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Permalink Reply by Phyllis Tankel on January 9, 2014 at 1:16pm

My son has had similar patches of black hair but they don't hang around very long. Although we have been told it is a good sign and that the hair follicles are viable. I really don't know though since my son, who is now 22, has been hairless since he was 14. He shaves those little patches when they appear since it has not added up to anything for him. I hope your son has better luck with this!

Permalink Reply by Michelle on January 9, 2014 at 2:57pm

There is always a chance! You just never know how much or for how long you will have it.

Permalink Reply by swillard on February 12, 2014 at 2:47pm

I had had AA in the form of dime to quarter sized spots on my scalp for several (8-10) years (aged 33-43).  Then I noticed the hair on my head to seriously starting to all fall out in late 2011.  Within 2-3 months I shaved it off.  Then within a month or two after that all hair on the body was gone. (including nose & ears).  Didn't have to shave my head or face for about 18 months.  Then in late spring of 2013 my 3yr old daughter made some comment about the hair on the side of my head.  I figured there was just some dirt / lint there.  But a couple of days later, in the right light, I noticed that there was, in fact, a small patch of hair growing on the side of my scalp.  It remained small (2-3" in diameter) and mostly fine & white for several months.  However, over the past 9 months or so the hair has spread all over my scalp.  It is pretty diffuse and mostly white but the darker patches are growing.   It now covers 70% of my head but I still keep it shaved for if I let it go much past two weeks it starts to look like I have "The Mange" according to my wife & friends.  I have had random facial hairs show up.  They seem to grow at a "normal" rate, but are very few and far between.  There are also some very fine and white eyebrow hairs that come & go.  I don't know that it will ever come back fully.  But there is a glimmer of hope.  There are folks who have had regrowth and some of them have lost it all again.  Unfortunately it is a game of chance.  And odds are not really in one's favor after AU.  Good luck to your son.  In my opinion, it is best to embrace it for what it is, stand tall, and buy plenty of sunscreen.  And look at the bright side.  One wakes up looking your best, no hat hair, showers are quick & easy, and there is no need for time consuming, expensive haircuts! ;-)