Any Real Solutions for Female Hair Loss?
Hello, I am a recent transplant from New York City to Istanbul. I was a model for 10 years and have been losing my hair since my late teens. As a woman, and one paid for her looks, I do not have to belabor the point of how this has ruined my life. I have worn every possible type of hair extension and now a custom made hairpiece covering my crown and hairline in addition to extensions in the back. I have lost roughly 70 percent of my hair and the remains resemble a troll doll’s fluff. The cost (approximately 300.00 every 2 months) and the constant fear that the extensions will fall out or move in such a way that my scalp will show have left me feeling so hopeless.
I am in my late 20s and can hardly imagine what I will have to face in 20 years when the wig and extensions will cause traction alopecia and pull out the rest of my hair. I cannot wear full wigs since I cannot pull them back into ponytails when working out and they are just not a livable solution. I have traveled all over the world for consults regarding transplantation but I just don’t have enough hair to make the operation worth the expense. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding real solutions – realistic hairpieces, best extensions, etc? I think that I also ran through all of the possible drugs too, up to and including Proscar – I do not plan to have children. Drugs don’t seem worth it either as it is not just about preserving the hair that I have but the fact that I will never have a normal amount of hair to begin with.
It is also noteworthy, I suppose, that my hairloss is both genetic and I know discovered due two 2 courses of Accutane in high school that was prescribe like candy to kids that had minuscule amount of acne (I grew up in the entertainment industry…) Thank you for reading and I would be so grateful for any thoughts or advice.
Your questions are not uncommon and your history is typical of many women. There is little that doctors can do for you unless you have an identifiable hormone defect or medical problem like thyroid disease. I wish there was more I could offer.
As for realistic hairpieces, extensions, etc — If any readers have advice for this young lady, please leave a comment!
I have heard of stories of models losing hair. Not too long ago, someone commented on Naomi Campell’s hairloss on this site. Also, someone told me of a model who had significant hairloss. According to the story, the job was stressing the young lady out….considering the work schedules, unhealthy eating habits in order to maintain a small figure etc… of course the hairloss itself is another stressor.
You may want to consider taking time off your career and relaxing/distressing and see how that works for you. If it does work, you have to consider a career change.
NB. I am not a doctor.
I know there are a lot of women that get bonded toppers or bonded hairpieces and wigs that look very natural and are secure, which allow you to workout and live a relatively normal life. You can also pull them back into a ponytail. I haven’t gotten one myself but know I may have to one day. There are different ones – ones that need to be glued on once a week, and ones that last a month or longer.
Elaborating upon Jeni’s comment, you can always look into lace-front wigs. If applied correctly, they look like your natural hair. Not only will you have complete coverage, you can also pull them back into ponytails. A good one will cost hundreds but is well worth it since you don’t have to worry about it falling off.
Ahh… another accutane hair loss sufferer. Its amazing to me that there is still limited acceptance of long term accutane induced hairloss when there are thousands of reports on the interent of FEMALES permanently losing their hair after accutane.
Hi there. I do feel for your position. I’ve done quite a bit of research and writing on hair loss and even specifically, hair loss in women. There are hair growth promoting systems like Nioxin that are really popular amongst my customers but there are also masking solutions that will help you hide embarrassing hair loss in the meantime. Toppik products provide very realistic looking hair fullness within seconds. According to users, it looks natural from as close to 2 inches away. Let me know if you decide to try Toppik out. I’d like to know your experience.