Ladies...I need advice!

[Amber07 0]

Ladies,

My hair is falling out like crazy. I have EXTREMELY thick hair though, and LOTS of it. So you'd never know. But, it's breaking half way down AND falling out at the follicle. Anywho, it's almost summer and my hair is DARK. So, can I go get it bleached? My hairdresser says no, cuz it's falling out so rapidly. But I need someone to say YES! and tell me why. So figure out a way to tell me yes, lie if you have to! hahaha!!

[Day Dreamer 23]

Ladies,

My hair is falling out like crazy. I have EXTREMELY thick hair though, and LOTS of it. So you'd never know. But, it's breaking half way down AND falling out at the follicle. Anywho, it's almost summer and my hair is DARK. So, can I go get it bleached? My hairdresser says no, cuz it's falling out so rapidly. But I need someone to say YES! and tell me why. So figure out a way to tell me yes, lie if you have to! hahaha!!

Hi Amber,

I think you have touched on a concern for most of us. Losing your hair can be very scary and bad for your self esteem. I was wondering, how much Protein are you getting per day? Hair loss can be due to many things: low Protein post WLS, genetics and even certain diseases. Dr Oz did a segment on this as well. www.droxshow.com Good luck and let us know what you find out is causing this!!

[Disney 20]

Go get it bleached!! When I did Atkins many moons ago, I lost a lot of weight super fast and my hair came out so bad you could see my scalp. My hairdresser did not want to do my normal highlights in the middle of all this because she said it would damage my hair even more. Well, I forewarned my new hairdresser about the fact that I will be losing some hair very soon and she said that the bleaches/colors that they use nowadays are very mild and in fact, won't hurt my hair at all. So I got my base lightened (I am normally light brown) to a blonde color and got lighter highlights on that and my hair is in great condition. The reason I did not want to go dark again is because last time, you could see my light scalp right through that dark hair. It was way more obvious.

BTW, I have never gotten more compliments in my life than I have with this super light hair. It's great for the upcoming summer!

Go for it.

[wishes 125]

Aw, I know you want to, but your overall hair health might be better if you wait. Keep positive! It won't last forever.

[Tiffykins 672]

My stylist advised against it as well since my hair was so fragile during the shedding stage. Bleaching is so harsh on your hair, and it might fry what hair you have left. If you really want to do something to change things up, check out the demi-permanent lighteners, and other options. There is no way I would have bleached my hair even though my hair was extremely healthy, thick and coarse before the losing stage. I'd lie to you, but if you did it, and then come back with even less hair, and fried ends, I'm sure you'd be even more upset.

[2bslimkim 11]

i'm 9 1/2 weeks post-op and I just had my highlights reversed so I wouldn't have to do root touch ups as often. Oddly, i've had more compliments on it than I did highlighted.... but that's another story.

My first career was hair dresser and i can tell you there is no such thing as gently bleaching your hair. bleach is bleach. It's not the initial lightening that will be the problem (well not the biggest problem), it will be the maintenance..... lighter hair requires more frequent care (unless you are just a fan of dark roots).

If you are hell bent on having summer kissed hair I would suggest partial highlights.... (notice my photo). the highlights are only in the front portion so you see it peeking thru my sunglasses. That has all been removed now and i'm going with a more natural color that won't be as hard to maintain.

My hair has not started to shed yet but i'm trying my best to keep it in the best possible condition and making sure I get all my Protein and take all my Vitamins... I also take Biotin and fish oils.

Also... keep in mind. Being a hair stylist is a FOR PROFIT business. the more you need her/him (up keep and maintenance on color treated hair) the more money she makes. I would be very skeptical of anyone who tells you color is safe while hair is obviously going thru a stress stage.

Sorry... not going to hear me tell you to go for it. Do not know you but we are sisters by WLS and I would never tell a "Sister" to do something I know will be damaging. Not going to do it.

[SParkle 4]

I also lost quite a bit of hair and asked my hairdresser about going lighter - she said no way would she even consider it. Now, at almost 11 months out I have a load of new growth, and have done for a while now.... its almost 2 inches long now so hiding the thinning nicely.

Stick with it as it is, change your parting to hide it a bit more, wear bandanas etc.... it'll come back, just keep taking the Vitamins and Biotin and making sure you get your Proteins in.

[juliarh 35]

I also have very very thick hair -- and lost a TON of it -- now it's just normally thick -- that said, DO NOT bleach your hair. I didn't even cut it until this past week (8 months of no hair cut!) -- I take Biotin and have about 1 inch regrowth now. But seriously, I listened to all those who had lost hair and who are hair stylists -- I just was very very careful with my hair -- I love my thick hair and don't want to damage it anymore than necessary!