Welcome:) I hope you have had a nice start to the new year!

Hi Jan, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to Alopecia World. I have been living with Alopecia Areata since 1991 and know full well the struggle it can be. I look forward to getting to know you. Cheryl, Co-founder

Hello and welcome Jan!!

Hi, Jan. Welcome to Alopecia World! This is a great place for great people, so be sure to make your positive presence known. :-) - rj, Co-founder

Hi Jan
Welcome to Alopecia World

Hello and welcome, Jan!
How are you doing today?
I've had alopecia for over 30 years!
LeslieAnn

Hi Jan,
Yes it's great to be able to chat to others that know what we are going through and there are other kiwi's on here too.
Sorry to read about your eyebrows, my ones fell out a long time ago. They have grown back alittle a few times and I do have a few at the moment. I used eyebrow pencils to draw them on for many years, but found they rubbed off to easily so I had cosmetic tattooed eyebrows done about 6 years ago and they have been great. They have faded abit now, but I will wait and see if my eyebrows grow in better and if not will have them tattoed again.
Glad you are enjoying your Freedom wig, they have worked out great for me.
Yes you can have them coloured and/or highlighted. The one in the photo on my page is now over 4 years old and is needing a colour and I will go to a hairdresser that does the cut and styling of these wigs as they know how to handle them. Would suggest that you talk to your Freedom Rep or the hairdresser that cut/styled it for you. There is a lovely lady (NZer) on here called Rose Marie, her daughter has Alopecia and wears these wigs. She had one of her older long blonde wigs coloured to brown and then restyled it to a short style and it looks gorgeous (there are some photos on Rose Marie's page).
Take care
Cheryl

Hi Jan,
I am new here myself and have found this a great place to be free and not judged for being different. I love it here and visit it daily. I hope that you too will find it a warm place to be yourself and make friends.

Eileen

Hi Jan,

Welcome to Alopecia World.

Jeff

Hi Jan.

Those little white hairs are crazy arent they?
I usually shave my head every 3 days. Smetimes I wait a week just to see how thick it is. I would say I have a hair for where every 4 should be.
How's everything going with you? I've never been to New Zealand but would love to go for a visit.

Jeff

Hi Jan,
Thought I'd say Hi and hope your week is going well (hope your not getting affected by the rain and wind that's heading down the country).
How did you get on with the helmet?
Cheryl

Hi Jan,
Those buffs look very comfortable and warm. Glad you found something that works for you.I should get a buff or 2 for down here, would be great for winter.
The best person to ask about colouring would be Deanna (Rose Marie). I have only had my ones coloured when they have faded from sun exposure (about once a year). Deanna told me about a different type of colourant (Demi-permanent I think it's called) that is been used on these with great results. I'm pretty sure they can have highlights put in too, which if you want to lighten the colour maybe a good way to achieve it.
Let me know how you get on.
Take care
Cheryl

hi jan, thank you for the nice compliments! yes, i have both my freedom pieces highlighted. one with highlights and low lights (dimensional color) and the one on my profile pic was highlighted once in hawaii in 2004! i have never had any problems with my pieces after the highlights. except that the highlights get lighter and i don't mind not having to get the roots touched up! lol. that is one of the perks and alot of nice compliments along with it. i guess it also makes the pieces look more realistic. since alot of people with hair like to get highligts and change things up. have fun with it. just make sure that the stylist is comfortable with highlighting pieces like ours and is experienced. i noticed alot of the u.s. freedom reps also have a profile here and they will be happy to refer you to any stylist in your area for the job. take care, Holly

Hi Jan - lovely to hear from you. I have had both of my Freedom wigs highlighted. Just make it look a bit trendier. In fact I quite often get comments from the ladies in the office how my "new" colour looks so good - if only they knew!!! If you hairdresser isnt keen, you could contact mine - who also Deanna uses. She may be able to talk to your hairdresser. Alternatively if you were planning a trip to Auckland you could do it up here. I would chat to Deanne though as I think that you just do it like normal hair - highlights in foil. Not too many though. Let me know if you need help. PS - you look great!

Hi Jan Nice to meet you. Our daughter Nicole (12) has had alopecia since she was 8 and has been AU for about 2 years I guess she has lost her eyebrows and most of her eyelashes...........however the eyebrows are trying to grow again =).

Nicole has just had her Freedom wig highlighted..........check out our page I put some pics on there.......it looks great. It would be great if we could all get together at some stage.
Anyway Take care
Sharon

Hi Jan - I have a short freedom wig - in fact 2 of them. I will put up a couple of pics on my page for you to look at. I was the same as you and always had short hair and short synthetic wigs. I was worried if I could get a freedom one short enough but it has worked out really well. Feel free to give me a call to chat if you want. email me and I will send number. Talk soon
Kath

no prob - drop me a note if you want to chat or if you come up to Auckland. From what I understand a lot of people get longer freedom wigs. My first one was slightly shorter and then when I got my second i left it a bit longer as i felt more comfortable with that. Still short though. You can get the curly, straight etc as well so really individual. talk soon. Kath

Hi Jan :)

Thanks for your reply to my thread :) I hadn't forgotten about ya!

I wanted to leave it for a bit before I responded till I had a fair idea of the number of people who are keen. So far, it's only you & one other. But that's okay :)

So I see your from Palmy ... would a catch-up on a weekend suit you?

Cheers :)

Holly

Hi Jan :)

Would you be interested in catching up with myself and Philippa (also from Wellington) some time over Queen's Birthday Weekend? :)

Cheers,

Holly

hi Jan. I just saw your not about getting your hair washed at the hairdressers. Do you ever come up to Auckland, becaseu the lady that I have here to cut my hair is fantastic. She is in a private salon from her home and is used to freedom wigs. Let me know if you want more info. Kath