Comment by michelle on June 2, 2013 at 6:55pm

I started to lose my hair a little over 2 years ago at the age of 49. I had a long dark mane of hair. It started with some thinning. I thought I had a bad haircut. Then I noticed a thick bald spot on the base of the back of my head. Doc did a ton of blood work to rule out any underlying medical condition. Then a trip to a dermatologist where I was initially diagnosed with Alopecia. Topical corticoid creme then on to monthly shots which were sooo painful. I lost it so fast and no new regrowth. By last November I lost my eyebrows and half of my eyelashes.....then the rest of my body....I started DPCP treatment for my head and eyelashes this past January but it isn't working.

The emotional impact was quite traumatic. As you shared our long hair was important! It is simply a grieving process. For the first year my moods were up and down as I moved through this journey...and quite a journey its been. I have become quite the expert on head scarves. I don't like wigs very much...very uncomfortable. Its been a process getting used to stares and comments from strangers. This is a visual disease so some of this just comes with the territory.

Even with lots of family and friend support...which I have lots of, acceptence of AU has been quite the journey as I have said. I have begun to go outside with my bald self...this is new! Once people do that first 'double take' they move on....its about my confidence and self acceptence. People take their cue from me. If I am awkward, others will respond as such. If I am confident then others will respond with comfort...

I have also grown confortable in talking about my AU....both on this site and outside this community. Thank you for asking:)

Comment by T. Sampson on June 3, 2013 at 2:56pm

Nice work! looks beautiful

Comment by Alliegator on June 3, 2013 at 3:04pm

You are beautiful and brave! Way to go! Your post described how I felt exactly. I got tired of all of it too.

Comment by Margaret Brennan on June 3, 2013 at 3:32pm

you look fabulous. good for you. Taking control of this stupid thing is the best thing you can do for yourself. I saw on tv this week one of the folks who lost their legs in Boston talking about plans for the future and what he is going to do with the rest of his life. He was not sitting in his pain, he was working on acceptance and how this was going to play out in his life according to his plan and wow, what an inspiration. I wish I could have done that when I was young - but it was another time and place and going bald in public was not an option for us older "ladies'. Good for you - I am sitting here cheering for you.
grandma maggie

Comment by Dena on June 4, 2013 at 2:27am

You look great. I think once you get use to it, it will be very liberating. I say rock the bald look, you can pull it off.

Comment by CMF on June 4, 2013 at 2:57pm

You look so pretty! (:

Comment by Miss Erica on June 4, 2013 at 10:16pm

You look great!!! Good decision! You are going to feel so different waking up not covered in hair. First part is getting used to the new you, then you dealing with the world and we are all here for you :) God bless!!

Xo
Erica

Comment by Catia on June 5, 2013 at 5:06am

Thanks for all your words!!! they are really important, really confortable!!! I'm getting used to my new look day by day! I'm trying to change the way that i used to see things ;) this is just hair, i have to be gratefull for this disease it could be worst! maybe one of this days i'll have courage to show my little bald head to my friends, at work, at the supermarket... i believe so!!! ;)
namaste of all of you!!!!!!!
kisses

Comment by Vanessa on June 6, 2013 at 12:38am

good luck to you...you look great.

Comment by michelle on June 6, 2013 at 12:42am

Today I shopped at the supermarket bald for the first time!! Pick out your favorite lipstick and walk up and down the isles held up high...

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