As a kid whenever I saw a fountain or a wishing spiral, I always asked my mom for a penny or a dime to toss in. When she gave one to me I would hold the coin, close my eyes and wish as hard as I could that I would grow hair. Every single birthday wish, fountain wish and falling star wish, was the same wish since I could remember. I didn’t wish for toys or candy or anything a normal kid would want. I think back to that little girl and I find my self smiling at how silly I was to want…

Well, once again my hair is at a level where I can get away with not wearing wigs, I even went to the hairdresser in the past weekend!

I notice my lifestyle and choices really do make a difference with the amount of hairloss I experience...caffeine, refined sugars,,,smoking..alcohol and a few others definitely make a difference.

The above picture is…

BuchananAppendixA_RecruitmentFlyer_6-03-15.doc

Hello,

I have been a member of this community for quite sometime and enjoy the blogs of those individuals seeking help from others with the disease. I am writing because I am a Doctoral graduate student at TWU and currently conducting research about Alopecia and it's impact on the Family System. In essence,…

I've had Alopecia since I was 8 years old and I used to look at it as rather a negative thing. As I am becoming an adult I am starting to realize that Alopecia has shaped me into a better person. I look back on everything and I wonder what kind of person I would have been without having Alopecia comparatively to who I am today....if I would have like who I saw in the mirror? No..I don't think I would have. Alopecia has given me my own kind of confidence while still maintaining consideration…

I had a spiritual awakening.

I notice my soul more than my appearance.

I am bald and I am beautiful.

So happy that this is the year, I'm so glad it has come. After 8 years, finally, I've been able to look in the mirror and not feel disgust. I am still bald, but I am still living and kickin. I'm not gonna let it bring me down anymore, 8 years is too long to be hating myself. 

I've grown to love who I am on the inside, not the outside.

I am different and I…

I feel like I am going backwards right now and I feel like this is a place where I can articulate and discuss these feelings. 

Last summer I had got to my peak of acceptance for my alopecia. I was happily alternating between my many wigs, scarfs and going bare headed, which I was particularly enjoying the freedom of with my new found confidence. I had another tattoo on my head (I already had one) and had come to a point of seeing alopecia as a quirky part of my identity. 

Then…

So my hair at the front and sides has gradually - oh so gradually - disappeared. And my hairbrush is forever having to be stripped bare. And for the first time in my life I have to use hairspray, just to hold down the carefully arranged styling to cover the seeming acres of flesh. Why does it matter? I am still the same person. I am 64, not young and needing to prove a thing. Who looks at older women in any case? We are universally invisible. So why should I care?

But I do. I care…

I am kind of lost for words…..  The nurse called and left me a voice message telling me I do have Lichen Planopilaris, that's it!  Prescribed Minocycline but have not received any other information from the doctor.  Thankfully, I found this site!!!  Thank you to everyone for sharing your story, advice, and support!

p.s. Does anyone know of a Specialists in Albuquerque, NM? 

Hello My Fellow Hair Challenged Friends,

Yes-I have a story. We ALL have a story regarding how and when it began. My alopecia started 16 years ago, I was 25 and noticed two hairless spots on my otherwise hairy head. My derm diagnosed me swiftly and coldly; injections began. Regrowth, fall out, repeat. And then one day it became clear that mine was a losing battle. A Freedom Wig came, and eventually tattooed eyebrows...Although I detest them, I'm known to put on false lashes now and…

I think the best option for any person with hair loss is to do what feels good to them, no one has the right to dictate to anyone how they should feel.

We as a society are so quick to point out to women that we need hair to make us feel feminine, sadly most

people don't realize that femininity comes from within, it's about being true to yourself, finding your inner

strength and self respect and being proud of who you are inside. Then and only Then will your outer self be…

I have been wearing a nice beanie to cover my AA patches in between shaves.

I don't go out in public with a wig though I've been seriously considering 1 lately.

I just cover my head outside.

I was kicked out of a courtroom today because I would not remove my head covering in front of a room full of strangers.

I was mandated to "take it off or go pay the fine for the ticket". They wouldn't even grant me an audience with the solicitor in the hall way.

I paid…

Presently, I am dealing with some huge challenges that make me feel like I am running a marathon, but I am determined to finish strong; even if tears are streaming down my face.

I was at the beauty shop talking with a woman about covering up this bald patch, and pricing hair pieces. She told me I have beautiful hair. I was choked up with emotion, and quietly said, "thank you" fighting back tears, and left. I was taken by surprise with the emotion seeping up from within me. I felt…