Are you obsessed with your Hair? Do you frequently go to the Hair Salon? Do you ever leave home without grooming it? In recent years, have you noticed changes in the texture and density of it? Is your confident level dependent on well your hair is groomed? Do you where hair extensions to add volume or length? Are you devastated by hair loss?
In recent years, I've had many thoughts about the overall health of my hair. There have been moments when I was in tears because of the increased loss of hair. Yeah, it all sounds superficial. But women are losing their hair at a significant rate these days. Some of it is due to medicine (high-blood pressure) or other health condition (thyroid disease or cancer). With the huge accessibility to hair extension and countless hair professionals who add them, some women have turned to wearing hair extensions to address hair loss and to get the desired hair style. This practice has further increased the instances of hair loss in women.
Okay. Let's rewind.., Let's go back to a time when hair loss was not in my thought process. That was when I had big hair. Back in the day when I religiously went to the hair salon every two weeks without fail. Needless to say, I took good care of it and spend a lot of money doing it. I never used extensions and was pleased with the density and length of it.
Then something happened. At age 38 I started noticing a difference in the texture and density of my hair. Occasionally I told my stylist that, "I think my hair is falling out." Not to say she was the cause, but to acknowledge that there were changes happening to my hair and maybe some changes in the care of it may be necessary. Well, I continue to tell her, but my persistence was not received as a proactive cry for help, but a negative declaration of her professional training and skills. So, by the time I was 47 and on a regiment of high-blood pressure medicine, it was noticeably thinning at the top. To the point were if I made a part in my hair is was wider than the parts made in other areas of my hair. This was devastating for me. And I became more vocal about it and wanted to explore alternative hair care practices. Needless to say, this was not well received by my stylist. So in the end, I decided to take the care of my hair into my own hands. The biggest change for me was to put oil and more moisture back into my hair care regiment. No spritz or other drying agents with minimum use of heat application and reduced timing on the hair relaxer applications. This helped a little, but the bigger problems were related to my medicine, thyroid disease, and becoming a older women.
About two years ago, I came to turns with the fact that I losing my hair and it will probably continue regardless of the added oils and moisturizers. They may slow the lose down, but inevitably I will continue to lose it. So, with that acceptance, I'm looking at alternative ways to "keep up a good appearance about the head". Of course, I will "wear" my own hair for as long as it looks okay. But the the time will come when it will not. I'm really afraid of hair extensions. So I'm left with hair pieces and wigs.
Oh, forgot to I like the current length of my hair, but if I start to look like this, I will definitely need to cut it off.
Nine Reasons You're Losing Your Hair
Thinning Hair: Causes and Solutions
So, what are your thoughts on hair loss and treatment? I'm sure there are some ladies/women out there who have similar stories and may be have some suggestions on how to handle hair loss condition.
I leave you with a song my India Arie, Titled: "I Am Not My Hair".
I have a similar problem but I don't think mine is getting any worse. It started when I was in my 20s and I honestly think it was due to the sudden death of my father. At least, it coincided with that event. Anyway, I just live with it cos it's mainly at the back. As long as my front looks OK, I'm OK. But I do know someone who wears a wig. I'm not prepared to go that route. Not for a while. :)
ReplyDeleteI can sympathise with your dilemma, hair loss may seem superficial to some people but to me it is and continues to be devastating, I have always had thick naturally curly frizzy hair, so imagine my horror when I realised that my hair was thinning, the tell tale signs wide partings and lots of hair in my brush I even used to put eye shadow on my partings to camouflage my scalp, but I discovered by accident that a vitamin supplement I was taking Selenium + Zinc was the culprit, I took these regularly for years thinking that Selenium was good for me and Zinc for my Psoriasis , I ran out of the tablets and since I always have a job to swallow them I thought I would leave them off never thinking that it would help my hair problem, but low and behold after 6 months my hair has definitely thickened up my partings less noticeable, and the curl is slowly coming back and I feel much less self conscious of my hair, I still have a thin spot on my crown but this albeit slowly is definitely thickening up so I am hoping that I have turned a corner.The medication I was taking for my high blood pressure I have also left off and am trying through diet and exercise to keep on top of it, but I know this is risky and perhaps foolish, but I am convinced that medication is sometimes worse for you than the condition that it's supposed to be treating.but of course I know that medication for some diseases is life saving , So that's my story.Don't give up ask your doctor if you need to take all the medication he or she has prescribed, I wish you well and try not too worry although I found this to be the hardest to do.
ReplyDeleteDiana
I sympathize with your hair loss. 14 years ago I lost all of mine to chemo. I was 40 years old and devastated........not about breast cancer, but of loosing my hair. I told myself that when (and if) it grew back I would take the best care of it, and I have.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that you are awesome no matter what!
