the one I saw back then was certified as an IAHRS member or not. How would I find this out ?

There are not very many. Here is the list:

http://www.iahrs.org/member/

Here is another link for you to the American Hair Loss Association:

http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/



I seem to have very thin hairs all over my head, but they're so very thin & sparse, it appears to me that I'm bald.

Do any of these pictures match you?

http://www.americanhairloss.org/img/content/savinscale.gif

[midnite113]

Thanks...I'll check out these links.
And no, I don't think I exactly match any of these. These photos appear to be totally bald heads in the area that's missing hair. As in, having a shiny spot on their head. I still have a little bit but it's patchy & thin. And I can do a comb-over of sorts. But remember also...my comb-overs are sparse. Maybe if I combed my hair away from my balding areas, I might look similar ? I'm not sure.

[midnite113]

Okay...I checked the list U sent me, but they were Dermatologists, not Endocrinologists as I plan to go to. There was one in my state & I've heard of him from TV shows I've seen. He isn't too local, but impossible if I decide to try him. I probably won't unless he does that new treatment soon.

[Cassy]

Tracy
The pictures you put up, I am the bottom right corner but the hair on the sides is even thinner than the top. What does that paticular picture mean? Also, I dont want to speak to soon but its possible that the shed from the hairmax is done. Is been 7 months now and the last 2 weeks the shedding has slowed down a great deal. I am getting up the nerve to add the rogane. I hope i dont shed again because then I will be in real trouble.

[midnite113]

Okay...I dunno who exactly U were sending this reply to. I assume it was Tracy but it came to me. I don't know if the site is messing up sometimes or not. Could be. Anyway, I do wish U luck with whatever process your going for. I also looked at the photos of women's hair loss. I just couldn't identify with any of them. But then, maybe I'm not seeing the exact way my hair loss actually is ? All I know is that when I look in my mirror or comb my hair to get my hairpieces on, I have a lot of sparse areas showing. Mostly on my crown area & a little on the sides, mostly. My crown area covers a lot of my head tho, so maybe it is worse than I'm thinking ? I do know I'm far too embarrassed to be seen by anyone only wearing my own hair outside. Have too many lighter areas showing against my hair color. ( which are my scalp)
I bought to try, some Joan Rivers hair touch up stuff in addition to the Toppik, but Joan's stuff came in a compact with a brush & I find it's more like a paint on my scalp, rather than fibers attaching to my hair to make it filled in. I didn't like it as much as the Toppik product. But if your trying to darken in a wide part area, I bet the Joan River's product would work well. Just a suggestion & info on another product. Good Luck !!

[midnite113]

sorry...skipped the word "not" before the word impossible...uh-ohhh...lol

[Tracy C]

The pictures you put up, I am the bottom right corner but the hair on the sides is even thinner than the top. What does that paticular picture mean?

The pictures in that chart are some examples of female androgenetic alopecia. Not every pattern is the same but most are similar to these. My mother is a lot like the bottom right picture, only she has even less hair on the very top and her hair line is farther back. I was between II-2 and III before treatment. Now I am between I-3 and I-4. I have been fortunate to realize significant improvement, though it took over four years of treatment to get there. I do not know how much more improvement I might see but I do know that I still have hair coming in. I see my stylist every six weeks and every time she sees me she tells me I have more hair than I had the time before. So there is hope. It doesn't happen quickly but there is hope.

[Cassy]

tracy
that is an amazing improvement for aa. I know you said you used lazor, nizoral, rogain, and spiro. Is there anything else? I am going to ask the dr. about finesteride or saw palemetto as I cant take spiro.

[Tracy C]

Hi Cassy,

I think I remember you saying that you were going to go see Dr. Haber, if so he will porabably want to determine the cause of your hair loss first and then go over the treatment options available to help you determine what is best for you. It can be frustrating. Just know that he does know what he is doing. He is a very good doctor and a wonderful person.

Take care,

Tracy