My Story

I have Alopecia Universalis, which is complete hair loss all over the body.  It started out as a few bald patches on my head but this gradually became worse over the years. Coming to terms with Alopecia did not happen over night for me, but I hope that by sharing my knowledge and life experiences I can help you come to terms with Alopecia.

I have tried many treatments in the past, none of which have worked for me.  With each new treatment I tried, I would start out with such a positive attitude, applying various lotions and potions the doctors had prescribed.  I met with a supplement specialist who analysed what was missing from my diet and I took as many pills a day as someone with a terminal illness!  I tried Indian head massages, which I am not complaining about.  I ate an apple religiously every day and sprayed my head with rosemary water, which smelt like Grannies perfume! I can smile about it now but so much hope, enthusiasm and energy was put into these newfound methods – yet every time I was left disappointed.  So, instead I chose to get on with my life and forget about all the lotions, potions and hocus-pocus!  I decided to do something where I could control the outcome.  If I was not able to make my hair grow back then I was not going to let it stop me from looking fantastic! With so many wigs and different types of make-up available, I found the best products and the most effective way to use them.

Now that I have come to terms with Alopecia I want to help others do the same.  I feel so much compassion for any newly diagnosed girl or woman with Alopecia.  Whether you are a 10 year old girl, as I was, or a 35 year old woman, it can be a very difficult condition to come to terms with, but as I prove, it is not impossible.  I can imagine that if you have been searching for information on Alopecia you have read the definitions, symptoms and causes of the condition, as this seems to be the only information available. Personally, I found researching Alopecia to be a very negative experience as many articles portray it to be worse than it actually is.  Some of the typical statements I have come across are “how you can go on living”, how Alopecia is “psychologically damaging” and can cause “intense emotional suffering”.   Some of these articles also seem to consider Alopecia as some sort of disease. I think this is a bit extreme. After finding out that you have Alopecia and this being the only information available, articles like this can make you feel there is little hope.

As crazy as it may sound to you now after reading all the doom and gloom articles circulating, I want to tell you that living with Alopecia does not have to be as bad as you think! Obviously, when your hair falls out it’s a very upsetting and traumatic experience.  It will take time for you to deal with, but life goes on and you can’t let alopecia control who you are and what you do.  Life is too short to hide away being miserable waiting for some miracle cure.  Beauty is skin deep, don’t let Alopecia stifle how beautiful you really are and make it work for you, not against you.