Comment by aggiewife22 on September 10, 2013 at 6:15pm

I personally would wait. I just shaved my head a little over a week ago and I've lost about 85-90% of my hair. I couldn't wear my hair down anymore because it looked so weird. I'm like you, I hated doing my hair so it sucked having to do it everyday. I totally understand not wanting to deal with all the nasty hair that's falling out!
When I first got diagnosed, my spots weren't big at all and I went in for a cute "boy cut" and the lady shaved my head (totally not what I asked for) and shortly after that my hair started growing back. I can't tell you that yours will do the same for sure but you never know.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you're comforatable with your choice. Good luck!

Comment by ShinySpot on September 12, 2013 at 2:59pm

I shaved it when I could no longer tolerate the trauma I was seeing day in and day out. From the time it started falling out to the time I shaved it was about a 9 month span, but the last couple weeks before I shaved it all off I had miscarried and that's what triggered it to completely fall out. I had a friend with me, help me go through the event. I've had AU for almost 7 years now and I'm finally finally feeling more comfortable and stronger by the day. Now I'm driving my car with out my hat, took me nearly 7 years to get to that point. I'm tired of hiding it, I want to show off my beauty to the world, just one step at a time :)

Comment by fijifrangipani on September 13, 2013 at 2:27am

I shaved it when I thought nothing could be worse than the patches, and to make it a lot easier for wearing a wig. The I made lots of bandanas in all colours and used those for my yoga classes... then I ditched everything and love it. One way to transition may be to get a wig, shave your hair and wear the wig out but go round the house without. Personally now I am happy without hair and would even be annoyed if it grew back..

Comment by kailee and kim on September 16, 2013 at 3:23pm

With my girl once it starts falling fast its better to cut.It was easier then watching it fall.

Comment by kryssiecat on September 18, 2013 at 8:08am

I shaved it off about two years after my hair initially started to fall out(I had a period of major regrowth and then it fell out like it was on fire). I was tired of looking at myself in the mirror and only seeing my hair loss. I was tired of thinking about it every minute of every day. I was exhausted from agonizing over every single hair on my head. I was tired of fighting it. I was late for a dermatologist appointment and I was about to walk out the door when instead I walked to my bathroom and got out my electric razor. Only you can truly decide when/if it is time. For me, it was inevitable, I had so little hair left.

Comment by Kim on September 23, 2013 at 4:21pm

My AA progressed in 3 years from 1 small patch to 80% of my hair. After a long psychological battle with the disease I finally came to terms with it and accepted it. 10 days ago I took a massive step and bought my first wig. While it wasn't really necessary I decided to shave what little hair I had left. Sure, this was very traumatic but afterwards I felt so liberated! I love my wig and it has given me so much confidence back. I can finally stop worrying about my patches showing. Having a shaved head is also fantastic. It feels amazing and it also takes away that trauma of seeing your hair loss in the shower/brush on daily basis. Shaving is a big step and only you will know when your ready to do it. When I first read about it on this website, I thought there was no ways I would ever do that. Amazing how things change with time. Wishing you strength and courage!

Comment by Sierra D on September 24, 2013 at 12:44pm

I agree with Kim! I mulled it over for a couple of months, I'd decide to do it, then chicken out. I had already gotten what was left of my hair chopped to my chin, then started wearing wigs for a few months and couldn't step out in public without a hat otherwise. Scarves weren't even covering all of my spots. I asked myself what good was it doing by keeping the hair? Because I didn't want to look weird with a shaved head? One day I finally knew that I couldn't move forward and feel better mentally until I got rid of all that bad juju I was carrying around looking at my one spot of hair left. Once I shaved it, I felt amazing. Showering felt awesome (not to mention saving $$ on products), the wind feels incredible on my head, so many good things. And I don't have to watch the hair fall out every day. That one thing controlled my life until I finally took the step. It's huge, but once you have lost more than what you have left... I would say do it. Good luck to you!

Comment by Sofia on September 25, 2013 at 2:20am

I applied black eyeshadow to my spots for the longest time and had my hair pulled back a certain way. Like you I luckily had super thick hair. It's way thinner than it used to be though. I think about 6 months after it happened, I shaved my head. At work I covered up with a wig but everywhere else it was hats and scarves until eventually I just bore with buzz cut boy hair.

Comment by Michelle B on October 16, 2013 at 11:00am

This is the best thread, although I am in tears! I have begun contemplating shaving for all the reasons you all have listed. I am so relieved that I am not the only one traumatized by the hair everywhere and the process of seeing it fall out. Thank you for sharing!

Comment by Anna Hall on October 17, 2013 at 3:04am

I waited way to long to do it. Mostly it was due to my own blind eye with how little I had. All I can say is there comes a point when you can start trying to fool yourself but there is no fooling others. The only way to know when that time is with pictures not your mirror. Every so often get all put togeather with your best make up and hair and have someone take some pictures of you. You will know when it is time and hopefully by seeing the progression it will be easier for you.
I hope that you never have to shave you head and just end up with some fabulous pictures over yourself but if you do I recomend keeping a lock of it to remind you of what you had so you don't waste endless hours in foggy reminiscent about it, much more productive thing needto be done in this life.

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