Kristen Ridenhour

36, Female

Chantilly, VA

United States

Profile Information:

Relationship Status:
In a Relationship
About Me:
I was diagnosed with alopecia early July of 2003, I was 14. About 90% of my hair fell out within about 3 weeks, most of it while I was at gymnastics camp (worst week of camp I’ve ever had!) I went to a dermatologist once and decided from there not to do any treatments. My mom was too scared of the side effects they could have and I really didn’t want shots in my head. The rest of my hair took the rest of the summer to completely fall out. Since then, I’ve had no regrowth. I wore a wig at school for 10th and 11th grade. The second I got home, the wig came off. My senior year I wore a bandana. It was probably one of the best decisions I ever made and haven’t touched a wig since. I usually go around with a bandana now. I’m still trying to be comfortable enough to go out completely bald. I’ll get there someday. My family and friends have always been very supportive of me. Sometimes I think it affected them more than it did me (mainly my mom though).

I’m originally from northern Virginia. My mom moved down to Tampa after I graduated from high school, so I came down here with her. I have recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. I'm now living back up in NOVA for a job. I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years.
Do you have alopecia?
Alopecia universalis
Are you age 18 or older?
Yes - I am 18 or older

Comment Wall:

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  • Tiffany P

    congrats on you graduating college and hope that you get a job soon if you havent already, you are an awesome person and i hope to become as comfortable as you with this crazy hair loss soon. i hope all is well and have a great week :o)

    Jun 14, 2010

  • Nesha B.

    Thank you for adding me as well! I loved your pictures and blogs. hope you have a great week!

    Aug 23, 2010

  • Lauren

    hi kristen! thanks for wishing me luck at school! i appreciate the support! what type of nurse is your mom? i wanted to do my clinicals at tampa general since its a trauma 1 but i got st josephs. i really like it there so far though. so did you move to tampa after you graduated or are you still in orlando?

    Aug 27, 2010