I have had alopecia areata since this February and in this time I have lost all of the hair on my head. I remember at the beginning the smallest dime sized patched being the biggest deal and freaking out. Looking back I realize how lucky I was to have 95% of my hair at the time. I am 18 and this is my first wave of it. I have had an extremely stressful year and attest my initial hair loss to excessive stress. I now have over an inch of hair all over my head and have little to no shedding left. I have two wigs and am truly ecstatic that I am growing hair but at the same time have never been more nervous that I will lose it again. Do people always lose it again? could it just have been a stressful time? will I eventually be bald forever? These questions I think about everyday. I try not to be too happy about my growth but I find it hard.

To be honest I don't know if there is a way to grow back ones hair but This is what I have tried, I have no idea what actually worked if any:

1) I received steroid injections in the beginning and got more than the average. They do hurt a lot but beauty is pain I guess. I got three needles once a week to two weeks alternating. I don't think this worked very well to be honest

2) in the beginning I used 5% minoxidil rogain but then I researched online and found that the belgravia centre offered 10% minoxidil combined with a cream that also increases hair growth. Though I have grown hair on my face my family and I truly think this is what has helped the most.

3) I am also lucky to have started to receive DCP just 5 weeks ago. I do not think that results happen so quickly and have not found my ideal concentration yet but I am hoping that this will help me keep my hair.

4) I found that I have food sensitivities to egg and dairy and have stopped eating them completely. I do not know if this has helped or not.

5) I have started to meditate, I think this might help too.

I am hoping to keep my hair. Is this even a possibility? This is my first blog post. eeeeek!