Hi, I'm new and decided to join alopecia world for some helpful hints on how to handle my alopecia areata. I had been diagnosed with alopecia areata after I reluctantly went to the dermatologist about my large balding spot. The affected area is about the size of my hand, but is perfectly situated so that I can cover it up when my hair is carefully placed over it by ponytail or bun. Before all of this, I had beautiful long hair which I would always wear down. I think I want a wig, but am too stubborn and proud to justify getting one. I feel that my condition is not as severe as others and that I should suck it up. Unfortunately, I still feel, as a 20 year old college student, that I would love to feel beautiful again. I can't justify this want as a necessity and can't make the last step.

I guess I would just like to know how other women, who still have concealable patches, handle their growing bald spots? When is it okay to get a wig?

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I agree with Aimee. The only thing we really know about alopecia is it is very unpredictable. My AA started slow enough to cover then one day I woke up and couldn't anymore. ( I had been debating buying a wig bc I hated the whole idea of one.) I rushed out to buy a wig. It's alright but I wish I had done more research and checked out another store. Since buying my wig the shedding has slowed down some but you never know.
Wig stores also have partial hair peices too. Just do some research and take time to find what works for you. Good luck! Prayers for you!

Hi,
I help women with Alopecia find wigs that will make them feel good about themselves. A lot of their fears is that they might fly off or move. I have some special wigs that look very natural and have a non slip silicone cap. My goal is to help them find one that they will make them feel beautiful and confident about themselves!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a wig!
If you find one close to what your hair looked like before, they will give you a real boost.
Wigs have come a long way and look very natural these days

I am in the same boat as you, Carmen. I am 23. It's very sad and annoying but that's life. I am also considering a wig, especially just incase things get worse. Let us know what you decide

I'm in the same boat as you as I am also a 20 year old college student. So far I have been able to cover my spots and the receding hairline on the back of my neck (ophiasis), but I have seen the spots spreading and I know that if it continues the way it has been I will be needing a wig in the next few months. I find it so hard to actually go out and buy one because it means that my close friends will find out about my alopecia and I won't be able to hide it anymore. Just for fun I bought a pink party wig that I will wear to an upcoming concert. I think halloween, a themed party, or a concert is a great place to wear a wig for the first time because it gives you that experience in a setting where other people might be wearing wigs and to me seems less scary.

Hi Carmen

Alopecia is such an out of control condition...it makes managing it challenging.

I have always felt the feeling you have on the inside should match up to how you want to present yourself on the outside. If your hair is currently causing you to feel less than or anxious, I would consider alternative headcoverings, whether that be a wig, scarf, or hat. Be proactive about finding an alternative that makes you feel great. If your first choice doesn't work move on to the next until you find a comfortable place for you to be, around the way you want to present yourself. Do your best not to hide with whatever choice you make. You really want something that makes you feel great.

Good luck with finding something that works well for you.

Rosy

Hey darling,
I was 17 when i first noticed a bald spot on my head. Through college i was able to hide the big spots with my hair up but it still looked "thin" I bought my first wig when i was 22. It was scary and i felt like everyone i came into contact with knew. I was wearing one. I am glad to say that i have gotten over that fear and i love wearing wigs now. Just take your time and get one when the time is right. I went to the wig store and tried on the same wig 5 times before i decided to buy it.

You can choose to wear a wig. Wigs, now a part of social life, and ultimately, the role of the wig a lot, and now accustomed to wearing a wig and some people, some for beautiful, some to meet their own physical defects, some to hide his bad side. After wearing a wig you can change their imperfections

It is OK to get a wig anytime you can psychologically handle it. Many young girls like you are now wearing them just for fun. I think this will cause a revolutionary new attitude toward wigs. They are the safest option, and can be very comfortable with a few adjustments.
Are you treating the spot with anything? I had a client that had several spots and had the cortisone injections. Within several weeks the hair grew back and has not been lost again in two years. I know it doesn't work for everyone but when it does, the hair can come back FAST, much faster growth than her regular hair grew. Good luck

Thanks everyone, your replies are really helpful and encouraging.Ive only been diagnosed and treated with/for AA for three months (mostly with steroid injections) with no improvement. I think its time to get an "in case" wig. Or maybe some other hair accessories, as my ponytail and bun is getting much thinner.

Oh Carmen, do consider getting a wig. Seriously, when I got mine I breathed the hugest sigh of relief that I think it may have been heard around the country! You can get adorable wigs at a very reasonable price. You will be happiest if you have someone style it for you as they do not look good right out of the box (if you order online). I now have 3, all synthetics, from three different sources: Raquel Welch, Jon Reneau and Gabor. They are similar to my own hair but more stylish even. I have 2 friends who do not have alopecia who have purchased wigs because they like mine. Ironic, no? They do not fall off, they are comfortable and no one can tell they are wigs. I hope you regrow your hair, but if you do not, wigs are not the end of the world and they can even be cool. Blessings and prayers for you.

Hiya, I had alopecia areata when I was 13ish and mine was not even as bad as yours by the sound of it, but I get how you feel. I felt totally and utterly guilty about getting my parents to buy a wig for me because I had one bald spot on the top of my head whilst other men and women out there had no hair at all. But in the end I did get one and what makes me feel even worse to this day is that it was extremely expensive and I only wore it once! I took it bike riding to the park and it flew off! I still have it now, on the top of my cupboard. Now, personally during my whole experience I wore buffs(google them-they're cool) and bandannas and of course hats. I think like beanie hats are cool if you wanna wear your hair down. Before then(and now because my hair grew back) I had thick black hair that I would love to wear down but in the end the fact that I still had my hair but I still had the bald spot made me depressed. This was because it was there but it wasn't. It wasn't the same and it made me sad, and I know this happens a lot. So in the end I chopped it all off and a had short "pixie" hairstyle(whilst still wearing bandannas and stuff) but it made me feel better in myself because my hair wasn't constantly there telling me that I can have it but can't do anything about it.

I kinda drifted away from your question, haha. Basically I know that many people find wigs to be a godsend, and do not EVER think that there is a "time" that having a wig is okay! If you feel comfortable and beautiful in yourself with the idea of a wig! Go for it! Seriously, the only thing that is important is for you to feel good about yourself, or at least as good as you can feel. All I know is that the whole alopecia experience has helped me learn new things about myself and it will to you to, but to be fair it isn't fun but you'll get through it and remember YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Being young with alopecia sucks but wigs and hats and hair extensions shouldn't be about looking good for other people, it should be about making you feel good in yourself. Only take what everyone here says as advice and only do what you feel comfortable doing; everyone's alopecia experience is different and all we can do is try to help :) xx Whatever you choose to do will be good i'm sure xx

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