Comment by jenx on July 23, 2012 at 9:08am

Hi,
Do your friends know about your condition?
Hopefully they do so you can count on their support and you might feel "more ready" knowing they've got your back ;)
They've got pretty cool products on this site...check it out!
With much compassion, Jennifer

Comment by Marinetta on July 23, 2012 at 9:23am

Your not alone Jennifer, I'm in a similar situation only I just graduated from college. New at work :/ and its scary. But lets try to keep our heads up :) There is always the possibility to wear a wig if that would make you more comfortable, I'm leaning towards not wearing one but still not sure. Anytime you need to talk let me know!

Comment by Tallgirl on July 23, 2012 at 9:50am

In high school, I used to wind up what was left of my natural long hair and pin in in a coil under my wig, then use huge bobby-pins in several places to secure the wig to that natural hair. At first I had a half-wig called a fall, with my forehead hair pulled back and barretted over the wig so it looked like my hair was still growing out of my head in front. When too much hair was lost to pin to anything, I got full wigs. It all grew back at age 20, after I stopped all treatments and just partied hardy in college!

The fall stayed on even with a hat on during my Siamese dance numbers in The King and I. How active and topsy-turvy are your dance moves?

Comment by Jennifer on July 23, 2012 at 3:18pm

jenx- A couple of my good friends know, yes, but I've kind of tried to avoid going out so I haven't seen them much this summer, but I know they have my back :). And I will check them out, thank you so much!

Marinetta- Good luck at work, you'll do great! I'm still okay where I can wear my hair in a ponytail and cover the front with a headband. And thank you so much!

Tallgirl- There're a lot or turns and jumps like pirouettes and toe touches and leaps and things like that :) It's pretty active. I'm considering just getting a wig for competitions in the winter!

Comment by Alex on July 23, 2012 at 6:54pm

Hey girl! The best advice I can give to you is to do what makes you the most comfortable. I know that doesn't seem like advice at all, but I mean it. If you think that wearing a wig, scarf, or keeping your hair in a ponytail will make you happy, then that's what you do. If you think that you want to go 'bald,' then do that. None of us with alopecia can tell you what will work best. We can only tell you what works best for us. Try some different options. Go one day without covering it up and see how you feel. Another day go with something to cover it up. Trial and error will lead you to the way that you feel most comfortable.

As far as dealing and coping with alopecia: there will be ups and there will be downs. Some days will be awesome and you're going to feel great, and unfortunately some days you're going to feel upset about it. Those are the days when you come here. There are so many people that are in a very similar situation, and you DO NOT have to go through it alone. We are all here, through good and bad, to help out someone that needs it. (Otherwise this website wouldn't exist!!) Sometimes all it takes is to know that you aren't the only one.

I hope this helps you in some way! Feel free to ask me anything if you need it! Don't be shy! =)

Comment by You can do it : ) on July 23, 2012 at 10:54pm

Follow your intuition. Sometimes it is not easy to be who you feel is the real you. I am now 22 and have had aa since I was 8. I am not gonna lie and tell you it will not be a hard journey. It has its highs and lows. A lot of times you look in the mirror you will have a self esteem battle. Confide in your friends and family or someone whom you are close to or trust. Try to find a support group in your area, I just got the courarge to go to my first one a month ago and I am looking forward to the next (even though I am not that type )
Glad you found this site, don't hesitate to vent
Good luck

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