ReplyDeleteHair loss is not superficial since we are a society that places so much emphasis on our looks. My hair is not thinning but my hair line is definitely receding. I know that I'm not helping this by wearing tight ponytails but I try to only leave it back when I'm out in public. The other thing is that I stopped perming my hair more than three times a year about 15 years ago. I noticed that my natural thickness came back so I'm a huge proponent of less chemicals. However, I'm too lazy to go totally natural...that's a lot of work! Lately I've been thinking about wigs too. Not because I'm losing a lot of hair now but because I'm sure it's going to come and also because I've noticed that quite a few of the women of color I commute with wear them now. Good luck with this journey. I'm glad you've posted about it because these are changes that a lot of women go through as we get older.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cenetta -
ReplyDeleteThe older women in my family lost their hair at alarming rates... especially on my mother's side. In addition to genetics, and health challenges, stress is also a contributing factor to hair loss in women. In fact, I was about 26 when I had a bald spot the size of a half dollar on top of my head. Thankfully it grew back with vitamin-e treatments.
When I noticed my own hair starting to get thin I was in my 40s and immediately stopped coloring my hair. I stopped chemically straightening in my early 50s. Wearing dread locks for about 10 years helped it grow long... past my butt... but I noticed it getting really thin along my hairline so I cut it all off and now just go au naturalle. I just shampoo and condition. I braid my hair at night and either wear my hair in cornrows, French braids, or twists and sometimes just wear it loose... occasionally curling with a cool styling brush. I have spare hair - a wig - but haven't worn it in about 10 or 12 years. I've been using a strengthener and moisturizer by Carol's Daughter for the last couple of years and am now noticing a definite thickening. Not trying to endorse any products or brands, but the stuff works... at least on my own head. Also... turning 65 in less than 2 months and not on any prescription meds. Vitamins and dietary supplements only. I know that makes a big difference as well. Do I have health challenges? Yes. slightly high cholesterol... had a pacemaker inserted earlier this year... and the jury is still out about type 2 diabetes and hypothyroidism. They keep testing. The results bounce between normal and a little high for the sugar and a little low for the thyroid. More tests next week. Keep me in your prayers as I will do for you as well.
My hair has gotten noticeably finer and thinner as I approach 50. I do take high blood pressure medicine, it's a low dose but still. And there is genetics: my mom's hair got very, very thin. I tried to research options and I stumbled upon a message board where people were almost suicidal about their hair loss. That stopped me short -- I love my hair but I don't want to kill myself over it! At that point I decided I will be thankful for every day that I have hair, but when I don't I will deal with it -- I'm not sure how, Nioxin, a wig, etc. At the moment I am trying out the curlygirl method, but I also use a thickening mousse (got2b fat-astic) which seems to help. I do think you would be beautiful hair or no hair, but I'm not sure that would be true for me.....
ReplyDeleteI am on BP meds and synthroid for my thyroid. My hair is about half of what it was. Photos make it hardest but mostly I just try to put it out of my mind. Not sure about the wig route, have to see some that don't look it. In the meantime I just figure this is me, deal with it. Hair is always such an issue, will be watching these comments. You look gorgeous anyway.
ReplyDeleteFor the two years after I had my last period my hair fell out an an awful rate, gobs in the sink and shower every day, finding it in food I had cooked, etc. I can sympathize. My sis has thyroid issues and has had major hair loss also. First, I have been following your blog a long time and not once did I ever question the look of your hair. I have always thought you were a very attractive woman who looked far too young to have the children you do. You are still all that. This will pass. Truthfully, I have often thought that if I ever lost most of it, I would shave it off. THEN I would get the biggest honkin' earrings and make these cool turban head pieces, Look at this as an opportunity to stretch your fashion image. I bet you would look stunning in a wax cloth wrapped head piece. I say go for it and knock'em dead!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs sent your way.
Losing your hair is not the end of the world. I lost mine about 15 years ago when I had my thyroid out. It never grew back and now I have alopecia, no hair on my entire body. After a few years of cheap wigs, my daughter and son in law cut their hair off any gave me a beautiful custom made wig for my 60th birthday. I miss my hair, but there are many worse things in life. After a period of mourning, you survive.
ReplyDeleteJust remember that with or without your hair, you and others are still fabulous. Yes it is easy for me to say now, as I have not experienced yet. However, I know women who are dealing/dealt with it and their answers have been that its out of their control, especially after ascertaining that it is from genetic and medicine that they have no alternative but to take. Their solutions have been to wear wigs and others have opted to cut it all off. When the topic has come up again, they have admitted that those options have freed them of induced stress and focus on living their life without society pressure.
