I had chemotherapy a number of years ago…my hair was fine…then about 3-4 years ago I started to have extensive shedding and noticing balding spots on my head. Rogaine helped somewhat, but I became allergic and spent hours scratching(not an acceptable exercise).
I found something to help me, totally by accident and not for everyone…I was taking an extending trip to Florida and did not want to worry about thinning frizz – my daughter suggested getting a keratin treatment, which would leave my thin hair straight. I went to a wonderful hairdresser who had been involved with product formulas…I was able to get the keratin without formaldehyde….it has been over 4 months and two treatments later….the protein covering the hair is protecting it and I have new growth and far less shedding. I have not used rogaine since the keratin treatment and I am hopeful that this will continue. I know this may not help everyone, but if you have been as desperate I was, any chance is worth pursuing . Am happy to supply name of product, as well as, for anyone living in the nyc area, the salon. The cost was $250 and worth every penny.

Hi all,

I am 27 and have severe hair loss – I have always had thin hair even as a child and since pubity it has got worse and worse. Since having my children it too has got worse. I once had a quick diagnosis and was told it was female pattern baldness- not surprising as all the men in my family are bald and my mother has very fine hair too.

6 months ago i could take it no more and went to the Lucinda Ellery consultancy in London where I have had the intralace system applied (mesh attached to the head with real hair extensions attached)…I knew minoxodil etc were a slow route where results are mostly minimal so i went down an alternate route. The results were fantastic – overnight i had thick hair everywhere – downside a bit itchy and difficult to wash, not to mention the expensive cost as it has to be maintained every 6 weeks. A few days ago I went for my realignment where they remove the whole system and wash underneath… well i was mortified- my hair is now even worse with almost complete baldness. I assume it is my female pattern baldness together with the ‘mesh’ pulling at my real hair that has made the transition so severe and quick. They reapplied the intralace system and you cannot see my ‘real’ hair underneath but i feel so depressed. I cant stop thinking about my hair and that I will probably have to live with this forever. I keep looking at every other women I see and wishing i had her hair, and keep feeling so sorry for myself and why did i have to be cursed with this. I know there could be worse things in life but i cant help my negativity. Has anyone else been to the Lucinda Ellery consultancy? And how do you ladies live with being a bald women? I feel like it is a black hole that i will never get out of.

Thanks for listening
Charlie xx

I have always had fine, thin hair. The last few years it has become noticeably thinner, especially on top. I have always tried not to complain about it, figuring at least I have some hair. I have a younger sister and a niece who both have alopecia.

Now, I’m wondering where to start looking for help. Do I start with my family doctor and ask for a referral to a dermatologist? I’ve been looking at toppers online, but to start I think I’d rather talk to someone in person. I read another thread here that someone else did that and the topper that was suggested was $1800…is that about normal? I can’t possibly come up with that much.

Sorry, I’m rambling…just feeling really down about this. I avoid having my picture taken and looking in mirrors as much as possible – I also avoid going in to have my hair cut because it’s so embarrassing.

Thanks ladies!

I’m a newbie. I have somewhat of a different story than most. I’ve been on steroids now for months and thats causing major devastating hair loss. Among all my other health issues, I now have to deal with this.

I had thin hair to begin with but lots of it about shoulder length. This has been going on now for over a month and the steroids aren’t going to be stopped anytime soon. I’m confident once they do, my hair will come back (fingers crossed).

But until then..what do I do. My hair falls out at an alarming rate. Ponytails are bad, wearing it down is bad, showers are awful.

So the question is…whats the best plan of attack. If a wig is in the future, I guess thats fine..but do I keep my hair even with the wig? Or is it better to shave it all off. and if you do that..at what point so you decide to bite the bullet? When it becomes totally noticeable or before.

ugh. thanks everyone!

Can anyone tell me if, after, or stopping using products designed to grow hair you shed more? Last year I noticed my hair was thin and limp. I bought Super Biotin (which I still take) and a bottle of Mega-Tek which I used in Nov 08 for a few months and gradually stopped using altogether. My hair was the best it had been in ages around March 09 – in shine and volume and the growth was great too. The new growth was extremely fine like invisible cotton and had no weight to it – blowing like crazy in a breeze and sticking to my face. Yuk! I have changed to SLS free shampoo over the last few months. However last month my hair changed quite dramatically and became a sort of grizzly shade, The texture became sort of gritty, shine was far less and the shedding increased which worries me as I have fine, thin hair to start with and can’t afford to lose any. Hair seems to be dropping everywhere and each hair is about 10" long. I thought it was breakage but on very close inspection there is a tiny, tiny bulb that I could only see with a magnifier.

My hope was the growth accelerator revved up my folicles to produce hair and thought as they shed they might (fingers crossed) be replaced with normal fine hair of a thicker diameter. I have considered it may be due to a seasonal shed yet can’t fathom out why the condition changed too and so quickly. I have read that you usually shed after 3 months of a trauma, child birth, weight loss etc. I haven’t had anything like that. I am still using Biotin regularly and don’t know whether to start back on the Mega-tek or another product. Any thoughts would be appreciated.