cindyscc

Hi, I am a hairdresser with 37 years in the business. I own my salon. I have experienced hair loss myself for a long time. It's especially devastating being 'in the business.' I started taking biotin years ago when only 50 were recommended. I now take 5000. Be careful though, as some brands, to get 5000, you have to take 2 horse pills! Biotin DOES work. I have recommended it to my clients for years and I have seen the difference first hand. Since my salon also does manicures, we also see the results in how fast their nails grow, and how much stronger the nails are. I never heard before to take it with msm. I thought msm also makes you sleepy? I did notice some skin problems from biotin on myself, but no clients have mentioned it. I also work with the after effects from chemo hair loss, with wigs etc..The 'new' chemo drugs that work directly onto fast growing cells, affect the hair very differently than the 'traditional' chemo. My husband completed 13 months of targeted chemo pill therapy, last Christmas, (2010) and it was interesting to watch his hair transformation! (The rest of the side effects were very difficult to deal with however) He lost his hair the first 3 months, then it came back, thicker, darker and curly! I'm wondering if there will be any research on the hair effects from targeted chemo therapy! But the other side effects from chemo are not worth the good hair effects. They're pretty bad..He's in remission now and is back to 'normal'. (white, thin, straight hair! He could be bald and we wouldn't care!) Ironically the stress of dealing with his cancer, also made me lose my hair faster too! I use scalp camouflage but I don't think it's good for the follicles as they need to 'breathe'. Camouflage can clog, so the hair cannot push through. Hense products like Nioxin, that clean the scalp well. I try not to use them daily, but it's hard to let my shiny scalp show through at work. I have done hair 'extensions' in the past but when someone is very thin, any attachment methods are very noticeable with the exception of tapes and glues, and they are very hard on the hair that's remaining. I am now starting to work with integration systems. I have tried only one and it was really nice but I cannot afford to get the whole introductory kit for my salon right now, as it's expensive.(several 'samples', displays etc) And those clients don't like to sit near someone that's getting their hair done that has a nice head of hair. Integration systems are a hairpiece or full wig that sits on top of the hair. The weft is very loose and the rows can be as far as 1 inch apart. No clips, glues or fusion is needed. It stays on the head by gently pulling your own hair through the wefts. You do need some of your own hair for them to stay on better. Clips can be used but can add extra bulk which can make them look 'fake.' The pieces that are made of human hair, do blend better with your own hair though. I thought I would join this site to see what is available for myself. After reading these posts however, my latest idea of a laser does not seem to be a good one. My daughter is getting married in June and I want to look my best! I'd love to hear about other 'systems' that do work.