Comment by Devon on September 6, 2011 at 10:51pm

Natalie! Thank you so so much for all of the information! I'm hoping and praying my alopecia won't get any worse than the spots I have now. I can cover most of it up really well so that makes me happy. I looked into clip on extensions and they may be a possibility... that way I can add length/volume when I feel its necessary. My school doesn't allow hats or scarves but I will find a way to conceal it :) I just feel self concious. Even though I can hide it I feel that every time someone looks at me they're noticing my hair. Although they probably don't even notice, my mind plays tricks on me. So I'm constantly worrying! My dad had a stroke and I think the emotions/stress of all of that added to my hair loss and made it worse. I also have been diagnosed with Telogen effluvium (hair loss due to stress) so I'm hoping that once I calm down and life returns to normal, so will my hair. I appreciate your support SO much! Thank you:)

Comment by Tallgirl on September 6, 2011 at 11:55pm

Go make an appeal to the School Board. Get on the agenda ahead of time. Have an alopecia support group member and dermatologist with you to attest to the bullying, psycholoical/emotional aspects, no-cure and unpredictability of the condition, and the social/concentration needs of a teen female student. Get them to make an exception to the hat and scarf policy, and give you a note to carry with you if challenged by teachers, hall monitors, administrators, or students.

Comment by Tallgirl on September 7, 2011 at 12:04am

Just do an internet search for the words "half wig."

Comment by Diana Carter on September 7, 2011 at 11:31am

Devon, I am sure you already know this, but you have found a terrific site for support and understanding. I was diagnosed with AA last October, after my initial hair loss in August. My comfort and strength comes from many of those here who have gone before me :) I am not sure if this would meet you where you are, as far as needs go, but I remember at the conference they had some kind of scalp dyes, so that the bald patches are less obvious...Hoping someone will know more info than me..sorry. I just wanted to let you know about that, as there are all kinds of products out there. I am new to this too, and I know how you feel! You are BEAUTIFUL!

Comment by Mary122184 on September 7, 2011 at 11:29pm

Hi Devon! I think I can really relate to your story. I am an 18 year old college freshman. (Just started two weeks ago). My senior year I noticed little spots, maybe three no bigger than a quarter. I knew it was alopecia right away. I went to a doctor and got injections. Well, my eyebrows starting falling out. I'd say June 2010 and completely gone by November 2010. Then I'd get injected in spot A on my scalp, but spot D would appear...then I'd get injections in A and D but F would appear...Yes, in some areas regrowth did occur, but it was falling out everywhere else. My head hurt all of the time because your head is literally swollen at the bald spots. My doctor told me that he could do an MRI on me and find the next spot and current spots on the scan! But, that's a waste of time because you can't prevent anything. Well, being stubborn as I am, I purchased Calosol -against my mother's will. THAT DID NOT WORK, IT WAS A MONEY SCAM. Only $50 a bottle, but for a poor senior like me, that was alot. Do not, I repeat, do not buy those things. Use your educated mind and think of the old western stereotype of "Miracle Grow!" and how old men would rub oil on their heads because some "doctor" told them so. I will admit, there is one I am considering...(search hair up on alopecia world…but it’s taking me 4 months to decide if it’s worth it). Back to my story. I am a very chill and zen person. I was also a 17 year old too. I did not want anyone to know! Hell, I still don't! Yes I had a boyfriend, a boy who I am still with, but he can't ever relate. It wasn't happening to him! So I went my senior year mostly wearing my hair in a ponytail to hide my spots. Then the left side started falling out, so I would pull a piece over to the side in a part. Oh, and I was a big cross country/track runner too, so I had to get creative! Well, needless to say, a few days after graduation my alopecia got the best of me. I was so depressed and so upset that I literally sat in my room and cried for two days straight. When I finally went out (to the pool) I started crying there because I didn't want my boyfriend to splash me to get my hair wet! (or what was left of it). Well, those three days of worrying about it made it ten times worse. After that I only had a mohawk of hair left. I had long stringy hair. So I got a hairpiece. I HATED it at first and cried over that...then I cut it to fit my old style...and still cried. But when I saw people that I just graduated with, they just thought I got a trendy new haircut! They didn't know! And still don't! I cut the rest of my real hair to my chin because it only got tangled. Then, my head got really sore. It was red, itchy, and bleeding. It hurt to move my little hair to the "wrong" side. So two days ago, I shaved it. Yes, I cried. Yes my boyfriend cried. And yes, my roommate who knows the whole story also cried. Okay, so I guess you are reading this and saying “why is this girl talking about crying?” What I am trying to say in the most hurried way possible is it is okay to cry about it. I know first hand! I was you! I cried when my hair fell out. I had all of these guys drool over me before my senior year. Once my hair fell out I felt so ugly! I’m not calling you ugly by the way. I am just trying to prepare you for the worst…which is likely. Once I shaved my head I did not want to look at it. It has been two days and today I really looked at it. I scrubbed it in the shower to remove all of the dead skin and bad memories. Before when I had the chin-length Mohawk hairs my head looked terrible. Once I shaved my head: my wig fit 10x better, my head was nowhere near as irritated, and I could see regrowth!!! Turns out, I am growing these teensy tiny white hairs. Well, being a natural brunette, I get worried. Turns out, your hair is only 1% pigment. If you have tiny white hairs that means I am 99% there! That’s progress right? Shaving my head made it easier to apply aloe (which I use because my head used to be dry and ir

