Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Positive stories of when you first revealed you are bald
Good Morning!
I wanted to hear of some positive experiences of what it was like when you all showed everyone that you had alopecia, What were their reactions like? How did you all feel while doing it? How did your friends who had no idea react?
I recently did a photo shoot after being inspired by a woman who has beat stage 4 cancer twice. Leaving alopecia month into cancer awareness, it feels like a very moving thing to do. Especially just turning 26, it's time for a change. I've hid behind wigs since 11 years old. I personally feel very beautiful and unique without my hair. With my hair, people believed I appear stuck up because I became shy from it as a child. So still, I get a little nervous when I think of what it will be like to release the photo. So, yes, positive stories because I do believe everyone is not mean and shallow but would like to hear some real stories about it.
Blessings !
- Attachments:
-
-
image.jpeg, 463 KB
-
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Frankie on
-
Hi Jordan!
I am fairly new to alopecia. Just bought my first wig last week and will be shaving my head soon. So far just my husband, mom, brother, and best friend know. They have all been supportive. HOWEVER, they were also all very optimistic, saying they were sure the hair would come back, etc...which has made reaching acceptance a bit more difficult.
Next I will be telling my mother in law, which I am very nervous about. She has not always been the most supportive person so I am quite worried about telling her/opening up to her about this condition.
The people that love you and care about you will support you and be kind. Sometimes this kindness shows up as optimism. Know that they just want you to be happy.
And those that are not kind/supportive are not worth your time.
Cheers to you Jordan,
Frances
-
Permalink Reply by Minea on
-
I remember what a boyfriend at uni told me. He said "that makes you an even more interesting person". That was when I had also ditched my wig and was mostly wearing scarfs because I went through a period where I felt I needed to embrace my illness. I am again back to wigs and this time happy with them. Don't feel like I am hiding anything anymore. Maybe you also need to try it out to fully come to terms with the illness?
Not everyone has unfortunately been as nice in relation to my baldness, but I felt it was a super interesting social experiment to compare different responses and also those of men and women. If you are going into the world bald and want to share stories, you are welcome to send me a message! Good luck!
-
Permalink Reply by kitkat on
-
I had AU since I was 8. I'm now 26.
I only started wearing wigs since I was a senior in high school. I usually just tell people until I get comfortable enough to tell them. Some of my friends have known a long time but never seen me without the wig since I was never in a place I could just freely take it off. Some of my friends have felt uncomfortable at the prospect of seeing me without the wig and some have seen me prior to my wig use don't really care. I'm open to talk about it. Showing it is a different matter.
I have scars all over my head and sadly if my head was flat, which it isn't...it's like yoda from star wars (I hate this reference but anyway), so it makes me self-conscious. I also had breast cancer and my scars are so annoying. I know it's a part of me so I just have to deal with them.
The people I have met and know, aren't comfortable since they know nothing of alopecia.
-Kat
-
Permalink Reply by Dorothy on
-
I do not go anywhere without my wig. I do not think I ever will. My AU is no ones business unless I decide to tell them and that is only for those I decide. I think it is individual, some are comfortable to go public, some are not. I think it depends on the support around them and how much inner strength they have from the beginning. I prefer to keep me and my AU to me and my closest friends, all that mattered to me at the time it started was would my husband reject me, he did not, he told me in no uncertain words, he married me, not my hair, he loved me, not my hair. He passed after 38 years together, I can say for those 38 years, he never made me feel less because of my lack of hair. He loved me just the same.
-
Permalink Reply by Donna on
-
Everyone thought I had cancer and treated me very nicely. That was one positive thing I can share with you. This experience has built my self-esteem throughout the years...another positive. Alopecia defines who your real friends are and are not. All good things.
-
Permalink Reply by Jillbee on
-
I have had AU since 1991. This was before the Internet and I had no idea what to do or who to turn to. The doctor I saw told me "to not brush my hair too much" when it first started. REALLY?
I got the number for NAAF and decided to form a support group in my area. It was very helpful. I wouldn't even take my wig off in front of those people though. I was still in denial that I was one of 'them'.
An acquaintance hosted a health care TV show, and asked if I would come on her show and talk about alopecia. The show was n Sunday morning at 8am, who would see it? Ha!
