I'm a wife and mother of a beautiful 3 year old daughter. I am 32 years old and have been dealing with alopecia since I was 19. I wore a wig for almost eight years. I have not worn a wig for the past 4 years but my hair is starting to fall out again so I will be wearing one again. I have been suffering from this condition since day one...I don't think I've really ever accepted it but now I'm trying to reach out for support and inspiration from others like me.
Hey there - You're not alone in this, and have too much to be thankful for to hang your head. This is just another thing that makes you who you are - and with the support of those around you, you'll figure out the best way to keep chugging along - hang in there, my friend.
Hi Esther, I wanted to welcome you to Alopecia World. I can honestly say that we are a great community here and I hope you enjoy the time you spend with us and we look forward to your input. Cheryl, co-founder
Hi Esther,
I know how hard it can be! I have had alopecia for about 30 years. After I became the spokesperson for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, a lot of women were needing my help and support, so I wrote a book called, "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" It might make you feel better. Check it out on my page -- and WELCOME!
LeslieAnn
I just read your blog post about your wig fitting. I know exactly how you feel. Making that appointment was one of the most difficult things I've ever done - but the guy who fitted me (that sounds weird, but I think that's the right way to say it), was so down to earth and friendly and understanding...it made it okay somehow.
There are a few close friends of mine - and of course, my family, who know that I am completely bald underneath my hair (I refuse to call it a wig - some holdout perhaps? Or maybe because I paid for it, I feel the right to call it MY hair... hee). But those that do know tell me constantly how real and natural it looks. As for the ones who don't know? They think I have a great stylist!!!
Do what you're comfortable with, honey. We can't control everything in our lives, but we can control our attitude. ;-) And I'll tell you - you're beautiful...
hey esther!
go to bestwigoutlet.com go to human hair wigs... an Raquel Welch one is good quality. I'm currently wearing won that I've had for over three years. I have another of the same exact wig that I have for when this one finally kicks the bucket.
i have a local retailer near my hometown where they sell them for cheap, but you can get a discount online. just have a professional style it for you if you aren't good with hair!
hi esther, hang in there. not that i am one to give advise, my mood changes constantly about this on a daily basis - maybe even an hourly one. all i can say is this is a great site there are so many people here that are amazing inspirations. it has helped me just knowing that there are others like me out there. if you ever need to talk, im here.
i tried a wig that was really cute. it was short because those look the best on me and i felt like it kept riding up so that you could see the hair line in the back. how do i keep it from moving like that?
Hey! I haven't always been this strong! It was a struggle for a while but it has really been the last year and a half or so that I have just found myself and was comfortable with who I am. It sure wasn't something that I rushed. I just knew I had to get through it and slowly but surely did!
I looked for comfort in my family and they helped me get through it. Also I wore a wig that made me feel very confident in myself and just gradually stopped wearing it. I don't know exactly what made me do this, but I am glad I did!
You are beautiful and as long as you are happy with yourself, it doesn't matter if you have hair or not! And not everyone is going to be fully healed of the emotional part because it is tough but it can be dealt with!
Am sorry to hear what ur going through but am willing to give u the moral support. I went through alot but i don't really dwell on this anymore. At one point i thought i was the only person in the world, even recently but since i found this world i have my estimes up higher...no need to fear, cause whats done is already done.
I had this since i was 11yrs and been wearing wig since then,so wigs have become apart of my life,, i've never go without....and am very comfy with it, infact i wear it even at home... If we link up we could go together and i will find for u some of the ones i wear,,,i just buy them in the hair stores as i go along. Girl am willin to stand with u... this is my number 917-304-5935,call anytime....looking to hear from u...take good care now.
hi
esther the first time i bought a wig i was also nerves scare
of what the reaction of people will be because i first wore
hats but people will ask me if i had cancer so i look around
for store near my home i been wearing synthetic wigs hoping that one
of many treatments will work i also heard of vacuum wig but i never
try one have you?
well nice talking to you wish you luck
if that is a wig it looks great.
Hi!
It's so nice to hear how people talk about the wigs and change off. I can't do that. I have two that are very similar. I still don't tell people. Believe it or not, I feel better talking about it.
