Through Thick and Thin

Hey, guys.  You see this plant?  Do you see how thick it is?  How robust and full the leaves are?  How densely packed and healthy it looks?  Well, that's how my hair USED to be.  Thick, healthy and full... just like this rubber tree plant.

But then things changed.  My health took a slight turn and, despite the continuous care and devoted effort, my hair fell out.  My once thick mane turned into an emaciated mess.  Hard to manage and style resistant, my tresses and all that I worked so hard to gain - the length, shine and overall condition - literally went down the drain.  My full head of hair was no more... just like this rubber tree plant.

It was quite shocking.  It IS quite shocking, I should say.  Patchy.  Uneven.  Incredibly thin.  Totally unrecognizable.  I mean, those who are familiar with my hair story know that I had an incident where a girl burned my hair off with a super hot, unchecked Marcel curling iron before, causing the majority of my hair to go down my shower drain while washing it the week after said incident.  So losing my hair in such a devastating way is not necessarily new to me.  But that was EONS ago.  I've gained so much haircare knowledge since that time that I just knew that I would never, ever go through anything like that again.  And, lo and behold, this happened...

And it's one thing for your hair to be burned off mid-strand - at least it's still tethered to your scalp.  But it's a totally different animal for those strands to FALL OUT.  Bald spots and thin patches usually cannot be remedied simply with a short haircut.  No - more often, one must seek a more creative, concerted solution for hiding a scantily clad scalp.  I have a visibly small patch above my right temple and don't dare wear a part on that side anymore.

And so I've started the process all over again.  I have cut my hair to right below my shoulders and operation "Grow Back" (eh... it's not the official name, but will suffice for now) is in total and full effect.  Objective: to grow my hair longer, stronger and better than it was before... or, at least, than it is now.  Thin sides and bald patches be damned!

When I started my hair journey years ago, its length was just past my shoulders.  I paid close attention to caring for it properly and it flourished.  And now what was once old is now new again.  I am starting from scratch, practically from the same point length-wise, but with an additional hurdle to clear.  And that's OK.  It has to be.  I mean, it is what it is.  And the same dedication I employed all those moons prior, I am pairing it with a pound of patience so that I can return my "crown" to its regal glory.  And I will be chronicling my process of reinstatement right here... every step of the way. #operationgrowback #operationrestoration #herewego #yesIcan