Andrea L.

Female

West Hollywood, CA

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:
In a Relationship
About Me:
Discovered my first spot in the fall of 2008. I was 38. Since then it's just been falling out and getting thinner every week/month. For a while I got steroid injections from my dermatologist but decided to go a more alternative route and did 3 months of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Didn't make it stop though but seemed to balance me out a bit. Bought a wig the other day, but I don't like wearing it. Also bought a hair piece which I might try out soon. Right now I can still get by with powdering the spots and somewhat disguising them but I am not sure for how much longer. :-(
Update: Been using squaric acid, prescribed by my dermatologist. Hair was starting to grow back for a few months, even so that stuff is basically poison on your head. Suddenly one day, it started falling out again. Serious shedding made me loose almost all the hair within 3 weeks.... Will continue w. squaric acid. Round two. I've also decided to wear a wig now since I got tired of wearing caps for almost 2 years. Have to get used to the wiggie still but it's not as bad as I thought. Update: Started loosing hair on legs and arms now and other places, I guess it's turning into Alopecia Universalis now. Also experiencing some eyebrow thinning and lashes are falling out. Grrrr.
Another update: Eyebrows fell out and I got them tattooed now. White fuzz growing very slowly for the last 6 months but it's starting to look like a full head of hair again even so it's white. I am super scared it might fall out again, but it's hanging in there for now. Update: After almost 8 months of growing thick white hair (5 inches at least) and hardly loosing anything, just before New Year's Eve another fall out period started. I really thought this was it this time. Thought it was coming back. Growing slowly for 8 fricking months, inch by inch, getting your hopes up for nothing. Update: 3 months later now and the fall out period is still in full effect. Probably going to loose everything again as it continues to do it's thing..
Do you have alopecia?
Alopecia areata
Are you age 18 or older?
Yes - I am 18 or older

Comment Wall:

  • LeslieAnn Butler

    Hello and welcome, Andrea!
    I know how hard alopecia can be; I have had it 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!" You can find out more on my page -- and it's available on this site under "Bookshelf." Let me know if there's anything else I can do!
    LeslieAnn
  • Cindy

    Hi Andrea, I meant to add that you should look through my photos. There are different stages of regrowth posted. I wish lots of success too!!