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".
