So I'm looking at my head in the mirror and for the last few years I have ever so slowly been getting regrowth after years upon years (about 17) of having no hair at all whatsoever. I haven't done anything differently or taken any meds so this is completely occuring on its own. About 10 years ago I stopped wearing wigs most of the time and in the last year when I've seen the most growth is the time I've started becoming more involved in helping others with alopecia. Crazy coincidence!

It all started with my eyebrows and eye lashes slowly coming in although I am still missing eyelashes on one eye lid and have to fill in my brows with a pencil because only half of my brows have gained pigment, the other half is still clear hairs (like long peach fuzz). Then I had to start shaving my army pits and other unmentionables started growing back (although patchy as well and probably TMI). The hair on my head started with a small patch on the back in the shape of an "A" which, over the course of a year, turned into a smiley face somehow. I've been taking pictures of my regrowth process and although a larger percentage of my head is covered with hair now (close to 60% or better) and is spreading to cover my head, I still have patches and notice over time that they move around but usually stay within the same area. So I guess, technically I have alopecia universalis areata because I still have no leg or arm hair (not that I want it either). One hair grew back on my big toe which I've been cutting off because for the last two summers it's driven me nuts as it blows in the wind when I wear sandals. I couldn't imagine having hair on my arms and legs. Everytime the wind blows I'd go insane feeling every hair move.

After dealing with various forms of alopecia for the past 31 years, this one is new to me and I'm finding it rather irritating. Someone who has had alopecia as long as I have isn't expected to ever regrow a full head of hair and I'm not about to let my hopes climb sky high either, I know what to expect or at least think I do. One thing that remains certain however is that letting my hopes grow is potentially damaging to my self-esteem for when it all falls out again I will have been let down by something no one has any control over. I pondered the thought of visiting with a dermatologist however the last guy I saw told me I know more about it than he does so my chances of finding a doctor who does know his own hole from a hole in the ground is not likely. The treatments that seem to work on those with minimal hairloss may perhaps work on me now but I have no proof and not nearly enough research has been done, especially on those who've had it for a very long time.

Basically, I'm all patchy now and this is taking a very, very, VERY long time to do what it's doing. Fall out again or grow back but this patchy stuff has got to stop. The lashes and brows have been quite welcoming in keeping sweat and dust out of my eyes however I would trade all that in a second for having nothing at all. Having a clean palate to work with is much more enjoyable than trying to make what you have work for you instead of against you. Anywho, I've rambled on quite enough but wanted to share my thoughts on this regrowth. It's not likely however if you've been follically barren for many years and have experienced something similar I'd love to hear about it. Thanks for reading!! :)