As a member of another non-hair-related forum, where I've posted a LOT, it's rather humbling and uncomfortable to be a newbie, where this is my first post. Eek! So moderators, etc, please direct me to a more appropriate topic/section of the board if I end up totally ransacking this thread.

First: This thread has proven very interesting for me.

I just went to a free consultation this afternoon at a restoration clinic in the twin cities. First off, I am a 28-yr old female (sniff...let's talk about how attractive women with hair thinning are!!!), and starting a year ago it became evident to me that my hair was thinning. Although, in hindsight it was slowly happening prior, I think. Just not evident to me.

But to get back to why I'm posting in this thread: my theory is that the consultant today knew that I was still in the beginning stages where it wasn't noticeable, thus there aren't many options at this point, for women. I still have enough hair (knock on wood) so that more drastic measures are not necessary, or frankly, wouldn't work. I don't think. However, I get little panic/anxiety attacks now and then when I realize it's only a matter of time (2 yrs? 5 yrs?) before I become one of those women you see pictures of. But for now, I guess I'm ok. Obviously it could be a lot worse. But all of this is relative, yes?

Anyway. I got the distinct impression that this consultant was taking advantage of the fact that I'm very upset about the direction my hair is going, and that because she couldn't offer anything else, she immediately stated the LLLT was the best option for my situation. And what troubled me was that she had pronounced this verdict, before even studying my scalp and getting up close and personal w/ it! Thankfully I'm a skeptic and thus when she went into her marketing/'scientific' spiel about all of it (also, thankfully I studied bio in college so when she started throwing some of those words out at me, I became alarmed and on guard), I became worried. The thing is though....on driving home, I was actually 90% there to fork over $3195 for 6-8 months of treatment!!!!! I'm that desperate (after all, it's not like things are going to get any better..only worse over time). Thankfully I decided to start attempting to research all of it! Not that I wouldn't have ultimately researched beforehand, BUT...this hair thing for a woman (and until this thread I didn't realize how debilitating it could be for men too) is pretty crappy. [Oh, and for good measure, the woman did inspect my hair after her spiel, whereupon she pointed out the areas that were thinning. Also, a friends' husband has attended this clinic for a while now, so I know he's had good experiences with them; I just find it troubling how quickly she threw out the LLLT option to me, personally.]

If my post is nothing else than babbling...at least you guys have a price quote for what they're charging for it at the clinic here in town.....

And again: please point me to a better forum (or whatever) where I can direct my angst and anxiety about my hair (or lack thereof) issues. :-)

Hello onlygirl? and welcome to the forums.

And since your nickname implies a question, I'll answer it...NO, you are not the only girl. There have been several women through this forum and have gotten a lot of helpful information. Some have even undergone hair transplant surgery (since it was right for them) with credible doctors, etc.

Of course, as you say, you are in the beginning stages of hair loss, so hair transplantation may not be a viable option for you at this point.

We can certainly understand how you feel here, and you are certainly not babbling. Not only is this a GREAT place for education, but it's a place where you will find a lot of support from a lot of great people. Sure, most of us here are men, but there are some great women that post here like Tarasilk, who I have had the priviledge of talking with publicly and privately on this forum. She shared her experience with my privately first since she was more comfortable and then began to publicly post her experience and photos. In fact, I think she is a few months post op at this point and am looking forward to hearing about her progress.

LLLT is clearly controversial, and so far to date, I have not seen any solid evidence that LLLT does ANYTHING to regrow or even strengthen existing hair. Some argue that there MIGHT be some evidence that it MIGHT do something, and though I'm wiling to keep an open mind, I'm also a man who likes to see proof.

And MANY people have shoveled out thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars on LLLT and only continued to lose hair. The only thing that happened was their wallet (or purse) became thinner.

As tempting as it is, and as hard as it is, especially being a woman, to start losing your hair, I beg you NOT to make any decision based on your emotions. Take your time and research before jumping into anything.

