Living with hair loss

Hello Blog friends.  It has been a long while since I've checked in.  I have been going through a really tough time with my hair. A few months ago I realized that my hair was thinning out very badly, as a side effect of one of my medications. The hair loss was such a gradual, slow process that I didn't realize how bad it had become. It wasn't until my sisterlocks consultant commented on my bald patches, that I realised the extent of the damage. This is what I was facing in December. Sorry I can't get the picture to rotate in the right direction.

I was truly horrified when I realized the extent of my hair loss. I got my doctor to switch my medication, started taking Biotin supplements on the recommendation of my dermatologist, and started using a hair ointment with DHT (dihydrotestosterone) as the active ingredient. This is supposed to reduce the hair loss.  After about 5 weeks  on this regimen, this is the result

It is much, much better now. But I think I still have some way to go for my hair to be fully restored.  To be honest, I am not sure that it ever will be fully restored. Here are some pictures that I took this evening.

I accept what has happened to me.  Losing my hair is better than losing my mobility.  I just wish that I had known about this side effect of a drug that I absolutely needed.  I actually contemplated taking down my locks and giving my scalp a break from the retightenings.  I changed my mind however, after I picked out about 4 locks.  This process is way too tedious for me.  I decided that when the time comes for me to change my hairstyle, I will cut off my locks and go back to a teeny weeny afro. In the meantime, when I get my hair retightened, my consultant has stopped tightening my hair right down to the scalp.  This puts less pressure on my roots.

On a happier note, my second daughter, who is just 12 years old,  just got her sisterlocks installed.  She has A LOT of hair, and it took over two weeks to install her locks.  She went after school, and did two to three hours each session.  The weekend sessions were much longer.  To her credit, and to the credit of our consultant, they both displayed great patience and dedication to the process.  I am filled with admiration for both of them.  So now hair washing is not such a chore anymore.  Yayy!!!!