Thanks Trina! Yeah...I think hair makes me who I am for fashion purposes...it's always nice to be able to take it off though..especially when it's hot. I haven't gone out in public bald though...not sure if I'll ever be able to.

Hi Trina..Upbeat..I try to be or I'll go crazy..I dont know if you saw the blog about how long people have had AA,or AT etc..Anyway,the best wisdom I have learned about AA,is that I didnt choose it,and therefore,its not my fault,so I dont have any reason to feel like Im less,or hideous or something..I know its so hard to do,but I try every day to just not look at it,and put it out of my mind..Im a guy who doesnt look good with a shaved head,so I do the patchy thing,and my hair hurts before it falls out,but to me,the less time I think about it,the less it bothers me,AND THE LESS IT FALLS OUT..It never gets any easier,Im sorry to say..Even after 38 years,its still hard,but hey,I guess I have to take the good with the bad..And if someone wants to laugh,or point,SO BE IT!!!..There not worth my time..That was probably the 1st thing i learned with AA was to never again make fun of someone who is""different"" Its not there fault,so then why do people mess with them.ANSWER??,,They feel so inadeaquate,they want someone else to feel smaller..Thats sad..Oh well..I also try and do as many things as possible that I TRULY LOVE..Piano,Art painting,I sing,as I started a band a few years ago..I play Blues and rock..I sing the blues like you wouldnt believe..I grew up with Albert King..BB king..Buddy Guy etc..so I had good inspiritations..Anyway..I hope you get some relief,and as we speak,I think you could use a miracle,sooooo...BAM...So BE IT!!!! You just recieved one..Use it for you,or your daughter,or both..Im not kidding..Im pretty sure you are long over due,so enjoy..I'll pray also,if you'd like..God Bless..Bob
..Keep the faith..Give the love..Share the happiness..Bob

wow, there is such a thing as permanent lashes as well? I've never heard of it. How does it work?

no way, really? I didn't know that they could bond hair to your head...I'm DYING to know more!!! I just got a new vacuum wig today...I LOVE it!!

Cool! I'd love to see that!

but how? With glue?

Thanks for the thoughts Trina..I started the treatment again on Saturday after 3 weeks and the juice a few days before. ( She loves that juice)..So far so good, although I think she has a few very pale rashes on her legs. It is hard to tell with the heat rashes she is getting from the sun now. And, I don't want to stop treatment. Anyway, I think she is in the beginning stages of some regrowth. She has a big patch of white hairs that are getting some length and thickness and I think a few may be changing. Someone told me if the color does not change in two weeks then it is not hair so I don't know what to think. She also has lots of scattered spots of hairs coming in and some have color. I am driving myself crazy and Sam because I am constantly checking that they are still there..What do you think? Do you think it could be the start. I wish I would see some brows coming in and I would feel better and more hopeful..

It is nice to hear that Niyah is getting her hair back!!!! It is awesome as Sam would say.

We are going to Fl next week and I am going to try to give her some short shots of sun on her head. It is rainy this week and much cooler..Thank goodness school is out..ttylCindy

Dear Trina
Thanks for your welcome. Your daughter is lucky to have a mum who understands exactly what she is going through. She is very beautiful, how is she at school? Do the kids know? We decided to keep it quiet and only let the teachers know. At Jennifer's previous school we had a problem with teasing.

ooh wow...I didn't know you could do that! How does the hair come? Like on a track? Does the glue really hold that well? Is it similar to putting in a weave...but directly on your head? Sorry for all the q's...but Ive never heard of it...Im intrigued ; )

I am so nervous.Honestly, I think I am going to be more disappointed then Sam if her hair comes and goes or never does. I would swear a lot of the hairs I have seen are leaving and then at times I see them..I guess I just can't look 100 times a day. At least I see a few color dots on her head...

Great news for you guys..I hope Niyah keeps her hair..She is lucky to have you supporting her. Did she start gymnastic camp yet?

aaah ok. I used to do hair a long time ago...so Im familiar with weaves and extentions. So you glue it directly to your head?

Hi Trina,
Thanks for commenting on my blog. ;) I did seek treatment at first, but I only did 2 rounds of the injections before I decided to stop. I posted some pics yesterday of where my hair is at now so you can see how much I've lost in just over a month. I've been losing it so fast that I just quit the treatments and decided to just let it happen. I've also made up my mind to shave the rest today (well buzz it...I don't think I'll bic it yet). After everyone's kind comments and taking time to think things through I am feeling much better and confident with my decision. Of course a little nervous though. But I will post pics later of the new hair. ;) Thanks for being there for me.

Hugs,
mandy

Hi Trina,
Stay strong and your beautiful little girl will be strong. I've had AA from the time I was about 9. My Mother's strength and positive words kept me strong. I, too, learned to change the looks of people with AA, making wigs and braiding hair styles that provided maximum coverage. I look forward to shaving my head bald this summer, I'm tired of dealing with the wigs, weaves and hairpieces. Take care and stay beautiful and your little one is beautiful too!

does it hurt or burn you at all?? The adhesive? Very interesting!! Didn't know this could be done...what are the drawbacks? Whats it called? I'm sorry for all the q's again!! haha

cool...thanks for the info!

