After my mystery bald spot reveal, I've received some lovely encouraging words and some theories. After a Google search or two, I think  I've narrowed it down to a couple of forms of Alopecia. Alopecia is essentially a blanket word for hair loss with different forms stemming from different causes.

I believe my alopecia, which has come and gone with my sisterlocks have numerous culprits:

Hair Loss

Hormonal Change: I had my sisterlocks installed four months after giving birth and one of the post-pardum side effects is hair loss due to hormonal changes. My hair started to thicken back up but alas shortly there-after I became pregant again and did not help with the thinning.

Traction Alopecia: I have a tiny bald spot that I have had for years after getting a set of braids too tight, which compromised the hair follicles in that area.

Iron Deficiency: I have two genetic blood disorders that prevent the proper absorption of iron. Iron deficiency and malnutrition in general can cause hair loss.

I will be trying a number of things inclusive of supplements, herbal concoctions, diet and scalp massage. A common remedy for alopecia is steroid injection. I love my sisterlocks but I don't feel steroids is an option because it just seem so intense for hair. I love my hair but I believe in a balanced and natural lifestyle more.

My hair is for the most part wonderful, it is everything I have ever wanted but alas not even close to perfect. I'll try my best to figure out and remedy this bald spot, not for the aesthetic of hair but because my body is trying to tell me something and I am going to listen.

• Sunday, August 12, 2012
• hair loss

Is it Alopecia?: My hair and health

After my mystery bald spot reveal, I've received some lovely encouraging words and some theories. After a Google search or two, I think  I've narrowed it down to a couple of forms of Alopecia. Alopecia is essentially a blanket word for hair loss with different forms stemming from different causes.

I believe my alopecia, which has come and gone with my sisterlocks have numerous culprits:

Hair Loss

Hormonal Change: I had my sisterlocks installed four months after giving birth and one of the post-pardum side effects is hair loss due to hormonal changes. My hair started to thicken back up but alas shortly there-after I became pregant again and did not help with the thinning.

Traction Alopecia: I have a tiny bald spot that I have had for years after getting a set of braids too tight, which compromised the hair follicles in that area.

Iron Deficiency: I have two genetic blood disorders that prevent the proper absorption of iron. Iron deficiency and malnutrition in general can cause hair loss.

I will be trying a number of things inclusive of supplements, herbal concoctions, diet and scalp massage. A common remedy for alopecia is steroid injection. I love my sisterlocks but I don't feel steroids is an option because it just seem so intense for hair. I love my hair but I believe in a balanced and natural lifestyle more.

My hair is for the most part wonderful, it is everything I have ever wanted but alas not even close to perfect. I'll try my best to figure out and remedy this bald spot, not for the aesthetic of hair but because my body is trying to tell me something and I am going to listen.

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After discussing essential oils on the Facebook page, I realized that there were very good mixtures to prevent lock loss. I have noticed some lock atrophy after every re-tightening and to hedge this excess popping of the shaft due to tension, I've decided to try a treatment.

I like to shampoo before a re-tightening and to avoid shampoos with hard ingredients and preservatives that are starting to be linked with hair loss and even cancer. So I went to Wholefoods and purchased a few supplies:

• I start with Dr. Bronner's Castile soap with a few drops of peppermint added. Dr. Bronner's liquid soap is an organic fair trade bit of magic. I've cleanses without stripping your hair and skin. 
• Peppermint oil is an astringent that balances your scalps pH, neutralizes dry scalp and excess oil build up. It also stimulates growth.
• Afterward I plan on treating my scalp with a spritz of clary sage, jojoba oil, distilled water and bergamot oil.
• Clary Sage is proven to boost hair growth, soaks excess oil and reverse hair loss problems. It is also used in aromatherapy to soothe anxiety, stress and depression.
• Bergamot is a potent it is an anti-fungal pH balancing oil that also stimulates growth.
• Jojoba oil's molecular structure is very similar to natural oils humans produce (sebum) and works with varied hair types. It is also a carrier oils, also known as vegetable oils, base oils or fixed oils, are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes before applying to the skin. 

Let's see how it works.

• Tuesday, November 30, 2010
• hair recipes

Sisterlock Pre Re-tightening Treatment

After discussing essential oils on the Facebook page, I realized that there were very good mixtures to prevent lock loss. I have noticed some lock atrophy after every re-tightening and to hedge this excess popping of the shaft due to tension, I've decided to try a treatment.

I like to shampoo before a re-tightening and to avoid shampoos with hard ingredients and preservatives that are starting to be linked with hair loss and even cancer. So I went to Wholefoods and purchased a few supplies:

• I start with Dr. Bronner's Castile soap with a few drops of peppermint added. Dr. Bronner's liquid soap is an organic fair trade bit of magic. I've cleanses without stripping your hair and skin. 
• Peppermint oil is an astringent that balances your scalps pH, neutralizes dry scalp and excess oil build up. It also stimulates growth.
• Afterward I plan on treating my scalp with a spritz of clary sage, jojoba oil, distilled water and bergamot oil.
• Clary Sage is proven to boost hair growth, soaks excess oil and reverse hair loss problems. It is also used in aromatherapy to soothe anxiety, stress and depression.
• Bergamot is a potent it is an anti-fungal pH balancing oil that also stimulates growth.
• Jojoba oil's molecular structure is very similar to natural oils humans produce (sebum) and works with varied hair types. It is also a carrier oils, also known as vegetable oils, base oils or fixed oils, are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes before applying to the skin. 

Let's see how it works.

Read more

This past weekend I was at a Bridal show with a friend and we saw this woman with gorgeous traditional locks. She had very thick and coarse textured hair but her locks, which were mid back, were softer than my sisterlocks. She allowed me to touch her hair and went on and on about her regime:

Wash with Peppermint Shampoo
Follow up with Peppermint Conditioner
Moisturize with a mixture of Pure Castor Oil
and Pure Jojoba Oil

She said they were a bit pricey but were the best quality products from Wholefoods.

I logged on to the sisterlocks Facebook group and noticed someone asked what she could use to thicken her edges. Last retightening I lost a few locks at the hairline. It is not a problem yet but I will definitely be making a homemade thickening conditioner spray this weekend:

Rosemary Oil
Castor Oil
Peppermint Oil (more for scent)
Distilled Water

I'll have photos and a follow up post when I've bought the ingredients.

• Wednesday, September 29, 2010
• hair recipes

Developing A Hair Regime

This past weekend I was at a Bridal show with a friend and we saw this woman with gorgeous traditional locks. She had very thick and coarse textured hair but her locks, which were mid back, were softer than my sisterlocks. She allowed me to touch her hair and went on and on about her regime:

Wash with Peppermint Shampoo
Follow up with Peppermint Conditioner
Moisturize with a mixture of Pure Castor Oil
and Pure Jojoba Oil

She said they were a bit pricey but were the best quality products from Wholefoods.

I logged on to the sisterlocks Facebook group and noticed someone asked what she could use to thicken her edges. Last retightening I lost a few locks at the hairline. It is not a problem yet but I will definitely be making a homemade thickening conditioner spray this weekend:

Rosemary Oil
Castor Oil
Peppermint Oil (more for scent)
Distilled Water

I'll have photos and a follow up post when I've bought the ingredients.

Read more