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Permalink Reply by Patricia Hutchings on March 9, 2010 at 4:22am

From my recent research there are a few alternative therapies that have shown to be good, altough Im not sure of the different results between male and female.

Hypnotherapy has shown some good results. I had hypnosis some years back and was taught how to self hypnotise myself so Im using that method. It would also cut down on the fees. You would need to see a qualified hypnotherapist for a few sessions and then could carry on yourself once youv been taught the correct method.

Aromatheraphy. Aberdeen Infirmary Dermatology department ran a trail using essential oils and a carrier oil massaged into the head which had great results for women with AA but not so much for men. (Iv posted about that, I just need to find out the dosage).

Balayam. Its a hand yoga where you rub your nails together. Iv been doing it for a few days and its definately caused my head to itch.

Hot and Cold compresses. Usually used for strained muscles using a hot flannel and then a cold flannel after it definately has a result. I used just the hot compresses followed by a small head massage, it gave my head much more movement.

Onion Juice has also been trialed along with hot water compresses. Those invovled in the trail where split into two groups, one using onion juice and the other hot water compresses. The onion juice trailers showed better regrowth then those with hot water.

I also believe nurtrition is a key, so Iv done a bit of research into that. Biotin seems to be a key ingredient, as well as proteins. Iv seen many items with those of good hair discussing what they eat. They predomiantly eat a far amount of eggs, cheese, other diarys, dark green veg, as well as chocolate and some have coffee.

You migth also wish to improve your gut flora, by having a good probiotic, a good percentage of your immune system is in the gut.

Coconut oil, and other oils have also been discussed as a use of moisturiser and in speeding up hair growth.



Hope that helps a bit. I trawl the long hair forums to get good tips on hair care, nutrtion etc.


PPS: I also keep a food diary of everything that passes my lips. This way if its an allergy, or you just need more nutrition you will see straight away what you need. Plus a dermatologist usually like to check this out.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia Hutchings on March 9, 2010 at 6:19am

Just found this which gives the doesage:




http://www.hairlaserremoval.co.uk/hair-loss-treatments-home-aromath...

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Permalink Reply by Suzi on March 9, 2010 at 11:16am

Ayurveda oils treatment works miracle for me.
My old patches are all covered with hair and my hair doesn't fall like before.
New patches are opening but they don't spread and they cover with hair very quickly.
I use two oils, every day Areata oil on my patches, and Herbal oil 3x per week on my whole scalp, and also 2 x per month herbal food (it is like mask).

I am very optimistic and hopeful that I will be cured totally.
It is alot of work every day, but everything pay off when I look myself in the mirror.

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Permalink Reply by Cheri Allen on March 12, 2011 at 5:09pm

Hi Suzi,
I'd really like to try the ayurveda oils treatment myself. My next step is DCP treatment, according to my dermatologist, and I'd like to avoid that if possible. Is the treatment still working for you?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Jeffrey on March 17, 2010 at 12:52pm

Hi Khalid,

I just posted this on someone else's post, but if you haven't read it, I will share it with you. After having alopecia for 6 years and seeing it gradually become worse, I realized that I had some work to do. Here is what I posted the other day for someone else:

So whats going on in your life now? Are you working and do you like your job? Have you got children and are you happily married? Believe it or not these things have a great deal to do with hair loss.

I have stopped all of the medical treatment and here is what I have done and the results are amazing.

Diet: Reduce as much processed food as you can in your diet - pop, refined breads, cheeses, deli meats and all of the obvious junk food - baby steps for now - as much as you can. Start to bring in more rice (brown if possible) and whole grain breads, beans and lots of green leafy vegetables (these are the important ones - spinach, kale, broccoli, chard -sautee, steam or bake them). For breakfast - whole grain toast or porridge, lunch should be salads with lots of veg and either chicken, tuna, eggs or whole grain sandwiches with lots of veg and some protein, dinner could be brown rice, salmon and lots of steamed or stir fried veg. Easy on the fats and sugars. Cut down or cut out caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and fizzy drinks.

Excerise: Try to incorporate something whether it is walking, yoga or stretches, swimming or if you have the stamina and energy something more vigorous for at least 1/2 hour 3 times per week. You want to aim for 1 hour 4-5 times per week and do a variety of different things, but again, just take baby steps and do what you can each day without stressing over it.

Supplements: I would get your iron levels, thyroid, vitamin B etc checked out to see if there is any deficiency. Depending where you live you should be taking a vitamin D supplement (the further north you live in the northern hemisphere, the more vitamin D, particularly in the winter). If you are under any stress right now you are going to need extra vitamin C. A seminar that I just attended recommended up to 2000mg 3 times per day (without getting runny stools) but check first with your health care provider.

I know it is expensive, but you might want to treat yourself to acupuncture to get the energy flowing through your body or massage if you are carrying any stress in your body. Both are such wonderful supplements and are so nuturing (and even though you are an adult you still need nurturing).

