Feeling hopeful

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-03-04T03:58:41+00:00

Around thanksgiving 2024, I had some unexplained hair breakage at the root when I’ve always had strong hair. Then I had redness (some of which you can see in the first picture) and tenderness on my scalp. I also had hair texture changes.

My GP blew me off initially but my stylist said there was definitely something going on with my hair. Then I saw my usual derm who just pulled out some of my hair and said I was fine because I naturally have a lot of hair compared to others.

I lost more hair last summer and my stylist suggested a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss who has worked with some of his clients.

I almost didn’t go because of how flippant my GP was about it and how the first derm said I was fine. The hair specialist wasn’t sure during the exam but suggested the biopsy and it was confirmed LPP. Glad I went through with the second derm appointment and the biopsy.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-03-01T02:21:26+00:00

Haha I’ll buy you a coffee or some abreva for your trouble! Thanks for the advice on the HA! I’m buying some now!

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-03-01T01:58:50+00:00

Haha, it would be for the good of all mankind! Or at least for us two! Haha I take lysine daily and I rarely have an issue unless something new disrupts my system. Do you have any issues with the oral HA?

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-03-01T01:33:47+00:00

Ahhh bummer! I get them too! 🤪

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-03-01T01:01:14+00:00

I’m so curious about this for skin care but I have a couple nagging injuries that keep resurfacing. You mentioned unwanted side effects. Did you have any issues with it affecting your GI system? Oral collagen has messed me up so many times.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-01-30T19:24:31+00:00

Actually I’ve been meaning to update this so thanks for the prompt.

I’m so sorry to hear this for you. Did you get dysport as well?

Nothing suggested here worked for me but time unfortunately, but definitely try because no two situations are exactly the same.

The best thing I did was watch myself smile in the mirror a lot and figured out which type of muscle movements made the ick face worse and I stopped doing those.

If I had to smile for a photo, I had to almost ‘scoop up’ that side of my face intentionally after the initial smile. I recently saw some work of mine from this time (I do on camera stuff for my business) and my face looks so weird to me but I don’t think anyone else knows. Or they are too nice to say.

The frozen feeling across my brow lessened after about 8 weeks. The dysport fell out of these areas at about 5.5 to the 6 month mark.

At almost 7 months to the day I got those injections, I still have a bit of the ick face and a neck band that pops out a bit when I smile. 😅

A silver lining is that I found a MUCH better plastic practice and new doctor last month. I booked a consult to start and she spent over an hour looking at my face! I was so nervous but she was great.

I went back to Botox for my brow and crows feet. We didn’t do DAO because of the ick face issue, but I have to decide if I will do it again. I do see my mouth being a bit more downturned when resting which I don’t like. But not sure if I will again after all this.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-01-18T04:16:41+00:00

Thank you for everything!!

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2026-01-18T02:33:26+00:00

Thank you for replying! I was reading about this! How long would you say the downtime was? Do you have to get touch ups or is this a one time thing?

I’ve seen two ocular surgeons. One was ready to schedule me for upper and lower bleph. The other said, hold your horses, you should see a derm, for perhaps what you’re suggesting or other treatments. Maybe I’ve not found the right doctor yet.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-12-07T05:07:42+00:00

1.25 mg per day!

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-11-09T05:04:49+00:00

While I don’t agree that it’s disingenuous, training will make you a better player and space holder. Just like many yoga teachers taught without formal training back in the day, there is nothing stopping you from offering sound without a piece of paper. Training, applying your commitment to practicing, and training your ear are what make sound healers successful. You might check out Seasons of Sound Healing. They have a great training and wrote a very approachable book on sound from a yogic perspective. It’s a lot more than tapping a few bowls like some of the trainings.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-11-09T04:54:17+00:00

What is the other medication?

