Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
In a hair-obsessed world, where does alopecia fit in?
I was sat watching TV last night and it struck me that there were TONS of hair related adverts on. Shampoos, conditioners, hair dye etc. More than usual - or maybe that's just me being paranoid now that my hair is at threat. It struck me that one day I may no longer need shampoo. Yet we live in a world where hair is a BIG deal. Hair styling and products is a multi-billion pounds industry, and we're constantly bombarded with images in the media where hair is either the main focus, or something in the background, but still styled according to the mood or message being portrayed in the image.
Of course, just because I have alopecia, doesn't mean hair becomes less important to the rest of the world. Why would it?
But it really got me thinking.... I've never experienced that feeling before, where suddenly something very mainstream and normal, totally taken for granted most of the time, may suddenly exclude me. There are so many people in society that must feel this way, for various reasons - for instance disabilities, language barriers, obesity. I am not comparing these things to one another or to alopecia, or implying that I know how any other individual feels - of course I don't and they are all very different things. But it did make me think.
I work in women's magazines, and there have been a lot of issues that I've debated over the years, in terms of body image and the media. The biggest example is weight and size, and the lack of representation of 'real' size women. Now for the first time it's struck me, where does alopecia fit it??
There are sometimes articles about alopecia, interviews with people that lost their hair, raising awareness and talking about the psychological trauma of the condition, and highlighting organisations that help you get good wigs, etc.
And I think this is very important and probably something we need more of.
But what about seeing images of alopecia in a different light too? Where it's not placed there specifically to be discussed as alopecia, but simply portrayed as just another 'normal' example of the different forms that people come in, whether that's models, actors, extras in TV shows, images in advertising...
I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss. Does anyone have any views?
Of course, just because I have alopecia, doesn't mean hair becomes less important to the rest of the world. Why would it?
But it really got me thinking.... I've never experienced that feeling before, where suddenly something very mainstream and normal, totally taken for granted most of the time, may suddenly exclude me. There are so many people in society that must feel this way, for various reasons - for instance disabilities, language barriers, obesity. I am not comparing these things to one another or to alopecia, or implying that I know how any other individual feels - of course I don't and they are all very different things. But it did make me think.
I work in women's magazines, and there have been a lot of issues that I've debated over the years, in terms of body image and the media. The biggest example is weight and size, and the lack of representation of 'real' size women. Now for the first time it's struck me, where does alopecia fit it??
There are sometimes articles about alopecia, interviews with people that lost their hair, raising awareness and talking about the psychological trauma of the condition, and highlighting organisations that help you get good wigs, etc.
And I think this is very important and probably something we need more of.
But what about seeing images of alopecia in a different light too? Where it's not placed there specifically to be discussed as alopecia, but simply portrayed as just another 'normal' example of the different forms that people come in, whether that's models, actors, extras in TV shows, images in advertising...
I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss. Does anyone have any views?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tallgirl on
-
Possible reasons why shampoos may be seen on TV and in magaznes more than wigs are:
Shampoo is cheap, needed monthly by most of the country's buying public, can be shipped/stored/shelved for long periods, doesn't need mirrors and a private fitting room, and doesn't have to be exposed to body skin flakes, oils or germs before sale. It can be advertised and discussed publicly. Gorgeous long hair on young models with perfect skin can be used in the ads. After seeing an ad, women will want it. Ads won't encourage curiosity to seek out or expose bald women, or scare children/mothers/lovers/teens.
There may be more, but that's all I could think about at 5:20 a.m.
-
Permalink Reply by AJ on
-
Exactly Tallgirl!!!
There was a small part of me that felt a bit resentful about other people who still have their heads full of gorgeous hair and don't have to worry about it falling out... then I realised that was utterly selfish and closed minded of me - why should they not enjoy their hair (like I always did before!) and just because I've got alopecia, the world still goes on.
In some ways, depressing, but in other ways, really comforting, depending on the mood of the day!!!
I've been thinking about the issue of alopecia not being discussed publicly, as you refer to. Do I want to keep it hidden, for as long as I possibly can - if so, why? Is it fear of being judged, being pitied (god forbid), or fear of making other people feel uncomfortable perhaps.
It's great getting other people's perspective's on it and I really admire people being open, but equally admire those who choose to be private - so long as the privacy isn't out of shame, as that's really sad.
I agree - why do you think a lot of people perceive the image of baldness as scary? I suppose on a very deep rooted level we associate baldness with disease, and if we were going to listen to people who've studied anthropology and evolution, maybe there's a natural instinct that makes us not like that image. If there was more exposure to images of baldness, more general awareness and understanding of alopecia and hairloss, and more positive imagery and discussion in the media, maybe the negative associations wouldn't be so strong.
