Alopecia: getting rid of patches??

[gman]

G’day. I found the site and joined it, love the forum more than anything!

I’m just going to take a punt at asking for some advice. I’ve got alopecia areata, have had it for about 12 months now. My hair’s at about a number 3 haircut right now, I wear a beanie everywhere pretty much because I get anxious. When I’ve shaved it, someone’s done it for me and I’ve simply come out of the shower and put on the shaving cream. I’ve done this for the odd formal event but that’s it.

I’ve shaved my head a few times, but I still feel a bit of anxiety as the patches still show. I’ve been through a bit of the forum, doing searches of keywords and such, but I’m curious is there a specific technique for this kind of thing??

Thanks guys.

[slyinglide]

Welcome aboard, and you have come to the right place.......There is a lot of guys here that will not only tell you how to do it, when to do it, they will tell you were to put it when your done.    If I read your post right your asking how to do the actual shaving?  Well I would tell you this.

       1. Hot shower, and exfoliate the head with a good exfoliant (What else would you use?)
       2. Use good shaving gel or cream,  I use HeadSlick, it makes the razor glide across the scalp.
       3. Use a new razor, and don't put alot of pressure on the blade, let them do the work.
           Try to use the least amount of strokes as possible to get a good shave.
       4. Rinse head when done, I feel for missed spots at this time, and if necessary, I will do some touch-up
       5. I then apply ClearHead to help with razor bump, follow that up with a good dousing of Rubbing alcohol.
       6. I then apply HeadLube as a moisturizer of sorts, but you should use a good moisturizer.
       7.  I am DUN.
       8.  GO SLOW< TAKE LONG STROKES

Some guys here say use Ice Cubes after the shave to close up pores, I sometimes use a bag of frozen peas to do this, but it gives me a little brain freeze.

THere you go I hope it helps


Thats how I would do it.........I'm sure other guys will tell you I'm out of my mind, but it works for me 

[GASlick]

Welcome!

There are a few guys on here with alopecia.  I, myself, do not so I can't be a whole lot of help for you.  The other guys will jump in though once they realize someone is here with alopecia.

Anyway, welcome to the gang!

[gman]

Cheers slyinglide, and GASlick.

I have changed the subject of this topic to capture the eye of the lads with alopecia also. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated guys.

Thanks.

[SLYinKC]

GMan, I probably had the condition you are talking about.  Just a generally thinning about everywhere.  For me it was especially bad on the sides of my head.  Shaving has been the best thing for me.

Best of luck to you.

Rick

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum gman! I'm sure that someone else here has experienced the same condition and will be able to help you out.

[Brkeatr]

Welcome to SBG gman....good to have you aboard !

[DJ_Bald]

Welcome Gman..I dont have alopecia but can you expand on what yu mean by "patches"  ?
Do you mean spots on your head where there is no hair at all that does not resemble normal male pattern baldness ? 

[Tyler]

gman, welcome to SBG!  Getting rid of the patches is going to depend on how close you can get your shave and the color of you hair compared to your skin tone.  What is your current shaving routine?

[herronm]

Welcome Gman!!!  Glad you found us.  You'll get some great advice from the guys.  I know several that have dealt with that condition.

Max

[gman]

cheers guys, appreciate it

[gman]

Welcome Gman..I dont have alopecia but can you expand on what yu mean by "patches"  ?
Do you mean spots on your head where there is no hair at all that does not resemble normal male pattern baldness ? 

yeah, thats exactly what i mean DJ_Bald. any thoughts mate?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

As I worked through the final decision to go Sly, I talked to my dematologist about the "patchiness" of my thining hair--I had two fairly thick clumps in front on either side, sort of like "Islands in the Sun."  He said it was just MPB, and that it affected people in different ways.  When I first went sly and hadn't had time to get some color the two patches were apparent and together w/ the shadow of the thicker hair around the side caused me some issues.  Once I got color and accepted the fact that most guys w/ dark hair will have the shadow, it was okay--and I was probably the only person who noticed.  Recently I didn't shave for a week, and it was very clear that in 11 months, one of the patches had thinned noticeably.  Bringing me to the purpose of this ramble, shave it, let it color up, and everything will take care of itself--including your self conscious worries about people noticing--they won't.

[The Anvil]

I have had alopecia for a long time now, but my last bout with it was a no win situation for me! I not only have lost patches of hair all over my head but 80% of my facial hair and about half of my eyebrows (that sucks!). I have to shave every day, and try to stay tan so the bald areas that are different in color to the areas that still grow, are less noticable. The back of my head looks a little like a map of the world, because of the patches being "skin" toned. This has been a very stressfull few months and shaving my head has felt great, I wish the good hair, would just fall out as well. The eyebrows on the other hand, have been very hard for me to cope with, I had a very good artist tattoo in fine hair lines, and re-construct my look, and it is amazing, but I do wish I had more eyebrow of my own! (no eybrows and you look like a crazy person or shocked all the time, HAHA) Are you doing anything to try to stimulate growth, I just gave up!    Paul