ReplyDeleteI recently had health diagnosis for a family member and I found a patch about 2" x 1" of a bald spot on my head. I was terrified firstly but as it didn't seem to be getting bigger I (went to the doctor) and put it down to stress of the time. I have always had long hair (I'm 52 now) and I have also always had thin hair that breaks at the front so I always have short bits that fuzz up so I never look very polished hair wise (oh lets face it, all ways). I have only coloured my hair with henna, other than a few times with chemical temporary colours. I don't take any medication for any ailments luckily but I have found your recent posts very interesting especially when we are mainly talking about clothes and sewing and therefore the end result is about how we look. Sometimes we have no real control about how we look and we have to be accepting and also kind to others. Since menopause has taken me over, and it is very mild compared to most I have read about, I keep putting on weight and cannot loose it - so I am just trying to not stress about it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCennetta, great post. About 4 years ago, the exact same thing started happening to me. It was exactly the time I started my BP Meds! The crown of my head was getting thinner and thinner. I was actually experiencing "male pattern baldness) Finally my stylist told this was pretty common in black women. She also told me that I unfortunately should consider no longer relaxing my hair. As a woman in the corporate world, I didn't know what to do! So I opted for going back to my natural hair. I chose not to transition, instead, I cut it all off (the big chop) and wore full lace wigs for 2 years until I was sure my hair would grow back. I am so happy to say, it did grow back and is now coming back much thicker in to the top too! Now I proudly wear my natural hair because it is mine and I was able to save it before it was no longer there. During those two years, I did a ton a research on how to care for my natural hair and keep it moisturized (which is sad, you would think I'd already know that!) There was so much I didn't know! I understand there's a lot of separation and debates regarding natural and relaxed, but based on my experiience, it was the best option for me...natural or no hair, the choice was pretty easy!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you're going through this, it's hard for any woman because our hair is our glory. It's not who we are, but let's face it...it is a huge part of how we look and feel about ourselves. Think long and hard before making your decision and make the right one for you. You'll probably go through a couple of changes before you make your final decision. That's okay, you're a woman and expected to change your mind! You'll be beautiful in whatever you decide! Good Luck to you!
I can't do perms because they make my hair shed. I would brush my hair and it will be upside the bathroom wall. I decided to lock my hair 11 years ago. Since I started wearing locs, my hair is thicker and has grown a lot. I have only cut my hair once about 3 years ago when I was job hunting. It has grown and it reaches half way down my back. I always keep my hair up supported by a hair bonnet or a scarf when I'm at home. If I get my hair styled, I ask him to make it loose so it doesn't pull at my scalp. I have never lost a loc and my hairline is fine. My hair does best if I go get it retwisted every 2 weeks. My only regret is that I didn't make my locs smaller. I never have a bad hair day.
ReplyDeleteAnother thinning-hair woman here. Mine is due to genetics so it will continue to get worse. I'm not sure what I'll do in the future. I don't have the face or head shape for a head wrap, so may end up going the wig route. In the meantime I count on a well-shaped short haircut. I'm sure you'll continue to be a beautiful woman with whatever direction(s) you decide to take. The emotional hurdle is the hardest.
ReplyDeleteArgh! Have just sent two comments that failed... In a nutshell, have a look at Aryuvedic hair care--Curly Nikki's blog. Try henna, which will thicken individual hairs by coating them with a protective coating, first on hair taken from your brush so you know that the results will be. I have had great results with henna and Aryuvedic treatments to clean hair (like shampoo), but henna is like a protein treatment so I use a conventional deep conditioner afterward and my hair looks great. A lot of women with highly textured hair like henna because it makes the curl pattern slightly looser, making hair more manageable to style with less heat and product. My hair smells great after Aryuveda brahmi 'shampoo', and the herbal powders, coconut oil are inexpensive. Also try making flax seed gel to style and hold without damage. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you're having to deal with/stress over this. I had terribly thin hair for 4 years with on a very stong medication for major depression disorder. I was anorexic and nutritionally deficient - which probably caused most of the hair problem. I have low thyroid as well, but no BP issues. Once off the yucky med and since regaining weight and becoming nutritionally sound, things have really changed. But - I credit Nizoral shampoo with a lot of my success, and my dermatologist agrees it is a fantastic product that truely supports hair growth/regrowth. I had been using Nioxin products, but I saw such a change with Nizoral. No more hair tinkling out of my scalp, no more handsful in the tub or in my brush. It's amazing. Lots of new hair sprouting all the time. My hair is so thick!! Worth trying, no harm, no foul. Meanwhile, stick in there and remember you are beautiful from the inside out - just glow. Coco
ReplyDeleteFWIW, your hair looks great in a bun on top of your head, as in the recent post. My husband once met india.arie and she was wearing a beautiful dress that her mother had made for her, she told him. I loved hearing that, that her mother sews for her.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Concetta. You are a lovely woman no matter what. I have a secret to reveal About four years ago I realized my hairline was receiving at an alarming rate... Thyroid trouble. Even after it was regulated, my hair didn't grow back in. My husband found me in the bathroom crying one day and he said why don't we buy you a wig. We did and I've never looked back. I'm only grateful it didn't happen when I was younger. I'm also grateful my hair loss isn't a result of cancer. And that's my secret.
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