I found another awesome web page today! 🙂 Its called “Women’s Hair Loss Project”
I am TOTALLY in-love with the initiative! So In-love with it that this particular post has been named after the site’s mission statement 🙂
It offers forums, research updates and stories of people’s experiences from all over (I’m about to become one of them ;)).
This is EXACTLY what I want to offer to women in my society and elsewhere…. I guess with time though!.. but in the meantime PLEASE take a moment to click on the link above. I doubt you will regret it 🙂
I actually thought I was a freak when in mid-2007 my hair started falling out. I thought to myself, “This only happens to men! I must be a hermaphrodite or something :(” … and then later that year it happened! I found out that two of my co-workers in the company I worked at the time were experiencing the same thing 😮
I kept my bald patch a secret for a year and finally shaved my head shortly before Christmas just a while after my colleagues had done the same 🙂
Along with the two ladies having the same issue, I got lots of psychological and emotional support from family, friends and other colleagues. For one thing, I worked for a South African company at the time, and so a bald headed black woman wasn’t such a big deal. People only thought I was South African (Lol!) and when I said I wasn’t, they would commented on how the look suited me :), but that wasn’t always the case. Not everyone is comfy around a completely bald woman 😀
Coming out with the truth about my condition filled me with a MAJOR sense of relief. However, that didn’t stop the me from feeling less of a woman… My hair was gone and with it went my self-esteem …or so I thought. 😐
There were days when I cried bitterly, and others when I JUST HATED OTHER LADIES. I missed being able to put extensions in my hair TERRIBLY!, and the almost Asian look I had each time I packed my hair back into a tight ponytail.
In my search for answers about my condition, I did a lot of online research and by that I came across videos on Youtube.com of women like myself and sadly, even little girls who had summoned up the courage to voice-out about their condition. This REALLY encouraged me.
One particular link I subscribed to shortly after is Alopeciaworld’s Channel. They’ve got awesome stories on girls and women alike. Some with even happy endings 😀
Here’s one of them :):
Once in a while I go to this site and others alike, and I find strength in the different stories… I would encourage you to do the same. 🙂
This is just to let you know that you are not alone in the battle against “Alopecia” of any kind. My first experience of major hair loss was in 2007, I have been a victim of “Alopecia areata” ever since. Can’t say its been easy. I initially had to battle with a self-esteem problem.
It was one thing when I finally decided to own up to the problem and totally shave my hair
off in late 2008, but making a topic of the issue and writing about it REALLY made the difference.
In “An Ode to My Hair” , which I wrote in early 2011, I was able to make fun of myself for the first time, while simultaneously educating people on what it was that had brought me to the point of my shaven head.
I just recently made some more noise about this hair of mine, Its more on the positive side though. The growth of my hair seems to be improving and so I have written “Hey Alopecia Sister!” as a sort of celebration (lol!).
I am aware that these posts have been and will be viewed, but what do I hope is for some Alopecia Sister to actually see these posts, and be left with a smile across her face.
… you are not alone.
Good news folks! My scalp and hair seem to be doing sooooo much better! its not quite there yet but its an improvement :)…
Here are some of the things that have worked for me in my battle against Alopecia:
Quit smoking!… Just kidding. QUIT STRESSING!: I use to stress over the littlest things. There was my job, my looks, my family, my relationship. but now I stress over only one thing… HOW TO MAKE MYSELF HAPPY!
If it looks bad then SHAVE IT OFF!!!!: You heard me! Shave it off babe. Its not going to get any better with an uneven look. with the space created on your scalp it only makes room for easier loss of other strands of hair. I know this sounds hard to do but cut it all off and then start from scratch. And trust me, there is no mid way. A low cut will only look NASTY so take it ALL OFF!
L.L.L– LEARN TO LOVE YOUR LOOK: Yes, I know Alopecia can be a female dog but hey Sweetie, if you don’t get over the shame of a bald patch on your head then no one else will. YOU have to make people comfortable about your condition and look. SO GET OVER IT! (Words coming from a victim). Don’t be ashamed to flaunt a bald head once in a while, and where you find it uncomfortable then you have your wigs and what have you. If you can learn to be less self conscious about your bald look and quit obsessing over that problem, you will have a clearer head trying to combat the situation.
Shampoo and Conditioning: I do it CONSTANTLY. Its great therapy, especially if you deep condition with products thats repairs weak roots. Also apply good hair cream/a live in conditioner that also aids in root repair.
Massages: ALWAYS give your scalp a GOOD massage during both washing, conditioning, and Oiling exercises, I’m told it aids in the circulation of blood in the scalp and the stimulation of hair follicles. The circular movement of the tips of the fingers on the scalp is one technique. I have also been told that scrubbing of the scalp with a brush not only opens closed pores but also helps in circulation and stimulation.
Eating Healthy: Still trying to master that part but it helps. I do more vegetables these days, its not only helped my hair but also the growth of my nails.
That cut that fits!: As your hair grows you may find a few patches here and there, so you want to find a GOOD barber that will trim the hair into eventually masking these spots…. (P.S- this takes time and lots of patience on both ends)
A FAIR WARNING!: Please do not be disappointed if your hair is not as full and lush as it once was…. You need to give it some time and in that time do try to keep away from hair extensions and weaves no matter how inviting!
Okay, I’m going to sound like a bit of a pessimist right about now so do forgive me. Its possible that you and I may never have the same look we had before this dreadful condition struck but my advice is FREE IT! Free the situation and let your head just BE!
Stop focusing on what you have lost and love and appreciate what you have…..
Putting fingers to keyboard for the first time on blogger.com and my premier blog is dedicated to my hair… I have suffered from Alopecia for the past 3 years now…
Don’t be fooled, A LOT of women in our society suffer from this problem along with other forms of Alopecia, but with the help of what we in 9ja now tag “Brazilian” (wigs and weaves alike), most of us babes are saved. I however, grew tired of being safe and hiding the damage that had befallen my hair, and chose to cut off what was left. Luckily I’m told the bald look fits, although there are some that would beg to differ 😉 …
I still miss having locks on my head. For one thing, I won’t be hearing my man tell me how he loves running his fingers through my hair anytime soon…. (I’m still under going treatment).
In the bid to encourage me to grow my hair by those who are ignorant of my condition, I’m often reminded of the verse in the bible that says “a woman’s hair is her glory” but is it really in today’s world?…. The truth is, a major population of “WOMAN” in our society hardly even wears the hair on her head with pride, and whatever substitute she has on her head has become her glory no longer, but her vanity. What was once seen as glory, that is woman’s natural hair is now seen as untidy, un-sexy, and just down right old age to some..No, MOST…. Even natural lashes are almost a sin!
I keep neither natural hair nor “horses tail” as some may joke about wigs & weaves. I am “The African Queen” (Lol!)… and though sometimes I do miss being able to use the phrase “the feel of wind in my hair”, I’ve sort of become ac-costume to the feel of the wind on my scalp; Yes, I sometimes reminisce about packing an 8 to 12 inch on my head and the different styles that would come with it, but I am learning daily to be comfortable in my own skin and that is what is important.
I may not have hair on my head but in my heart I know I still have glory…
My God understands….. and I’m sure the Apostles would have too if they had known about Alopecia 😉
O! and don’t try commenting on how I should wear a wig… that is just a tool for disaster!
You can imagine the different embarrassing scenarios one would have to avoid, e.g carrying an inquisitive baby; windy days, just to mention a few…. And I just HATE a life of inhibition!
Without Hair Chronicles 