Behaviour/Relationships: I used to live in my head a lot and beat myself up about what I wasn't doing, what I should be saying, and always putting myself down. Try to get a hold of your negative thought patterns and turn them around. This is so important (we are what we believe).

Try to address any addictive patterns you have that are likely to affect your health (they all do).

What is your lifestyle like? Is it balanced between work, family friends. Do you have close relationships and feel supported by those relationships. Is there any 'dead weight' in those relationships that you might have to get rid of - people/things/situations that are sucking your energy away? Have you dealt with your past and forgiven people who have wronged you?

Fulfillment: Do you feel happy with your life or would you like it to be more than it is? Is there something missing (besides hair). Make yourself a list of all the things you would like to do or accomplish in your lifetime and set some goals to do some of those things.

Meditation: I can't stress this one enough. I am using guided visualizations where I picture myself where I would like to be with my hair and I really imagine all of the feelings that are associated with having my hair back - this has made a big difference to my hair regrowth (I do this visualization at least once a day along with a relaxation visualization at another point in the day).

All of this seems like a lot of work to fit into a busy schedule but the thing is you have to put yourself first. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition where the body is inwardly fighting a battle with itself. If you want to heal it, you need to be kind to yourself, honor your need for good food, time to relax, loving relationships, and balance. Put yourself first and really find value in who you are. After a while you will begin to see your hair grow - I am sure of it.

As I am rereading this, I have made a note to make a guided meditation for hair regrowth and upload it so everyone on this site has access to it - just have to figure out how to do it and I will let you know the link.

I wish you so much luck Khalid, and you are certainly on the right track by just being open minded to healing yourself rather than putting the responsibility on to a doctor (who really doesn't have a solution - he/she is just treating the symptoms). I think so many of us are afraid to hope that their is a solution to the problem and although there is a lot of work involved in turing an illness around, for me it is so worth it. Please let me know how it goes if you decide to make any of these changes or if you have any questions. And if you want to learn more, please see my blog www.natural-treatment-for-alopecia.com.

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Permalink Reply by ADEOLA ADEFOLAJU on March 17, 2010 at 3:42pm

Hi Chris,

This is wonderful and very encouraging. I totally agree with everything you posted. I would like to follow your advice. I presently reside in Nigeria, Africa. I've had alopecia for almost four years now. Right now i dont seem to see any improvement even after visiting a dermatology clinic for almost 2 years now.

Another thing is that my Mum also has AA. She has had it for over 20 years and now she's in her early 60s. Does that mean my AA is genetic? I believe nothing is impossible. So, i really want to do something about my condition.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Jeffrey on March 17, 2010 at 4:26pm

Pleasure to meet you Adeola.

There seems to be a genetic predisposition in autoimmune conditions, just as in some families there is a history of cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. In my family, it is the women on my Dad's side of the family that have MS, celiacs disease or alopcecia. I also have Hashimoto's disease, which is the autoimmune form of hypothyroidism. Tests indicated that I carry an autoimmune antogen which means I could get any autoimmune problem. So I guess it is best that I try and nip it in the bud now - LOL.

If you subscribe to my newsletter I will provide monthly tips on how to improve health and will be posting articles regularly on my site www.natural-treatment-for-alopecia.com. I am not selling anything - I just want to share what I learn and I encourage everyone with alopecia to do so as well. The focus of the blog is healing, which starts from the inside and manifests externally. I look forward to connecting with you again either here or on my blog. Lets put this alopecia behind us so we can get on with enjoying our lives with hair!

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Permalink Reply by ADEOLA ADEFOLAJU on March 17, 2010 at 6:08pm

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I have visited your site and also subscribed to your newsletter. I am looking forward to hearing from you again and to be informed on what to do in order to put Alopecia behind me.

I'll be getting married next year and so much desire to have my hair back before then.

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by stephanie on March 17, 2010 at 5:03pm

I have had Alopecia for over a decade now. I started off with little., quarter-sized spots in the back of my head, then I started losing large patches of hair-- with tingling and itching before it happens.I have been to various dermatologists who have done a variety of tests and they found that I have a thyroid condition. My life is stressful-- I have two boys 6yrs old and 4yrs old. The oldest is on the Autistic spectrum, plus other behavioral issues, and the 4yr. old is suspected of having ADHD, but will be undergoing tests soon. I ham going to be seeing a hair replacement specialist because another friend with AA recommended him to me and I'm also taking Biotin and Folic Acid. Currently, I wear wigs, weaves, headscarves or hats to cover the large bald spots. If anyone has any success stories about being under treatment with a Hair Replacement Specialist, please let me know;-)

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Permalink Reply by Garden Girl on March 13, 2011 at 1:15pm

Good luck with your investigations, but by the way.....from your picture...You look Mahvelous! Seriously, you're a very attractive man...
When I was little, I overheard my parents say, "we'll have to make sure she get's into college becuase she will never marry." Don't fall prey to this myth Khalil. Believe in yourself.
Susan

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