-
-
Hey Rose, thanks for your response, really interesting to read your thoughts.
I think you've added a really interesting perspective... that even though you suffer a form of hair loss you still care about your hair (real or otherwise) and want to enjoy it and make it look nice. Even if you choose to embrace a totally hairless look, that could still be done with style and confidence.
It's might sound really simple - but I think that's something I've been really missing since my alopecia started. I have been negelcting my hair - not bothering to style it as I normally would, not getting my colour done, and generally just not liking it, and I think that's contributed to feeling generally pretty crap lately and feeling miserable when I look in the mirror!
And I totally agree about wigs... it is so difficult to find good, appealing stockists. You have to trawl the internet for ages and then there are loads of things you have no idea about - such as do they look like they do in pictures, or will they be style/fitted to suit you, just so many things... and I think a lot of society still associates wigs only with old people.
There have been one or two campaigns in the UK in recent years, but they've mostly been associated with chemo treatment, which is fantastic of course really good, but I do think it would be really helpful if there was more awareness of alopecia.
And very good point about boob jobs!! I never even thought of that but you are so right! If we live in an age where it's totally normal and accepted to talk about having your private parts altered and enhanced cosmetically - or even things like fake six packs and toe jobs these days!! - it seems really backwards that we are so cloak and dagger about hairloss. Well, in women certainly. There are ads on TV aimed at men about hair loss treatment. I suppose we like to pretend it's something that doesn't happen to women???!!!
-
-
Hey Leonore, great reading your story. I really admire your approach and fantastic you found a wig you love!
Are you wearing it in your photo?
That's very true - and if you look back a few years/decades, talking about stress and any mental health issues was SUCH a tabboo, and that was so damaging. I still think in some ways there are loads of tabboos in that area that still need to be improved, but it's great that there's been some progress. But you're right - 'everyone' has got an 'issue' these days.
Interesting though isn't it, how quickly it became the norm to talk about stress and anxiety etc.
Maybe that means there's big hope for alopecia to become a 'norm' topic too??? I suppose it's far less common though - but how can we know for sure if we're not talking openly about it?!
I'm feeling inspired 8-]
-
Permalink Reply by Nancy King on
-
Bravo, Rose! I hear so very few women with female pattern hair loss speak out. I also have the same thing. When I first found this site, I was so happy to find that I was welcome here (most sites don't mention female pattern baldness). Then I quickly progressed to wanting to know the things which everyone here has experienced: wigs/hair pieces, shaving heads, feelings about how each person wants to handle hair loss, etc. Armed with support and resources, I cut my hair down quite short and rushed right out and bought 2 wigs. After that came the wardrobe of caps, bandanas, and scarves.
But, truthfully, I have always been a no-frills girl. I was a hippie in my teen years which meant you grew your hair long and let it hang there. Make-up was take it or leave it; and, clothing was anything that was comfortable. All of that became a part of me, just being natural. So, now I sit and look at the wigs (I only wore one once) while I run my hand over my short, thin, odd-looking to most people, hair. I love the feel of it and can't for the life of me figure out why I should have to cover it up or enhance it in some way (it's the hippie in me). I don't want to be like anyone else. I want to be me, natural me. Hair became a big deal in this world because we made it that way. So, not having as much, or not having any at all will be just as big a deal when we make it that way. AJ, you are so right about being "just another normal example of the different forms that people come in." We most certainly are just that. I don't know if it makes sense when I say nothing is normal until it is. I'll try to explain.
Was a woman voting normal? Not until it was. Were space shuttles flying in and out of orbit or people walking in space normal? Nope, not until it was. Were civil rights across racial barriers normal, let alone interracial families? Not until we made it normal (and ok, we're still working a little on these issues). I could go on forever; but, let me hop off the soap box and just say this. My goal right now (and I am WELL on my way) is just to be me, normal me. I will enjoy the feeling of the air blowing through what's left of my hair without any hair blowing into my eyes and mouth. I will love the fact that every time I buy shampoo, I won't remember when I bought the last bottle because it's been that long. I will absolutely cherish not having to clean hair out of the drain because, God knows, I hate that task. And because I've been fortunate enough to see more than a half a century's "normals," I will hope that I also get to see what will naturally occur eventually. Alopecians will all be normal too. (We already are - it's just not well-known enough yet)
AJ, you asked if anyone had any views. I guess we do :)
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
