Comment by ENEDID CASTILLO on May 14, 2010 at 3:12am

yeah i've been diagnosed with alopecia areata but i am also loosing my eyebrows & eyelashes so i dont even know if i should consider it another type of alopecia... i want to shave my head, but i have no support from anyone.

Comment by Christa M. on May 14, 2010 at 5:19am

Hi Enedid,
if you want to shave it, but you do not think having the courage to do it: do it (you are NOT crazy;))! You will look different but live is easier because you will be free of this permanent anxiety to hide your bald patches. I don't like bald patches but I do like all the people here with bald heads on the photos. It's a new style for you, for your family, your friends and for the rest of the world, but it's the most natural for you. Others will show you their real personnality and you will have an automatic trial between superficial people and open minded. You will have to be a little tolerant with staring people. Curiosity is human. But a big smile of you will give them the appropriate answer. For me the big-smile-answer works every time. In case of questions I tell them, that I only have a little allergy against my own hair, but that's all. And every one understands. If ever I'm afraid to get negative reaction, I just tell them, that it can happen to EVERYONE(even themselves) at every moment... Good luck and enjoy your life, it does not depend of hair!!!

Comment by Mary on May 14, 2010 at 10:46am

Hang in there, Enedid. As Christa says, life isn't over if you lose your hair. Check out my photos on my page of the night before I shaved. I felt SO much better once I did it. How long it takes to become AU and whether that ever happens is different for everyone. In my case, it was all gone within 3 months. Bald is who I am now, and life is good.

Comment by ENEDID CASTILLO on May 14, 2010 at 11:41am

THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE! THIS HAS OPENED MY EYES MORE. I WILL SHAVE MY HEAD SOON. I WILL POST PICTURES UP AS SOON AS I DO IT =]

Comment by Sarah Car on May 14, 2010 at 11:46am

Hi Enedid. I also thinking if you have feelings that shaving your head will be easier and better, then it will be! I shaved recently and it was cathartic! I felt free from my anxiety about when will it all fall out.. and I don't feel the need to cover it up any more. We all support you no matter what you chose to do. Best wishes!!

Comment by Mary on May 14, 2010 at 11:52am

You said it, Sarah. I remember being really self-conscious about going to the swimming pool/hot tub at a fitness center when I had bald spots that would show when my hair got wet. Then, pretty soon after I shaved it all off, I just walked up to the hot tub full of people and felt great. I don't know why, but it's been easier for me to be bald than it was for me to have patchy bald spots. I don't have to worry about people being able to tell I'm losing my hair, because it's all gone. That sounds really weird, but it's true!

Comment by Robbi on May 14, 2010 at 12:33pm

Although I choose to wear wigs, I also shave my head. Indeed, the first time can be scary, (it can seem odd to shave what little hair is left, after all we WANT our hair). But as someone else on here once said, it also can give you a sense of control. And I think having a smooth, more uniform look, can be more appealing sometimes than patchiness. Also, it eliminates the process/stress of trying to camoflage spots.I know for me, when I shaved my head it took a little getting used to, but I felt liberated, just as others have. Hang in there; you'll know when it's the right time.

Comment by Lee on May 14, 2010 at 5:58pm

I felt liberated when I shaved mine...kind of like ..I beat alopecia before it beat me....good luck!

Comment by Leresa on May 18, 2010 at 7:23am

Everyone above has given you divine wisdom- They are all right. I could not have said it better myself. Alopecia is for sure unpredictable, it makes no sense- it may just grow back this year & really confuse you & be a forgettable memory. So don't fret. I went from AA to AT in 6 months then AU 2years later to current & my hair grows salt & pepper short hairs like it's teasing me:) You'll eventually fig out what works best for you. For me I go bald(I don't have to shave) / wear hair /and or scarf depending how I feel- I have never been happier.

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