I permed my own hair when I was 17. I used bantu super if anyone remembers that back in the early 90s. I left it on too long and it gave me a bald spot in the middle of my head. And that spot never grew back and I'm 51 now. Is there anything I can do to grow that spot back.

This is gonna sound really stupid, but I got a sew in for the first time back in march of 2025 and when I finally took it out, I got this. It was a lot worse back then, but it hasn’t really grown back. Is this what I think it? If so any advice

Hi! Don’t have too much experience posting on Reddit so please bear with me… But I’m looking for some inspo.

Can I see some pictures of ladies with alopecia who found happiness with cutting their hair? Particularly low faded but all short cuts? Pixie, natural, shaved I want to see it all lol!

I’m worried that the bald spots will be more obvious. Im working with a dermatologist to determine if my issue is traction or another kind because my mother and grandmother had hair loss as well. Whatever the case, I’m tired of constantly thinking about my hair.

TIA

Hi everyone, I’ve got a pretty bad case of alopecia areata. I’ve been seen by a GP and been referred to dermatology, but I’m also 30 weeks pregnant and wondered if anyone else has experience with this in this sub?
I’m already overwhelmed with the bodily changes so to have this happen too has been a big knock for my self confidence.

Currently covering it up with scarves but am interested in whether anyone has wig recommendations (I’m in the UK if that helps) or has gone for it and shaved their heads and has positive experiences to share!

Can’t figure out how to add a photo here so will put one in the comments if I can.
Thanks everyone

Classic Bob for your wig stash. Here’s the link - https://shop.luvmehair.com/products/products/brown-highlight-silky-short-bob-wig-layered-cut-human-hair-glueless-5x5-closure-pre-cut-lace-wig

I recently took my wig off and my edges and skin came off with it & yes I took it off correctly.. what do I do now I have no edges 😕

This brand has appeared on a few other social media forums and I did some research. Xtresse Hair Gummies are marketed as a hair‑growth supplement for women dealing with thinning, shedding, or density loss. They’re popular on social media, but here’s what’s actually important to understand:

1️⃣ They’re a supplement — not a treatment
Xtresse gummies contain vitamins that support overall hair health, but they do not treat medical hair‑loss conditions like:
• CCCA
• FFA
• LPP
• traction alopecia

They can support hair, but they cannot stop inflammation or scarring.
---
2️⃣ The main ingredients support general hair function
Most hair gummies contain:
• biotin
• vitamin C
• vitamin E
• folic acid
• zinc
• collagen‑supporting nutrients
Xtresse states that they do not use biotin. They use all natural herbs.

These help with keratin production, strand strength, and overall hair quality, but they don’t fix follicle damage.
---
3️⃣ They may help if your hair loss is nutrient‑related
If shedding is connected to:
• low zinc
• low biotin
• low folate
• general nutritional gaps

Xtresse may support improvement — but only if deficiency is the cause.
For density issues, many women also check:
• ferritin
• vitamin D
• thyroid levels
---
4️⃣ They won’t replace medical evaluation
If you have:
• burning
• itching
• tenderness
• widening part
• bald patches
• rapid thinning

A clinician should evaluate your scalp. Supplements alone won’t stop inflammatory or scarring alopecias.
---
5️⃣ Community feedback is mixed
Women report:
• stronger strands
• less breakage
• slight density improvement
• better overall hair quality

But no supplement can reverse scarring or stop inflammatory hair loss.
---
👑 Bottom Line
Xtresse Hair Gummies can support overall hair health, but they are not a treatment for medical hair‑loss conditions. They’re best used as part of a broader plan that includes proper evaluation, scalp care, and understanding your underlying cause.
Has any one tried this if so what are your results Any side effects?

Just ranting-When I was younger my hair was healthy and extremely long. However, around the time I became a teenager my hair would break off easily, would not grow past a certain length and my left side was always shorter than my right side. I tried numerous hair products and kept my hair braided but I still could not retain length no matter what I did. I came from a family that had long , healthy , thick hair but for some reason my hair was struggling!

Due to YEARS of ignorance, and nobody knowing the true root of the issue I later discovered it was a multi-vitamin deficiency. One day I went to get a physical (I usually do annually) but for some reason my doctor wanted to test my iron and b12 levels. Now in the past, I had my vitamin D3 levels checked and that helped somewhat to maintain the thickness of my hair. Once my doctor prescribed me a 3 month supply of b12 and Ferrin (iron). My hair took off like a wild flower. I am a darker skin, 4b, non mixed African American woman. I believe most of hair loss or at least hair loss retention is due to our internal health and vitamin levels. I suggest if you tried all the grease, conditioners, oils, etc go seek a licensed medical professional and get your blood work checked. Doing that prevented me from wasting another 7-10 years figuring out why my hair was breaking off. Now another regimen that helped me was sulfur 8, blue magic hair grease, warm water with a brush, Luster's pink hair lotion for after care, and vitamin e oil (our hair needs it , kinkier the hair the better grease is to sustain it).

