Ok, so this is not your typical Alopecia I'm guessing.
Years down the road, my hair grew back, I had long beautiful, healthy black hair.
It's true what they say, you never realize what you have until it's gone...for the second time!!!
I was very, (very) , good at convincing myself that I've been through this before and after all, it's just hair, blah, blah, blah.
But no, this time, it hit HARD.
It had been a year that we had moved into our new house, and it was finally feeling more like a home (than a house). And I had kept all my wigs packaged in a sealed a storage box. I would ask myself if I needed to be hanging on the wigs (about 20 of them_).
I came close to getting rid of them.
How did it happen? With a round spot, the size of a loonie, right in the middle of the front of my head. You couldn't miss it!! And so, as the weeks went by, I kept an eye on it. It was very obvious and so many people asked. I pretended like I had no clue. I was wishing it would vanish.
And gradually, I felt my pony tail thin out. Of course, denial was my best bet.
Just hang in there hair....you've got this.
I bought shampoos, leave in treatments, you name it. I had a cupboard full.
Nothing helped.
Wearing a wig the second time around is a lot harder. It is more uncomfortable than I remember, and it is itchy, and tight with my glasses on.
Can I get used to it again? Do I have a choice?
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Monday, 28 September 2015
The gym with or without hair
I came to a stand still today, as I gazed at my face in the mirror in the locker room of the gym.
As I washed my hands, I began to consider the possibility of removing my wig. I knew I had a bandana in my gym bag.
I opted out.
The first thing I would have to do is be aware and conscience about the fact that everyone who knew me would notice right away that I had no hair underneath that bandana.
The second thing I would have to deal with was the debate of putting the wig back on after the workout and walking out with my long black hair.
All in all , the thought certainly did cross my mind. It maybe lasted an entire 20 seconds.
I chickened out. I'll sweat under the wig for the time being, it seems simpler than confronting the reality of alopecia, for today, anyways.
As I washed my hands, I began to consider the possibility of removing my wig. I knew I had a bandana in my gym bag.
I opted out.
The first thing I would have to do is be aware and conscience about the fact that everyone who knew me would notice right away that I had no hair underneath that bandana.
The second thing I would have to deal with was the debate of putting the wig back on after the workout and walking out with my long black hair.
All in all , the thought certainly did cross my mind. It maybe lasted an entire 20 seconds.
I chickened out. I'll sweat under the wig for the time being, it seems simpler than confronting the reality of alopecia, for today, anyways.
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
In it for the money
Wow, I'm about to say something that might come as a real shock but I would rather say it so other people out there know. The wig business is a strange business and as I guess it is growing , there is obviously more competition.
Wig shops have online competition and therefore, keep in mind that if you are purchasing from a ``wig`` consultant, you are also paying salaries and rent.
Is a consultant necessary? I recommend seeing a consultant if you are experiencing hair loss and need guidance and expertise. I do not recommend a consultant if you are a long time wig wearer. Once you know the different types of wigs, the different type of wig brands, I recommend simply buying online.
The reason I feel compelled to warn you of so said consultants who charge 1.5 times the price of a wig, is because I heard a story today at my son's school. One of the teachers was telling me how much she paid for her wig (she has cancer), and knowing exactly what wig she was referring to, I was disgusted to hear how much she had paid for it. I came home and called around (to the place she made her purchase) and realized that this wig shop was ripping innocent women off.
PLEASE do some research before walking into a wig shop....!!!
Wig shops have online competition and therefore, keep in mind that if you are purchasing from a ``wig`` consultant, you are also paying salaries and rent.
Is a consultant necessary? I recommend seeing a consultant if you are experiencing hair loss and need guidance and expertise. I do not recommend a consultant if you are a long time wig wearer. Once you know the different types of wigs, the different type of wig brands, I recommend simply buying online.
The reason I feel compelled to warn you of so said consultants who charge 1.5 times the price of a wig, is because I heard a story today at my son's school. One of the teachers was telling me how much she paid for her wig (she has cancer), and knowing exactly what wig she was referring to, I was disgusted to hear how much she had paid for it. I came home and called around (to the place she made her purchase) and realized that this wig shop was ripping innocent women off.
