Hair loss Loses My Confidence (My Hair Journey)

in #hive-1244522 months ago

11 September 2024

Hair plays an important role in shaping women's identity and confidence.

I couldn't agree more! As mentioned in the current LOH202 topic, having beautiful, strong and thick hair aligns with global beauty standards. It makes a woman more attractive. That's at least what I believe and was the main reason I strived for long, thick, and beautiful hair. I also think that's one of my best assets.

1️⃣ Given the influence of global beauty standards on our perceptions of hair, many individuals strive for thick and strong hair to achieve their desired styles. Hair loss can be particularly distressing and is often perceived as a significant issue. Have you experienced hair loss yourself? If so, how did it impact your emotional well-being? Were you able to identify an effective solution, or have you found ways to cope with it calmly and confidently?

Before anything else, I'll show you my hair journey.

My hair in 2016 was still thick and long. Although I started to experience hair fall in 2014 or 2015, I was able to maintain my long hair until I worked abroad.

I cut my hair short in 2017 because I found a job in Hong Kong. I decided to cut it short since I will be long gone, and haircuts might be expensive in Hong Kong. In my entire adult years, it was the shortest hair I tried! I felt comfortable in it, though.

In 2018, I continued to grow my hair. I always wanted long hair, so I could style it to whatever I desired.

My hair in 2020 was long, as always. I have never been to any salon in Hong Kong. I cut it myself. So, it has never been trimmed properly. Its end is always uneven, which became its unique style.

In 2021, nothing has changed, I guess? I was afraid of doing other haircut styles. I was worried that my hair would turn ugly in some way. So, I kept it natural.

My hair in 2022 was uncut since the photo in 2021 was taken. You can tell from its length. I just trimmed it a little, just removing the frizzy ends.

2023 was the year I recorded with the longest hair! It went below my waist. I may find it pretty, but not on the other side of it. I was getting more hair fall, so I cut it myself and made a length below the middle of my torso.

In 2024, I started making other hairstyles as I found my natural hair a bit boring. I tried to curl it, and the result was favorable. I then used to make this style whenever I found myself productive and wanted to go farther from my place on weekends. I thought getting curly hair added charm and confidence in me. In fact, my hair looks thicker when it is curled.

I can't deny that having long hair adds confidence to me. I could style it to whatever I want to; tie it up, curl it, or just naturally wave it down. Sometimes, I style it depending on my mood and the event. I feel even more confident when my hair is styled beautifully.

However, behind my long hair was a problem that I had long wanted to find a remedy for. As mentioned above, I experienced hair loss in 2014 or 2015. Until then, it became my main issue, even up to date. I may have long hair, but it becomes thinner and thinner as the years go by. I tried different remedies before, such as putting natural aloe vera or virgin coconut oil on my hair and scalp thirty minutes before bathing. It made my hair silkier but didn't stop my hair loss. I tried anti-hair loss shampoos, but to no avail.

I also incorporated argan oil into my hair regimen. This only makes my hair shinier, but it does not treat the hair loss.

Sometimes, I find it unhealthy already. It's affecting my physical and emotional health. I thought it was just a normal issue when we age. But, I thought there might be an underlying issue I didn't know - the real reason I am losing my hair. I also thought I had a vitamin or mineral deficiency essential to having thicker and stronger hair. It is distressing, to be honest. I had a lot on my mind regarding my hair loss issue. It's losing my confidence at times. Until I got tired of finding solutions and just embraced my flaws. No one is perfect anyway.

Whenever you see me wearing a cap on an ordinary day, that only means I lack confidence. Except when I go hiking, though, or when I feel the sun is too scorching. Sometimes, I just want to travel with my cap on because I am lazy about bringing my umbrella, especially in hot weather. But sometimes, I don't like putting my thin hair down, and covering it with my cap is my only solution. Whenever I see my thinner hair, I can't help but miss my old, thick, and strong long hair. But a girl once said, "Your hair is not really thin." I don't think so. I can feel my scalp already, which is not normal for me. Look how thick my hair was in the first photo compared to now.

When I got home, I took the opportunity to find out what caused my hair loss. I went to a physician because aside from hair loss, I also got a dry scalp, which I thought was because of the cold season in Hong Kong. (Part of my upper back was affected too, btw.) But it remained the same even when the season changed. My dry scalp contributed to getting more hair loss. The doctor prescribed topical medicines, a certain shampoo, and hair oil. I also underwent some laboratory tests (general blood test, urine test, etc.) because I might have some underlying issues like hypothyroidism or something. Even in Hong Kong, I was researching what causes chronic hair loss. I was paranoid. That's why I requested the doctor to do some tests.

