questions and answers

Tiny · #1 06-23-2010, 07:05 PM

Hi, Im new to this forum. I've been experiencing hairloss off and on for about 5 years. I have no bald spots but my hair has gotten really thin especially up in the crown area, I really notice how thin my hair is when the weather is humid, I have a hard time getting it to style because it is so flyaway. I have been so self-concious about this whole process, my depression comes and goes, it really gives me low self esteem, I just don't feel like myself anymore. My girls say they don't see it but my hair just looks so unhealthy, I just feel people are being kind. Are any one of you tried womens rogaine(minoxidil),if so, what was your experience on it? I know there is a shedding period, but if on it did you get results after about 4 month? Did your hair go through alot of changes? Did it dry out because of the alcohol? Did it thin out alot during the shedding period? Did your hair look rough during the growing phase? I would like to get as many of my questions answered if anyone has the input. I have been debating over going this route for so long, but after about 5 years on womens therapro solutions, i get from a local salon here in VT, all the results Im seeing is that I'm maintaining what I have and if there is any new growth, i'm not getting good results. Plus the amount of money, I know i will have to stay on the rogaine for the rest of my life, but it still would be cheaper then the regimen i'm on now. I just want to live a normal life again and not be thinking about my hair anymore. Anyone have any answers, i would love to hear

Lucy4 · #2 07-22-2010, 03:09 PM

Tiny--although I have not used minoxidil as of yet, I encourage you to search around this site for other threads on this subject, including this treatment section.

Although I'm older than you, I have experienced some help with regrowth by taking biotin supplements and increasing iron and protein in my diet. If you have insurance or can afford to get your hormone levels checked, this would also be a good way to see if you have hormonal issues affecting your hair loss.

Tiny · #3 07-29-2010, 12:37 PM

Thank you Lucy4 for the advice, I have started taken folic acid and biotin, just started that. I dont have insurance at the moment so I havent been to see a doctor to see if it is hormonal. Still havent got on the minoxidol, leaving that for last resort. Just very disappointing some days, hair takes forever to grow. ugh! Thank you so much for responding.Are you having thinning problems too? How long ago have you been experiencing it? What kind of treatments have you tried?

Lucy4 · #4 07-29-2010, 03:16 PM

Yes, I've been experiencing thinning hair on a seasonal basis for around five years. I began noticing that the shedding starts in earnest around mid-July, and doesn't slow until November. I've concluded that hot summer weather is a trigger, but at my age, certainly hormones and genetics are probably the main culprit. I'm not taking hormones, but I take a kelp supplement with the hope that it will support my thyroid a bit. I also use a selenium shampoo like Selsun Blue every other shampooing to increase selenium. I'm concentrating more on encouraging regrowth. I've had some luck with biotin, plus I'm including more red meat in my diet for the protein and iron (for years, I very rarely ate red meat).

I'll update my original thread after this cycle is finished to let people know my results.

Good luck with your search for answers.

Lucy

Tiny · #5 07-30-2010, 10:53 AM

Thanks again Lucy4 for getting back in touch. Good luck with your hair issues, i,ve tried so many things gone through so much money with some results but just not where I want it to be. My hairdresser says she sees hair growth so thats whats kept me going day after day, month after month, year after year. My biggest challenge is my frontal area up around the bang area and my sides, it is so thin that just never seems to fill in. I,ve been using womens therapro cellagen a follicle stimulator that I use day and night plus now using the folic acid. I don't have alot of shedding anymore. I,m giving it a bit longer before I even think about committing to rogaine but its always in the back of my mind. Thanks again, good luck