My name is Sarah, and I started receiving treatment for my hair loss at the beginning of 2020.
I have been suffering from hair loss for quite a few years, and at first I thought it would just magically grow back. But as time went on, I realized it wouldn’t. I’ve gone through years of trying different products, with being persuaded by advertisements, or seeing progress pictures on social media.
I tried products with natural and essential oils that made very little progress, but I knew there was something out there that would help. I wasn’t sure if there was something going on with my body or diet, but because I’m in my 20s, it never crossed my mind that I should change things.
Asking the experts
As a woman of color, we are taught that braids and making our hair low-maintenance will help our hair grow and become healthier. But after being unsuccessful with various products and attempts, I decided to finally get a professional opinion.
Honestly, I never personally knew of anyone going to a dermatologist for hair loss, but I thought doing so would get me some type of help that was needed. When I had my consultation for a platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment with Mara Weinstein Velez M.D., I was hopeful — and thankful that I was seeking other options.
I am a lot more optimistic going forward. The treatment helped a lot of hair grow back in places that I never thought would grow back. I had to learn to have patience and forget the idea of my hair growing back overnight. It was important to not stress myself out over my hair loss, but look at getting treatment as a silver lining and remember that I will make progress slowly but surely. Receiving treatment from Dr. Weinstein for my hair has restored my confidence in so many areas and allowed me to not feel like I am hiding something from the world.
The treatments prescribed
Sarah’s treatments included six monthly PRP sessions, Intralesional Kenalog, Rogaine, Viviscal and Vitamin D, as well as ketoconazole shampoo, steroid solution, diet modification, and hair styling modifications (she went from braids and relaxers to natural). Sarah is continuing with her maintenance treatments of PRP every six months and adjusting her home regimen above as needed and discussed during follow up visits with Dr. Weinstein.