However, all my tests were negative. I should be grateful because everything is fine, but I'm still worried because the hair loss wasn't treated, just the dry scalp and back. After some observations, I discovered it wasn't just a dry scalp issue, but it was caused by a triggered allergy. I am allergic to some chemical products, specifically those containing whitening ingredients, but it was my first time experiencing allergic reactions to certain products. This allergy surfaced at this age of mine. The doctor explained. How odd! So, my doctor advised me to only use mild and unscented products, as if I'd return to using baby products. Some foods were also prohibited, like some kinds of fish, chicken, and other vegetables, which is difficult because I like eating them here at home, but they trigger my allergy now. This also caused me stress because I wanted to gain weight while being here at home.

Although my dry scalp issue was treated, my hair loss remained the same. My mom said I shouldn't keep long hair. After pulling some courage, I cut my hair and made it a bit shorter this time. It's for the sake of reducing hair loss. This is under observation, though.

Poor hair. It's such a waste for me. I never had split ends, only a hair fall issue. I saw a few white hair strands, though. I guess it's because of stress.

This is what my hair looks like now. Shorter but with lesser hair fall. The only issue here is I'm getting more hair loss after shampooing. But I just can't shampoo at all because it's hot here, which causes my scalp to sweat. I shampoo alternately, but I guess, I need to reduce it even more.

For us women, our hair is connected with our sense of self-expression and confidence. So, losing it is truly emotionally distressing, which I experienced recently. I used to have long, thick hair, but not anymore, as if a special part of me had been removed. It made me insecure about those with pretty hair. I'm not as confident as before anymore.

But while addressing this issue, I realized that my life is not just about getting beautiful hair. Although it was my best asset, I have to accept that it can't be anymore. I am still finding solutions on how to grow back my thick hair. It is still my issue up to this day, but I don't want to give up because it's part of my life, so I have to solve the problem. Solving it might help me grow back in self-confidence as well.

Part of this treatment is changing my diet, lifestyle, and mindset. Having more free time means having more time for introspection and self-evaluation. With this issue, I started to embrace reality (my flaws specifically), and think more positively. I just keep in mind that my hair will grow again, and the hair loss will be treated once I find the right treatment, so my self-confidence will return. This journey somehow led me to inner growth and some realizations. My life must go on, and I should embrace self-acceptance. Besides, I can simply redefine beauty beyond having long, thick hair. I just need to be me, at least, for now.

Bye-bye, long hair! I wish to see you grow beautifully again.

Thanks for your time.


•••


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Jane is a Filipina wanderer in a foreign land who finds comfort in nature and freedom in writing. She loves watching raw picturesque landscapes, listening to the symphony of nature, breathing in drops of sunshine, walking through scenic trails and cityscapes, tasting new culinary flavors, capturing pretty little things, venturing into hidden gems, and dancing with the flow of life.

Her new experiences, adventures, challenges, lessons, small successes, and joys are colorful paints that fill up her canvas of life. She hopes to see it beautifully painted while she can.

Join her on her quest for self-discovery and wanderlust. If you like her content, don't hesitate to upvote, drop a comment, reblog, and follow for more wonderful adventures.

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Stress appears a common factor with woman experiencing hair loss.

My hairdresser gave me this recipe for my sister who had extreme hair loss a year ago, it has now eventually grown back, although her stress has been removed since January by ridding herself of a house and renting a small place to call home.

Bergamot essence/oil
Bay Rum
Placenta

The Recipe
The mixture can be used as a spritz:
1/2 bottle bay rum
1/2 bottle bergamot essence
1 ampule of placenta
spritz on your hair, concentrating on the roots, 2 to 3 times a week
and as a treatment:
throw the above mixture and 1 extra ampule of placenta into your favourite shampoo and/or conditioner. Use as often as you wash your hair. Source if this is available in your country to try...