So there are certainly women here and I'm sure they will be able to encourage you as well as us men.

I do encourage you, however, to start your own thread so people will respond solely to you and about your situation. What, if anythihng have you tried to combat hair loss?

We'd love to hear more about your experience. If I can do anything for you, feel free to Private Message me (you can do this by going to "New" and then "Private Message" or by clicking my name on the left hand side and clicking "Invite Bill to a private topic".

I hope this helps.

Bill

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Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

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To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

Bill has proven once again that he is the nicest man on the forum. He is polite in telling you that you're nuts if you spend a nickel for this nonsense.

Me, well, I'd like to see the clinic you went to go bankrupt today. They are slime. They sell water, a drop at a time, to thirsty, dehydrated men.

Consult with Dr. Keene. While being a woman doesn't give her any guaranteed insight into your dilemma, I think you may feel more at ease with her. She is beautiful with beautiful hair, talented and quite sensitive to the emotional side of all this.

Bezane,

Thanks? I think? Not sure if that was a compliment or an insult...though the word "nonsense" doesn't indicate a compliment.

Either way, onlygirl MAY not be a candidate for a hair transplant at this point, based on what she said. People who only just start to lose their hair typically are NOT. Donor supply is finite and should be used wisely.

Of course, women have less medical options than men, since finasteride is out, however, it's all a matter of what someone is willng to do.

Like you, I would HATE to see her shovel out thousands of dolloars for LLLT when there is no proof that it does anything. In fact, you and I agree that these big chains selling this "product" for thousands of dollars need to go out of business NOW.

Cheers,

Bill

__________________
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Subscribe to our Newsletters | How We Recommend Physicians

-----

To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

Bill.....I always take time to read your well thought out posts. It was very complimentary, however you simply are more polite about shouting down hucksters and opportunists than I am.

Often times, when someone is deemed a poor candidate for HT, they are panicked into the arms of creams, pills, and funny lights, because of desperation. That bothers me.

I tend to appreciate a more hotile environment Bill. Where we call out the hucksters and threaten them. It seems far less excessive than the tactic they use in stretching miniscule evidence to ram a crappy product down our throats.

Bezane,

Well thanks for the compliment then.

Believe me, I have had my moments where I call out the hucksters...and will continue to do it as I see fit.

CERTAINLY these outfits charging an arm and a leg for LLLT should be put out of business and put out of their (or shall I say OUR) misery. So you and I agree on this front.

But I also believe in providing a nurturing and welcoming environment where people can comfortably ask questions and be greeted with a welcoming response. My guess is we probably agree here to some degree as well.

Cheers bro,

Bill

__________________
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Subscribe to our Newsletters | How We Recommend Physicians

-----

To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

I am a 51 year old male who is starting to experience some thinning. I found this forum and would like to know if there is anything new to report as to the efficacy of the laser treatment. The last post I see here is over 2 1/2 years old.
Thank you

I am a 53 yo female who has been suffering from hair loss for 4 years. I was on rogaine and proscar for 2 years and it did not help much. I was frantic.My hair was still falling out. I changed drs. to a dermatologist who specialises in hair loss and he had been following laser therapy for years. He decided that there was enough evidence to support if not hair regrowth then stopping it from falling out. I used it for 3 times a week for 2 months then 2 times a week for 2 months and now maintain once a week. I purchace a laser on a stand as the compbs are inefficient and time consuming. My hair after a couple of months stopped falling out.It became shinier as well. It stablised for a period of a year before I dicided to have a transplant. I now use the lights post transplant and would not go with out it. My doctor has had several patients use the lights and have had great success. So for me the combo of the lights and meds have worked.

oncesilky,

Welcome to our community.

Just so you know, you'd have better luck with responses starting your own thread rather than piggie backing off an old one from 2007.

Best wishes,

Bill

__________________
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Subscribe to our Newsletters | How We Recommend Physicians

-----

To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.

I was under the impression that Finasteride was not prescribed to women. I have suspicions about the validity of oncesilky...