MY HAIR LOSS STORY 8 YEARS LATER | THE HAIR LOSS COMMUNITY

Hello and welcome to the Wig Studio 1 Blog. My name is Andrea, and I've written a few posts regarding Trichotillomania (a Hair Pulling Disorder) in the past. I'd like to provide an update on my hair loss and what I've learned about myself and hair loss in general over the past eight years. 

When I started Wig Studio 1, I knew I would need to share my story. That was not something that I was comfortable with 8 years ago, but I was determined to step out of my comfort zone to find purpose in my hair loss journey and help others the best that I could. I felt that sharing my story would help others feel more comfortable in sharing their journey, which would allow me to potentially help them with wigs or toppers or even just as someone who understood the struggles with self-confidence due to hair loss to provide support.

At the recommendation of a friend of mine, I started a private group on Facebook called Wig Studio 1 Wig and Topper Support Group about 3 years ago.  Although I wasn't expecting it at the time, I was accepted into this sisterhood of loving, caring and hilariously funny women who were very similar to me. They had the same struggles with confidence and wearing their wigs / toppers. Many of them had a number of questions and some of them were even more experienced than I was. They wanted to help others in any way that they could, by sharing information, knowledge and even swapping (and donating to those in need) their wigs! 

So, here I am, a little over 8 years later after creating www.wigstudio1.com. In my daily life (in part due to my work - I work a lot of hours but I truly enjoy it), I oftentimes wear my baseball hat. Its comfortable for me and hides my hair loss for the most part. I have my favorite wigs (can't wear toppers any longer due to advanced stage hair loss), and I love to wear as many wigs styles as possible! I've gone from brunette to blonde to red and even grey! Who knew that I could pull off all those colors? Hint: Neutral make up and clothing color allow you to wear almost any color!

I personally prefer human hair over synthetic hair fibers simply due to my skin sensitivities, but I've worn many synthetic styles over the past eight years and had AMAZING HAIR for special occasions and received such positive feedback (if they even knew!)! 

Emotionally, I'm at a much different and more confident place than I was 8 years ago. I am able to speak openly about Trichotillomania or other types of hair loss freely without shame and sadness. I find excitement wearing new styles and colors, and I want the same for others. 

My hope is that those of you who are feeling shame and the need to hide your hair loss, find comfort in the fact that I lived over 40 years of my life trying to hide my hair loss. I hated myself for pulling for so many years. I took responsibility for my Trichotillomania, even though I had little control over it. I blamed myself, instead of being kind to myself.

After encouraging myself to be who I am and who I was meant to be, just as you are who you are, and are meant to be, I found hope, peace and inspiration. I hope that you find the same inspiration to share your story and not hide your struggles. Not all of us are ready to be open about our hair loss and that is okay. Just know that you are not alone. There is a wonderful community of people with hair loss that are excited to provide encouragement, support and a sisterhood. 

I hope you'll join us in our closed Facebook Group when the time is right for you! 

Hugs!!

xoxo

Andrea