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Thanks for the advice.. but I don't think those ingredients are available here .. I'm only familiar with placenta, and I'm not sure if it can be buy over the counter too ..coconut oil is said to be effective for treating hair loss, but not to me... I used coconut oil for quite a while, but nothing has changed..
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White of chicken egg also good, if you can take the smell and difficult to rinse out, Rosemary oil another in small doses. Have fun trying to work on some home remedies!

oh, I heard bout the white egg.. maybe I'll try it.. thanks

I tried a couple when young, after a perm (popular those days), mucking my long hair up with a colour, cut then never went that route again. Cut ends regularly treated with egg white rinse once a week.

Switched to simply using Henna (fresh powder mixed myself) once a month, slowly got hair back to looking good.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
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Your hair is very beautiful, I think that as well as it falls out it also grows, although the second process is slower than the first,!LADY

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wala na lang kwenta saken. everyday hairloss tapos ang nipis na talaga hair ko, may area na wala nang buhok. tsk tsk

Bat Kya ganun noh? Bka dahil sa stress 😬
Ayoko umabot sa point na may part sa ulo ko na makikita na dahil lagas na buhok..

sakin parang hereditary na eh

There's a few reasons I'm glad I'm not a women, hehe. A lot involved with caring and treating long hair. Never had a problem with hair loss unless situations led me to pulling it out on purpose, jk. But short hair for me most of my life. I did one time have hair on my shoulders but I just didn't like how it looked beyond a certain point. I'm fornate no balding or receding hairlines just grays.

The gray streak may be stress or just a part of getting older. I still remember my first, in my eyebrow, I plucked it than it was game on, haha. I was only 28 years old.

Anyways I associate you some for your hair. I think it suits you well. To me its one of your great physical traits. Hope you find a solution to your hair that doesn't break your confidence:-)

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They said if you pluck your white hair, it will grow more 😅 so I just leave my white strand there.
I guess stress contributes to this condition too.. because compared to before my life when I was 30, something was more stressful, lol.
When you have a lot on your mind, your body is affected too.
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I plucked and it send a chain reaction to my other hairs 😂

When you have a lot on your mind, your body is affected too.

So true the mind runs the body, it's a distraction..

For me, one of the reason is stress. Whenever I'm stressed before going to bed, in the morning when I wake up, I would see hair strands in my pillow. Stop stressing your self sis, it only contributes to your hair fall🫤

Simula umuwi ako, feeling ko mas nastress ako haha . Kaya gusto ko bumalik abroad . Kaso si mama pinipigilan ako, Yun nkaka stress sakin 😥😥

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Wow you have lived a long journey with your hair and I understand it is very stressful when we see that our hair is falling out, I have also used Coconut Oil but I have focused more on my diet and living my life as calm as possible.
I think you have beautiful hair, too bad you have this problem with hair loss, I hope you can find a real solution.

Thanks.. coconut oil isn't effective for me..
But I want to try it again from the fresh coconut harvest since we have a lot here ..might be effective than those from stores..
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I am feeling proud because today I have read the longest post about hair.
Hair increases the beauty of ladies and it's important for them but it's equally important for gentlemen also. It also gives confidence to us.
I don't know what to say more but I like long hair when it comes to ladies.
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You are still young so you can't relate yet to this . Take care of your hair while you are young .
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I understand how you feel as I've had long hair pretty much all my life. I started experiencing hair loss last year a few months after having Covid. It almost stopped ( I did use minoxidil treatment) but now I am noticing that it's starting up again.

It is extremely emotionally distressing! I don't want to cut mine (it's below my rear end right now) but I've been wondering if it would help the loss.

Thank you for sharing and have a lovely day!

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I am not sure how your hair look in reality but as I am seeing them in the pictures, I don't think they are as thin as you are describing them. I agree to your friend. !LOLZ. You have atleast double the volume as compared to my hair.

However, I understand your concerns. You are not comparing your hair to anyone else but to your previous state. So yes, it is pretty distressing, especially when the hair loss continues to happen.

When I started losing my hair I also shortened the length, thinking that the nutrients required for the length may be utilized for the growth of new hair.

What I have observed from your photos is that your hair grow in length quicker than many others. It's a plus. Believe me. Length of my hair was stunned for a long time, and now when I have cut it shorter, they are stuck there.

The best thing we can do to us is to accept ourselves in the way we are and practice gratitude. Every thing has a reason in our lives. As you have mentioned that you have learnt to explore yourself during this hair loss journey. It's a blissful gain, isn't it?

Thanks for sharing your experience with us

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My hair actually grow faster, but it doesn't grow thicker than I want it to be .
I probably lack some nutrients for my hair.

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