Not everyone who has alopecia loses all their hair.
And, of course, it’s not something anyone needs to be ashamed of.
So let’s get to the facts.
Courtesy of Ebony Jean.
There are several kinds of alopecia and they all include some level of hair loss.
But the exact cause isn’t well understood.
Treatment and recovery often depends on the severity of your alopecia.
Courtesy of Ebony Jean.
If it’s more widespread, though, yourdoctor may recommendsteroid injections or topical medications.
Although some people witheven more severe symptomsmay see hair regrowth eventually, there’s currently no cure for alopecia.
That means that finding a specialist well versed in managing your symptoms is crucial.
Courtesy of Dorothy.
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“I was officially given a diagnosis by a dermatologist on February 1, 2018.
However, I first noticed a bald spot in May 2017, while I was traveling in South America.
Courtesy of Brooke.
It’s something that hits me every now and again.
“However, officially getting a diagnosis was ultimately grounding.
While that is an important option and valid for some, I was extremely disheartened.
“I shaved my head in August 2017, and let me tell you, it was liberating!
My beauty tip: do whatever the hell you want.
I have it easy, really.
I made it to 22 with a head full of Rapunzel hair.
I had hair through middle school.
Everyone asks about pubic hair!
When I am in public, you wouldnt believe some of the things people say.
Some days are hard.
But overall, I have it easy.
“I wish more people knew alopecia existed!
Personally, I am open about talking about alopecia and what it is, but not everyone is.
kindly know I’ll be praying for you,' statement.”
“At the age of 10, I had one bald patch that came and disappeared.
I was brought to the pediatrician by my mom.
After meeting with the dermatologist, I was given an official diagnosis of alopecia areata.
We started treatment immediately, which was topical ointments and injections into my scalp.
“After finding out my diagnosis, I became depressed.
Losing my hair and being in junior high school wasn’t easyI was a huge target for bullying.
There were also rumors going around that I had cancer.
The bullying that I experienced caused me to be self-conscious of my appearance and insecure.
A side effect of having alopecia is also ridges and brittleness in both fingernails and toenails.
“Every morning I wake up, pencil in my eyebrows, and apply false eyelashes.
You never realize how important eyelashes are until you lose them; airborne particles can be a pain.
After applying my makeup, my last step in getting ready is applying my wig.
Then I am set to conquer the day.
I host an annual event at my local minor league baseball team stadium for alopecia areata awareness.
“A diagnosis of alopecia areata is not the end of the world.
If you are struggling with this diagnosis, kindly know you are not the only one.
Find a local support group meeting or find support atnaaf.org.”
“I was diagnosed in 1995, at the age of 4 (going on 5).
She called my doctor and explained what was happening.
“Things didn’t really affect me until transitioning to grade school.
This stirred up issues of bullying, leaving me feeling insecure and self-conscious.
“The hardest part of having alopecia is wearing wigs and finding ones that are stylish, yet affordable.
I began wearing wigs at the age of 9, when my hair fell out for the final time.
My mom made my very first headband wig.
Together, my mother and I have spent thousands of dollars on hairpieces just so I could look presentable.
“I wish more people knew that it is not cancer-related, nor a life-threatening disease.
It is strictly hair loss.
“Today I am a legislative liaison for NAAF representing Michigan.
I am alsoa YouTuber, pageant girl, and a self-taught makeup artist!”
“I was officially diagnosed with alopecia in November 2016.
I saw two doctors and then requested a dermatologist who ordered a scalp biopsy.
The biopsy results ruled out lupus, and I was confirmed to have alopecia with diffuse hair loss.
“After my diagnosis, I felt devastated and relieved all at the same time.
“The major symptoms I have experienced are the cyclical hair loss that came with an emotional toll.
I was constantly hopeful then depressed every time my hair started growing back and then falling out again.
I felt sorry for myself and had low self-confidence.
I had an amazing time celebrating being bald, bold, and beautiful.
“When I first diagnosed with areata, my doctor attributed it to stress.
I had just lost my mother a couple years before to breast cancer.
Breast cancer runs through my family like a deep root within our family tree.
That was the first year I had a mammogram.
I was 11; it was all clear.
I was about to start high school and was afraid of the teasing that would ensue.
“I stopped all perms and relaxers because I thought that could have contributed to me losing my hair.
I found cunning ways to cover it up.
“One day, I woke up and the spots became oil spills pooling over my scalp.
They were becoming harder to cover.
I eventually decided to shave my head with the encouragement from friends.
I wore a beanie for a few weeks.
Shortly after, my best friend went with me to purchase a wig we affectionately named Yonce.
“I had hope my hair would grow back, it didnt.
I was diagnosed with totalis at 24.
Being diagnosed with universalis at 26 was the next step.
Ive gone through these past six years with kohl eyeliner and bright red lipstick as my go-to without fail.
I occasionally grow back wispy hairs and eyelashes here and there.
The occasional sinus or ear infection plagues you.
I deal with it by keeping my skin well moisturized and I trim the occasional errant hair.
Exfoliating is also part of my weekly regimen.
“The hardest part of having alopecia is allergies.
Living in Texas, nothing is consistent.
I attempt to stay on top of my allergy forecast.
“Sometimes the looks and whispers can be embarrassing and make sad.
But above all, I know who I am.
My baldness doesnt define me, its a part of me and its not worth being hidden.
Im not sick, Im just bald.
I rather you not jump to conclusions.
hey ask me before assuming.”
I was in nursing school and had been losing a lot of hair in the shower.
But I had thick hair so it wasnt too big of a deal.
One day while pulling my hair up into a bun, I noticed a bald spot.
“It immediately freaked me out so I called my mom.
One spot became two.
Two became half my head.
And within three days I was bald.
They did several scalp biopsies and took a shocking amount of blood.
They told me I had alopecia areata.
They said I was born with anautoimmune disease, and as a result my body attacks itself.
One of the symptoms is alopecia.
“I felt devastated, shocked, angry, heartbroken, ugly, masculine, and hopeless.
I get regrowth that continues to come and go, so I shave my head.
I have major scalp tenderness that can sometimes cause my head to become raw and bleed.
I also get sickveryeasily, very often and have a hard time getting rid of it.
I catch pretty much every illness.
I also experience chronic fatigue on a daily basis.
Thats not including the obvious ways it affects me, as a young woman, emotionally.
Or the ways it affects my social, personal, and professional life.
“For someone who loves an alopecian, that empathy and kindness goes a long way in supporting us.
If you dont get what were going through, thats okay.
Just be kind and practice patience.
Also, imagining how you might feel living your daily life in their shoes might help.
Those Facebook groups made it so much easier!
The alopecia family is one unlike any other.”
“I was diagnosed when I was 15 and a sophomore in high school.
“I felt confused, scared, but also somehow distanced from the condition.
“The hardest part is the unpredictability of it all.
Is today the day I go bald and never have hair again?
Is it all coming back tomorrow?
Are my eyelashes gone for good?
No one can answer these questions, and there are no medications specifically for alopecia.
“Alopecia is as muchif not morea mental struggle than a physical one.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