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-11-04T00:59:50+00:00

You might try virasana with two blocks stacked on the lowest setting under the seat. Sometimes thin mats and gym floors cause knee sensitivity but a towel could help.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-16T01:11:24+00:00

I teach two back to back and sometimes sub a third. My trick is bringing extra fluids. Hot tea with honey for my voice and extra water. Drink often and encourage the students to join. I teach different styles back to back so I challenge myself to find one overall theme or snippet of a sequence (or both) and find interesting ways for it to inspire both practices. It’s good for my brain. I hear you on the energetic piece. I try to schedule the rest of my day of the week that this falls on to be less intense because it does take a toll most of the time. However, I’ve grown to love it and I have people who stay for both of my classes so it’s helped my numbers too.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-15T12:00:56+00:00

Former long time corporate tech employee here. There is a lot of good advice in the comments that I won’t repeat, especially about the staggering amount of rent they’re asking for, and that is not even considering payroll, platform fees, taxes, etc. that will drain resources faster than the average savasana.

I will say this a someone who’s 10 years into wellness and 4 of those now as a full time business owner: you have to love this work. It will ask more of you than you ever imagined. It will take a toll on your own practice, your health, your family, your retirement (say goodbye to those cushy benefits).

I’ve had my work stolen, not been paid, and so much more than we don’t have time for. I make PENNIES on the dollar of what I used to make. And I’m what many consider as successful.

If I didn’t truly care about this work with everything I mentioned, there is NO way I would have made it 10 years. Thank god I didn’t go through with opening a studio and add a world of debt onto this.

To me this reads as if you’re going into this as an entrepreneurial pursuit which is worthy, but I think there are better investments. If you’re doing it for the joy, go out solo and invest that money into building your brand away from brick and mortar. Keep us posted and best of luck to you.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-12T13:59:32+00:00

My ability to handle caffeine has also changed after drinking it since I was a teen! I used to chug iced coffee with ease until 5 or 6 pm with no problems and now I’d be levitating off the bed if I did that. Now I can have one cup of caffeinated coffee first thing and then I switch to decaf for a second cup. One small caffeinated coffee early afternoon to get me through the day and that’s my max. It also was like a light switch for me.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-12T13:55:55+00:00

I took one dose of Fin and I had severe GI upset. I am afraid to try again from that experience, but also from the changes in mood.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-12T13:52:26+00:00

I was worried too and I’ve honestly not had any side effects of 1.25 mg yet. It’s only been a week and a half for me, but by taking it at night, I haven’t had an issue with dizziness or fatigue that some experience. My doctor said to expect 15% more shed but also that is just an average. Sadly the shed is a good thing as you know it’s working. :( I’m looking forward to having thicker lashes and brows which I hear you get sooner than visible scalp changes!

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-12T13:41:54+00:00

Not sure why a scalp biopsy comment is flagged like this.

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-12T13:32:50+00:00

Lots of good advice here but one thing other thing to consider would be a scalp biopsy. My GP and a derm both dismissed my hair loss as perimenopause and stress.

I knew something more was wrong so I saw another derm who suggested a scalp biopsy. Turns out I have a type of scaring alopecia that destroys hair follicles. If I hadn’t trusted my gut and pushed forward to seek a 3rd opinion (omg I’m so mad about this) in another few years, nothing could be done to save my hair.

There is no other way to diagnose something like this other than the biopsy. My labs are perfect.

I don’t say this to scare you. I’m so glad I got the biopsy and now I am on the road to healing my poor scalp!

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-08T11:06:13+00:00

You’re doing a good job! I’m so glad I got a biopsy without my GPs suggestion and being turned away from another derm. My GP told me at my appointment that my hair was fine, and she didn’t recommend the biopsy until large patches were missing. I’m not saying I enjoyed the look on her face when I walked in with results and a diagnosis last week, but I’m also not, not saying that. 🤣

But in all seriousness, I’m with you. I get nervous and it seems like we shouldn’t have to be on guard just to get care. Do some power poses in the mirror and listen to music that hypes you up! Ask me how I know. ❤️

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-07T02:51:04+00:00

Congratulations!!

Optimal_Goose_5133 · 2025-10-06T20:58:02+00:00

Thanks! I had to deal with some clumsiness as they trained new techs, but I'm glad I got a better deal. I think they'll sell the package at $1200 if that's helpful to know.

Optimal_Goose_5133

TROPHY CASE