PLEASE do some research before walking into a wig shop....!!!
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Quality vs quantity
See below for some wig website!!!
Over the past decade, my philosophy on wig purchases has somewhat changed.
After my initial diagnosis, I invested an initial $4000.00 CAN on a contract to purchase 3 human hair quality wigs.
Each one was a special order and the maintenance on these required time for grooming and styling. I still have these 3 wigs which are still in excellent condition. Problem is, I find them boring and i hardly have the patience required to flat iron and style them.
After being initiated to my first synthetic wig ( the Scorpion by Revlon), for a dime of the price to say the least, I realized that the easy wear and go of a synthetic wig fitted into my lifestyle and the simplicity of being able to easily replace it was less of a stress and also exciting.
Since then, I have a collection of synthetic wigs which have been kept safely in the sealed ziploc bags, with ID labels of the make and color code.
At first, all my purchases went through my consultant and trusted stylist till one day I fell upon the wonderful playground of all the online wig websites. You have to have some experience when venturing on these websites and by getting to know the different terms and model, you get an idea of the quality and craftsmanship of the types of wigs. doing a bit of research certainly goes a long way and I have saved thousands of dollars by purchasing directly online and avoiding the markup from the middle man,
By far, I can say that discovering new wigs is still as fascinating to me as it was at the beginning.
Although, I still insist that for anyone with alopecia, having a quality wig is crucial.
The cheaper wigs wear out, shed and tangle and are not meant to be worn everyday. When purchasing a cheaper wig online, I always order 2 or 3 of the same one to ensure I can wear the same style for at least 3 months. .
`When I find a make and model that suits me, I tend to purchase the same unit in different colors. That way, it doesn't overwhelm fiends or co-workers...,lol
My husband also gives me feedback and I must say that not all of my purchases have been successful, some we have had a good laugh and I have never worn, not even around the house!!
http://www.isishair.com/
http://www.wigtypes.com/
http://www.hairstopandshop.com/shop/pc/home.asp
http://www.lhboutique.com/
Over the past decade, my philosophy on wig purchases has somewhat changed.
After my initial diagnosis, I invested an initial $4000.00 CAN on a contract to purchase 3 human hair quality wigs.
Each one was a special order and the maintenance on these required time for grooming and styling. I still have these 3 wigs which are still in excellent condition. Problem is, I find them boring and i hardly have the patience required to flat iron and style them.
After being initiated to my first synthetic wig ( the Scorpion by Revlon), for a dime of the price to say the least, I realized that the easy wear and go of a synthetic wig fitted into my lifestyle and the simplicity of being able to easily replace it was less of a stress and also exciting.
Since then, I have a collection of synthetic wigs which have been kept safely in the sealed ziploc bags, with ID labels of the make and color code.
At first, all my purchases went through my consultant and trusted stylist till one day I fell upon the wonderful playground of all the online wig websites. You have to have some experience when venturing on these websites and by getting to know the different terms and model, you get an idea of the quality and craftsmanship of the types of wigs. doing a bit of research certainly goes a long way and I have saved thousands of dollars by purchasing directly online and avoiding the markup from the middle man,
By far, I can say that discovering new wigs is still as fascinating to me as it was at the beginning.
Although, I still insist that for anyone with alopecia, having a quality wig is crucial.
The cheaper wigs wear out, shed and tangle and are not meant to be worn everyday. When purchasing a cheaper wig online, I always order 2 or 3 of the same one to ensure I can wear the same style for at least 3 months. .
`When I find a make and model that suits me, I tend to purchase the same unit in different colors. That way, it doesn't overwhelm fiends or co-workers...,lol
My husband also gives me feedback and I must say that not all of my purchases have been successful, some we have had a good laugh and I have never worn, not even around the house!!
http://www.isishair.com/
http://www.wigtypes.com/
http://www.hairstopandshop.com/shop/pc/home.asp
http://www.lhboutique.com/
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
How do dermatologists diagnose alopecia areata
I love this picture.