Hey Trina, I need some of your words of encouragement and positive energy. I have been on such a high that Samantha is getting colored hair and lots of new white hair coming and now it seems like some of that hair is gone. That one big spot of fuzz to me has slowly disappeared these last days, but the colored hair there is visible. She is still getting lots of white hairs and many are starting to turn or have already.I really don't know what to think anymore. I am insanely checking her head every sec I get when we are home since she goes bare in the house now that it is summer. I know I driving her nuts. We are going to Fl on Sat and I want shoot her head with Florida sun. Part of me wants to do a treatment tomorrow before we leave, but husband says not to since she will be in the sun and I did only on Mon..I am just insane and my waste line is feeling it. Any advice? Cindy

Thanks Trina..It is so hard to not keep checking and checking..I a trying to decide this morning treatment tonight or let the sun be her medicine the next week...I don't want to be disappointed if it all comes out that is coming in..Sometimes I feel like I see those shorty's already gone...Then at other times I can look at her head and see a field of hair in different places..This is so unfair..Cindy

Hi Trina! Thanks for the blog comment. I'm not really interested in a vacuum wig though. Not only can I not afford it, but I don't really want the hassle of having to shave my head every single day. I may consider it if I go AT/AU though.

Hi Mrs. Trina!!! I'm back on cyber space. I know it has been a minute but i have thought of you, the little one and Mrs. Stepanie and her little quite often. I hope everyone is doing well.
Jazz is doing good. Still hard. recently had another episode but we have a new dermatologist and i'm following her strict guide lines.
I'll chat with you later

Hi Trina,
I read your poem, and it brought me to tears. I have two lil boys, so I totally understand the bond between a mother and child(ren). :) Quick question, who does your hair? It looks FABULOUS!!!

Hey Trina, I am back from Florida..Samantha had lots of Florida sun this past week. We are seeing lots more fuzz and darker hairs coming in..I am so nervous that I am going to wake up one morning and it is going to be gone...I hope we are on track for lots of regrowth in the coming weeks!!!!!! We see the doctor later this month and am looking forward to see what she thinks. She does not know Sam is having this regrowth. Cindy

Hi Trina,
I recently bought my first ever lace front wig while in NY for school and I have yet to try it on...this week I'll be having a "lesson" in how to attach it. I've always worn what I thought were the only option of wigs. I did try everything through the years; synthetic, half & half and then finally 100% human hair. There is no question for me that the cost is well worth it for the peace of mind I feel with the human hair over the others. I am eager to try this lace front one, but hesitant about the adhesive part. As well my understanding is that once it is attached, depending on the type of adhesive that you use, it can stay on for 3-5 weeks. Is this true? I mean, what about washing your head? Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks for the comment on my blog Trina, it is so great to be free!

Thanks for the info. I've got so many questions. How do you find the lace front wig with regards to everyday comfort? Is it sweaty in the summertime, similar to the other kinds of wigs? My hair does not grow at all either, this was part of what attracted me to the lace front wigs; the naturalness of it. I'm just concerned about my hair becoming smelly or sweaty because it is on for so long. As well, what about exercising and stuff, how do you find that works? How long do the lace front wigs generally last? do you have many different ones and you alternate them? Is it difficult to learn to attach it to your head?
Thank you in advance for all of your information. Hearing from someone who wears them vs someone who just sells them is important to me.
amanda~

Trina, this is day one of finding about this website and it came right on time, I have a daughter with AA and she wears a Lace Front, however it is sometimes hard to find someone to make the texture correct being she is African American I try to find something that is more natural. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Trina, How is your summer going? Samantha's hair is still coming in and with color now. The doctor was pleased when we saw her today. We are bumping up again to 2 applications a week, but I am going to wait till we get back from the beach next week...We are on a high in our household....How is gymnastics camp going?

Hey Stephanie,
I admire you b/c it seems like you have been experitmental in trying things to overcome AA and I commend you for that, as mentioned my 11 year old African American daugher has AA she has a Lace piece, she does take a Biotin supplement daily and has taken Goji juice, however we have yet seen any success, can you tell me more about the Deity, and tball that you mentioned. Thanks

Trina,
I am at my desk crying as I read your poem,those are my thoughts exactly, I kiss my child as she sleeps at night as well, praying that she has as much normacy in life as possible, from your photos you appear to one that has controlled your life as opposed to letting AU control you do you have any pointers on hair or makeup that you have used, also with eyebrows while swimming.

Thank you so much for your willingness to share, I dont even have photos up, but I dont try to hide from the fact I just have not had time to find out even how to display them but anyway I do appreciate you responding, are you a hair stylist or just find out a way to apply your hair yourself, is it a full lace wig that you wear, I have heard about the permanent makeup is that more like a tatoo? Was it painful?

