Alopecia World
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Optimistic - New to site
What is up, playas?! .... (Sorry for the long post, first time poster over here - pretty exciting stuff.
Hey! My name is Kevin and I live in Erie, PA. I am 20 years old and have AA since I was 15. I consider myself one of the lucky ones (for now). The hair missing from my body are as follows: Patchy hair on arms and legs, minimal eyebrows, no right eyelashes (full left eyelashes, though. Seriously, what??), and a minor bald spot about my left ear. THANKFULLY, I have long-ish hair and it's covered up just fine. I am have so fortunate with my scalp hair. I LOVE my hair, hopefully I don't stress much and it stays for a long time.
As for my eyebrows, and I suggest this for a lot of people, I have false ones. Not the ones you draw every day, but ones I bought online that you use adhesive glue and just stick right on. They will hardly EVER fall off unless in water. Example, I rode motha fu*kin roller coasters, and these babies are still chillin' on my head. They are made from real human hair, and nobody has ever called me out on them before. They're great. I just Googled fake eyebrows and bam, there they were. I get new ones about once every 6 months.
Anyways! My right now really frustrates me. Only because my left eye has EVERY eyelash possible, while the right eye has NONE. Looks awkward. However, I also put on fake lashes on my right top eyelid. Usually does the trick, may get called out on it from time to time (which pisses me off, like shut the f*ck up, I'm better looking than you anyways, kid). In conclusion, I get by.
Truth it, the people who know about my disease are VERY limited. My family (of course), and probably 10 of my friends. And those friends are mostly from back home. I've only told like 2 of my friends at college that I have it. I guess this is telling you that this is a sign that I haven't accepted AA yet. You're damn right.
After unsuccessful steroid shots to my eyebrows, and some type of cream .. I called the Cleveland Clinic. I've been going there since April (2012), and they hooked me up with some liquid (that's not even FDA approved) that I put on my eyebrows and tiny bald spot on my scalp twice a week. There's different types of this stuff in regards to how strong it is. You take the weakest kind first, because if it's too strong, you might get blisters. What you're supposed to look for is redness and itchiness....that means it's working. Anyways, my right eyebrow is surprisingly growing in. I am more than pleased. Still waiting on scalp and left eyebrow. We'll see.
My message is to always have hope and don't give up. For those who were at my age (or God forbid younger than me right now) and had it worse than me, I pray for you first every single night before I go to bed. And if you guys have accepted it and embraced it, then more power to you! But I don't want to give up - not yet. Nobody deserves this sh*t.
Honestly, whenever I look myself in the mirror with all the false materials off, I see ugliness. I ask, "Why can't I look like a normal person?!" But then I go to bed, pray, and when I pray, I think of all that God has given me. The best family in the world, the best friends in the world, a great environment to grow up in, top notch education, and memories of girlfriends/hookups. I've had 3 girlfriends in my life, and have fooled around quite a bit. I say this not to brag AT ALL, but to say fu*k you AA, I can do what I want. Last weekend was a total win for AA!
What else has He given me? A GREAT personality, and the ability to talk with anyone about anything. Who's the guy that people go to with a problem? Me. Not Dr. Phil. Me. I grew up in the best family, where my Mom made me into the great person that I am today. I make people laugh easily, and everyone only has great things to say about me. That's what I think about, guys. Don't let AA take away the GREAT things God has given you. You are still you. Usually, when somebody who knows of my disease gives me these talks (like my damn Mom), it ends with accepting everything and moving on. Again, I am not accepting anything yet. There is still hope out there! AND I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER TO HAVE FOUND THIS SITE BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH! NO COUNSELOR OUT THERE CAN RELATE TO ME LIKE YOU GUYS! You're automatically my friends. If you ever want to talk with me about anything, I'm all ears. Let's fu*king do this together.
Sorry for the language, it's how I talk. I type the way I talk. Also, you know what I've noticed since being on this site? Every one here has fantastic grammar. Like, wtf, we're awesome. Alopecia can fu*k with our hair, but it certainly can't effect how literate and type-friendly we are.
