I’ve recently experienced significant “I can see your scalp buddy” hair loss and I’m shook. Having started on the creamy crack (relaxer) pretty young, I know all about hair breaking off and leaving unattractive patches but in all my (soon to be 33 years) I have never seen an actual bald spot on my head and it made me catch all kinds of feelings.
I remember standing staring at myself in the bathroom mirror with tears streaming down my face because “what the heck!” I’ve since calmed down and received advice from a beauty blogger, a homeopath, and a hair stylist…The advice below, but first a little on why I freaked the f out…
I’m a little superficial
If I’m honest, my hair is the only thing about me that I still like, that and my lips in the right shade of lipstick. I have gained weight, my body shape is not even reminiscent of my old toned days and my insulin issues have given me patches of dark skin. My hair has been the only thing I’m kinda proud of, but that seems to be literally slipping through my fingers. Like seriously got you couldn’t let me have this one thing?
My anxiety is worse than I thought
I’ve been putting my struggle with anxiety at the back of my mind because…I got this!!! and have every inspiring Katy Perry, Beyonce, Riyanna, you name it, song pulsing through my veins. Then last week I ended up at the doctor’s with blood pressure so high I needed shots to bring it down, y heart was beating through my chest and I was struggling to breathe, worst thing is, I did not even notice because it had become just how I operate, a little (nah a lottle) distracted and jittery. Now my hair loss was proving to me that in fact, I “don’t got this” and I need to be medicated again.
But the guilt
I’m also over here feeling super guilty because of loved ones who have lost their hair due to chemo. Friends and family and I just did that event for CHOC where I saw a bunch of kids who were either bald or wearing wigs and here I was fretting over a bald spot that can be hidden with strategic hair clip placement. My late friend Claricia wrote this about losing her hair due to cancer treatments, and it makes me feel horrible for not being able to locate my big girl panties, let alone put them on with regards to my own hair loss.
Dealing with hair loss
I chatted with a few friends and was given some advice
- My beauty blogger friend Megan from By Megan Kelly
She suggested prenatal vitamins, which makes a lot of sense as prenatal vitamins contain many of the nutrients that people associate with healthy hair growth, such as Biotin, Vitamin B, calcium and iron. I read up about it and there is no scientific evidence that it really helps with hair growth, BUT it wouldn’t hurt right?
She also suggested treating my bald spot (I’m annoyed just typing that) with castor oil. I have definitely heard this before and this is what the internet says:
Castor oil’s antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties make it an effective treatment for scalp infections. Its high protein content makes it very valuable to maintain hair health. It also helps battle infections such as folliculitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the hair follicles. The unusually high content of ricinoleic acid in castor oil improves blood circulation at the scalp, ensuring better nutrition for the hair follicles.
- My homeopath buddy, Dorae from Buburoo
She suggested Rosemary oil, her blend of dry shampoo actually contains this and I will be sharing my opinion of it on the blog soon.
Rosemary Oil Benefits Hair Growth. When applied over the scalp rosemaryessential oil helps stimulate hair growth. Many people also claim that it can prevent baldness, slows graying, and can be used to treat dandruff and dry scalp.
- My super stylist Michelle from Stylish Steppers
– Dab on bergamot “It helps in stimulating hair growth”
– Use caffeine shampoo
– Stay away from hairstyles that pull and tug
– Regular scalp massage
– Get a trim if needed as it reduces tangles and knots
Do you have any tips for hair loss?
I don’t think you should feel guilty that you’re freaking out. Most of us would react exactly the same way… I’m pretty sure of this, because my hair has been looking really thin recently, and I’m starting to feel anxious now. Thanks for sharing this. I hope the advice you’ve received helps! I’m going to give some of it a try as well. x
Have you had all necessary test to ensure it’s not health related? My bald spots are due to iron deficiency. Then prior to that years ago I lost hair due to an over active thyroid. I tried a pill called Trichotin and I think it really works. Only issue was you need at least a 3 month supply (though it’s not too pricey) and I only got 1 month’s worth. My hair now keeps coming and going due to the iron….so annoying.
Thanks for sharing….it’s really something that kills me, because there’s nowhere to hide your hair (and I’m not skilled with turban type things on my head like you are).
I’m definitely have an iron deficiency. without a doubt… I should probably think of taking my meds…. I have another doctors appointment next week so will hear ai die dinge
YES! What Simone said! Trichotin is amazing!!! If I could afford it, I would take it permanently. And an iron supplement makes a huge difference as well.
A good source of iron (since I’m vegetarian) is dried apricots. In my breakfast muesli each day.
Thanks for this! My son is vegetarian and I am always looking for ways to help him get in all the nutrients
Holy crap. I swear we are the same person!!! Babes, I know exactly how you feel. All I can offer is this… take a hand full of supplements if you must to ensure your body gets everything it needs. Stress is a bitch!!! Because of stress and anxiety, my body suffered and blood tests showed a few deficiencies. And medicate! I feel no shame in admitting that I take an anti-depressant and now I take anti anxiety meds as well. Life is freakin’ hard and if meds help you cope and live a better life, DO IT!
I told you you’re the white me
I know!! Haha!! Thinking of you!! xxx
Loved the article. I am in the same boat. I had to sit long and hard and think about the types of damages I have done to my scalp and my crown. I had been looking after my hair after the big chop so well and all of a sudden boooom i see my crown got two small bald spots and hair thinning. I wanted to cry, I hated the fact that I experienced it again because I thought that if I go natural it wouldnt have that effect. But I was wrong, I have styled too much, parted too tightly and tugged too much, I never protected my crown properly while sleeping with a satin doek or under the hairdryer. I was extremely disapointed in myself (i can be very hard on myself). SO far I have tried to keep up with massaging my crown every day with shzen scalp tonic because it contains the most amazing oils and recently started using Jamaican black castor oil. I have seem amazing improvements but still feel like its growing to slow. Staying positive though and thank you for the article.
I’m sitting here thinking I should big chop not for the patch so much just my hair in general….start over you know