Comment by Tallgirl on June 8, 2010 at 9:55pm

My story: After a few years of wide headbands at school and church camp, then granny-caps and triangle scarves at pajama parties, I had to go for more cover-up when alopecia struck big-time in high school. So, my parents got me a "fall" (half-wig), which I pinned onto my own hair except for the front, where I combed my own hair back and clipped it with a long barrett at the back of my head (ONE HOUR the dang process took every morning. I needed that Libra symmetry!). It still looked like my own hair growing out of my forehead. Wig was exactly my color, and was human hair. Then my parents got me THE biggy for my first big dance: a long, human hair, Korean wig...and only $70 back in 1969! I did the comb-back thing with this one, too. Then, when the spots moved to the front, I got a short, carefree synthetic wig...which I traded off with the other wigs at college. Funny, I do not remember any bad comments at college. The farm boy I really liked told me that hair doesn't affect love, and that people at Esalen (look THAT up, circa 1970) were totally bald and it didn't change feelings. I was 18 when I finally accepted, due to his speech, that I would someday be loved and maybe married. I cried my eyes out at the campus chapel. What a load off! I hadn't let myself believe for ALL OF JUNIOR HIGH, HIGH SCHOOL AND THE FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE that I would ever even be loved!!! And you girls now? It is no longer the era of long-haired rock groups. Singers and actresses wear all kinds of styles, even bald. SO...you are free to decide! Or, have 3 wigs and Alro Guthrie (look that up, too) hats and scarves like I did...whatever. Female friends in a dorm, a silly attitude, and at least one guy friend who really cares can be the start to a new attitude. But, that's my story. What is yours going to be? What story will YOU be putting on this site after age 50 for the younger girls? By the way...I just chopped off any hair that stuck out under my wigs, and when it later all grew back, got a Jane Fonda "Klute" haircut (look it up, girls) for a sorority-fraternity mixer. Danced all night, happy.

Comment by Roslyn on June 8, 2010 at 10:26pm

It's a personal choice. I hate the way I look with "spots" of hair so I shave. However, until last week I always wore a wig. I have decided to try wearing scarves since it is so hot and I like the way I look. It has to be your decision to shave or not to shave. Hope my post helps. Good luck

Comment by Petra on June 9, 2010 at 2:39am

I think you will know when you are ready to shave your hair. I remember (way back) when I used to wear a hat and I know that it just looked bad - since I almost did not have any hair. When I decided to start wearing a wig (again) I felt better. Trust me wigs have come a long way since I first lost all my hair over 30 years ago. I was 18 at the time and wigs looked like wigs. Now even if you buy a synthetic one they look real. I have more people comment about the cut or color of my hair - Yes, sometimes it makes me feel uncomfortable since I don't always want to tell. Lately, since I have found this wonderful group I have been wearing my wig less and less. I like wearing scarves now since they don't scratch and cooler for the summer. Although we haven't had any summer yet, but that's another story. So I am blabbering on ----- You will know when you are ready to shave your head. If it does not happen on your birthday or the day that you plan to do it don't feel bad.

Comment by Tiffany P on June 9, 2010 at 4:23pm

I know how you feel because sometimes things are going along dandy and then i feel down all of a sudden. its very frustrating because my mood isnt steady and i would rather stay in the positive mode. i keep telling myself when i'm goin gto go and start checking out wigs and shave my head and those dates keep passing me by. But like everyone said you will just know when its time to break out the shaver and just go to it. We will get there and we will get thru this.

Comment by Nikki on June 10, 2010 at 12:55pm

Like you, I had a lot of hair still for the first several years of my alopecia experience. More recently in 2009, my hair started to falling out like crazy. I have about 70% hair loss now, and as a result, purchased a wig this past March. I don't ever leave the house without my wig or a hat. When I'm not at work, I'm almost always have on a hat, and that's why I like the little bit of hair that I do have left because you can somewhat see it on the sides and people can't tell that my head is practically bald underneath my hat. I guess I'm at the point where I could just shave my head, but I've never really thought about it. I'm still trying to get used to a life without my own hair I guess that I just don't want to let go of the little bit I have left. This is emotional, and shaving it takes it to another level. For me, I guess most people would've shaved it by now, but I'm not going to - I'm not ready. If you're not, that's ok. Perhaps you can still get some use out of your hair when you want to wear a hat like I do. I don't think you should shave it unless you feel absoutely ready. Best of luck. :)

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