Do tattoos hide muscle definition

I’m new to the hair loss experience. I got Covid Jan 2022, had a birth control change in February, lost quite a bit of hair. The bc wasn’t working out, so I switched back (more hair loss). I had also been experiencing stress from getting a PhD, and it culminated with a ton of hair loss this past Feb (2023). I’m on meds now to help with anxiety and my shedding has mostly stopped since late April.
I got blood work done, all levels are fine, including D and ferritin. My gp went really really deep and detailed. I took all that to the dermatologist a few days ago, who said it was TE and AGA. She said the AGA probably wouldn’t have been noticeable for a while since it comes on slowly, but the TE made the pattern obvious. She prescribed oral Minoxidil.
I’m not as nervous to start a med that has to be taken for the rest of my life. I already have several of those. I’m nervous about possibly shedding more and no longer being able to hide the hair loss. With my work, I can’t wear a hat every day.
Women with long hair, what was your experience starting Minoxidil? How truly bad is the shedding (in your experience), and based on my progression, what would you do in my place if you knew you might lose even more hair before it gets better? Also, I’m getting married in the fall and was going to try to do something with clip in extensions and artful flower placement, but if I shed more I’m not sure I can do that. :/

Hey guys, I just got my eyebrow done yesterday (first time piercing) and ive been doing my best to allow it to heal good. Ive have tattoos so Ive been treating the healing process in a similar way only excluding any ointments or creams, only a saline spray i bought from my piercer directly.
The concern comes from the bleeding. I have cleaned the dried blood (full cleaning with saline dipped qtip) around twice a day. Ive noticed every time i clean the mountain of dried blood, it just returns to the same condition within 30 minutes. I have been trying hard not to over or under apply anything, only spraying when i feel it has been exposed to bacteria.
My question is, should I keep this routine or just let the dried blood stay and remove it when i shower (once a day mostly, sometimes every other day)?
thanks for any input! (pics after soft cleaning with spray n qtip and about 30 mins after)

Had some family things that stopped me from doing this earlier in the month during the challenge time, but finally got my first (and last?) marathon in. Definitely wasn't fun, and I have some pretty bad soreness in my upper hamstrings/tendon area, not to mention my butt. Had a few quick watesnack breaks in there as well Overall I'm glad I did it, but I think my long distance rows will be kept to a minimum going forward. An hour or less probably for me 😂

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Art by u/HaajaHenrik
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Content Warning: Mentions of Pancakes between two consenting adults'.
^{It's really nothing but I'll put it in case someone prefers a warning. Love you guys.}
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Memory Transcript Subject: Chalta Rodriguez, Adopted Arxur Youth
Date [Standardized Human Time]: November 24, 2136
Finn is a good friend. We would walk around the park with our families, and he would tell me about all the fish in the ocean.
“Okay so like- there’s this fish. It looks like it’s melted but it really isn’t because it lives in really deep water. And you know when like- you like- have someone hug you really tight you go squish!” fin said.
“Yea! Mommy and daddy give the best hugs!” I thought of last night, when I showed all my weakness and was given a big warm hug from my family.
“Well, what if you were always hugged so hard… that when everyone let go you’re body went mushy! Because those hugs were the thing that was- um, keeping your bones tight together! That’s what a blob fish is.”
“If we went to water that deep, would we squish?”
“Yup! It’s also really dark down there too! You wouldn’t be able to see your hand in front of your face!”
I checked to see if I could already see my hand in front of my face. Yup, that would be dark.
“Wow,” I said softly.
“Hey Chalta, can I see your claws?”
“Sure.” I gave Finn my hand and he started looking and playing with my claws. They weren’t very long, only about half the length of his fingers, but Fin didn’t mind. He gently rubbed them and pressed his finger against the pointy end.
“They’re very shiny and pointy,” Finn said with an exited smile on his face.
“Thank you! Mom helped me clean them this morning. They’re so pretty now. Hey Finn, can I see your claws now?”
“They aren’t as nice as yours but sure.”
