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Comment by Tallgirl on June 19, 2012 at 10:58am

In the small, rural, redneck town I landed it, I tend to wear wigs or hats in public. However, I am slowly shocking/desensitizing/forcing my "closeness" of trim with ladies in some of my private groups (church, diet, poetry) or with grandson, when it is dripping hot in temps and I cannot stand to have anything on my head. Also, on long summer rides in the car, I just lay the wig on the car seat when out of town. I think it depends on the type of people in a town one has to encounter, and the type of job and clientele. Bigger cities, with more avant garde clothing and attitudes in general, would be safer places to go bald.

I appreciate the men who have had relatives with alopecia or early hair loss themselves, because they can understand me more. I also realize that not everyone, even such men, can be totally clear on what hair loss means to their own lives, outlooks, and communication with/support of others. Hurtful words can still spill out. It is ALL a growth (or not. Ha ha.) process!

Comment by Cindie on June 19, 2012 at 9:35am

I've said this before...I can't wait to retire and say goodbye to the wigs and all the work it takes to keep them up! In the arena I work in, I have to wear them.........looking "outside of the mainstream" won't work....and I am not about to blow a retirement in year 23 of employment to "prove a point." People can chatter on all they want about how "it is about your attitude toward alopecia.." Well, I've accepted it...a long time ago, but that doesn't mean that the "powers that be" who control my livelihood have accepted it.

Comment by Norm on June 19, 2012 at 5:59am

As someone who doesn't have what's usually thought of as alopecia, but who's spent time with some peeps who have, I've deliberately observed the reactions of The World At Large and noticed that generally, these days... there isn't one. Most people don't notice or don't care, and any looks are more of curiosity than outright shock. I think a tipping point was reached a while ago, with more famous women going bald for film roles, and the popularity of head-shaving charity events, so it's something that's within people's experience. Coupled with the number of bald guys around these days, seeing a bald head, even on a woman, just isn't a big deal any more. It's not quite "mainstream" just yet - women aren't going out in droves and shaving their heads as a fashion choice - but it's close (sorry, bad pun!).... there are a lot of side-shaves already.

There seems to be a lot more space in the world for people to be different, and to express themselves, than ever before. Even though, at the moment, some people will assume it's cancer, for a woman to be able to go out and about bald without worrying what others will think or say can only be a good thing.

Comment by wendizzle on June 18, 2012 at 2:49pm

Oh my gosh! I was just thinking the same thing recently. I, too, am having trouble thinking of things to blog about. ;)

It's still hard to see myself in the mirror at home though if my husband is around. He's been great--it's about how I see myself. I didn't think I was "pretty enough" for him before I lost my hair. But that's another discussion for another day. :)

Comment by Mary on June 17, 2012 at 1:10pm

Thank you, Caroline! Trying to help other women here on AW has been a huge help to me in this journey.

Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on June 16, 2012 at 11:21pm

Caroline, you brought up a very important point, on how even us "oldies" are needed on Alopecia World. If not for themselves than to pass on encouragement to the next alopecian.

At this point, I am pretty sure that I would go to an interview bald. I think I need to work the same way I live. Which at this point is bald (I shave, I am areata).

There is also the possibility that perhaps I just don't see the looks I may be getting. The questions becomes, have people stopped staring or am I not noticing. I tend to make eye contact with people as I pass them but maybe I will do a little self-survey and see what I notice. I may regret doing that and want to go back to denial! LOL!

Comment by caroline on June 16, 2012 at 9:30pm

also im 44 and hoping to do a law degree !!! alopecia has changed me but its for the beter!

Comment by caroline on June 16, 2012 at 9:26pm

you ladies are sum of the ones that when i first joined 2years ago really helped me cope because i saw that you were all ok now 2years on (18mths) universalis! im not as far as going wigless ( i find it too cold amongst other things ) but im ok too so please keep coming back because withput ladies such as yourselves new people would be lost + thankyou especially mary, tall girl,cheryl seeing u love yourselves bald helped me to love myself and literally saved me in those very scary early days x x x

Comment by Mary on June 16, 2012 at 1:34pm

Yeah!!!Good for you. Who knows, maybe I would've done it too, but I'll never know. My law days are far behind me now. Tonight I'm performing with my band in front of about 200 people - and I'll probably have my scarf off within the first two numbers.

Comment by Susan P aka DGADBS on June 16, 2012 at 9:38am

I'm a legal secretary, I'm at the court house almost daily, plus I attended jury duty a few weeks ago, all bald. It's how you present yourself and not what others are going to think of you. People tell me "don't change a thing" and I run with that.

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