A woman referred to me as "that lady".

I was not even trying to pass; just out for a walk.  A guy was in front of me with bare feet, talking to this woman on the steps leading to her house, and she told him, "There's this lady behind you..." as he was blocking (men!) the sidewalk.  I was so thrilled!  But, then again, there was some woman across the street laughing hysterically; I just ignored her.  Could not tell if such was directed at me or not.

We pass by most people without giving them a second thought.

I was in a big box store yesterday in a pair of shorts, a somewhat tight tee and a light zippered hoodie - no makeup, hair tied back and small stud earrings.

"I'll take you over here ma'am"

Makes you feel like whatever you are doing is working, at least some of the time.

My wife has been trying to tie my hair back, but it hurts, and, I am afraid that it is going to be pulled out by the roots!

Jehanne wrote:My wife has been trying to tie my hair back, but it hurts, and, I am afraid that it is going to be pulled out by the roots!

It should not hurt and if it does it means you hair is being pulled out. Wait for a while until it is longer.

So, does anyone know if hair cells divide on one's head?  I have looked online but can't find any information about this.  I'm 50, and probably lost some on the hairline but have been working now for over a year on trying to get it to grow back (Rogaine & finasteride).  Have made some progress, or so, at least I like to imagine I have!

Jehanne wrote:So, does anyone know if hair cells divide on one's head?

The hair is a complex system, as shown below:
I have read where there may be two shafts in one complex, but generally, one hair per complex.

Jehanne wrote:I'm 50, and probably lost some on the hairline but have been working now for over a year on trying to get it to grow back (Rogaine & finasteride).  Have made some progress, or so, at least I like to imagine I have!

I think (my opinion and not to be trusted ) it is best to try and stop the hair loss so the hairline doesn't recede any further. Then after you have won the lottery, you can surgically lower your hairline.

You aren't filling me with much hope, Michaela, but I'll settle for reality over unrealistic expectations.  Thanks.

Dawn

If you pull back the hair to much you will get hair loss. Common effect of the facelift hair styles around here!
Sadly once the follicle is dead there's not much you can do. Which is great for facial hair, not so for head hair.
I found that finasteride has helped with my widows peak which has reduced visually as the hair got thicker.

Abby wrote:I found that finasteride has helped with my widows peak which has reduced visually as the hair got thicker.  

The same for me. It hasn't eliminated the peak, but at least it brought it to within the range of some cis women. More importantly, it has almost completely eliminated the bald spot that was developing on the crown of my head.

Abby wrote:If you pull back the hair to much you will get hair loss. Common effect of the facelift hair styles around here!
Sadly once the follicle is dead there's not much you can do. Which is great for facial hair, not so for head hair.  
I found that finasteride has helped with my widows peak which has reduced visually as the hair got thicker.  

I have been taking finasteride 5 mg per day now for a year, with Rogaine twice daily.  Anything else that works for anyone?

Jehanne wrote:
I have been taking finasteride 5 mg per day now for a year, with Rogaine twice daily.  Anything else that works for anyone?

Rogaine, yeah, I forgot to mention that. I think the finasteride has more powerful effect, but the Rogaine is relatively cheap for a six month supply on Amazon, and I figure that helps, too.

Thanks for the Amazon tip! I have been buying at Target. By the way, I have read that the liquid drops are more effective than is the foam.

Jehanne wrote:Thanks for the Amazon tip!  I have been buying at Target.  By the way, I have read that the liquid drops are more effective than is the foam.

Yes, I have read that too. I've always used the liquid, not the foam.

I'd love to have a full head of actual grown out of my head hair.

I'd like to be rich and a successful published writer too

My chances are better with the book

The thing is, no one ever thinks I'm wearing a wig.

Sometimes hair that is grown is over rated.

If I consider the sum total times I will be in a situation where I'm swimming etc, with just being out and about and wearing a wig, the wig is actually the superior solution for me.

When I get home, off comes the bra and off comes the hair
I like my comfort

I've yet to actually find wearing a wig defacto problematic on a hot day. Any more so that sweating in real hair.

As I said, Lesley, your hair looks completely natural; would have never guessed.