June 5th, 2017          Written by a Janice Fultz 

My Hair Treatment Regiment – Pre-Hair Loss

Before Alopecia, I was a natural blonde. When I decided to change my look a bit, I started with the normal hair dye colors; dark blonde, brown. Eventually, I became the girl who was dying her hair all sorts of colors; black with blue highlights, deep red with black highlights, etc. Then I’d bleach it blonde and dye it something else a few months later. I loved sassy cuts with jagged, chunky edges. I thought it gave me attitude.

Discovering Hair Loss

So when I started losing my hair in July of 2015, I assumed it was hair loss caused by the fact that I had been damaging it for so long with the dyes and bleach. It would come out in clumps in my hands in the shower. At first I laughed about it. I joked with my husband that I was going bald, and thought it was funny. Foolishly, I assumed that if I stopped the dying and bleaching that I’d be fine. I stopped using the harsh chemicals and dyes but it continued to fall out. It was a difficult reality to face: I was 30 years old and losing my hair.

Hair Loss Everywhere!

Soon I realized that it wasn’t just the hair on my head that I was losing. I noticed that my eyebrows quickly went missing and my hairline had been receding. I couldn’t wear mascara anymore because my eyelashes had fallen out, and (not that I minded this part), it occurred to me that I hadn’t had to shave anything in quite a while (I would later learn that my condition is called Alopecia Universalis).

Looking For Answers to Hair Loss

I had been assuming that my hair loss was due to my hair dying for such a long period of time that my hair was pretty thin before I finally started looking for answers. On my own I did some research online but back in 2015 the information was not readily available for women like me who were in the infancy of confronting their hair loss. I decided the best plan of action was to consult with a dermatologist. I’ll tell you all about my first consultation next time. For now, know that you are not alone. There is an amazing community of beautiful women just like you that are going through, or have already gone through the exact same thing. We are here waiting for you with open arms and open hearts. Be strong, be bold, and be beautiful!

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