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Comment by Beth on March 29, 2016 at 1:50am

Snowy,
I do not see a way to private message you. This option is available in the other discussion groups. I found the best source is Lauren, a woman in her 30s with female pattern hairloss. It's been a few years since she started a website and free youtube videos. You can find both if you search for: cornerofhopeandmane.com. I belong to her "community", and she does charge a monthly fee. In my opinion it is worth it. You can pay for one month only and see how you like it, but send her an inquiry first. There is also a fantastic blog that is free: outofthinhair wig review. This is by a young girl named kellie. She also does many great youtube videos, some on toppers.

Comment by Snowy on March 29, 2016 at 12:37am

Hi Beth,
Thanks for the info. Please forward me any info on toppers etc. I would appreciate it.

In the meantime, I'm continuing to use Regaine etc with the hope of stabilizing.

I've just read about vacuum wigs...they sound terrific! Anybody have experiences with these?

Snowy

Comment by Beth on March 28, 2016 at 9:23am

Hi Kate, Dianna, Snowy, Emsy,
Did I get everyone, lol!
Thank you for all the information. My teenage daughter was actually diagnosed last January. We went to a doctor within the International Hair Restoration Surgeons (something like that) to find a dermatologist. He had her try things that did not work, in her case: laser cap and prp. Now we went to Rogaine5% once a day, even though most doctors say 2x a day.

Ladies, I am in contact with another mom going through the same thing. It's tough when it's your teenager. So that is why I joined alopecia world and other sites.
SNOWY: I will not advertise any site, but if you wish to know a good topper/wig support website, I can pm you. For swimming: I also spent a lot of money on a spray-in product from Canada that is waterproof. It comes with a shampoo to wash it out. It is listed on the NAAF website. My daughter hasn't used it yet because her plans changed. It's called Volluma. It's like a waterproof spray on Toppik-like that is expensive.if interested call and talk to the representative before you order it because you have to apply it a specific way. She said when you first spray the fibers on they appear white ( may appear white in some cases), then you spray on another product that comes with it and it becomes the correct color.
My daughter has a great frame of mind now. But, I am always on many sites figuring out if there will be more treatments coming for aga, and I believe there will be. Kate: yes, thank goodness for the internet, as so many young women with similar conditions have helped me with Acceptance. My daughter currently has a good outlook, but honestly, it's hard with my teenager to talk about it. I think she's just focused on fun, prom, work.
Let's keep this discussion alive, even if we just check back 1 or 2x a week. I was sad the last year when I realized there were no support discussions for AGA. Thank you, ladies!

Comment by Snowy on March 28, 2016 at 1:45am

Hi Dianna 845,
Hope you are well. I'm not up to the wig stage yet, but I know by the end of the year I'll need something I.e topper, crown extension etc.
I'm sorry to hear about Your hair. I understand the feeling of being forced to find alternatives. I think the original had plenty going for it.

Does anybody else have experience with toppers? Wigs ? Etc for AGA women?


KATE: Can you go swimming with Dermmatch?

Snowy

Comment by Dianna 845 on March 27, 2016 at 9:41pm

Hi Snowy. I too am new to the club so to speak. Trying to adjust. Wigs are so expensive. Would much rather not be forced into something but that's life. I realize my life is changed forever. I always had baby fine hair. Now androgen alopecia has claimed it. It's life altering for sure.

Comment by Kate on March 27, 2016 at 6:40pm

I LOVE dermmatch. I have curly hair, so in using it I get a camouflage of scalp coverage and can use my own hair's fullness to have the loft and volume for 3D coverage. I recently also started using Toppik after the dermmatch on my dry hair, The tiny little particles add some bulk, to my hair which helps it have more volume as well. I understand I am very lucky to have naturally curly hair, even though it's so thin, as it really helps me fake a fuller head of hair (make no mistake, it still is visibly thin).

I have no idea if it stabilizes. I would imagine yes for some people, and for others it will continue to a full stage 5. I don't find I shed excessively anymore. I don't think I ever went through major shedding phases actually (except for the postpartum hair loss after my recent pregnancy). My hair just seems to never fully grow back after normal shedding.

For me, I've tried to put my energy into finding acceptance with thin hair. It's so alluring to look for treatments and cures, but I try to remind myself that if hair loss was curable, then we wouldn't see nearly as many bald men running around either. ;-)

Comment by Snowy on March 27, 2016 at 5:27pm

Hi Kate, Beth,
Thanks for writing back.
Quick question...does Andro Alopecia ever stabilise? And does it always reach stage 5.

I shed everyday. Wondering if it gets to a point where it stops.

I have seen a Derm and 2 trichologists.
The Derm has put me on
Regaine 5% 1x per day
Diane 35 (BCP)
iron (I have extremely low ferritin levels)
I have only just started to take these. I know that they will take a while (months) before any effect may be seen. In the meantime, I shed.

Also....Toppick vs Dermmatch? Which is better?

Looking forward to your comments,
Snowy

Comment by Kate on March 27, 2016 at 1:52am

Hi Beth and Snowy! Thanks for your recent comments. Nice to have activity in this group.

Beth, I think your daughter sounds like a wonderful woman. It sucks having hair loss as a young woman. My hair started thinning when I was in college and now at 34 it is very thin. It feels premature for my age, but I think part of the problem is that society doesn't allow us to be as open or honest about female hair loss. The world acts like it doesn't exist, when in reality it is very common. Sometimes just being matter of fact, accepting, and learning how to continue enjoying life with less hair is the best course of action. For a young woman, I would be cautious about too many treatments. So many treatments affect the endocrine and reproductive systems, which your daughter may want down the line to start a family. Since she will likely need to cease treatment to conceive, carry and breastfeed, it may be better not to start it at all. Hair tends to fall back out upon ceasing treatment, and nothing would feel harder than learning to be a new mother while dealing with a major, MAJOR shed.

I just had my first child six months ago, and although I would do a lot for a luscious head of hair, I can say without a doubt that I wouldn't trade anything in the world for my happy, healthy baby. Now my focus is on being a confident woman in my body and skin, and teaching her that looks are just a small (although important and real) part of who we are. I want to teach her body and self positivity, so I am practicing that in how I react to my own appearance.

I also have my hopes high that the amazing genetic research happening across the world today will someday also have relevance for hair loss. They are figuring out how to turn genes on and off, and so certainly someday they will figure out how to activate the cells in our body that grow our head hair, and regrow us beautiful full heads of hair! Fingers crossed! Until them, short funky hairstyles, lots of Dermmatch, and surround yourselves with people who care about who you are and not how your head looks! Take care!

Comment by Beth on March 26, 2016 at 10:50pm

Hi Snowy,
My teenage daughter has same diagnosis. We tried plasma rich protein injections and a laser cap. Neither worked. Now she is on Rogaine 5% and I hope it helps. Dermatologist also prescribed bin the control pill.
My daughter is fine, having fun. To help me through this, I seek youtube videos of females with same issue, who are sharing the condition, teaching acceptance, and finding their own solutions.

I am also taking action, trying to find research on the topic. Keep checking in as I will, because I am hoping for new treatments. Best wishes, Beth

Comment by Snowy on March 26, 2016 at 8:14pm

Hi everyone,
I'm new. recently diagnosed with Andro Alopecia.
I had thick beautiful hair. I've lost 50% if not more over the last 10 or so years. I'm in such a terrible place. Looking for strength and advice. Would love to hear other peoples stories.
Snowy

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