I played with Finns claws. They were short like daddies. Cut really close to the end. I wonder why humans didn’t keep them long. How would a human hunt? I also noticed that his hands are also warm and very soft. Even softer than mommies! Arxur have much rougher skin to protect us. How did humans protect themselves?
“Finn,” I asked. “How did humans hunt without claws?”
“We threw rocks.”
Throwing rocks, that was their weapon of choice? “Why rocks?”
“We could throw hard and accurately so we could hunt from a safe distance, or if food was running too fast.”
“How did you know that would work?”
“Well… there’s a lot of rocks everywhere, and the deer over their looks like they could use one. I guess we threw one too hard one day and some cave man went ‘hey I got an idea’.”
“What’s a deer?”
“An animal we used to eat a lot. I think we still do.”
“Are they tasty?”
“I dunno, maybe.”
“If you threw a rock at a deer, could I eat it later?”
“Sure, I don’t need a rock.”
“…”
I like talking with him, he makes me feel happy.
We kept walking until Finn stopped in front of a sign that said, The Kraken.
“Oh cool, a roller coaster! Mommy can I ride it with Chalta!”
“R-r-roller c-coaster?” I asked, remembering the screaming humans. I looked up and saw the deathtrap he was talking about. Why would I ride this? Why would anyone ride this?!
But what if he thinks you’re weak?
We tell him he’s stupid!
But I wanna show him we’re brave, also that’s mean!
Fine! Be my guest, but when you’re falling to your death it will be your fault.
“S-sure they can’t be that bad r-right?” I said, knowing it can be that bad.
“Chalta sweety, I don’t even go one those, and I know you don’t want to either!” Mommy said, remembering how I reacted earlier today.
Finn’s mother overheard and realized why I wanted to suddenly go. “Listen to your mother, don’t try impressing Finn if you don’t want to.”
Carlos and Salisek looked at each other.
“Carlos no!”
“What?”
“You were going to go on that death trap!”
“Finn, wanna ride with me?”
Big brother was so brave! I wish I was brave enough to- Wait, if he can do it maybe I can too!
“Okay Carlos!” Finn said, “You and me! Bros!”
“Count us in too!” Daddy said with his arm around a proud looking Tarvik.
Mommy realized she had lost her husband to the coaster crossed her arms in frustration, “Okay than, Chalta you can wait with us girls.”
“A-actually mommy… can I go?”
Mommy gave a big sigh. “Yes bebé, but if you’re feeling uncomfortable come back. Even if it’s a little bit m, okay?”
“Yes mommy.”
I walked with the boys up the very, very long line. Every time I thought we were close there was just more line! I looked at a photo of the ride we passed to see how high we were going and… oh. Oh, that’s high.
I turned to Finn, “Um… is this safe?”
“Yea! They strap you in real tight!”
“Why are all the humans screaming?”
“They’re screams of fun!”
Daddy snickered. “Kinda reminds me of my honeymoon.” I didn’t know what a honeymoon was, but it sounded like a pretty scary roller coaster.
Big brother’s eye’s shot wide open. “There are two kids here!”
Honeymoon must be an adult secret.
“What? We went to Disney! We got fast passes and where riding Space Mountain and Tron all day!”
“That’s not what is sounded like!” Big brother is so silly. He makes me smile. Finn was laughing too.
After what felt like days, Daddy said it was only 30 minutes, we finally made it to the end. Four seats per row. Me and Finn sat next to each other with Big brother and Tarvik next to us. Dad sat with some strangers in the back, but I wish he was next to me. I was really scared.
After checking the uniformed humans checked the restraints, the ride was ready to start, and I could feel my heart beating faster than it ever has.
Finn grabbed my hand. His grip helped me feel safer. “It’s okay Chalta, I used to be scared of these but now I’m not! You’re safe with me, I’ll protect you!” Finn said proudly and I wrapped my tail around his leg and tightened my hands grip.
“Y-you better not let go!”
It’s starting! Oh no! I want mommy!
