Yesterday, I wrote about my anxiety over the possibility that my hair was disappearing. Read on to find out the rest of the story.

After considering the slight possibility that my hair was disappearing, my quest began in earnest.

Dermatologist, OB/GYN, vitamins, volume producing hair products, colored sprinkles, men’s 5% minoxidil (screw the warnings — growing another ovary is worth it to me) and sprays — and in return I received an irritated scalp and some sympathy. Lots and lots of sympathy.

When I was 7, I stood before our professional model mother’s cavernous closet. Her upper shelf was lined with white Styrofoam “heads” covered in wigs and falls … skinny ones, ones with plastic combs attached, ones fashioned like the 70s bob — ones that reminded me of Barbara Eden in I Dream of Jeanie. The virtual forest of red, auburn and copper hair made me think of high fashion and glamour. Oh to be little again.

Note pad in lap, impossibly thick locks cascading over her shoulders, complete with Cher-like hair flipping actions, “It’s about honoring your hair loss, Leslie.” Even my therapist? Really?

Any woman facing hair loss will tell you it can feel incredibly de-feminizing and that it’s no laughing matter. Though intellectually I know in the scheme of things it’s fairly insignificant, it remains a great source of my situational depression. I’ve tried removing my mirrors, but I keep showing up at work with one navy and one black shoe, so this is not an option.

If I ever go missing, you can probably find me at the drugstore in the hair accessory aisle — longing to purchase a ponytail holder (the fat one) or a flat iron, hot rollers or a round brush. Until then, I have my credit card at the ready to purchase the next product promising to restore my dreams of  tumbling curls and up-do’s. I’m convinced one good french knot will do the trick.
photo credit: marksjonathan

Comments

This post currently has 2 comments/trackbacks.
You can read the comments or leave your own thoughts.

Trackbacks

From Psych Central's website:
Tweets that mention Depression and The Pony Tail Holder, Part 2 | Light, Laughter and Life -- Topsy.com (April 24, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 31 Mar 2010