Hair Loss

Hi everyone!  I'm new to this site, so I sure hope someone can help me!  I have a very weird problem...I am 54 years old, have very baby fine, short-styled hair which is (or should I say, WAS IN) good condition.  I had never colored it before and have had only 2 permanents in my life (the last one 17 years ago), but was starting to get some greys, so I went to my regular stylist for a semi-permenant coloring (a little darker brown color than my natural color).  She put me under the hood dryer for 20 minutes, then had me "cool down" afterwards no longer under the heat, then rinsed my hair for what seemed the longest time!  I didn't notice until the next day when I was styling it myself, that the top of my head (the frontal area) looked extremely THIN!  Then I remembered that while under the hair dryer, the heat was so very hot (but only on the top of my head), that I had to keep sticking my head slightly out of the dryer...dummy me, I just thought that you have to put up with this kind of heat to get your hair colored!  I didn't realize that it might be actually damaging my scalp and/or follicles! Now, I don't know what to do!  I just called my dermatologist, and he doesn't specialize in hair issues.  My scalp feels very tight and sensitive to the touch and this all happened over 3 weeks ago!  I don't know if I should self-treat myself (maybe with pure Aloe Vera gel on my scalp at night and light head messages with my fingertips, or go to a hair specialist.  I want to do the right thing, but don't want to go to someone that just wants another hair transplant patient!  HELP!!!  

You should definitely seek a dermatologist help ASAP! I think he will be able to do something more than alo vera for your scalp!

I think I've figured out what happened!  It was the first time ever that I had my hair colored (hairdresser used Redkin Shades EQ, level 3 brown color), but did not do a patch test first to make sure I wasn't allergic to the ingredients, especially para-phenylenediamine (PPD) that so many people are allergic to.  I'm going there tomorrow for a patch test to test my theory even though it is too late for me this time.  The good news is, the fried, swollen feeling of my scalp has decreased significantly, but is still sensitive to touch, and now the main problems are the loss of hair and a very itchy, sensitive scalp.  I'm trying my best to wash the color out in hopes that when it is gone, so will my itchiness.  As for the thinning hair on the top of my head...I think that was due mostly to the extreme heat of the hood hair dryer, but who knows...maybe to an allergy too.  I've ordered Nisim Shampoo, Conditioner and Extracts to help with that.  My brother has used their products for 3 years and swears by them, so I'm hoping that my hair will come back!  I was told by Nisim that I should know how the product is working within just 2 months, so keep your fingers crossed for me!  

I still don't understand why you've chosen to treat yourself than going to see a Physician. If your arm fell off would you try and reattach it yourself or go see someone that is a professional in that area to correct the problem? Before applying any other chemicals to your hair you should please see a physician.

I think your stylist should have indeed given you a patch test before the color. Yes a color process can damage your folicles if left on to long and if you have an allergy to it. It is also a fact that if the scalp on the head is shinny and the pores apear to be close then odds are they will stay that way. What's good is there's no need to get worried. Today many stylist offer alot of non surgical Hair treatments. It is also a fact that 21 Million Americans face hairloss each year in America. You can always look faboulous! For more info or question check out www.APrincesspalace.com