According to the Oxford dictionary the word alopecia means: the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows; baldness.
Let's face it, until the slap heard around the world many people didn't even have a relationship with the word alopecia. That slap and the admission from actress Jada Pinkett Smith about her alopecia diagnosis, gave others like you and me permission to show up and stop hiding in regards to our own stories with hair loss aka alopecia.
Our Lived Experience
At Coils to Locs, we get it. We have lived experience and our stories mirror many of yours. Both my sister Dianne and I have it, me with traction alopecia (preventable) and Dianne with thinning and bald spots attributed to chemotherapy (induced). You're probably more familiar with Dianne's story as it was the impetus for starting our business. Here's my story.
Then there are people like our bold bald beauties; congresswoman, Ayanna Pressley, and our girl, Kim Roxie, of LAMIK Beauty, who have alopecia universalis and alopecia areata respectively.
Coils to Locs cofounders with congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
You'll Need to See a Dermatologist
According to the AAD, the American Academy of Dermatology, there is no cure for alopecia, although in some cases the hair may grow back with or without another episode, depending on the type of alopecia.
If you suspect you have alopecia or simply are seeing more hair loss than normal, don't solely rely on Google University or your bestie. Seek out a reputable professional dermatologist who can do a proper evaluation. Information is power. Once you know where you stand, along with your dermatologist you can make informed decisions about a course of treatment, and any other options that are appropriate for your personal journey.
Find Your Tribe
There are national (as well as local and online) support groups like the National Alopecia Areata Foundation or NAAF. And because at Coils to Locs we know that not every woman wants to wear a wig some or all of the time, we celebrate organizations like BaldieCon that help Black women in particular be their bald, bold, beautiful selves!
It's so empowering to know that there doesn't have to be any shame in your alopecia game and whether you choose to wear a wig, a head wrap, or rock it bald, there are many options and resources to support your hair loss needs.
At Coils to Locs we are more than a wig. The core of what we do is about equity, access, and inclusion and we are proud to be a champion and add our voice in support of Black women navigating hair loss.
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.
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