Sorry for the rant, hope you guys at least got a few good laughs out of it, and maybe developed some type of hope. I know that if I read a post like this, it would make my day a lot better and much easier to live. Hopefully you guys feel the same way too.
And if anybody out there knows a good way to make my eyelashes look real, or anything like that, let me know. I have LATISSE, so I might try that. I just hate how uneven my eyes look. So, if you have any bright ideas on how to make them both look the same, let me know! Thanks!
Alright, alright, I'm done typing. You can finally move on to another post.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Starshine on
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Hi Kevin. Your post made me laugh. I am a lot older than you, have only had AA for about a year and I agree it totally sucks. I have diffuse AA and unfortunately it is worse than yours, but I really like your attitude (you remind me of my 20-year-old son). I also have sparse eyebrows, one worse than the other and thinning eye lashes. I am also going to try Latisse. I have heard that it may not work for AA, but it is worth a try. Let me know how it works for you.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin H on
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I'm probably one of the top 20 funniest kids in this world. Check that - top 10.
Anyways, I know basically one day all my hair is going to be gone. I am just hoping that day comes when I am much older, because it looks more 'natural' for somebody who is older, if you know what I mean. I believe eyebrows and eyelashes are the most important hairs though. I would trade eyebrows and lashes for baldness (scalp) any day of the week. Hopefully this Latisse works. I will definitely let you know!!! Good luck with you. I am praying for you, along with everybody else who has to deal with this disease.
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Permalink Reply by Louis on
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Hey kevin,
Just wanted to say thanks for the amusing post! Doesn't sound like alopecia has affected your confidence much (and we shouldn't let it) lol! I can't offer much advise on the eyebrows or lashes since my AA mainly affected my scalp, beard and mustache...I have experienced almost full regrowth from a diet change and taking supplements. Have you considered this? I've heard of people getting results from rogaine as well but never tried since my whole scalp was affected. From what I've heard and read, rogaine seems to work well on facial hair and small areas. Just a thought...good luck!
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What kind of diet change? I have to be honest, I have no regard for human life when it comes to eating. Thank God I have a fast metabolism. So a diet would so really hard for me, haha.
And dude, you don't look bad at all! (Total no-homo comment right there). You pull off that look well, bro.
I've heard of the rogaine as well. Have never tried it. If my stuff that I am taking now doesn't work more, then I might consider making a switch. I'm giving it plenty of more months, though, as my right eyebrow is coming in slowly, but nicely.
Glad I was able to make some of you laugh! #F*ckAA
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Permalink Reply by Lace on
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I gotta say this: I absolutely love your writing! You're funny, engaging, and most important, honest and real.
I look forward to reading whatever you write!
Looking forward to your posting again!
Lace
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Thanks, Lace!
I am a Journalism/Mass Communications major. Hoping to do something with my creative writing in the future!
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Permalink Reply by stephani on
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First off you are not ugly, don't ever let alopecia make you think that about yourself. I am glad to see you still have your humor, that is something alopecia can and never will take away, use it and dont be afraid to let those around you at school know you have alopecia. people like alopecians with a sense of humor :)
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Permalink Reply by Amy-Rose on
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Your thoughts are very inspiring and humble. I'm 20 with AA since I was 15 too, with random hair disappearing all over my body too (1 and a 1/2 eyebrows - booya!). I know exactly how you feel when I take off my turban wipe off my eyebrows. Its hard to see past the Alopecia that has sort of become you. But don't let it ever make you feel abnormal or ugly, you are just as equal as everyobe else, and I feel that those that deal with Alopecia are more thankful for all that they do have. Your humor is enlightening, and everyone should look at it the way you do! X
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Permalink Reply by Cathy on
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What a great attitude! God bless you. I just by chance got an email from AW and saw your post. My daughter is 18 and has had AA since about 13. She too loses eyebrows and patches of hair all over, however she refuses to join any groups or try anything or even research anything regarding her condition. We use Couvre and toppix to cover her bald spots and she is currently without half an eyebrow but refuses to cover it. I am hoping I can get her to read your post and maybe it will give her a bit of inspiration! Thanks!
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