Today, I can admire the strength it took me to go wig-less.
I don`'t do that anymore.I,m taking a walk down memory lane today because I got to thinking about how my diagnosis was made.
My family doctor referred me to a dermatologist just after Christmas, but by this time it was quite evident that my hair was gone...I had a few patches in the front and a few in the back by my neck.
He confirmed it was alopecia areata by looking at hair follicle under a microscope.
It's a frustrating thing to deal with because over the years, my hair has grown and this gives hope.
Everything depends on how the immune system reacts.
Thursday, 15 January 2015
How did it start
I was over at friend's place the other night and I was asked how my hair fell out.
It's a funny question when you really get thinking about it. I had to think back to that time, exactly ten years ago.
It began the week before Christmas 2005. I noticed more strands on my brush and mentioned it to my workout buddy at the gym after a workout. She said that it was normal to go through a period when we shed...like a seasonal thing.
I got more concerned a couple of days later when I woke up and as I took the elastic out of my hair, a chunk came out with the elastic. I actually got really scared. And that's basically all I had on my mind that day at work. I was scared to touch my hair.
My boyfriend admitted that he had noticed that my hair was thinner, which made me very upset because I had not noticed myself.
The rest happened in a blink of an eye. I contacted my doctor right after Christmas and he got me a referral with a dermatologist. By the New Year, I had purchased my first wig and I had not one hair on my head!!
The question of how it all started took me back to those first months of waking up and realizing that the whole thing was not just a dream. For a while, my main thing was doing research on finding treatments to help with the regrowth. I was trying products and companies that made promises and guaranteed hair regrowth.
I wore a wig that was identical to my own hair, and styled it as best to my own hair styles. I had a hard time touching my scalp, washing my head, rubbing the bold surface made me cringe.
Without knowing it, I was living proof of the stigma that is attached to the non-attractive look of baldness.
I did not feel attractive, I felt almost ill and weak when I saw my head, and cringed at the sight of my hairless scalp.
I never went to for therapy but now, looking back, should have maybe consulted a therapist to help with the accepting.
I would recommend anyone going through this process to communicate what you are feeling, about not having to care for your own hair, it's a grievance.
Today, ten year later, I no longer think about the possibility of my hair growing back, My eyebrows grow back at intervals, it's a hormone thing. I do now have eyelashes, well, barely, but I miss them dearly too:(
It's a funny question when you really get thinking about it. I had to think back to that time, exactly ten years ago.
It began the week before Christmas 2005. I noticed more strands on my brush and mentioned it to my workout buddy at the gym after a workout. She said that it was normal to go through a period when we shed...like a seasonal thing.
I got more concerned a couple of days later when I woke up and as I took the elastic out of my hair, a chunk came out with the elastic. I actually got really scared. And that's basically all I had on my mind that day at work. I was scared to touch my hair.
My boyfriend admitted that he had noticed that my hair was thinner, which made me very upset because I had not noticed myself.
The rest happened in a blink of an eye. I contacted my doctor right after Christmas and he got me a referral with a dermatologist. By the New Year, I had purchased my first wig and I had not one hair on my head!!
The question of how it all started took me back to those first months of waking up and realizing that the whole thing was not just a dream. For a while, my main thing was doing research on finding treatments to help with the regrowth. I was trying products and companies that made promises and guaranteed hair regrowth.
I wore a wig that was identical to my own hair, and styled it as best to my own hair styles. I had a hard time touching my scalp, washing my head, rubbing the bold surface made me cringe.
Without knowing it, I was living proof of the stigma that is attached to the non-attractive look of baldness.
I did not feel attractive, I felt almost ill and weak when I saw my head, and cringed at the sight of my hairless scalp.
I never went to for therapy but now, looking back, should have maybe consulted a therapist to help with the accepting.
I would recommend anyone going through this process to communicate what you are feeling, about not having to care for your own hair, it's a grievance.
Today, ten year later, I no longer think about the possibility of my hair growing back, My eyebrows grow back at intervals, it's a hormone thing. I do now have eyelashes, well, barely, but I miss them dearly too:(
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)