Oh for aging backwards! I feel like I am in a constant state of putting the brakes on! I’m trying to slow the inevitable down. Surprises come right out of left field and just whack me on the side of the head. Like the one I’m talking about today.
I was washing my hair as per usual…and when I rinsed out the conditioner, my fingers were covered in strands of hair. MY hair. Hmmm.
“That’s odd.” I thought.
“Not good.”I thought.
“One off,” I muttered, and I dried my hair… and got on with my day.
Back in the shower. Washing my hair…rinse the conditioner out. More hair caught in my fingers…I watch the strands swirl down the drain.
“Is this a thing????” (As in another ‘old girl’ thing), I wonder.
And so it continued. Hair in the shower. Strands in the bathroom sink. It was alarming. I pretend it’s not happening.
And then one morning, as I am standing in front of my mirror blowing my hair dry, I angle my head and GASP! I see my scalp. My scalp?
“OMG! I’m losing my hair,” I thought.
It was real.
I like my hair. I like the color (well I’m getting some help with that but I do like it). I like the texture. I love the way it sounds when the wind whips through it. I like the way it’s developing this s-wave as I get older.
Photo by luizclas on Pexels.com Yes, this is how I feel on the inside about my hair.
Then I think of my Granny and how thin her hair was. “Damn genetics,” I think to myself.
Thinning hair…
Know what? I also feel embarrassed and somehow humiliated. I feel vulnerable. Exposed sort of. I try my best with this aging stuff. I try to eat well. I walk a bit. I watch my weight. I use anti wrinkle cream…Trying with all I can without being a nut about it, to put the brakes on this getting older business. But my hair? Other than wearing a hat 24-7 or trying a wig, I was hooped. My vanity was taking a crushing blow.
Was this a thing?
To Google I go….and I find out that yes, this is a thing.
Although it can happen at any age, it is not uncommon for women in their 50’s and 60’s to have thinning hair. It often shows up in the top third to half of the scalp. It can be a health issue…I’m a pretty big believer in my body talking to me not-stop if I care to listen. I talk to my family doctor. Is it my thyroid? Hormone Imbalances? Nope and Nope. Haven’t had a baby since 1981 so childbirth is out! Hmmm definitely not The Pill. Is it my diet? If it’s my meds, well I will have to work around that won’t I as they aren’t going anywhere soon.
And I begin to notice other women; in grocery store line ups and at the mall. I am not alone. Many women are dealing with this. And not just sixty plus gals like me. It kind of looks like it is an epidemic.
I try a hair product that increases volume…It helps fluff up the hair I’ve got, but there isn’t any more of it. The thinnest area is just above my front hairline. I change my part…using a zig zag pattern. It helps. Until the wind starts to blow.
I go to the drugstore. I find the Rogaine. It’s under lock and key. I get assistance from staff. I buy one. OMG so expensive. “It’s okay,” I think, “I’m worth it.” I take it home. I leave it in my bathroom cupboard for a few days. After watching more strands of hair going down the drain I decide to try the Rogaine. I read the back of the box…I don’t recognize most of the ingredients. Can’t say them. Chemicals…lots of them. I open the box. I read the directions. I read the warnings which are longer than the directions and then…I can’t do it. I put it down. I have to wear gloves? This is going on my scalp? and sitting there? There is a disconnect for me of major proportions…so I tuck it back into the cupboard and leave it there for my very last resort. To each their own, right? And this is not for me.
I haven’t mentioned a word to anyone. If they are noticing they aren’t saying anything. I want to figure this out and get my hair growing and then tell everyone what I went through. (which is exactly what I am doing now.) But there is one person I can not hide this from. One person who knows my hair better than I do. That’s right…my hair dresser. So…we have a little chat.
I’ve been seeing Chantal Girard at Vivid Image Studios for close to twenty years now. She is like one of my kids. I love her. And Chantal at Vivid Image Studios introduces me to a Davines product. “Try this.” she says. “It’s all natural. And it works.”
So what do I have to lose? I start with the Energizing Superactive Drops.
After washing my hair I put a few drops on my scalp and I massage them in. Smells earthy and a little spicy… like things growing (wink). Weeks pass. I am diligent and highly motivated. (wish I could say the same about a few other things in my life…like exercise). I’m not seeing anything happening. Time for another cut and color. Chantal encourages me. “It is a natural product. It takes time. Maybe try the shampoo as well.” she says. So I do.
I use quarter-size amount of the shampoo and make sure I lather it right to the scalp. I let it sit a few minutes. Rinse it off. And then when I get out of the shower I use the Superactive Drops on the problem area on my scalp and massage.
I’m not going to lie. It took time. A lot of time. 6 months maybe more before I saw any change. Slowly and surely, my hair started coming back. Such a relief I tell you.i
Davines Energizing Superactive products.
I’ve now been using them for just over two years.
I can still see a little thinning just at the part line..but this is such an improvement. I am very jhappy with the results.[/caption]
I continue to use these products and others in the Davines Line. I like putting things in my hair and on my scalp that are as natural as possible. And Davines is a top quality. If you are live in Edmonton Alberta and surrounding area you can get Davines products at Vivid Image Studio.
And me? I continue applying the brakes. And it’s surprise after surprise…like those little wiry white hairs on the chin??? WHAT???
ACKKKK!!!
So far I haven’t found an answer for that one, other than this very cool pair of tweezers that light up. ( but that’s for another post)!
Thanks Chantal Girard for your assistance with this post….
Take care.
Lynn
Here’s a shameless plug for TimeofMyLyfe….My Etsy shop.
And remember, it’s never too late to try something new!