I still haven't accepted it and I don't know if I ever will. My husband isn't the biggest supporter. I would just love to go out without the wig, but he would cringe. Right now I have a lot of hair growth, but also a few big bald spots, so now people would look at me.
I also get compliments on my wig all the time. You can't even tell. My wig has highlights and someone asked my if I highlight my hair.
I know it's hard in the beginning with a wig, but you'll get through it. We all do. Let's keep in touch.
Anyway, we have to get us NJ people together and go for lunch and talk. Let me know if you're in.
hi esther
well i been with alopecia for about 2 years now
and believe me the first year was the worst especially because it just happen with no reason and so fast as i shower or comb my hair will just come off it was frustrating seen a few hair here and there so i decided
to have my mother shave what ever was left i still remember that day
i cry and cry at first i wore hads but people are curious they will ask me do you have cancer? so i made a decision of buying my first wig
i was scare angry but my husband help me thru this
well nice talking to you hope we can be friend bye now,
One thing I notice about people is that once they know it is a wig then seem to forget about it. It just becomes part of you and they don't seem to look you in the hairline....LOL.....I will most likely just tell people I have Alopecia at work and that I will be having fun with wigs so don't be surprised if I am a blonde one week and a brunette the next. I think it may have to come down to that. I would think people will become envious of being able to switch hairstyles so easily...LOL...
I seriously never got compliments on my real hair as much as I did when I wore that first wig 4 years ago. For me the struggle is to go back looking the way I used to and that is tough. I do know I will get through it for sure but just have to fine "the one" that works for me...
You give yourself another couple of weeks and that wig will feel so much like a part of you and people will accept as a part of you too. People are basically out to lunch as far as hair goes. Have you ever had anything done to your hair and not have anyone notice? I died my hair once and my husband didn't even notice.....so there ya go!
Post some pics so I can tell you how great you look with your new do!
yes, I am going so long as the weather holds up :-)
I can't believe it actually snowed a bit here last week. YIKES!
I think Suffern, NY is a good mid way point. However, I am also trying to work on some other great things for all of us in Jersey as well. I used to live in Dumont and then in Bergenfield. Are you familiar with those areas? I want to connect with a few churches out there to inquire about using space as well. Who knows, maybe some "Alopecia Bingo" :-)
Take care!
Hey Esther! A bio matrix is practically a glued on lace wig! It is glue adhesives, many types of tape, and well of course the wig.....hahha! I love it! It is the best thing ever....I feel dont even have alopecia. Except when they take it off every 4-6 wks to clean the hair piece and my hair. I donnot like what I see in the mirror when they take the wig off. I have actually never seen myself completely bald...I hope thats a good thing! hahaha! Well, I hope that explained it, Esther!
John Paul
Sep 29, 2008
Drew
Sep 30, 2008
rj, Co-founder
Sep 30, 2008
Cheryl, Co-founder
Sep 30, 2008
Roger
Roger.
Oct 1, 2008
Roger
I was at my first this summer in Louisville.
Oct 1, 2008
Linda
Oct 1, 2008
LeslieAnn Butler
I know how hard it can be! I have had alopecia for about 30 years. After I became the spokesperson for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, a lot of women were needing my help and support, so I wrote a book called, "If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing!" It might make you feel better. Check it out on my page -- and WELCOME!
LeslieAnn
Oct 1, 2008
LeslieAnn Butler
Hugs...
Oct 1, 2008
Lori Powers
I just read your blog post about your wig fitting. I know exactly how you feel. Making that appointment was one of the most difficult things I've ever done - but the guy who fitted me (that sounds weird, but I think that's the right way to say it), was so down to earth and friendly and understanding...it made it okay somehow.
There are a few close friends of mine - and of course, my family, who know that I am completely bald underneath my hair (I refuse to call it a wig - some holdout perhaps? Or maybe because I paid for it, I feel the right to call it MY hair... hee). But those that do know tell me constantly how real and natural it looks. As for the ones who don't know? They think I have a great stylist!!!
Do what you're comfortable with, honey. We can't control everything in our lives, but we can control our attitude. ;-) And I'll tell you - you're beautiful...
