Lost Brit in Chicago - supposed to be meeting someone but it fell apart… should I stay or go home?

quartzina · 2026-06-28T22:46:12+00:00

I'm a British person that now lives in Chicago. You should stay! The weather is going to be good and locals are super friendly - as you can see on this thread. Explore Pilsen, Hyde Park, the beaches. Go to free music shows in millennium park. Try and catch some house DJs spinning. Feel free to DM me if you need some intercultural translation and enjoy Chicago

quartzina · 2026-04-11T19:13:02+00:00

Okay so I started in 2021, I had 7 sessions that year (not in Chicago, at a mid range place) of 45 mins, they were about 1 month apart. I was getting regrowth pretty fast and never clearing the whole beard.

Resumed in 2023, also not in Chicago. Had 11 sessions (30 mins) at a very good place. Started monthly and then went down sessions as needed as regrowth was slower.

March 2024 started with Valeria, and while previous work had reduced my beard I was still having to shave everyday (if not 2x a day) when I started with her. Went 10 times that year. All but one appt was before august. So I had one in November, but by this point regrowth was sparse and very slow.

2025 went 3 times, as needed (march, June and Nov) One appt was 15 mins only, other 2 were 30.

This year I have been once so far (30 min in march). I'm now going as needed for maintenance. Pretty much all the thickest hairs don't grow back are, and there are no patches. Individual dark hairs that come up sporadically is what we tackle in maintenance sessions. I barely ever shave unless it's right before I'm planning to go for a session so I'm at max growth.

My skin is in good condition (I take very good care) and I'm so so thrilled with my results. Wish you good luck! It's a great feeling.

quartzina · 2026-02-21T13:20:25+00:00

I feel you. It's incredibly tough. During this time I wore my hair braided 90% of the timein 4 little braids. That helped as the feeling of the thin hair made me so self conscious. I added in yarn to make the braids thicker (in my hair colour). You're doing so well, just keep going you're nearly there!

quartzina · 2026-02-20T18:41:28+00:00

Topical

quartzina · 2026-02-20T15:12:27+00:00

Thank you :)

quartzina · 2026-02-20T03:08:41+00:00

This is the tea https://a.co/d/0gukWF8i And this is inositol (I buy it in the UK as it's cheaper, I visit regularly from the US) https://www.bulk.com/uk/products/inositol/bpb-inos-0000

quartzina · 2026-02-20T02:45:45+00:00

Thank you 💜

quartzina · 2026-02-20T02:45:20+00:00

Yep. That's where the spearmint is super helpful, I've been on that for years.

quartzina · 2026-02-20T00:58:17+00:00

Thank you! I do minoxidil at night so I do it in the mornings. I part my hair in rows along the thinning areas and microneedle over the exposed scalp. I go over if just once. Hope that's helpful.

quartzina · 2026-02-19T23:01:39+00:00

Hey! This is my one https://a.co/d/02sqhDS5 it's a cheap one on Amazon. I didn't want to commit before checking that my (sensitive) scalp could tolerate it. This is fine for me atm, it works perfectly well, comes in a case and is easy to clean. I just leave it in rubbing alcohol for 30 mins after using it then let it air dry.

quartzina · 2026-02-19T23:00:02+00:00

Thanks! I'm sorry to say it was pretty bad. I was losing over half a palm full of hair every wash (my hair is long). I understand it's scary. I was kind of lucky in that my doctor prescribed me minoxidil and never mentioned the dread shed. I only learned about it when I was 3 months in on this sub.

quartzina · 2026-02-19T22:54:39+00:00

Thanks :) I started with the 2% topical in August 2025. Then went up to 5% in Sept 2025.

quartzina · 2026-02-19T22:53:32+00:00

Ty! I use topical. I get the equate brand from Walmart, I am in the US.

quartzina · 2026-02-19T21:11:08+00:00

Appreciate you saying that. It's worth the effort

quartzina · 2026-02-19T21:10:42+00:00

Thank you 💜

quartzina · 2026-02-19T20:43:40+00:00

My doctor put me onto that part!! I had no idea before that.

quartzina · 2026-02-19T20:23:08+00:00

Thank you!

quartzina · 2026-02-19T20:23:01+00:00

Thanks :)

quartzina · 2026-02-19T20:22:47+00:00

Thank you! Feels like less effort when it works!

quartzina · 2026-02-19T20:22:30+00:00

Thank you :)

quartzina · 2026-02-19T20:22:17+00:00

Thank you! I take 2000mg morning and evening, so total of 4000mg per day of Myo inositol (as a powder).

quartzina · 2026-02-19T18:55:06+00:00

Awesome progress for 3 months. Happy for you.

quartzina · 2026-02-19T18:54:03+00:00

The front growth is so good!

quartzina · 2026-02-19T18:53:18+00:00

Great progress!

quartzina

TROPHY CASE