3… 2… 1…
The ride started… slowly? This isn’t so bad. Wow, we’re going high now. Really high. Wait how are we getting down. Oh, oh no. We’re dropping at speeds I didn’t know I could survive! Are we going upside down? Again! How are we moving like this? This… feels… AWESOME! It feels like I’m flying! I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When we got off the ride I was filled with a sense of relief after finally returning to the ground. Tarvik also looked relived and proud of himself.
“Did you see that! I conquered the beast didn’t I. Ha, only humans could come up with something so dangerously fun!”
The boys giggled with each other while Finn and I raced back to our Mommies resting spot so we can tell them how brave we are.
A ran as fast as I could and gave mommy a big hug.
“Mommy, mommy! Did you see me? I was so brave wasn’t I! It wasn’t so bad; I’m not scared anymore!”
Mommy held me close and smiled. “Yes sweety, you were very brave! I’m so proud of you! You and Tarvik.”
“Hey what’s that supposed to mean,” Tarvik said sounding a little angry.
Big brother gave him a back pat. “Tarvik, I don’t think you realize that you’re probably the first Venlil to ever ride a rollercoaster. And you did it of your own free will. That’s almost unbelievable, yet here I am, standing in front of the living legend!”
We all giggled, but now I was feeling hungry.
“Mommy, daddy. Can we go eat something?”
“Sure,” mommy said. “These lady’s drank most of the water and ate almost all the sandwiches anyways. And I know the boys want their fill.”
Big sister looked embarrassed. “H-hey! It’s hot out here. My fur and size and all the walking aren’t helping either.”
Speaking of water, I was getting thirsty.
“Water sweety?” Mommy said before I could ask her myself.
“How did you know I was thirsty?”
“My mother senses where tingling.”
I took a sip of the water and noticed my legs were aching. We were close to a restaurant with all sorts of fish to eat.
So… close… can’t walk…
Finn noticed my struggle.
“Chalta are you okay? Do you need a break? Wait… are you hibernating?! It’s winter so I understand.”
“What’s hyper mating?”
“No silly, hibernating!” Finn said with a giggle. “Some animals do it when it gets cold. They sleep for a really long time.”
“Oh, okay. No, I’m not hibernating. My legs are tired. I didn’t know humans could walk so much!”
Finns’ mommy spoke up. “Darling, if you want, I could rent some strollers. We could also take a break.”
I suddenly felt like I was about to trip over my own weight when Finn caught me.
“Chalta if you can’t walk, I can carry you.”
“You can do that?”
Mommy looked worried. “I… I don’t think that’s such a good-”
Finn didn’t hesitate when he picked me up like a princess and carried me to the restaurant. The whole family looked surprised. I was too, how was he able to pick me up? Was I that light? I could tell he was struggling a little bit, but he kept going, determined to make sure I enjoyed a nice meal.
“Wow you’re really strong!” I said to Finn.
“Thanks, it’s from helping mom with all the groceries!”
“And those weights dad has that I keep telling you not to play with!” Finn’s mom said.
“If you don’t want me to pick up the weights than why do they have a handle?”
“Because you can hurt yourself!”
My mom spoke up, “Why don’t you just lock up the equipment?”
“I do! But somehow this little gremlin keeps getting past everything. Locked doors? No. Locked windows? No. Hide them? Always finds it! Punish him? He considers it a challenge. The closest I got was putting a piece of broccoli on all the equipment because he hates it. Wanna guess the day he started liking broccoli? It was the day he decided to force the stuff down his throat so he could use the weights. At this point I might as well hire a personal trainer, so he gets proper gym lessons and maybe just gets bored.”
“You still love me though, right mommy?”
“Of course! You little muscle baby!”
Big brother gave Finn a head pat while he carried me. “You know Marleen, I know a thing or two about fitness. I could teach him some things if you’re okay with it.”
“That would be wonderful. At lease he would have someone watching him and maybe learn not to hurt himself.”
Finn was still carrying me, and I could feel the warmth from his body. It was wonderful! It reminded me almost of how daddy carried me on the day we first met, but this was different. Dad’s felt like a comfort, but Finn’s felt like… a protector?