XXOO
Ree
Oct 4, 2008
Stacie Duda
go to bestwigoutlet.com go to human hair wigs... an Raquel Welch one is good quality. I'm currently wearing won that I've had for over three years. I have another of the same exact wig that I have for when this one finally kicks the bucket.
i have a local retailer near my hometown where they sell them for cheap, but you can get a discount online. just have a professional style it for you if you aren't good with hair!
Oct 8, 2008
Jenn
Oct 8, 2008
Jenn
Oct 8, 2008
Brianne
I looked for comfort in my family and they helped me get through it. Also I wore a wig that made me feel very confident in myself and just gradually stopped wearing it. I don't know exactly what made me do this, but I am glad I did!
You are beautiful and as long as you are happy with yourself, it doesn't matter if you have hair or not! And not everyone is going to be fully healed of the emotional part because it is tough but it can be dealt with!
But just know that we are all here for you!
Have a good rest of the week!
Oct 8, 2008
Sharla
I had this since i was 11yrs and been wearing wig since then,so wigs have become apart of my life,, i've never go without....and am very comfy with it, infact i wear it even at home... If we link up we could go together and i will find for u some of the ones i wear,,,i just buy them in the hair stores as i go along. Girl am willin to stand with u... this is my number 917-304-5935,call anytime....looking to hear from u...take good care now.
Oct 8, 2008
Rachel
Oct 14, 2008
elvira delgado
esther the first time i bought a wig i was also nerves scare
of what the reaction of people will be because i first wore
hats but people will ask me if i had cancer so i look around
for store near my home i been wearing synthetic wigs hoping that one
of many treatments will work i also heard of vacuum wig but i never
try one have you?
well nice talking to you wish you luck
if that is a wig it looks great.
Oct 15, 2008
Debbie
It's so nice to hear how people talk about the wigs and change off. I can't do that. I have two that are very similar. I still don't tell people. Believe it or not, I feel better talking about it.
I still haven't accepted it and I don't know if I ever will. My husband isn't the biggest supporter. I would just love to go out without the wig, but he would cringe. Right now I have a lot of hair growth, but also a few big bald spots, so now people would look at me.
I also get compliments on my wig all the time. You can't even tell. My wig has highlights and someone asked my if I highlight my hair.
I know it's hard in the beginning with a wig, but you'll get through it. We all do. Let's keep in touch.
Anyway, we have to get us NJ people together and go for lunch and talk. Let me know if you're in.
Oct 16, 2008
elvira delgado
well i been with alopecia for about 2 years now
and believe me the first year was the worst especially because it just happen with no reason and so fast as i shower or comb my hair will just come off it was frustrating seen a few hair here and there so i decided
to have my mother shave what ever was left i still remember that day
i cry and cry at first i wore hads but people are curious they will ask me do you have cancer? so i made a decision of buying my first wig
i was scare angry but my husband help me thru this
well nice talking to you hope we can be friend bye now,
Oct 16, 2008
Lori M
I seriously never got compliments on my real hair as much as I did when I wore that first wig 4 years ago. For me the struggle is to go back looking the way I used to and that is tough. I do know I will get through it for sure but just have to fine "the one" that works for me...
You give yourself another couple of weeks and that wig will feel so much like a part of you and people will accept as a part of you too. People are basically out to lunch as far as hair goes. Have you ever had anything done to your hair and not have anyone notice? I died my hair once and my husband didn't even notice.....so there ya go!
Post some pics so I can tell you how great you look with your new do!
Oct 18, 2008
Shannon
I can't believe it actually snowed a bit here last week. YIKES!
I think Suffern, NY is a good mid way point. However, I am also trying to work on some other great things for all of us in Jersey as well. I used to live in Dumont and then in Bergenfield. Are you familiar with those areas? I want to connect with a few churches out there to inquire about using space as well. Who knows, maybe some "Alopecia Bingo" :-)
Take care!
Nov 2, 2008
Shana and Taylor
Talk to you later
Taylor
Nov 17, 2008
LeslieAnn Butler
What's up?
Jan 16, 2009