Alopecia World
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Done...bald...transitioned...spot-less...liberated!
I will forever remember Saturday, March 5, 2011, the day I buzzed off what appeared to look like a light, scattered bird's nest on my head. It was amazing. I returned to my hometown, NYC, to my hairdresser of 19 years, Skipper Edwards. I initially went to Skipper because he was my sister's hairdresser; he was good with hair of women of color. Being bi-racial my hair was kinky, although it could be blown out. He proceeded, throughout the years to cut, style my hair in an appropriate way to hide my spots. He also recommended my dying my hair a lighter color as well, to incorporate the spots. Two weeks ago I phoned him and sent him photos (included in my photos on my profile page) of how bad the spots were that I could no longer cover them. He agreed that it was time. He also agreed, as my long-time hairdresser and friend, to do the honors of cutting down and buzzing my head. My wonderful twin sister Barbara memorialized this event by taking photos:
Below, what my hair looked like when wet. Spots were ridiculous.
The First Cut:
Getting Liberated:
All Smiles:
My hairdresser and friend, Skipper and me:
My wonderful twin sister Barbara and me:
When I finally saw myself bald I felt released, free. No more worrying about my spots when the wind blows. I love the shape of my head. My cheekbones - I look like my Mom when she was bald from chemotherapy. I remember telling her "Ma you have a great shaped head; I suppose mine is the same shape"; I was right. Most of all Skipper and my sister said I looked beautiful.
When I returned home today to Philadelphia, I was very pleasantly surprised; my husband told me I looked more beautiful than before and thought that my head was sexy. My life already has taken a turn for the better. I am so happy and excited to move forward with this; no more worries, no more comb-overs. I purchased two Buffs-they're AWESOME. Keep my head warm and are funky, along with some hats.
Last week I was on a local television show on NBC for the third time-I am a musician, singer/songwriter. The past two times I was on the show I wore hats because I feared what the cameras might show. I'm glad to have pulled it off, but I look forward to going on with my Royal Baldness. Not resting on this, I am putting together a music benefit in Philadelphia to benefit children with alopecia who would like to attend the annual camp at the NAAF Conference but cannot afford to go so that they can. All systems go; I've gotten great responses with people on board; time to shine the light, inform, educate and help others.
Thank you Alopecia World and all of the members for letting me stand on your backs and holding me up when I was so scared to take this first step. I know it is a difficult road ahead, but with all of you, I know I will prevail.
Onward and Upward.
Lili (aka Eulalia - you may wonder why I sign my middle name but use my birth name on my profile; I've never used that name and never owned it; I'm "owning" it now, like I'm owning my alopecia. Time to remove the training wheels and ride the bike).
Below, what my hair looked like when wet. Spots were ridiculous.
The First Cut:
Getting Liberated:
All Smiles:
My hairdresser and friend, Skipper and me:
My wonderful twin sister Barbara and me:
When I finally saw myself bald I felt released, free. No more worrying about my spots when the wind blows. I love the shape of my head. My cheekbones - I look like my Mom when she was bald from chemotherapy. I remember telling her "Ma you have a great shaped head; I suppose mine is the same shape"; I was right. Most of all Skipper and my sister said I looked beautiful.
When I returned home today to Philadelphia, I was very pleasantly surprised; my husband told me I looked more beautiful than before and thought that my head was sexy. My life already has taken a turn for the better. I am so happy and excited to move forward with this; no more worries, no more comb-overs. I purchased two Buffs-they're AWESOME. Keep my head warm and are funky, along with some hats.
Last week I was on a local television show on NBC for the third time-I am a musician, singer/songwriter. The past two times I was on the show I wore hats because I feared what the cameras might show. I'm glad to have pulled it off, but I look forward to going on with my Royal Baldness. Not resting on this, I am putting together a music benefit in Philadelphia to benefit children with alopecia who would like to attend the annual camp at the NAAF Conference but cannot afford to go so that they can. All systems go; I've gotten great responses with people on board; time to shine the light, inform, educate and help others.
