Comment by Yoly on August 25, 2017 at 11:19am

Hello Lina! Your profile picture is amazing. You are beautiful. I am battling a scarring alopecia (LPP) as well AGA. For the past 1 1/2 years since my diagnosis, I have done nothing but think about losing my hair and it makes me so sad. This horrible condition has stolen my joy and I want to be able to smile again and live life. The hardest part is acceptance. Do you have any suggestion. Every morning after breakfast, I sit at my desk and take a slew of supplements. Feels like I'm having a 2nd meal. I feel like nothing has worked in slowing down my hair loss. I've lost about 1/2 the density, thankfully I started with a lot of hair and it's very curly. However, my luck is running out because it's beginning to look super thin especially the bangs and crown area. Sorry, I know I am carrying on..........I hear many people who wear wigs complaining about how uncomfortable and hot they are, especially in the summer. I know everyone is different, but based on your experience, what are your recommendations on wigs, toppers etc. How often do you wash? Can you sleep in them and how do they hold on very windy days? Do you have any book suggestions on how to cope with this depression and acceptance? Thank you so much! xoxo- Yoly

Comment by lina on September 5, 2017 at 12:14am

Hi Yoly!

I'm so sorry you are going through this.  Hair loss affects us, especially women, in so many ways.  I feel your pain!  I went through hell initially-depression, low self esteem, denial, and constantly asking, "why me!?".  I finally realized I had no control and had to do something about it so I started researching because I didn't have much support.  Thank goodness for this site!

Some things I've found:  I know some people have changed their diet drastically and have noticed that the loss slowed down.  I have a friend who has LPP and she found a hair stylist who works on making her hair look fuller.  I have alopecia universalis, therefore, I either wear a wig or go around bald.  It was very difficult for me to wear a wig initially because I couldn't find the right one.  I went through many different ones.  The one I wear now (in the pic) is a silicone cap and sticks to my head without tape.  They can get a little hot in the direct sunlight just like anyone normally would.  I don't feel that they are especially hot, I am very comfortable with it.  I do not like full lace wigs with tape, that to me is very uncomfortable.  I pay a little more for the silicone caps with the monofilament tops but it's worth it.  In your situation you'd be just fine with a topper.  That's what I wore initially and NO ONE ever noticed.  Honestly, if you get a virgin hair topper of good quality you'll love it.  It will make your hair look amazing.  We can talk more about that too.  

I do not sleep in them, I wear a cap and I wash the wig once a week (I have a great method).  I blow dry it out with it on my head but I only recommend that to those who have experience or have had a wig for a while.  You get accustomed on how to treat it without damaging it.  If I want I use a flat iron too!  I've had this wig for over 2 years and it looks great.  I get it dyed once a year because the color can fade.  With all this it doesn't budge.  I've worn it in every situation imaginable, winter, spring, summer, fall, on flights, on amusement rides (I wear a hoodie sweatshirt for extra protection), while skiing, paddle boarding, and the gym.  

As for the coping and depression, I suggest a support group if there is one in your area.  Also, this website is awesome.  What really helped me is youtube, alopecia is increasing in incidence and you'll be surprised on how many people are going through what you are going through and that's helpful.  It really helped me and now I don't even think about it, it's part of me.  (Plus I save a lot of money on stylists and my hair always looks amazing :)

In addition I try to stay healthy, maintain a healthy weight and keep my skin in the best possible condition.  I get a lot of compliments on my skin more than anything else.  I'm a Rodan and Fields consultant and my business keeps me busy and my mind off of the alopecia.

Let's keep in touch, I have a lot more information.  If you need any info please let me know.  Lina

Comment by sampeckard on July 23, 2021 at 4:30am

I will soon be four years old since I have this disease. I admit, at first, I fell into a terrible depression. It seemed to me that everyone was against me. Before, I had to do laser hair removal hounslow, and now I don't grow any hair. It was difficult, but if you have people with you who support and love you no matter how you look, you will not give up in the face of the disease. Many people living with this disease say that they often feel stressed out before a cycle of hair loss. Learning how to manage your stress with a technique that works for you, such as meditation or yoga, may help reduce cycles of hair loss.

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