Question:
I am African-American how is hair loss going to affect me?
I have long and very thick hair. Should I expect a large amount of hair loss? What should I be taken as far as supplements to help? — vipassion37 (posted on October 9, 2006)
October 9, 2006
My daughter has thick, long hair. Yes she did lose quite a lot starting at
about 3 months out from surgery. It came out in clumps. I'm not telling u
this 2 scare u, just being honest. We are African-American also so I know
how this makes u feel. But let me assure u, it DOES grow back. Her hair is
again just as long & thick & beatufil as b4. She had fun with wigs
for about 6 months, now she lets her 7yr old daughter play with them. So
try not 2 be so devastated when it happens, trust me, IT WILL GROW BACK
JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS B4....Eve
— scaryreader
October 9, 2006
I am terrified of hair loss too! Some people lose alot, some very little.
I hear eating a lot of protein is key. My nut. says there really isn't a
supplement that will work. Some take biotin or use a hair thickening
shampoo. I think you just have to wait and see. I love my hair and right
now it is healthy but it has always been thin and fine. I don't want to
wear a wig.
— Sheri A.
October 9, 2006
Protein, protein, protein. By your hair being thick, people may not notice
the hair loss. If you haven't started taking multi-vitamins, start taking
them now. My surgeons' office told me to start taking them back in August
and I haven't even scheduled my surgery yet. I guess that's so you body
can get used to them and they will already be in your system when you have
the surgery and your body will adjust quicker. Sometimes I forget.
— the7thdean
October 9, 2006
yes, take your vitamins, get your protein in. develop a good relationship
with your hair stylist so the first signs of loss can be monitored. not
sure once it starts if much can be done except get through that period,
keep taking vitamins, protein, etc. but your stylist can work with you to
keep your hair as healthy as possible and maybe s/he has suggestions. my
stylist has a few patients who've been through wls, she's been especially
vigilant to signs of loss/thinning. if it happens (i'm still early postop,)
i'll just cut it and keep going. like eve said, it should grow back. good
luck!
— Fluffy W.
October 9, 2006
I had very thick hair and am now out 18 months and my hair is still very
thick. I take all me vitamins and get my protein. I dont know if this is
the secret but I am doing great with my hair. So it may not happen to
you either.
— cjoyce
October 10, 2006
i ahad the surgery done 11 mos ago, and I kept my hair in cornrows for the
first 10 mos. to avoid stressing it out. Also I recommend Unjury protein
powder which I believe helped me avoid that process. Good Luck!
— robin.s2000
October 11, 2006
As a black woman, I also had those same worries about my hair. I lost no
hair. I kept up with my regular routine and no hair loss at all. As a
matter of fact I kept braids in for the first two months after surgery.
— MarkietaKennedy
October 12, 2006
I'm 3 yrs post-op and my hair still looks like crap (dry/brittle). I
stopped putting relaxers in and even shaved all my hair off last year. So
at present I'm stuck with wearing wigs which I hate until I decide which
way to go. You can take your protein and vitamins, but if your hair is
going to shed -- it will.
— Starrlina
October 13, 2006
I lost hair the first three months, but because it was already thick (even
with a Perm) it wasn't a problem. I just kept it oiled and clean and it
grew back even thicker. Just be patient, take your vitamins and oil your
hair even more than you would normally is the best advice I can give you.
Good Luck!
— RuthaL.
October 16, 2006
It is amazing that I asked this same question before my surgery. Those with
natural hair (no chemcials) and most people with locs replied and said that
they had no hair loss. I know for a fact that I only got in about
20-30grams of protein each day for the first 6mths and I have not lost one
strand of hair. But some people who have relaxers (chemical treated hair)
say that they experienced hairloss. This is just based on responses I got
when I asked this question before my surgery. But everyone is different. So
no matter your hair type, you may or may not lose hair. Biotin is a great
supplement to take to help with hair growth/loss.
— PhD
October 22, 2006
As an African American woman, I was very fortunate not to have lost any
hair. Take your multi-vitamins, and eat your protein. Also - I used a
product called Aphogee (hair treatment) it works wonders! It keeps hair
from breaking. I use it after perms and before my touchups. Also I take
Biotin, and use a good conditioner (VO5 or Creme of Nature) twice a week.
There's one more hair product that may work too - called perm repair that
aids against breakage. But biotin, multi-vitamins and protein are most
important.
— CHARLYLVN
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