Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Introduction
Hi there, I am Christine. I have had alopecia since 1998- my hairdresser noticed a small bald patch behind my right ear.In 3 years it progressed to me being fully bald on my head, and a couple small patches on my arms and legs. When I had lost most of my hair, all but a thin patch, my parents decided to buy a wig for me for Christmas that year. It was amazing how much it helped. It wasnt anything fancy, just a $35 wig from a local wig shop run by an Asian lady. She helped us pick it out, said it flattered my skin tones and looked very natural. It did, and was natural looking.
Since then I have had many wigs, I still buy the $35 wigs at Angie's Beauty Plus and other local wig shops, I am blessed to find many in the area I live now- Atlanta. I have been a redhead, a dark brunette and a light brunette, I have found wigs that almost perfectly match my old hair in color and style. I was even given a blonde Marilyn Monroe style wig -I have only worn it a few times, but wow- it makes me feel very sexy! :)
I tried a few steroid injections in my scalp,seeing no results and not enjoying that much pain at all, I stopped them. I have had no treatment for my alopecia, and from what Ive read, not many of them are effective.
I started to get some hair back -began in 2005, and by last December I had probably 25% of my hair back. Mistakenly, I thought since I had begun to do some self healing and taking better care of myself by eating right and doing yoga and other things to help me be healthier- that this was the cause of the hair growth (I seemed to have forgotten it started growing back in the middle of a very stressful time in my life) Then in January or Feb of this year it began to break off. When I dried my head I could see strands of hair. The follicles were still in my scalp, the hairs had broken off though. Well, by April it was completely gone.And then I noticed my eyebrows were looking thinner. They are now about half gone. This has been just as hard, if not harder to take than losing my hair. I can buy wigs and fake having hair. I cannot really fake eyebrows.
I also have larger patches of hair loss on my arms and legs than before.
It has been a big blow to my already low self esteem. I struggle enough to feel that I am attractive enough to men, being bald and not having eyebrows does not help. I wonder if I can ever find anyone that will find me attractive. I try to tell myself that there is more to me than my hair and eyebrows. Sometimes I listen and sometimes I dont. :(
Well, its getting late, just wanted to post something here.
This looks like a great site for support. :)
Since then I have had many wigs, I still buy the $35 wigs at Angie's Beauty Plus and other local wig shops, I am blessed to find many in the area I live now- Atlanta. I have been a redhead, a dark brunette and a light brunette, I have found wigs that almost perfectly match my old hair in color and style. I was even given a blonde Marilyn Monroe style wig -I have only worn it a few times, but wow- it makes me feel very sexy! :)
I tried a few steroid injections in my scalp,seeing no results and not enjoying that much pain at all, I stopped them. I have had no treatment for my alopecia, and from what Ive read, not many of them are effective.
I started to get some hair back -began in 2005, and by last December I had probably 25% of my hair back. Mistakenly, I thought since I had begun to do some self healing and taking better care of myself by eating right and doing yoga and other things to help me be healthier- that this was the cause of the hair growth (I seemed to have forgotten it started growing back in the middle of a very stressful time in my life) Then in January or Feb of this year it began to break off. When I dried my head I could see strands of hair. The follicles were still in my scalp, the hairs had broken off though. Well, by April it was completely gone.And then I noticed my eyebrows were looking thinner. They are now about half gone. This has been just as hard, if not harder to take than losing my hair. I can buy wigs and fake having hair. I cannot really fake eyebrows.
I also have larger patches of hair loss on my arms and legs than before.
It has been a big blow to my already low self esteem. I struggle enough to feel that I am attractive enough to men, being bald and not having eyebrows does not help. I wonder if I can ever find anyone that will find me attractive. I try to tell myself that there is more to me than my hair and eyebrows. Sometimes I listen and sometimes I dont. :(
Well, its getting late, just wanted to post something here.
This looks like a great site for support. :)
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Comment by Joshua on June 9, 2009 at 2:11am
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Hi Christine,
Welcome to Alopecia World. I love how you ended your blog "Sometimes I listen and sometimes I dont", that also describe myself personally.
Talking about hair follicles, they are extremely robust and capable of hair growth after even years of insult or being arrested for hair development.
Having alopecia areata, I do have some self-esteem issues but sometimes I have great confidence. Unfortunately, the only predictable thing about alopecia areata is unpredictable.
No matter what, do not let alopecia hold you back from something you dream of, your life or do not even let alopecia hold you back from expressing your feelings for someone. Yes, you're right that all of us are more than hair and eyebrows.
Try to be yourself and comfortable no matter where you are. People around you must also learn to accept you as a person and not by depending how much hair you have on your head. If people choose to have friends or boyfriend/girlfriend depending on how many strands of hair one person have, I must truly say that they're not worth it and it would safe you some time or even heartbreaking later only to find out we're surrounded by superficial friends.
I know many friends with alopecia, have absolutely no problem in dating someone they like. I know a friend with alopecia, she is literally "swarmed" by guys and she is currently dating with some she's happy with. She doesnt even wear a wig but she has just recently bought a wig just to change her hairstyle.
Another friend of mine, another girl who is just 18 years, whom she has alopecia and she wears a wig but she doesnt hide it when she's at home or around her friends, she's now off for a Carribean island for vacation with her friends and boyfriend.
I strongly believe that hair has very little to do with being attractive or not EXCEPT for superficial people or unawared people. So support alopecia awareness and as for the superficial arrogant people, they are just going to be part of the society unfortunately.
Be yourself and live your life to the fullest!
God bless.
jt
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Comment by WyldCard on June 10, 2009 at 12:28am
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Hi Christine,
Welcome!
You are not alone. Like you, many many others have gone through it. Some worse, some not as bad.
I am new to all this, but have many issues that you have. Like you, I read that steroids produce little or no effect on hair re-growth.
I'm sure you will find someone. It's hard, but never give up. You never know when love will strike.
Hang in there
-Jay
WyldCard
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