The Thing About My Hair

So this has been such a huge part of my life for so many years and I've never taken the time to fully talk about my relationship with my hair. I feel like I am in a good place, taking strides to (potentially) change things, and I feel that discussing it will be a big step in my process.

My relationship with my hair has always been a unique one. When I was young, my mom would love to buzz my hair army-style. I didn't particularly have an opinion about it, but she loved it when my hair was extremely short and controlled. She would love to run her hand through it after it had been buzzed. She was enamored! (I need to find some of these photos! You know, like physical printed photos that aren't in "the cloud")

As I got older, I seemed to "take charge" and expressed that control through an unruly fro-type situation. I had extreme anxiety about getting my haircut. I think it stemmed from wanting to be liked and being concerned that if my hair looked bad, that it would reflect negatively on me. I also managed to receive many compliments on how nice my curls were with longer hair.

When college came around, I was on my own when it came to getting my haircut. I would typically get my haircut about 2-3 times a year and that was doing NOONE any favors. This pimple-faced weirdo was living his best and quasi-extroverted introvert lifestyle. During this awkward phase was when I started to notice that my hair was beginning to recede a bit in the front.

I vividly remember doing my hair and then walking across campus and the lovely Lubbock wind would wreak havoc on my hair and I became livid. I remember the intensity with which I used to curse the wind and then try my hardest to get to a bathroom quickly to try and shape my hair before going to class. There was such a sense of insecurity about it.

Luckily, as I got further into my college career, I began to realize that taking care of myself was a good thing. This led to me getting more regular haircuts. But, as I started to keep my hair a bit shorter, it seemed to make it more apparent that my hairline was not where it had previously been.

As time went on, there has been a gradual and steady thinning of the hair in the crown and center of my head. My Dad, who also experienced male pattern hair loss, loved to make a point to mention that he passed on this lovely trait whenever possible. We had to have a chat about that.

Needless to say, I've had to learn to live with my hair. It is not what it once was but neither am I. I feel that I have actually grown to become comfortable with my hair and my body as a whole as I've gotten older. There's something nice about embracing what could be considered your "flaws" and not having to carry the weight of the insecurity. That is not to say that I still have moments of discomfort or shame, but they are fewer and further between.

I recently began the Hims regimen, which is an online process that is aimed to assist with a variety of male and female health-related issues, including hair loss and health supplements!

My current plan includes:

• taking Finasteride, which decreases the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) your body produces. This helps to maximize hair growth and minimize hair loss.

• taking biotin gummies to boost the growth of my hair and nails.

• utilizing minoxidil, which works to allow more blood to flow in the blood vessels in the area that you apply it (in my case, the scalp).

• using Hims brand shampoo+ also includes DHT reducing qualities and Hims brand conditioner to boost the vitamins in my hair and make it stronger.

I also have flakiness on my scalp and in my beard, so I use head and shoulders clinical strength a couple of times a week to help with that!

After 3 months of use, I am beginning to see some results from the process! I will say that I am NOT the most consistent with ALL of the steps, but I am working toward a better routine! I am excited about my continued adventure with Hims!

All of this was meant to be an ode to being more comfortable with myself and trusting in the journey. If the things that I am doing result in a great response, or no response at all, I am learning to love myself the way that I am!