“Come on Chalta let’s go on an adventure!” Finn’s pace picked up and finally put me down once we got in line. I felt much better with some water and rest. Once we ordered and got our food we finally got to eat. I took one bite of the food called sushi. It had raw fish, with tons of vegetables that mom said should be fine in small amounts and pick off if I wanted.
*munch* “Mmm, so good!” I said aloud trying to contain my excitement.
After the sushi I had fish sticks. They were amazing, almost as good as chicken tendies! The French fries where good too, even if they were vegetables. I was fine at first, but then my stomach started telling me to stop eating plants for the day, so I had more fish sticks.
“Aw, I ran out,” I said, disappointed that I couldn’t enjoy any more fish sticks. I gave my fries to the table to share, but Finn still had some fish sticks.
Maybe I can ask? No that would be rude. He should enjoy fish sticks too!
“Hey Chalta! Have the rest of my fish sticks, I know you need them more than me,” Finn said as he placed the tasty fish on my basket.
*gasp* “Yay! I love you, Finn!” I said hugging him close while Dad spat out his drink. “You’re my best friend!”
Daddy calmed down. “Oh, thank god!”
Silly daddy. I love him too.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I felt bad about leaving but it was getting late. I said goodbye to Finn with a nice hug. Our moms told us that we could talk to each other again anytime we wanted and could even set up play dates! I was so happy!
The ride back home was smooth, and everyone headed to their rooms. Mommy pulled me aside and asked me if I wanted to sleep with her and Daddy since everyone needs a bed.
Big brother came and gave me uppies. “She can stay with me and Salisek, we talked about it. Go and enjoy some alone time with dad.”
“Thank you sweety.”
Mom went up to her room while Big brother and sister took me to theirs. After we got ready, they laid me between them for the night. I nuzzled up against brother’s soft and warm arms, and sister’s fluffy body. It was so cozy, but before I drifted off, I asked Big brother to sing me a lullaby.
Big sister gave an excited smile and wrapped us all around her tail. “I’ve never heard you sing! Please sing to us.”
Brother giggled and sang in a soft, surprisingly beautiful voice, "The song is called Send Me a Peach,"
“I never dreamed that there'd come a day
When I'd find myself far from your arms
Now that I am, I can hardly stand
Not to be near your sweet southern charms
Send me a peach from ol' Georgia
Down where the Savannah flows
If I could have one bite of Georgia
I would feel right here at home
I miss the shady old lanes there
Walkin' with you by my side
Just send me one peach from Georgia
Just so I know you'll be mine
I hope that you won't forget me
Before my road leads back to you
Though the winter may bring the whole world to its knees
The spring shall return with its fruit
The wind here is ready for winter
It seems to turn everything blue
So just send me (Send me) send me one little peach
Just a sweet, sunny piece of you”
Big sister whispered, “I love you.” As we all dozed into a peaceful sleep.
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Memory Transcript Subject: Elena, School Teacher, Loving Wife and Mother
Date [Standardized Human Time]: November 24, 2136
For the first time in almost a couple weeks I was finally alone with my husband. He was reading in bed when I did my little ‘routine’. I jumped in and peppered him with kisses while he giggled profusely. I missed that wonderful laugh.
“My love,” my darling dearest said. “I know you’ve missed me, but our house is full. Are you sur-”
I put my finger over his lips and got into the ‘paint me like one of your French girls’ position. I know he loves that. “I have been without your presence for far too long, never mind your touch. Your wife has needs. Your wife wants to feel you all around, and for you to feel her all around. Are you gonna keep her waiting any more… mi amor?”
My husband sighed and pulled me right next to him. He gave me a wonderful, passionate kiss. “Okay my love, let’s just be quiet. We have guests AND a new daughter, okay?” I nodded excitedly. “I love you so much.”
We looked into each other’s eyes for the first time in a while. With him leaving and the new baby alone time was sparce. But moments like these… they were priceless. We gave each other another passionate kiss before we started making love.
I love my husband.
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