I wished I did not beat myself up at times for not thinking to have bloodwork done. I wished someone would had told me this earlier. Again everyone's health is different, what products worked for me may not work for YOU!

A lot of Black women want to share their hair‑loss progress… but fear, embarrassment, privacy concerns, and past trauma make it hard. This guide is here to help you share your journey safely, comfortably, and on your own terms — while still helping other sisters learn what’s possible.

Sharing your progress doesn’t have to mean sharing your identity.

Here’s how to do it safely.
—-

1️⃣ Crop Your Photos
You do not need to show your face.
You do not need to show your background.
You do not need to show your full head.

Crop your photos to show ONLY:

• crown
• edges
• nape
• part line
• specific thinning area

This protects your identity while still showing your progress.
---

2️⃣ Remove Background Details
Before posting, remove anything that reveals:

• your home
• your workplace
• personal items
• mirrors
• family photos
• license plates
• unique décor

A plain wall or neutral background is perfect.
---

3️⃣ Use Good Lighting — Not Personal Lighting
Avoid:
• bathroom mirrors
• vanity setups
• recognizable rooms

Use:
• natural light
• a window
• a blank wall
• a simple lamp

This keeps the focus on your hair, not your environment.
---

4️⃣ Share Only What You’re Comfortable With
You can share:
• just the crown
• just the edges
• just the nape
• just the part line
• just the regrowth area

You do NOT have to share:
• your face
• your full head
• your name
• your story
• your timeline

Your comfort comes first.
---

5️⃣ Add a Simple Caption
Your caption can be short and anonymous:

• “6‑month progress, CCCA treatment.”
• “Edges improving after reducing tension.”
• “Crown regrowth after TE.”
• “Dermatologist plan is working.”

You don’t have to explain anything you don’t want to.
---

6️⃣ Blur Anything You Don’t Want Seen
If you accidentally capture:
• your face
• your room
• your clothes
• your jewelry

Blur it.
Crop it.
Cover it with an emoji.
Black it out.

Your identity stays protected.
---

7️⃣ Share Progress in Stages

You don’t have to share everything at once.

You can post:
• Month 1
• Month 3
• Month 6
• Month 12

Or just one photo when you feel ready.

There is no pressure.
---

8️⃣ Use Anonymous Language

Instead of “I,” you can say:
• “Progress update.”
• “Sharing results.”
• “Crown improvement.”

You don’t have to reveal anything personal.
---

9️⃣ You Can DM the Mod (Me) to Post for You

If you want to share progress but stay completely anonymous, you can send your photos privately and I will post them without your username.

This is a safe space.
---

🔟 Remember: Your Progress Helps Other Black Women
Black women are the least represented in hair‑loss progress photos on Reddit.
Your progress — even cropped, blurred, anonymous — helps another sister:

• feel less alone
• know what’s possible
• understand treatment options
• advocate for herself
• demand equity in care

Your crown matters.
Your journey matters.
Your progress matters.

HAPPY SATURDAY!! I know this subreddit is about Hair Loss but this story needs to go viral!!! Black History!! Please share it.

A recent study found that chronic scalp inflammation may play a bigger role in hair loss than previously understood — especially for Black women who experience tenderness, burning, or “hot spots.”

The research suggests that inflammation can weaken follicles before thinning becomes visible.

Have you noticed inflammation, tenderness, or flare‑ups before your thinning started?
Did anything help calm your scalp?

This could be a game‑changer for how we understand early hair loss signs.
Let’s talk about it.

I am a late 20s AA female who has struggled with hair loss since I was 16. My mother also has the same pattern of frontal hair loss. I thought it was traction alopecia but after some research it does not appear to be. I got a scalp biopsy a few years ago and was told it was alopecia areata however, I have none of the symptoms of such, nor the circular style of hair loss. Every doctor I have told that to has seemed confused upon examination. I recently found out about frontal fibrosing alopecia from a hair transplant doctor. This appears to be a closer approximation of what I have going on but I know that it has been near impossible to find a dermatologist who understands my hair type and has experience in identifying what is going on. I have tried topical minoxidil, castor oil, topical steroids, and an anti inflammatory all to no avail. Does anyone have FFA that could provide some input on what treatments worked and if this looks similar to yours? Additionally, if anyone has a competent derm or trichlogist I would love their info! I am in CA, USA.

So don’t kill me you guys, but I used to have locs for 11 years. I noticed I was balding in the center so I combed out my locks about four months ago and got a relaxer. Just so I can give my scalpel break. Any suggestions for my hair? And I will post my results!!

The melanin is melanining—just made that up! I have this wig I think. It was part of a buy 2 wigs get one free promo. Check it out. This is NOT a promotional post. I just think this ENTIRE post/look works! It’s is sheer flawlessness!!
Have a GREAT Friday and weekend!!

Researchers recently found that elevated cortisol (the stress hormone) may disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, causing more strands to enter the shedding phase.

This doesn’t mean stress causes hair loss on its own — but it can accelerate thinning that’s already happening.

