My journey with alopecia has definitely been long, hard, and lonely. As an African American female (which I am sure this may be true for other cultures) I have found it very hard to find a beautician who actually understands the considition of alopecia itself. I have been through my fair share of beauticians and most of them I have found do not understand the condition/disease itself. I have had numerous Africann American beauticians ask me how this happens, what am I doing to damage my hair, etc. This has been a heartbreaking experience because most women go to the beautician to feel good and boost their self esteem with a new do and of course good conversation. Instead I have ended up frustrated and feeling like I have lower self esteen than I have when I am at home doing my thing as a kitchen beautician ( I have no real training, but being raised by my father I had to learn how to make my hair look nice). I am a little disappointed with the training or lack of training that may be happening in these beauty schools. From my perspective it seems like all they learn about alopecia is that the client will have bald spots. They do not seem to understand that I am not pulling out my hair, my immune system attacks my hair follicle. I end up providing them with more information than they knew before I sat in their chair. This is such a frustrating experience and then they make me feel as if I am the only African American with alopecia areata. Which unfortunately is something that I have beleived for a long time. I am grateful to this site for allowing me to see I am not the only African American woman with AA. I just wish I could find a beautician who really understands. If anyone knows of a beautician in the Atlanta area who is actually educated about alopecia areata and does a good job (with decent prices!) Please let me know.