With no treatment proven to give you most of your hair back now what?
Fake hair loss cures
I watched this beautiful mixed-race woman on YouTube talking about her hair routine and how she followed certain steps to maintain long, luscious hair. As I observed her hair, it dawned on me that she seemed to have three times the volume of hair most people have. I clicked back on her vlog to check the title, which said something along the lines of "My Hair Care Routine to Help My Hair Grow Long and Healthy."
That’s when I got furious. I thought to myself, “Long and healthy? This is my routine? Follow me for more tips?” I had heard enough and secretly shouted at her, even though she couldn’t hear me from wherever she was—and even though my voice wouldn’t magically pierce through the screen. Still, I needed to let my anger out because I thought, “Lady, you could go two years without washing your hair, be homeless, and lack nutrient-based vitamins and trace minerals, and your hair would most likely stay long, even with slight volume loss.”
As I simmered down, I realized that perhaps my frustration stemmed from a deeper place. The beauty industry often sets unrealistic standards, leaving many of us feeling inadequate. This led me to reflect on my own journey and the importance of embracing our unique beauty.
One trick pony.
People like this YouTuber offer us an unattainable dream for most, irrespective of race or gender. She was naturally gifted with her hair. I've encountered individuals who lost their hair due to hormonal imbalances and severe health problems—some nearly lost their lives to these issues—and yet their hair showed minimal change in appearance. These individuals had bodies that managed illness by allocating cellular resources differently, but their hair follicles remained seemingly unaffected, even though hair is typically the first thing to be impacted.
The purpose of this rant—despite its envious tone—is to emphasize that the hair loss industry has made little progress over the past 30 years, similar to the absence of a cure for blindness. In both cases, there have been advancements in treatments that alleviate symptoms, enhance lifestyles, and make life more manageable, but no definitive cures have been found.
The hair loss industry offers nothing beyond a symbolic guide dog for the visually impaired
Over 20 years ago, the hair loss industry experienced a significant breakthrough with the introduction of Rogaine and Propecia, which became key solutions for men experiencing baldness globally. I personally used these treatments and observed positive outcomes, though they required lifelong commitment. Despite the impact of these pioneering drugs, I've observed that few advancements have emerged since then, aside from enhanced aesthetic procedures such as improved hair transplant methods (FUE vs. FUT), scalp micropigmentation, and impressive hairpieces.
We haven't seen breakthroughs like the stem cell treatments often hyped in headlines—those claiming, “At Last! A Permanent Cure for AIDS...or Hair Loss.” Oops! You understand my point. Why is it so challenging to discover real progress in this area, beyond impressive solutions that only address symptoms?
"Life is too short to spend it dwelling on baldness." - Bruce Willis
keeping things from us tells me it's getting personal
We can have incredible advancements like AI, Google Earth, and even Red Bull sending someone to space, but no cure for hair loss? Heck, HIV is finally under control in many ways and far ahead of hair loss treatments. Look at all the so-called hair loss experts on YouTube. Compare their videos from three years ago—they’re now making new videos admitting how wrong they were about derma rollers and PRP.
Despite all these failures to make real progress toward curing baldness, I’ve decided to adopt the same strategy as everyone else: acknowledge the lack of answers for my clients and accept that the end game is often hair transplants or scalp micropigmentation. It’s like saying, “Let me hide from the bully because I can’t beat my aggressor.”
Now, I tell people to work with what’s available and make it work for them. Turn what’s out there into the best darn lemonade because all we’ve got are lemons. Put all your energy into pre-surgery and post-surgery care to ensure you don’t lose what you’ve paid for. And most importantly, start early—before it’s too late.
Use what is available out there
But here’s the amazing thing: even with all the imperfections in the hair loss industry, we have the power to reclaim control over our appearance and confidence. The advancements may not be the miracle cure we dream of, but they’re tools—powerful ones—that can help us redefine how we see ourselves and how we present ourselves to the world.
Your bottom line
Hair, at its core, is about identity and self-expression. It’s a part of who we are, but it doesn’t define our worth. The silver lining is that the struggle forces us to innovate, to educate ourselves, and to invest in self-care—not just for our hair but for our overall well-being. It pushes us to be resilient, resourceful, and ultimately, more accepting of the cards we’ve been dealt.
Accept it and thrive
If there’s one lesson to take from all of this, it’s that we can rise above the limits of our genetics, society’s unrealistic beauty standards, or the lack of a one-size-fits-all solution. We can use what’s available to create a version of ourselves that we love, not for anyone else, but for our own sense of pride and confidence.
So yes, the hair loss industry hasn’t reached its pinnacle, but every small step—whether it’s through improved treatments, better care routines, or just learning to embrace the journey—is progress. And that’s something to celebrate. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just battling hair loss; we’re mastering the art of resilience. And that’s a strength no genetic blessing or miracle cure could ever replicate.
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