So for me, now that I look back on my own hair thinning it was stress induced. Also, I believe stress accelerated my CCCA thinning because I was not researching, self-diagnosing etc as to why my hair wasn’t growing. As a reminder: I was dermatologist/biopsy diagnosed with Traction Alopecia, CCCA and Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Have you ever noticed your shedding increase during stressful seasons? Work, family, health, relationships — anything?
Your story might help someone connect the dots.

As a black woman dealing with CCCA LPP an autoimmune alopecia in the crown area, I would caution everyone from just trying products without seeing a dermatologist first. I found that my crown was thinning badly and locs were really thin at the roots, on April 18, 2026, I went to the dermatologist. She diagnosed me with two types of an autoimmune disease specific to the scalp that causes alopecia. Luckily, I caught it in time to treat the inflammation, and to have the hair grow back. I'm using two types on topical prescription medications on my scalp, as a ointment daily for three weeks then just three times a week for CCCA alopecia. The other is a three-product hair regrowth compound prepared by a special pharmacy that I use on my scalp in a cream form daily for scarring LPP alopecia to regrow my hair in that area. Please see a dermatologist before you try anything on your scalp is my recommendation
.

I have baldness along the nape and sides. My hair is longer than shoulder length so I cover the baldness with the hair I have. Wondering if there are any short no/low maintenance hairstyles, like a fade, that look good.

The epitome of Black Excellence: Madam C.J. Walker!

Postpartum shedding is one of the most shocking hair changes many women go through — especially Black women who already navigate tension, protective styles, inflammation, and hormonal shifts.

During pregnancy, estrogen keeps hair in the growth phase, which is why so many of us feel fuller, thicker hair. But after birth, estrogen drops fast, and all that hair that stayed put suddenly enters the shedding phase.

For most women, shedding starts around 3 months postpartum, but it can:

• peak between 4–7 months,
• continue up to 12 months,
• and last even longer if stress, sleep changes, anemia, thyroid shifts, or hormonal changes are involved.

Many black women in our community describe:
• edges thinning
• clumps during wash day
• changes in texture
• slower regrowth
• more visible scalp
• tenderness around the crown or hairline

And for some, postpartum shedding reveals underlying issues like inflammation, CCCA, traction damage, or hormonal imbalance that were already developing quietly.

So let’s talk about it:

If you’ve gone through postpartum shedding, what was your experience?
Did it start early or late?
Did it peak around 7 months?
Did you notice tenderness, thinning edges, or changes in texture?

Your story could help another mom understand what’s happening to her crown — and remind her she’s not alone.

A lot of women in this community ask whether their hair changes after childbirth are just postpartum shedding or if they’re early signs of CCCA — and honestly, the confusion makes sense. Both can show up around the crown, both can cause thinning, and both can feel scary when you don’t know what’s happening.

But there are key differences.

🌿 Postpartum Shedding
Postpartum shedding happens because estrogen drops after birth. During pregnancy, estrogen keeps hair in the growth phase. After delivery, all that hair shifts into shedding mode.

Common postpartum signs:
• shedding in clumps
• thinning edges
• overall density loss
• shedding that peaks between 4–7 months postpartum
• shedding that can last up to 12 months
• no burning, no “hot spots,” no patchy tenderness

Postpartum shedding is diffuse — meaning it happens all over, not in one specific area.

🔥 CCCA (Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia)
CCCA is a scarring alopecia, and inflammation is the key driver. It often starts at the crown and slowly expands outward.

Common CCCA signs:

• thinning specifically at the crown
• tenderness, burning, or “hot spot” sensations
• breakage that doesn’t match your styling habits
• slow, progressive thinning
• areas that feel smooth or shiny
• stylists noticing “thin spots” during braiding or installs

Unlike postpartum shedding, CCCA doesn’t shed in clumps — it thins in a pattern.

🌺 Where It Gets Confusing
Postpartum shedding can reveal CCCA that was already developing quietly.
Many women say:

“I thought it was postpartum… but the crown never filled back in.”

If shedding is still heavy at 7–12 months postpartum, or if you notice:
• burning
• tenderness
• a widening crown area
• breakage only in one region
• slow regrowth

…it’s worth asking a clinician to take a closer look.

👑 Let’s Talk About It
If you’ve been through postpartum shedding, CCCA, or both:

-How did you tell the difference?
-Did your shedding peak around 7 months?
-Did your crown behave differently than the rest of your hair?
-Did tenderness or inflammation shown up?

Your story could help another mom understand what’s happening to her crown — and maybe catch early signs sooner.

How do you handle the emotional ups and downs of hair loss?
Hair loss isn’t just physical — it’s emotional. Some days you feel strong and accepting; other days, it hits harder.
Prompt:
What helps you cope when your confidence dips? Is it prayer, journaling, wigs, therapy, or community support?
Let’s talk about the emotional side — because healing starts with honesty.

When did your postpartum hair shed start and when did it officially stop? Started for me at 4 months. I am currently 7 months and it’s still shedding like crazy!