Hi Laurie,
I hope all is well with you and your family. You have been on my mind lately with the hurricane and all. I hope everything is okay.
Hannah

Hi Laurie,
My hairdresser cuts my hair with the thinning shears....this gives you alot of texture. I also maintain a dark dye color in my hair; this makes my hair feel thicker and healthy. The front (bangs), are a little bit longer so I can cover my spot. I also use a dark eye pencil to color in my spot to blend with my hair color. I use RUSK "Wired" in my hair before blowdrying and my finishing touch is styling wax to make my hair spiky. This may sound like alot of work, but it only takes me 10 mins in the morning. Best part is, no one can tell what my hair is really like!!!! I get alot of compliments on my hairstyle, even strangers come up to me and ask me who does my hair!!! they all say they would like to be able to have a style like mine!!! I just laugh to myself and say they should.
Also, take folic acid and zinc suppliments, they are really good for your hair.
Take care,
Shana

Mine has receded off my forehead and sides too. I bet bangs would be cute on you. You have a cute face and I am sure you could get away with any hair style.
Yeah, if you get any more info about the microlinks let me know. I just started looking into it and don't have alot of info yet. I wish I could find a place around here. I live in such a small town there is not really alot out here.
Take care
Hannah

Glad to hear you had a good weekend!!!
I bet your hair is cute in a bob. Mine also keeps getting shorter and shorter too. I know what you mean about the long hairs. I have been finding them in my dryer vent, vacuum, and drain like crazy. I have been tempted to cut it real short and get a hair piece. I haven't gotten that brave yet but I am feeling braver and braver every day. Oh, about the topper, will the clips cause further hair loss. What if you rotate the clips? Will that work? Have you heard of microlinks? I was looking at a site and they do hair integrations and attach them with microlinks. This place that did them were in Toronto and I can't seem to find a place around here that attaches with that method. I bet, Houston being a larger city, you could find someone around there.

I know exactly what you mean with the thin mousy, thin hair. My hair became like that over some years and then eventually I started to be able to see the shape of my scalp through my hair and in the end I am now balding on the top of my head from the front through the crown, although I have not got a receeding hairline. Overall, the rest of my hair is much thinner and a different quality to my previous medium thickness hair.

The worst thing combined with that type of hair issue is having greasy/oily skin - which I do and it makes my hair look horrible in a short space of time and my scalp shines out like a beacon!! This all goes with the acne issues and too many male hormones.

I was on Dianette for years and when I came off that I do believe the hairloss got worse, although I would also say that in my case stress does not help and I was working a job at night and running a small business by day... then my hair just fell out very badly in a period of maybe 4 months to the point where I could not take it anymore and shaved my head.

I know a lot of women who took Spiro and could not take the side effects. I am planning on getting some comprehensive hormone testing done soon so that I can find out exactly what is going on and what can be done. In the meantime, I am going to order my first full lace wig, which is very exciting as it will be attached to my head and made from human hair.

Vicky

Hey Laurie

Yes it is a wig... I got it from http://www.contrastwigs.com/ I don't think they sell it anymore. It is actually by European Naturals, which you can find by searching google or another search engine. These wig stockists have it:

http://www.acewigs.com/shop/wigs/European_Naturals_Wigs/27444.php

http://www.wilshirewigs.com/MARCELLA-by-European-Naturals-pr-2682.html

The synthetic hair quality was good. However, I ended up cutting bangs in as I didn't like the hairline - it had baby hairs that were not very realistic and I felt more comfortable with bangs. You can see a pic of me with the bangs on my page. I wore it for ages and everyone loved it.

I had the colour: Color: Marcella-10E-Medium Brown Blende

It was very comfortable and not expensive and wore well before getting a bit frizzy.

Let me know if you get it as I would love to see how it looked on someone else!

Vicky :o)

Well hang in there, Laurie. I know it sounds morbid, but start preparing yourself now just in case. If you can make your peace with the worst outcome now, it will be easier if that time does actually come. That's what worked for me.

I meant I am wearing a bob that comes to my jawline.

Well, I still have hair but it is thin all over. Most people wouldn't think I have alopecia by looking at me but would think I had very fine and thin hair. It falls out alot every day and have noticed it getting thinner and thinner day by day. I may shave it at some point. I am not wearing it in a bob that comes to my jawline. I keep having to cut it shorter and shorter.
So, how was your weekend? Were you effected by Hurricane Gustav?

Hi ya

Thanks for your comment.

I was on Dianette for years - didn't do anything except help control my acne. When I came off it, I did not have a period so I started on Agnus Castus (Vitex) and Saw Palmetto tinctures from Bioforce. I found Agnus Castus the most helpful thing I have taken. I now take a supplement (homeopathic) called Menosan, which I have to buy from Switzerland as the UK does not allow its production (they have a product by the same name, but it is not the exact formula as I take). Anyway, the tablets contain Agnus Castus amongst other things and this helps me to have my monthly (well longer than monthly) cycle.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find anything that helps my hairloss. My doctor doesn't acknowledge anything is wrong with my hair so I am stuck in limbo and have given up and am finding my own way.

Vicky

That's cool. :)
I've been playing the violin for about 4 years. I shall never give it up. ^^

Yep, I play the violin.

Hi Laurie, thanks so much for the kind comment. That means a lot. ;o) I know exactly how you are feeling! That transition phase where you're stuck in between hair and no hair sucks! That's why I just shaved mine all off. LOL. I didn't want to see it happening anymore. How much hair have you lost?

I am sorry that you are feeling sad. I hope things get better. I think we alopecians have our moments though. The support here has been a blessing and helps me get through those days.
I am looking into getting an integration. It's a hairpiece that you pull your existing hair through. I checked with the Hair Club and they said they could do it; The only thing is they are kind of expensive. So, I am still thinking about it. What about you? Did you get the topper you were looking at?
Take care and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Hannah

Good to hear from you. Yea, my hair started shedding again and I worry I might be almost bald in a couple of months because of all the hair!!! My acne has gotten worse too. I have suspected that I may have PCOS because I have alot of the symptoms. The doctor put me on birth control and said it should help with these symptoms. He never mentioned anti-androgens but I think a lot of doctors are afraid to put me on anything because of my heart. I have just been feeling down in the dumps again. I have been not getting out like I should because I am so self conscious about my appearance getting worse. I even feel like alot of people treat me differently now or distance themselves like I have a disease; It's so lonely. I feel I get alot of negatives looks from people now or feel I am treated with disrespect, that I don't like going places anymore because of it. I wish it would get better. I think maybe if I could find a hair piece it may make me feel more like myself again and not feel so self conscious. I wish I could say that I have been doing better but I am a little down lately.
Glad to hear you are doing well. Where did you find your topper?
Take care

Hello Laurie

Hi Laurie! I have not been wig shopping in Houston. My first wig I got from San Antonio and I ordered my second wig online. I have heard that Tom Magliaro's Hair Additions is a great place in Houston. I hope you are doing well!
Sarah

Just wondering how you were. Hope all is well. I was wondering if you found a hairpiece? I am still looking too.

Hi Laurie - I live near Houston too. i am going to school there. If you ever wanna grab a cup of coffee or something, just let me know