Hair loss can be a traumatic experience for anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. The sudden appearance of bald patches, spots on the scalp, or even the loss of hair all over the body can be a scary reality to face. Alopecia, a condition that results in hair loss, affects millions of people around the world. Thanks to women with large platforms like Ayanna Pressley, the conversation about alopecia has gained much-needed attention in recent years.
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia is a sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap. It occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out. Stress is one of the leading causes of alopecia, resulting in hair loss. While there are treatments like immune suppressing drugs, there is currently no known cure for alopecia.
Types of Alopecia
There are several subsets of alopecia, but the three main categories are Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, and Alopecia Universalis. Alopecia Areata is the most commonly known type and refers to bald patches or spots on the scalp. Alopecia Totalis affects the whole head, including eyelashes and eyebrows. Alopecia Universalis, the rarest and most severe of the three, results in hair loss all over the body. In addition to these types, there is a completely avoidable fourth type called Traction Alopecia, which results from harsh styling methods like too tight braids and weaves.
What is Traction Alopecia?
Traction alopecia is a completely avoidable fourth type, known all too well in the Black community. Harsh styling methods like tight braids and weaves can bring on traction alopecia, causing hair loss. Coping with hair loss can be traumatic, and it's important to find support and resources. At Coils to Locs, we understand the pain of hair loss and offer options for people suffering from all types of hair loss.
Coping with Hair Loss
Facing hair loss in any form can be traumatic. At Coils to Locs, we understand this all too well. From chemo hair loss to traction alopecia, we have seen the emotional toll it can take. That's why we started Coils to Locs – to bring options to people suffering all types of hair loss. There are options for those who want to don a natural-looking wig or embrace a bald look like Jada Pinkett-Smith, who also suffers from alopecia.\
Whether you choose to don a natural-looking wig or rock the bald look, there are options available. Coping with hair loss is a journey, but it's a journey that doesn't have to be taken alone. At The invisible toll of hair loss and Alopecia, you can find more information about alopecia, hair loss in general, and access helpful resources. Don't let hair loss be an embarrassing reality; seek help and embrace your unique beauty.
Our Coils to Locs blog page is dedicated to providing resources, tips, and inspiration for women with natural hair undergoing chemotherapy or other forms of hair loss. Join us as we share stories of resilience, empowerment, and beauty.
