Didn't realize my hair was this bad :( :(

Unpolished · 11-07-2009, 11:13 PM

Hi all,

This is really actually hard for me to post on here, but I feel your advice may be able to help me get through this torture!

It wasn't until I was video chatting a friend, that I realized really how bad my hair looked.

Bald spots on both temples! Take a look and tell me what you think, or any possible advice. (vitamins, hair growth regimens, etc)

AimWard · 11-08-2009, 02:29 AM

How long have the bald spots been there? Did they just show up or have they been there for a while?

The only product on the market that has been clinically proven to regrow hair is Roagine. However, I would see a doctor. You might have something going on internally that is affecting your hair.

In the mantime I would cease ALL straightening and bleaching and I definately would not pull the hair back into any kind of "protective" buns or ponies in case you have traction alopecia.

multicultcurly · 11-08-2009, 11:33 AM

The bald spots aren't visible when your hair is down. I second going to a doctor and laying off the bleach. It could just be that your hair can't take the chemicals and since your hair is so dry, it breaks off easier, but you should go and find out.

I had bald spots on my temple about five years ago. Mine were because of a combination of stress, unhealthy hair and too much thinning by stylists. My hair grew back when I went modified CG and started using moisturizing conditioner, taking vitamins and eating a more healthful diet. Let us know what happens.

curliefro · 11-08-2009, 02:47 PM

I agree with the above that perhaps it is a combination of chemical and traction hair loss. I would also wonder about iron deficiency and second seeing a physician (have you had fatigue or stress?).
Rosemary, castor oil is good for scalp stimulation. Avoid pulling hair back tightly, avoid chemical and straightening processes - your hair may be too delicate for that. Use conditioner ("cone" free) washes with apple cider vinigar rinses.
Good Luck

MissConstrued · 11-08-2009, 07:26 PM

My mom had the same exact problem a few years ago. It was from hair bleaching damage and where her glasses rubbed against the semi-balding area only made it worse. I bought her some of that Dr. Miracle temple balm stuff and it's been working pretty well, some areas are still a bit thin but at least it is growing back. You might want to go to the doctor's though it could be attributed to stress or something else in addition to bleaching. Good luck!

Marah Mizrahi · 11-08-2009, 09:56 PM

Unpolished.. I am sorry to hear about this particularly since I know from your other thread you are already dealing with hair struggles.

First thing I thought when I saw the photos was traction alopecia. It's basically a gradual hair loss condition from the hair being pulled or tugged on to tightly over a long period of time.

Around the temples are the weakest parts of the hair for a lot of people and if their hair is damaged there and tugged on or rubbed about.. a lot of times it will come out in that way over time.

Do you wear ponytails, puffs, or pulled back buns often ? Wear any sort of headbands or hats that could be rubbing against your hair there ? Are you sleeping with your hair down at night on rough pillow cases ? All those things can contribute to hair loss especially certain hairstyles that are pulled tight where the hair is straining in the temple area particularly if the hair is weakened.

I think the bleach/dye caused your hair to weaken a lot and your hair has probably been stressed in those areas and ended up breaking and rubbing off. I think you should definitely go see a doctor so he can recommend some sort of treatment and in the mean time stop all dyeing or any chemical treatements to your hair immediately.

I have actually seen people recover from this condition which was a result of them having worn tight weaves, braids, and ponytails for a long period of time. They were able to catch the problem in time and save their hair! But they totally changed HOW they handled their hair and the styling techniques they utilized.

Only thing is that it takes a while to see results and you basically have to change how you handle your hair. For instance, you may have to wear your hair down often and not pull it up at all, make sure you sleep with a satin bonnet on or use satin pillow cases, keep your hair extremely moistured, and do protein treatments regularly.

Some extra virgin coconut oil rubbed on the area regularly may help preserve the hairs that still may be left in those areas since it is an oil that penetrates the hair shaft. And you have to comb your hair as gentle as possible.. like the same way you would a small child's hair..with a lot of care and softness with the touch.

When you wash it.. you have to do the same thing.. almost like you would a toddler's hair..and if I were you.. if you are using sulfate shampoos of any kind.. I would stop. And start just co-washing (washing the hair with a good conditioner and not shampoo).

But definitely schedule to see a doctor ASAP because he/she would be able to help you best if you do in fact have something like traction alopecia.

