proper treatment

by Francyine
(Michigan )

Hi Dr. Weaver.

How are you? I need your opinion on my hair issues. I have had hair loss towards the top center on my scalp since my last year is high school (about 8 yrs ago). I then started wearing a short hair cut, to fit the spot, at the time I was still wearing a perm. During College, over the next 4 yrs my spot would grow and shorten. In 2003 I went to dermatologist (who also treated my minor acne and skin issues) who treated me for traumatic alopecia, I had since come out of the perm and was just pressing and braiding my hair. She prescribed Loprox Shampoo, Luxiq, and Derma-Smoothe, which worked well, my hair was growing stronger and fuller, 7 months later my hair was even and healthy, I came off of the meds. 9 months later my hair began to break (over heating and curling), so I had my cut and wore a short afro/short tapper.

Fast forward December 2007, I decided to grow my hair out, I started getting it twisted 2x a month, growing all over no problems. Until last Nov of 2008. I had some health issue, and stress & didn't realize my hair was coming out it the top side, my hair dresser told me. there is Dr here is the Detroit area that specialize in skin & hair rejuvenation. I made an appt and she noticed the original spot of hair loss where their are some deaded folicales. which is fine but she didn't address the stress spots ( my dx opinion). she didn't have any FDA approved meds. she has a patented gel that’s 0.0125% retinoic acid and 0.05 hydrocortisone clear gel and what I believe to be alcohol (that I was to use nightly w a shower cap, but it dries my hair out, brittle like). she also sold me Vaidya Mishra's Herb Rich shampoo, conditioner and hair oil (hot oil treatment) which totaled the cost $187 not including the office visit. She also listed the vitamins, which were $50, but I went to health food store and found a hair, skin, nail vitamin, and upon further research found a biotin supplement. My primary doctor stated to take the biotin w my regular multivitamin, instead of the hair, skin, nail w multi due large amts of fat solubles in both.

I have no problem w integrated medicine, but I almost feel if I was swindled. My hair is growing back but I’m also massaging it, and my hair dresser said since it was not a clean spot my hair will return. My hair is chin length now (except stress spots), everyone is amazed how fast it grew w the twists. I try to eat a healthy balance diet and exercise, But I’m lost at what I should do. Do I continue treatment w the doctor who sold me items I feel I should have bought at the health food store, and have no way to validate her products and side effects ? Or back to my derm, or do I leave my hair alone w the meds, and continue my original treatment prior to last stress spots, which is wash, condition, twist, and oil ? Both of the person I saw where black and women.

I have to mention that my mom has a spot in the center of her scalp also, (like my original issue) My aunt (mom's sister) has a pattern of baldness similar to men where there is only hair on the sides and back (past her ears to the neck).

Thanks so much for your time
Francyine