Where did you find the diety america,grease, my daughter does use the protopic but on her eyebrows.

I do agree I think the older you get the better, my daugter who is entering middle school for the first time even said I would'nt mind talking to people able it is high school b/c they are more mature then, which I agree, so you said the eyebrows did'nt hurt at all, who did them for you if I may ask, if I am getting too personal I would be glad to give you my email address, I am kinda knew to this website so I am not even sure how to delete personal information. Thanks.

thanx

Hey Trina, I LOVE the new look. I had to do a double take because I do not know who the post was from based on the photo..How does Niyah like your new look? We don't go back to school until Aug 27th. Sam is looking forward to school. She loves learning and doing. I have already prepared her the school is no longer about playing kitchen, blocks, etc. She said I know we just study all day..How cute?

Treatment is still going strong. We went to the doctor last week and we increased treamtent to twice a week at the lower dose. The doctor said no more than a quarter size at a time and she was quite pleased she is tolerating that large of an area. Her hair is still coming in and I can see more hair just starting to come through in the back now. I just find it so interested that a majority of her regrowth is in areas she first lost. No signs where she lost her hair last nor nothing in the eye area yet. We are thrilled and hope this will continue even when summer leaves us. I get concerned that some of this the result of sun exposure. Today i met a mom with her son who has had AA for years. It was a nice chance to talk with another mom and get her perspective. Our kids had a good time too..

We are off to ME for a long week and I need to start cleaning and packing...Enjoy the nice weather..Cindy

I forgot to add that Sam's new hair is in and she is getting it on Aug 12th. Will post pictures then..

Trina,
Thanks for expressing your experience, it is always good to hear how others have conquered the challenges and stay positive because I believe anything in life is just as good or bad as you make it. We'll keep up the good work on your hair, he definetly have a talent so use it and thanks for sharing it with myself, Was it difficult to make the hairline?

Hey Trina
I agree self acceptance goes a long way!. You mentioned a light joke,any suggestions as to what I could say pls?

Trina, Your new look is amazing. Woo Woo!

Good one :). I dated some insenstive jerks and believe me sometimes people can try and understand Alopecia but accepting it is another story!

Things are going good, glad to hear from you, my daughter started back to school this week and things are going well, I must say I am blessed, as Marvin Sapp sings "I nerver would have made it". So how about you how is your daughter doing, is she going through any treatment or pretty much has not had much of need just yet?

Trina, my daughter first spot was easy to cover and honestly I did'nt know much about the condition so really thought it would'nt get any worse until December 07 and it just all came out, but she hair a head full like your daughter so up front I would just but a spiral curl and cover it, but I had no clue would could happen. Thanks for sharing all your experience, I am going to try the aloe vera juice, she takes 1 biotin tablet daily, I crush it and she takes it well, also I recently purchased brow boast and I can see fine hairs coming in.

I feel the same way, my whole family thinks I am strong, they have always come to me with advice, but it is so different when it is your child, your baby girl, I have nerver in my life felt the way I did when this all hit, but I have to keep as much normacy in our life as possible, and I do. The only thing with the grease, I would love to find something, is that she wears a piece daily, so I cant get to her scalp daily, we use adhesive to put it on so that is why I try to find products that are safe that are internal, now during the summer months she went free from adhesives,, but with school starting I thought this would be better. Have you ever tried any herbal treatments, I have seen stuff on Websites such as the Merry Clinic?

So something did work? Did her spot grow back in? What all were you using?

Our doctor told us to use Protopic on the eyebrows, I have not heard of the Cordan lotion, is this something the doctor recommended? Did you or her ever have injections?

Thank you Trina!!!

Eyebrows are coming in...

Hey Trina, popping by to say hi. How is things going at school for Niyah. Samantha's hair is still growing, but I do have my moments that I think so of it fell out while I do see hair in new places..This hair is taking forever to grow, but she has a baby head of dark and blonde hair...She is loving her new wig and is going to wear it to a swim party next week...Hope to hear from you soon.Cindy

Glad to hear things are going well. I am sure those patches will fill in, in no time...Enjoy the new school year. I wish hair did not take so long to grow..I did find 2 dark brow hairs on the first brow lost..So now, ,my daughter finds me annoying because I keep looking for more...

Hi Trina,
Thanks for asking she is doing great, it is so true that kids do better than us adults about worrying. She has meet alot of friends at middle school and loves it, she is interested in trying out for cheerleading so I am supportive of whatever she wants to do. How about your daughter? How is she doing? You mentioned Aloe Vera juice before, and I found some at Sams Club however it has a very bitter taste, do you have a particular brand that your daughter drinks? Thanks again for checking in with me sometimes I tend to get a bit discourgaed when I read some of the comments on the website because there are some horrifying stories that people with alopecia have encountered, but you stay uplifted which is great. Please keep in touch.

Have fun!!!!

I read ur story and am glad ur daughter is doing better now cause we all know what we had endured..anyway am new just joined and i've never met any person with the condition so am also extending a friendship so keep in touch..