I hope for this to be a constantly evolving list with other women adding their own suggestions that have helped them. These are a few that have helped me to try and avoid focusing on my hair loss and just live a more normal life.
1. Be positive and maintain hope. Everyone’s hair loss situation is very different, and yours may actually be telogen effluvium caused by some type of stressful event, or perhaps may be a temporary shedding due to a hormonal change. If it is not, you still must remain positive, even on the down days. Believe that there is a possibility of a brighter tomorrow.
2. Vacuum A LOT. I think the vacuum is the hair loss sufferers’ best ally. By vacuuming frequently you avoid seeing all your hair all over the place. The less hair I see on the floor or on the counters the better I feel, even when I am shedding a lot. Constantly seeing your hair everyone is just a frequent reminder of your suffering and doesn’t allow you to focus on other things (at least that is the way it is for me).
3. Get Rid of Your Shower Drain Hair Catcher. I’ll wait while you throw it away 🙂 That thing is evil! Counting your hairs is one of the cruelest forms of self torment. I am guilty of it myself.
4. Invest in a sticky roller brush. I make sure before I leave the house that I’ve given myself a once over with those sticky roller brushes that are meant to pick up animal hair (I even keep one in the car). I do this because I would prefer to take the hair off my own clothes rather than have the person I’m with feel compelled to pick it off my back for me. UGHH. I hate that. If I was having a good day, that would ruin it for me. I once had a friend I was out with tell me how much hair I was shedding… gee thanks. This was early on in my hair loss and she had no idea I was losing my hair, but that certainly put a damper on my day. I also had another person tell me I was shedding like a cat, I think you know how the rest of my day went after a comment like that.
5. Ponytails can be your best friend. They are for me at least, and I wouldn’t suggest tying them too tight because you don’t want to pull out any fragile hair. I would rather tie my hair back to lock most of the hairs in place and keep them from falling out all over me during the day. Realize it will mean you’ll probably see more hair when you do take out our ponytail, hair that would have fallen out during the day, but I would rather that than feeling my hair drop all over my neck and arms all day long, it’s awful. It paralyzes me, and I’m completely unable to function.
6. Use a defrizzing gel. I have tons of fine hairs popping out all over the place and they are few in numbers, but a defrizzing gel sort of sleeks them down and makes my hair look more “together,” instead of like a thin frizz ball.
Those are a few of the habits I employ to deal with my hair loss better, I’d love to hear any tips you have that work for you. You can add them here.
…TO Be Continued.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been loosing my hair for a couple of years now more and more noticably. I believe the contributing factors are: Stress, Anorexia, and (genes, my mother and grandmother both have thinning hair, and in my grandmothers case to the extent of baldness) I am 25 now and my hair loss began when i was about 20 years of age.
Hi anonymous, do you still suffer with anorexia? I think that hair loss occurs pretty frequently with that disorder due to the malnutrition, but I think most of the time that type of hair loss is usually reversible with proper nutrition. How far has your hair loss progressed in the last 5 years?
Has anyone heard of LeMetric hair restoration? I’ve been reading a lot about it and was hoping someone has information to share.
Hi Alicia, Unfortunately, I haven’t really heard positive things about Lemetric, from what I have read on other forums from women who have tried her product, is that it is very expensive, about $3500 for a custom piece and that the method they use for attaching it can cause some traction hair loss in women. Basically there are two options for attachment, one is clips, that is pretty self explanatory and the one option in my opinion they are less likely to have you choose because the other option, sewing it in (integration), requires you come back to them to have it re-tightened and maintained so you are dependent on them. They make more more that way from the servicing. If you have clips you can take it anywhere for maintenance. But cost while important, is secondary to the possible hair loss that can occur along the track. My understanding is a track is basically done using your hair and long threads making a circle on your head. It can cause pain and discomfort if it is done too tight. Be very careful when considering sewing hair to your head. I have also read that the owner can be a little overbearing and intimidating so you may be sold into something you don’t really want and may not feel comfortable speaking up since it is such a vulnerable situation.
Thank you for sharing! I actually have a consultation with her on Nov. 11th and would really love to read more about it. Do you have any of the names of the forums of which you were referring?
Alicia, I am planning to meet with her on 1-6-08. Could you tell me how your meeting went with her?
I wish you all the luck!!
Linda –
Are referring to LeMetric? I did not end up meeting with her. I went with Reprieve Hair system instead. If it is LeMetric – please let me know how it goes.
Thanks and Good Luck!
Asking myself, what is the blessing and gift I receive from losing my hair, was one way I began to help myself cope with my feelings. First, this question made me cry, because it forced me to accept that my hair was gone for good. Ultimately, though it helped me to open my heart to others, because I had to admit to myself how shallowly I had judged people based on their appearance. I can honestly say that the one reward for losing my hair has been a more compassionate point of view toward others imperfections and weaknesses. Hope these thoughts give someone else some comfort!
Brenna- I agree with your comment. I know that this is a gift because it has caused me to be less shallow. Gifts comes in many ways, but it doesn’t always feel too good at first to receive such a gift. Learning to cope and having each other and knowing that we are not alone…that feels good. Thank God for postings like this. It really has helped me. I was so embarrassed with how thin my hair was getting and how I looked I had to take a break from my work. I did not want to face my clients this way and I am now taking a good look at who I am and how I can use this to grow. Some people can not tell because I spend hours covering those spots but those closest to me have ( My husband and twin sister). I know I have to accept this, deal with it and move on.
I am meeting with a hair consultant that helps women cover up areas on their head with add in hair. I will see her on Jan 9th. She is in Portland Or. I wanted to see her to learn about options for if and when my hair sheds more then it is now, what are my options. I still cover up those thin areas but I am afraid one day I won’t be able to. I know she does work with cancer patients who loss their hair and women who have alopecia. She does wig fitting, add in clip hair, toppers. She is located in downtown Portland, Or.
I went to Hair club just for a consult last year and was ripped off and lied to. Not a good experience at all from them.
1. Try brushing your hair from the scalp down well to the tip softly but thoroughly, I’ve heard it stimulates scalp circulation. I know it doesn’t make sense me being an AA patient, won’t make any difference, but I’d become so obssessed about it that I stopped taking out my tangles for 2 whole weeks cos I used to cry while brushing my hair.