It happened all of the sudden. My hair started falling out. After seeing my family doctor and my dermatologist I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata totalis. Meaning I have no hair. I am bald. I wondered if I was still a mammal.
Many suffer from Alopecia Areata. It's a hidden disease in a sense covered up by wigs, scarves or hats. Many wear their baldness with great pride. Sometimes others mistakenly believe that because s someone has no hair, they must have cancer.
Alopeica areata is a autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. Over 6.5 million people in the United States and 146 million worldwide have had or will develop alopecia areata at some point in their life according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
My journey has been one of first shock, then great sadness and loss, hoping my hair would grow back and now coping. How do you cope?
As we all know hair defines who we are; the color, the cut, the long and short of it. Commercials for shampoo and conditioner emphasize how a woman's beauty is defined by her hair. Men, too.
So here is some ways I personally coped and hope it will help others.
First one site I would definitely recommend is www.naaf.org- The National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
The NAAF offers lots of information and services on how to cope, cosmetic tips on wigs and makeup and lots of resources to help you and others navigate through this disorder even offering financial assistance. There are support groups set up throughout the country. Losing your hair doesn't just affect your body, it affects your self-esteem and can lead to depression.
Here to are some tips I can offer you from my own journey.
- Wig buying can be intense and expensive. I found some very reasonable wigs at www.Paula Young.com because sizing was such an issue for me.
- Many wigs are made for the average person finding one for a small head(me) or a large head can be quite a challenge. But there are some great wigs out there. Some you may need to take to your hairdresser to trim up the bangs but many will fit perfectly.
- There are many YouTube videos out there to help you.
- At www.GodivasSecretWigs.com I found a headband that truly keeps the wig in place. It's amazing.
- Bandanas are a godsend. When I am not wearing a wig, I wear a bandana. I have them in every color.
You can search on line for any type of wig in any color so the beauty of all this is - you don't have to spend hours at the hair salon if you want to change your color. Blonde or Brunette or a feisty Redhead It's your choice:Short, long, curls or straight hair any style you want. It's your call.
It took me a long time to realize that I could have fun with this and keep styling even if I didn't have hair. In a way it frees you up. No need to shave, no need to spend countless dollars and countless hours at the hairdressers.Yes I miss my hair but with this journey has taught me there is beauty and strength within that goes way beyond outer locks.
So keep styling no matter where life takes you!
