kiss my face

So I stopped using the OOKISA products. I enjoyed the follicle serum for a bit but I still have been noticing that my hair seems more dry than normal. The only think that was different is the shampoo/conditioner so I am giving that up and returning it for my cancellation. I have gone back to Kiss My Face. I love their products. The shampoo and conditioner are mild and leave my hair light and fluffy. I am sticking with that!

It still appears to be thinner in some parts as well so I am doubling up on the meditation to relax more. Summer is the time for invites and parties which tend to leave me sleeping less. I need to catch up on my rest too.

back on track

After my set back I feel so much better. My compound medication is now being applied regularly--which is a relief. I feel some more stubble in sparse areas and a little less loss.

I also have decided to try yet another hair product OOKISA. One thing I like is that they offer a "free trial". After 30 days if you do not like the product you can return it with no commitment to purchase. It only cost me a few bucks to get started and I figured it was worth the hassle of canceling if necessary.

It has been 2 days since I tried OOKISA. Most ingredients are very different from the standard grapeseed, jojoba, rosemary standard and the night serum is really fun. You spray a couple of pumps on to your dry scalp and within seconds it starts heating up. The tingling sensation is supposed to stimulate the blood to the scalp. I am not sure if it actually works but I absolutely love how it feels and makes me think its working. Maybe thats worth the price.

Other people liked it too but alopecians have to be cautious.
Product Review
Women's Hair Loss Project

set back

I am not sure if I am being paranoid or not but I feel like my hair is falling out a little lately. A bit thinner in some places that had been covered by longer strands. It is hard to determine the exact cause--although it seems like the perfect storm of letting my compound medication lapse, a gap in yoga and diligent meditation and night time oil rituals combined with a bit of personal stress. Most likely it is all of the above. While I was experiencing a slight funk, this possible regression is a reminder that I need to continually maintain all self-care rituals no matter what is happening in my life(good or bad). I got a bit sidetracked and relaxed from all the work I was doing. Things had been going so well and the slightest misstep caused me to abandon my healthy routine. I start today dedicating more time for my healing--I am just not there yet. I need to be patient during this process and so many others in my life. This is a lesson I keep having to relearn.

beautiful but? F@*& that!

I went out on Saturday night with some friends to a bar. There was a very social vibe and music, dancing etc. Some guy comes up to me and actually says "honey you are beautiful but like, bald." I was initially taken aback, then I patted his shaved, bald head. I said something back like"who are you to make that kind of statement?" (He may have made the comment to be cute. He was anything but.)

What was that about? I have more hair then I have had since November 2008 and it is actually styled. I even had a barrette (a baby one) in my hair to add a little decoration. You know the old adage "if you can't say anything nice..." People can say really dumb things. I wish more people gave thought to their statements.

hair cut

So I got my first hair cut on Friday last week. I forgot how good they felt. When you get your hair washed and scalp massage-WOW! I had my pixie cut shaped up a bit. It looks better and you can see my roots coming in slowly but surely-yay pigment! It looks more intentional monthly. It is not full volume but there are no bald spots at all. It's maybe at 50%, but I had a lot to start with. I am still not feeling the short short hair but being wig-free is priceless. My regiment has slimmed down the basics that I feel are most helpful:

Coconut oil/Essential oil scalp massages
Meditation/Self Hypnosis
Yoga & exercise
Squaric Acid/Minoxidil compound (3-5x week)
Multi-vitamins & Grape seed oil supplements

Now that I look at my list--it seems like quite a bit. My habits have become so routine that it seems natural. Good advice for all self-care.

What does Brooke Shields know?

So I have recently heard about Lumigan. This is a product that was originally used for glaucoma patients and had noticeable side effect of longer eye lashes. After FDA approval, it was repackaged for those in want (or need) of thicker and longer lashes and called it Latisse. My doctor offered to write a prescription and it would run about $30-40. Latisse runs around $150.00/month.

Before AA, I would have thought it was pure vanity. Now I know that for those affected, it is the matter of looking healthy or not. I did lose some lashes and brow, they have returned without pigment. I can easily cover the lashes with some black mascara and brow pencil and be good to go. Two months ago I would have bought the stuff. You can use it on your brows as well. I will consider getting it for my next follow-up appointment.

I would recommend giving it a try for those in need--what have you got to lose? When you stop use of the product, your eyelashes will return to normal. But it may be the quick fix until the AA is out of your system.

There are now commercials featuring Brooke Shields as the Latisse spokesperson. It would be great if it were more accessible to the Alopecian community--that's all I'm saying.

CocoNuts

So, I am in love with coconut oil. It makes my white hair and scalp really moist and is so nice on my face. You melt a little bit and it goes a long way. I have been using it as my all-over moisturizer it works so much better than anything I have ever used--seriously.
The more I research it online, the more I like it. I am even tempted to use it for cooking. I am gaining newly pigmented hair, however fine, but I swear it is due to the coconut oil. Coconut oil has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the hair follicles and keep the skin looking young. While I have been doing everything in my power to stimulate my hair growth, my skin is softest and clearest it has been in ages. And, as my friend Kirstan points out--it smells like vacation--which is my favorite smell description ever! Hail Coconut Oil!