Hair care

[Shirlv]

Hair cut was a huge disappointment. Lisa was not at fault, she didn’t have much to work with. Even after the cut hair looked very sparse. I think due to age and genetics. Also wondering if stress from the horrific back spasms in November has some bearing. Barbie jump in here. Is there really any help for hair loss. Lots of advertising but they want to sell drugs. My problem is not diet as I eat very healthy. This will not ruin the rest of my life, I just won’t look in the mirror.

[JudyJB]

I can only tell you about my own experience. In 2006, I had my left knee replaced and then came down with acute pancreatitis while in the hospital--probably as a result of the sedative I had for my knee replacement. Anyway, I spent 17 days in the hospital, flat on my back with a recently replaced knee and several IV bags attached to me. I was very, very sick because they originally misdiagnosed my pancreatitis as constipation. (Lesson learned was that you can have two things wrong with you at the same time!!! It was finally a gastroenterologist who correctly diagnosed me, not my orthopedic surgeon.)

Anyway, when I got home and went back to work, I was cold all the time and even wore my coat in the office. I lost 20 pounds from not being able to eat after the pancreatitis. About a month after my release, I started to lose my hair substantially, which was very upsetting. I went to a dermatologist who told me to take men's Rogaine, but that my hair would likely eventually come back. He said loss of hair after a serious illness was fairly common. He said women's Rogaine was not as strong as the men's stuff. I bought some and did use it for a couple of months, and it did seem to work, although I hated the sticky base it was in. And my hair did grow back, although it has now been thinning over the last few years.

The problem is that I don't know if it was the Rogaine that worked or just eventually recovering from the pancreatitis.

[MandysMom]

After Mel's death and the considerable stress of the preceding few years, I began to find a lot of hair on my brush each day. I heard the B vitamin, Biotin, in large doses for a few months might help. I took 10,000 mcg (micrograms) for 3 months, then 5000 mcg, for another 3 months. It seemed to, at first slow the loss, then help it grow back. Been pretty good ever since. It is normal periodically to shed some, and more so with a big stress, but if it's stress related, it usually grows back. Certainly worth a try.
Velda

[Shirlv]

I think my problem is unrealistic expectations. Lol. I expected my hair to look like it did before the pandemic. I aged a year and my hair was thinning but wasn’t as noticeable as it is cut short. I’m fortunate if it is my only complaint. Just read too that massaging you head a couple times a day stimulates hair growth.

[BirdbyBird]

I watch my hair get thinner and thinner and yes I keep getting my hair cut shorter and shorter. I was the one that took the dog clippers to it twice during the pandemic, once earlier in 2020 after the hair salons were shut down here in Ohio and then again this winter when I got out of the hospital and couldn't bear looking at it sticking straight up...all two inches of it. Having limited bathing abilities or stamina for showers and hair washing getting the clippers out again was my go to option. That and my baseball hats. I do need hats because my eyes don't appreciate the sunshine all that much and they do help keep my head warm but anymore they are a good cover for thinning hair. I nice wig might be an alternative but the dogs don't care and it isn't as if I am going to start worrying about raising the bar too high at this age.

[Acadianmom]

I had read somewhere about taking Prenatal vitamins because they contain Biotin which is good for hair. I don't remember if I thought I was having a problem with my hair but it seems thick enough now. My main problem is keeping my blood count up. The Prenatal vitamins have extra Folic Acid and they keep my blood count up enough to be able to give blood if I remember to take them. They also have Iron and B12.

Martha

[Colliemom]

Gee, and here I am with having good healthy thick hair, that I have to keep getting cut every 4-6 weeks or so. Guess I will count my blessings at almost 72 years of age.

[Shirlv]

Poor baby.


P.S. when I was a youngster like you I had nicer hair

[JudyJB]

My mother had dark, thick hair until she was 90. Then it started to turn a little grey, but was still thick when she died at age 93.

So, of course, I inherited my dad's hair!!!

[Shirlv]

I just put on little hoop earrings so I don’t look so much like my father.

[BarbaraRose]

OK...there are expensive products out there that are for hair growth. Many of them work but you have to continue to use them in order for them to keep working and that can add up to a lot of money.

This is my unprofessional suggestion since I don't have a lot of experience with these. There are several essential oils that claim to work for thickening and regrowing hair. I am including a link to some of those. Also castor oil is supposed to work very well also. You can use castor oil as a carrier for the essential oils as well. You just rub it into your scalp and let it sit for up to an hour and then shampoo it out.

Rosemary oil seems to be highly recommended...

"Can rosemary oil treat hair loss?
The idea that rosemary oil encourages hair growth may come from the rosemary’s basic health benefits. The plant in essential oil form is said to:

have anti-inflammatory properties
promote nerve growth
improve circulation
Like peppermint essential oil (also used to promote hair growth), rosemary essential oil strengthens circulation. As a result, it could prevent hair follicles from being starved of blood supply, dying off, and leading to hair loss.

Beyond stimulating hair growth, rosemary essential oil is used to prevent premature graying and dandruff. It may also help dry or itchy scalp."

8 Essential Oils That Will Regrow Thinning Hair — and How to Use Them:

https://www.womansworld.com/gallery/agi ... oss-173439

**Always do a patch test on your skin first to be sure you are not sensitive or allergic to the oils. Do not use essential oils without a carrier oil.

[Shirlv]

Barbie, thanks for your input. With my many adverse reactions to medication, etc think I will pass on essential oils. It would probably end up in the box with the rest of failed treatments. Going to go with Tina’s solution and wear a ball cap, a cute girly one. : https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com ... UX679_.jpg

[BarbaraRose]

You could just use the castor oil alone and that is supposed to help with hair regrowth.

I have seen some really nice realistic wigs now days.

[Shirlv]

Barb, I have seen some wigs that I like but that would be a last resort or not. Lol. I have never been that fussy but think it was the shock of seeing the hair loss after the hair cut. Guess you don’t notice it as much day by day. I will probably be the little old lady with the floppy hat with flowers and the big eye glasses.

[Bethers]

That ball cap you posted a link to is adorable, Shirl. I have a few hats I never wear because of headaches. I might give them a try again.