Comment by FANCY1024 on September 8, 2011 at 2:46pm

Hi Devon, I've been losing my hair (for the 2nd time) for over a year and half. I now have 3 bald spots. I've actually gotten a wiglet which I ordered from a shop in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This wiglet is the best! This lady, Nancy helped me pick out the wiglet and color. She did an exceptional job. Everyone I've told about the wiglet was amazed that I was wearing one (Including my hairdresser of over 20 years). The color matched my hair exactly and once I got my hair layered, it looked fabulous. I've gotten myself confidence back and I actually feel pretty again! I went through the scalp injections for over a year and they did not help me at all. I'm so glad to hear they've been working for you! If you live near the Pittsfield area and want the location, please let me know. I'll be glad to share the information with you and any others that want it. Di

Comment by Natalie on September 8, 2011 at 3:27pm

Hi Devon! I totally know what you mean about feeling self-conscious about the hair loss! I always thought that one of my spots was showing, and I was totally freaked out about going out on a windy day where one of my spots might show! Take care, and remember we are always here for you at Alopecia World to lend a word of encouragement or a smile :)

Comment by Rose on September 8, 2011 at 7:16pm

Hi Devon,

I too have had the scalp injections on and off for many, many years. I'm at a point where I think I'm going to stop the injections for awhile. Sometimes they seem to work great and other times it seems like unneccessary pain and suffering. I've had to deal with hiding bald spots, different sizes in different spots since I was 7 years old. Many a days I longed to be able to put my hair in a pony tail or do some of the cute hair styles that I'd see other girls/women do. I'm 48 years old and what I've learned about this disease is that it's unpredicatable...completely unpredicatable. One of the hardest things for me has been to live in the moment of how much hair I do have...not what I'm losing or have already lost. When I think back most of my anxiety about my bald spots were about whether they were getting bigger or if they were noticable from this angle or that angle. My recommendation to you is to really try to follow your own heart, listen to what it is you feel you need or want and you can change your mind any given moment. I've now chosen to shave my head and not to wear a wig. I do however wear scarves and hats most of the time. Tomorrow I may decide on a wig. Next month my hair may grow back. I send you lots of love and support on your journey.

Comment by Mary122184 on September 9, 2011 at 5:08pm

Hi Devon! I think I can really relate to your story. I am an 18 year old college freshman. (Just started two weeks ago). My senior year I noticed little spots, maybe three no bigger than a quarter. I knew it was alopecia right away. I went to a doctor and got injections. Well, my eyebrows starting falling out. I'd say June 2010 and completely gone by November 2010. Then I'd get injected in spot A on my scalp, but spot D would appear...then I'd get injections in A and D but F would appear...Yes, in some areas regrowth did occur, but it was falling out everywhere else. My head hurt all of the time because your head is literally swollen at the bald spots. My doctor told me that he could do an MRI on me and find the next spot and current spots on the scan! But, that's a waste of time because you can't prevent anything. Well, being stubborn as I am, I purchased Calosol -against my mother's will. THAT DID NOT WORK, IT WAS A MONEY SCAM. Only $50 a bottle, but for a poor senior like me, that was alot. Do not, I repeat, do not buy those things. Use your educated mind and think of the old western stereotype of "Miracle Grow!" and how old men would rub oil on their heads because some "doctor" told them so. I will admit, there is one I am considering...(search hair up on alopecia world…but it’s taking me 4 months to decide if it’s worth it). Back to my story. I am a very chill and zen person. I was also a 17 year old too. I did not want anyone to know! Hell, I still don't! Yes I had a boyfriend, a boy who I am still with, but he can't ever relate. It wasn't happening to him! So I went my senior year mostly wearing my hair in a ponytail to hide my spots. Then the left side started falling out, so I would pull a piece over to the side in a part. Oh, and I was a big cross country/track runner too, so I had to get creative! Well, needless to say, a few days after graduation my alopecia got the best of me. I was so depressed and so upset that I literally sat in my room and cried for two days straight. When I finally went out (to the pool) I started crying there because I didn't want my boyfriend to splash me to get my hair wet! (or what was left of it). Well, those three days of worrying about it made it ten times worse. After that I only had a mohawk of hair left. I had long stringy hair. So I got a hairpiece. I HATED it at first and cried over that...then I cut it to fit my old style...and still cried. But when I saw people that I just graduated with, they just thought I got a trendy new haircut! They didn't know! And still don't! I cut the rest of my real hair to my chin because it only got tangled. Then, my head got really sore. It was red, itchy, and bleeding. It hurt to move my little hair to the "wrong" side. So two days ago, I shaved it. Yes, I cried. Yes my boyfriend cried. And yes, my roommate who knows the whole story also cried. Okay, so I guess you are reading this and saying “why is this girl talking about crying?” What I am trying to say in the most hurried way possible is it is okay to cry about it. I know first hand! I was you! I cried when my hair fell out. I had all of these guys drool over me before my senior year. Once my hair fell out I felt so ugly! I’m not calling you ugly by the way. I am just trying to prepare you for the worst…which is likely. Once I shaved my head I did not want to look at it. It has been two days and today I really looked at it. I scrubbed it in the shower to remove all of the dead skin and bad memories. Before when I had the chin-length Mohawk hairs my head looked terrible. Once I shaved my head: my wig fit 10x better, my head was nowhere near as irritated, and I could see regrowth!!! Turns out, I am growing these teensy tiny white hairs. Well, being a natural brunette, I get worried. Turns out, your hair is only 1% pigment. If you have tiny white hairs that means I am 99% there! That’s progress right? Shaving my head made it easier to apply aloe (which I use because my head used to be dry and ir

Comment by Devon on September 9, 2011 at 10:29pm

Hello Everyone!!!
Thank you so much for all of your stories and kind messages!!
I'm getting my second round of injections on Tuesday. I'm noticing more tufts of hair coming back!! Although hair is still falling out, seeing new hair keeps me hopeful :) I also have T.E. along with alopecia so since my stress level is lower that should help!

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