Reducing hair loss

1 Corinthians 11:15
But that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

I was reading a couple of blogs from people going through similar health situations and suffering from hair loss. I have been there and felt it may be useful if I shared some of my loss prevention tips.

I started noticing my hair breaking and thinning but assumed it was dry and I probably just have split ends. This had been going on for several months until my hairdresser told me that my hair was falling out from the roots and I don't have split ends. To my horror, I had some bald patches. I was not sure if the hair loss was due to the illness or medications. However, I learned later that hair loss is a side effect from one of my medications.

First I cut my hair to a more manageable length to reduce the weight and stress or pull at the roots. This did not stop the hair loss, but I spent less time cleaning hair off the floor, sink, etc. One of my nurses told me about a hair dresser who does not believe in shampoo but uses organic products with less chemicals. I looked at the homemade product used by the hairdresser, but it was too far to ship to where I live. So I decided to just use hot oil treatment and conditioner regularly instead of shampoo. My hair loves olive oil products, so I apply cooking olive oil to my scalp and then a generous amount of leave-in conditioner. I leave it covered with a shower cap for 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much time I have. I then rinse it thoroughly under a very hot shower. After the rinse, I give it a gentle pat with a towel and then use a warm setting on a hand dryer without brushing too hard. When it is dry enough, I style as usual.

This has worked for my hair and the breaking or falling out has reduced significantly. My new growth now has a different texture which I'm still trying to get used to. But starting with luscious hair then going through this, has made me truly appreciate my hair.

Matthew 10:
²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. 
Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Dedication

Psalm 30. A song for the dedication of the temple of David.

 ¹ I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths
   and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
 
² LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
³ You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
   you spared me from going down to the pit.

 ⁴ Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people;
   praise his holy name.
⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

 ⁶ When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”
⁷ LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

 ⁸ To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
⁹ “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

¹⁰ Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.”

 ¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
   LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Only by Grace

I visited a friend who is undergoing radiation for brain tumour. I was deeply moved by her situation, but reminded that it is only by God's grace that I am here today. My heartfelt prayer to all those suffering from incurable diseases is: that they will find God's grace and help in time of need.

Ephesians 2: 6 - 10

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.