Extensions/weaves

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
Extensions/weaves
14
Sat, 06-02-2007 - 6:11pm

My poor mother's hair started thinning at a very early age. I guess she's had "thin spots" where you can see her scalp since she was in her forties(she's 60). She's never complained about it, just when we're out in public sometimes and meet for the first time, she'll ask if she's covered all her "spots". I feel so badly for her.

I know she would never wear a wig, she's told me so several times. Even when she's had it with how difficult it is to fix her hair. Plus, I've never personally seen a wig with a short hairstyle which looked real. I've seen some decent long ones but she hasn't worn long hair since she was a teen.

I was just wondering if anyone has any female family members who suffer from this and if so, if they know of any extensions for short hair or something similar or know of any thickening agents which actually work. I bought her some Nioxin several years ago but it didn't help, unfortunately.

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Avatar for floridagirl52
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 06-02-2007 - 6:22pm

My hair is kind of thin, but not as thin as it sounds like your mother's hair is. I don't have any great advice except I have used two different products that help cover thin areas, especially when my hair needs coloring (I have VERY gray hair which I have colored brown every three weeks).

Anyway, one product is called 'Tween Time and it is a waxy crayon like thing that you can apply to your scalp. There's another one, but it's more of a temporary rinse for your hair made by Roux. It's hair color that rinses out with water, so it doesn't alter the composition of you hair the way real hair dye does. Both of these products are available at Sally Beauty Supply. I also heard that some women cover thin spots with powdered eyeshadow. I've never tried that, but I'll bet it really works.

Other than that, I do see some amazing TV ads for hair restoration, but I don't know anything about how they actually do it.

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Sat, 06-02-2007 - 6:50pm

Thanks. Her hair is a darkish brown so the areas where it's the thinnest, she may be interested in using that Tween Time. She's tried all sorts of "gunk" which claims to make your hair thicker but honestly, her hair is so thin I don't think things like that even have a chance(mouses, gels, etc).

I am online looking at wigs right now. I'm tempted to order one for her but hair is a super personal thing so I think I'd better wait : ) I think I'll go out right now and head to Sally's. There is one not ten minutes from here.

Thanks again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2005
In reply to: cfk_3
Sun, 06-03-2007 - 11:16am
Is the nioxin the same thing as Rogaine? I think they make a Rogaine especially for women. But I don't know how well it works.
















Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Sun, 06-03-2007 - 11:27am

Nioxin is similar, I think. I went and bought her some of that Tween Time last night and she said she would try it. I may wait a few more years and see if she wants to go try on some wigs. I actually found some pretty good looking ones online last night.

I felt bad for her a couple of days ago. We met out somewhere and you know how some girls have "fat" days where they just feel totally bloated? She was having a bad hair day. I thought she was going to tear up. She's from strong stock, too. She literally doesn't complain about anything; wish I was more like her.

Anyway, you know us girls and our hair and how protective we are of our mommas! Well, that's how we are in the south anyway, LOL.




Edited 6/3/2007 11:37 am ET by cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2006
In reply to: cfk_3
Mon, 06-04-2007 - 12:06am

Is your mom losing her hair on a regular basis or is it just consistantly thin? The reason I ask is because my sister is undergoing chemotherapy and is losing her hair as a result. Of course, this is an extreme case. In the beginning of her treatment she had hair extensions and they were beautiful. But as the hair loss became more rapid and intense they didn't last because there wasn't enough hair for the extensions to grip onto.

But if your mom's hair is just thin and she is not rapidly losing hair, extensions could be a great solution. My sister liked hers so well that when her treatment is over and her hair grows back she's going to continue to get them, because she loved how thick and long they made here hair.

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Mon, 06-04-2007 - 1:15pm
She just has thin hair and it has gotten increasingly thin as she's gotten older. I'm sorry about your sister. Is she responding to treatment?
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
In reply to: cfk_3
Mon, 06-04-2007 - 1:45pm
This may sound kind of strange - but has she had a physical lately? My mom always had thin hair, but she was practically going bald at one point. We found out she had a systemic staph infection, and once she was on the meds, her hair started growing back. She may have infected follicles.


Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Mon, 06-04-2007 - 2:49pm

She had knee surgery a year ago so it's been at least a year since her last physical. Her hair has been thin all of her life. It's gotten to the point where it's becoming more and more noticeable. I think it's wearing on her esteem. I doubt anythng is going on medically, she's a nurse, but I'll share your story with her. You never know . . .

Thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
In reply to: cfk_3
Mon, 06-04-2007 - 2:52pm

Now that's too much for coincidence - my mom's staph infection was a direct result of her knee surgery.

I'd strongly suggest your mom have some bloodwork done.


Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cfk_3
Mon, 06-04-2007 - 3:12pm
Her hair was thinning long before the surgery but I'll encourage the test. One can never be too safe.

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