Thank you Alopecia World and all of the members for letting me stand on your backs and holding me up when I was so scared to take this first step. I know it is a difficult road ahead, but with all of you, I know I will prevail.
Onward and Upward.
Lili (aka Eulalia - you may wonder why I sign my middle name but use my birth name on my profile; I've never used that name and never owned it; I'm "owning" it now, like I'm owning my alopecia. Time to remove the training wheels and ride the bike).
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Comment by Lili Añel (aka Eulalia) on March 6, 2011 at 10:09pm
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Thank you, Valerie. You're totally right, we DO think we'll look bad and when we do it, its so incredible. My twin sister says I look younger. The best part was she turned to me and said "I'm tempted to buzz my little bit off". My sister is in law enforcement and has to keep her hair short or deal with pinning up and all that. When you have kinky hair that's nightmarish, so she keeps it scalp short, almost bald. I was thrilled to have my twin and Skipper in my corner this way - and surprisingly my husband.
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Comment by Janelle Schellenberg on March 6, 2011 at 11:31pm
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Absolutely gorgeous! So proud of you! Rock it :)
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Comment by Angie P on March 7, 2011 at 12:12am
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I agree, you look fabulous and soooo happy. That's all that really matters, right? :)
P.S.: I also just got my Buffs in the mail last week. Aren't they the coolest!?!? Such a simple item, but so wonderful.
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Comment by Tallgirl on March 7, 2011 at 10:41am
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I think the deal about alopecia is that it looks so unpolished and asymmetrical when spotty. Making a decision either way, wig, scarf or shaved, returns that natural symmetry. Now, people will look at your face more than your head, because the momentary judgment on symmetry is already solved, and the eyes can wander elsewhere to find confirmation that you are female, pretty, have all your parts, etc. It is that species recognition, then the individualization of how to remember your face the next meeting. We all do it...people do it. I happen to remember faces more than names, and have to exercise the feature memorization connected with the name many times before I recall the name. Since you also need your name and style memorized for your career, your next step, as I see it, is how to implant your look AND name AND singing style in a unified, interesting package. Photo on every business card, flier and e-mail??? Card on every cabaret table? Use it!!!! You look fantastic!
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Comment by Anne Williams on March 7, 2011 at 10:53am
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Everyone said it! You look beautiful. I also got my Buffs (2 of them) in the mail last week. I still have some hair but am thinking of doing what you did. Thanks for the post.
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Tallgirl, I love what you wrote; makes perfect sense and explains it brilliantly. What you speak of hear "feature memorization" in the business of music is "branding" in a way. I have the cards with my image, and info that I leave on tables at gigs. When I have the extra money, I will take new photos with my new look; revamp my Facebook page and website; I can't wait. My look will precede the changes. Thanks for the good vibes.
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You can go to Staples or a good print house and make photo stickers to go over your current cards and fliers to save money. You know...peel and stick labels in the right size. I think even school photo studios can make those. CVS pharmacy has machines to make discs from cell phone photos quickly, which you can use to download. That's how I got my pix on this site. Once you change your profile pic, it replaces ALL your post and discussion pix.
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You can use the edit, crop and rotate features on the CVS machines, then save your changes to put on the disc. They will show you how.
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Thanks TallGirl; I do all this sort of thing on my iMac via Staples - ridiculously affordable, thank God, cause I don't have a steady income; earn a few bucks at gigs and they're not consistent.
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Comment by Mary on March 7, 2011 at 2:33pm
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Just saw this blog - fantastic, Lili!!!! You look so beautiful, and YOUNGER! Not that you looked old before, but it's really dramatic how young and fresh you look bald. Congratulations on taking the step...here's what I looked like the night before I shaved my remnant hair off:
http://www.alopeciaworld.net/photo/night-before-shaving-it-all-3?co...
TG's suggestions and comments are so true. New image is what it's all about. Keep us posted on how you're doing.
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