Best wishes and hugs..again.. I am really sorry to hear about this!

subbrock · 11-08-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissConstrued

My mom had the same exact problem a few years ago. It was from hair bleaching damage and where her glasses rubbed against the semi-balding area only made it worse. I bought her some of that Dr. Miracle temple balm stuff and it's been working pretty well, some areas are still a bit thin but at least it is growing back. You might want to go to the doctor's though it could be attributed to stress or something else in addition to bleaching. Good luck!

ive seen that same thing happen to others who where glasses. very interesting.

i think everybody gave you some great advice thus far, but why do you think your temples are balding?

Unpolished · 11-10-2009, 01:51 AM

Hi all and thanks for your support!

I should have mentioned that before my hair took a turn for the worse I had a few medical problems and a ton of stress for a bunch of reasons. When I started noticing my hair was breaking, I attributed it to all the medication I had been taking- so I stopped! ( I am a health nut and I am not so sure about medication and its benefits. I am also a vegetarian so my diet is pretty healthy.) So I stopped taking my medicines and needed a quick fix for my hair to stop breaking. Just due to a lack of resources, I got braids. Once I took the braids down that is when my hair knotted up like dread locks and began falling out in balls. My boyfriend and I slowly unknotted my hair but a lot was lost after that day. That is when I joined NC and got you alls wonderful advice. I have ceased all shampooing and am now CO with Suave Naturals, I use VO5 conditioning milk for conditioning and leave in mist, and seal with grapeseed oil (that's all they had in grocery stores down here.) I deep condition with Aveda Damage Remedy, leaving it on for a full day then rinsing it out. So with that said my hair is not falling out anymore! YAY! But I was trying to do a really cute style and realized I had virtually no edges, then the video chat really solidified my baldness

So with that said do you guys still think I need to see a doctor? If vitamins, what kind? I will try the castor or rosemary oil for scalp stimulation as I know that is imperative for hair growth.

Thanks a million.

~Unpolished

Marah Mizrahi · 11-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unpolished

Hi all and thanks for your support!

I Just due to a lack of resources, I got braids. Once I took the braids down that is when my hair knotted up like dread locks and began falling out in balls. My boyfriend and I slowly unknotted my hair but a lot was lost after that day. But I was trying to do a really cute style and realized I had virtually no edges, then the video chat really solidified my baldness

So with that said do you guys still think I need to see a doctor? If vitamins, what kind? I will try the castor or rosemary oil for scalp stimulation as I know that is imperative for hair growth.

Thanks a million.

~Unpolished

Yep.. you probably do have traction alopecia from those braids. That can do it. If braids, weaves, ponytails, updos etc are pulled to tight and left in for long periods of time.. it can lead to traction alopecia. In a lot of cases, if it's caught in time .. with healthy hair habits the issue will reverse and the hair can grow back just fine over time.

I personally would still see a doctor.. there may be some sort of topical cream or something he'd/she'd recommend. And it may be good just to have him/her take a look at your scalp in general so he/she can give you an opinion.

I don't think vitamins would hurt and rubbing some oil like the castor, coconut, etc can definitely be benefical.

The main thing you want to focus on is restoring the health of ALL your hairand maintaining a healthy scalp. And it seems like you are getting the hang of how to do that already!

Best wishes with everything.

RMichelleM · 11-11-2009, 03:27 PM

i agree with the suggestion of massaging castor oil on the trouble areas.

AimWard · 11-11-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unpolished

Hi all and thanks for your support!

...So with that said do you guys still think I need to see a doctor? If vitamins, what kind? I will try the castor or rosemary oil for scalp stimulation as I know that is imperative for hair growth.

Thanks a million.

~Unpolished

Yes, you should still see a doctor. Vitamins can not regrow hair (if that was the case there would be no male pattern baldness). All they can do is provide you with the nutrients that help keep hair healthy from the inside out. You should really see a doctor to determine the cause of the baldness.

msjaim · 11-12-2009, 06:46 PM

some vitamins taken internally can replenish deficiencies for nutrients that u dont get from food you eat that may facilitate healtyh hair growth , where male pattern baldness is genetics. I would def see a doc though. he/ she may check ur thyroid & do other blood work

GRU · 11-13-2009, 09:03 AM

Hypothyroidism can also cause hair loss. Since you've been through a period of stress/health issues, it's possible your endocrine system took a hit.

Have your doctor check your TSH levels as well as your Free T3 and Free T4. If your TSH isn't somewhere around 0.8-1.3 (NOT the 4.0 that most labs list as "normal") then you need to work with your doc to supplement your thyroid hormone.

And also all the good stuff everyone before me has posted!

Unpolished · 11-13-2009, 01:54 PM

thanks all for the suggestions. I have faith that it will grow back because this has absolutely never happened before. But I also think I will go see a doctor to just see what is going on otherwise.