Luckily for me, a woman in my town saw it, and invited me to her home to watch her be fitted for a special vacuum hair piece. What a blessing. I've worn these pieces since. It gave me my life back!
The local newspaper saw the show too, and wanted to interview me. Talk about coming out in a big way! Full page of the Living section. It was liberating, and much easier then telling everyone individually.
I NEVER go out with out my hair. Here is my best advice. Let it be part of who you are, but not your whole story. The only thing you can't do bald are shampoo commercials.
-
-
Hi, I am 7 years strong with Alopecia Universalis. 3 years in - my hair grew back and fell out again 1 year later. Life does go on:D
Love that you did a photo shoot!! Must had been a very empowering feeling. For the most part I think we over think peoples reactions. Alopecia carries a lot of emotions for the person that has it and only effects the people around us typically when we share our everyday challenges. When ever I share my alopecia story I feel very nervous and fearful for what the other person may think only to find out they look at me as strong and beautiful.
Please remember general reaction to baldness is always some form of illness unless the audience is exposed to Alopecia through the media, acquaintance, friend or family member. I personally always hear how beautiful we look bald so lets not worry what anyone thinks just do what is best for you. I love the idea of sharing your pics and if you want why not you write a small description of what Alopecia is to avoid any confusion which will also share awareness. Blessings!
-
Permalink Reply by Shinyhead on
-
I recently decided to remove my wig. Many new I had it but because of the wigs I do not believe they really understood it until I just shaved off the very little I had.
My reactions were GREAT!!! OMG I'm like I've been suffering this long for what!?!?!?!?! lol but anyway it was a self acceptance I needed. By the time I shaved my head I'm sure bad reactions would have rolled off my back like water on a duck. I decided to create a blog lovinyourbaldness.com. This weekend I will be updating my blog but if I can inspire kids or adults who suffer from hair loss for whatever reason I'll be too pleased!!!! My blog is in the beginning phase but I pray it grows.
-
Permalink Reply by Filipe Volz on
-
I posted on Facebook a photo of me with bald hair. Everybody was very kind, like it was a normal thing. My life is good and I'm happy, but I cry often, with no reason at all (I think). I'm not sad, but I think I became more fragile.
When I have a dream, I'm with hair in it, it's funny. Sorry about my english.
-
-
When I had to finally shave my whole head, A friend of mine shaved his also. Even though he didn't suffer from alopecia, he did have a small case of male pattern baldness. He just said I'll shave mine too, let's get this over with. It gave me the final push to conquer the inevitable.
-
Permalink Reply by Sara on
-
I've had alopecia since 2011. I started to notice my eyebrows thinning out and i just blamed it on leprechauns coming to steal them in the night. I totally made it out to be a joke but then my arm hairs were disappearing and when my hair dresser noticed a spot on my head that's when I started to panic and decided to consult my doctor. Right from the beginning i told everyone what was going on. When it was time to shave my head I was ready and didn't tell any of my co-workers. The following day i showed up bald and they were ALL super excited. They absolutely loved my head shaved. I work at a daycare and the children often asked where all of my hair has gone and I say this: "My body decided that i don't need my hair anymore so It doesn't grow." They accept that and go play. I think because i have such an amazing support system it helped me accept it.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE being bald and this might sound crazy but I really hope that my hair doesn't grow back. I have embraced my baldness. There is so much positive to being bald like 2.5 second showers, no need to shave and saving so much money on all those products. I really don't see anything negative except that it's a bit cold in the winter.
I am happy and often don't understand why some people have a hard time with going bald. It's just hair and doesn't define who you are but I've also been the type of person who's never really cared what i look like. A lot of people look at me and often i get the sympathetic looks but i just brush them off. People don't know the full story and I also don't care what they think. My family and friends love me for who i am not for what i look like. I hope everyone can see the beauty even without hair. Make the best of what you have and have fun with it.
-
Permalink Reply by Jess on
-
Hi !
Ive had alopecia since I was 4 years old and i am 19 now. My first experience of showing everyone my alopecia was at secondary school a couple of years ago. Basically I walked into class sat down very quickly becuase I was very nervous and my teacher came up behind me whispered in my ear "you look brilliant!" And it left me with a huge grin on my face. I was so relieved. Everyone was great about it.
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
