May 29th, 2017 Written by a Staff Writer at Hair Loss in Women
Alopecia Areata Treatments
After seven months of treatments my hair was still falling out. During that time I went through 6 rounds of cortisone injections (including shots to my eyebrows), several rounds of blood work, a scalp biopsy, oral steroids, topical steroids, and I was using Rogaine/minoxidil foam. I was taking all of the right steps. I was following all of the doctor’s recommendations. After 7 months I wasn’t seeing any positive results. I didn’t have much hope in beating alopecia.
Hair Loss Treatment FAILURE
I tried to remain emotionally strong as best I could. But there were a few times where I just broke down and cried. I didn’t feel pretty. Femininity was not something I felt anymore. The fact that that the treatments weren’t working was very upsetting. I also felt guilty for being upset. I felt I was being vain. It was just hair. People go through things much more serious. I wasn’t sick. It wasn’t a terminal disease I was fighting. I was just losing my hair. I tried to remind myself of those facts anytime I was feeling down. It was the best way I knew how to cope with the stress of hair loss.
My final visit to the dermatologist was in February 2016. They basically told me there wasn’t any more they could do for me. They recognized that my treatments were not helping. I could continue with them if I wanted, but it was up to me. I decided to stop everything. It just didn’t seem like there was a point any more. Continuing treatments wasn’t going to increase my chances of beating alopecia
Beating Alopecia – EMBRACE THE BALD
With no other treatment options available at that time, I decided to do something crazy. I decided to shave my head. I had lost so much hair by then that there wasn’t much left anyway. On February 13th, 2016, with the help of my wonderfully supportive husband and sister, I shaved off what little hair I had left. It was the first time in months that I felt in control of my condition. I was finally one step ahead of my body. It was my choice to “lose” the rest of my hair. Finally, I was beating alopecia. It was such a liberating feeling to do it. My husband and sister offered to shave their heads in support (which I did not have them do J). My parents, who were a huge comfort to me throughout the entire journey, were incredibly supportive as well. I developed a new mantra that day; “embrace the bald.” I felt better about myself that day than I had in a long time. 
Coping with Hair Loss
There are two main schools when it comes to coping with hair loss. One is to wear a wig and cover it up. The other is to “embrace the bald”. I personally decided that the right path for me was to “embrace the bald”. I want to encourage you to choose for yourself. If you feel more like yourself wearing a wig then get the most beautiful wig you can find and rock it out. If you want to “embrace the bald” that’s great too! Just do what’s right for you. No matter what you choose there is an amazing community of beautiful women just like you that are going through, or have 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!