Comments on: My Story by, Elle York, 17 Years Old http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/ A Community For Women Dealing With Hair Loss - Help, Hope and Understanding Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:13:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: admin http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-108 admin Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:33:24 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-108 Hi Helen- Welcome to the site! I loved your story so much I had to make a special post for it on the main page so it will be easier for other women to find and read. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and positive outlook on using wigs and wiglets. Hi Helen- Welcome to the site! I loved your story so much I had to make a special post for it on the main page so it will be easier for other women to find and read. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and positive outlook on using wigs and wiglets.

]]> By: Helen http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-107 Helen Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:06:50 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-107 After years of driving myself crazy, using all sorts of products, including polysorbate 80, on my hair, I got a wig. The woman was wonderful, she put me at my ease and came in with styles and wigs that she felt would work. I kept with my natural hair color, very dark brown. It was 1987 and I was 49. Some of my hair showed at the sides of my face and under the back of the wig. That added to the natural look. About five years later, I was fully coloring my hair, my problem was on top, and decided to try a wiglet. I had a beautician cut my hair to fit and she showed me how to use it. Wiglets are lighter than wigs and you feel better because more of your hair is uncovered. The color of my dye and the color of their dye matched perfectly. Now I am 69 and almost a year ago decided to stop coloring, even tho I knew getting a match would be difficult. After several mistakes, one too dark, one too light, to be put away for the future, I have found something that is fairly close. When I went for a haircut today, the girl did not know I had a wiglet on until I began taking it off. She was nice enough to cut my wiglet to match my haircut. Sure I would like to feel the wind in my hair, tho I don't swim anymore. But I have gotten used to wearing it, you do not notice it, for the most part, during the day. If a stiff wind comes up, like so many other women, I just hold on to the top of my head. Haven't lost one yet! It was difficult when I became a widow and had to tell the new man in my life about my hair, but it fazed him not one whit. And if it would have, then it would have been good riddance to bad rubbish. You don't need to go out bald, cover it up. It is something we use, just like a bra. Think of being my age and going braless with my DD cup! If you can afford it, get a human hair wig. It can be cut, styled, colored as you wish. It will move in the wind, and, surprisingly you will feel it. Your head becomes sensitive, and while it is not like your own, it is a heck of a lot better than nothing. Helen After years of driving myself crazy, using all sorts of products, including polysorbate 80, on my hair, I got a wig. The woman was wonderful, she put me at my ease and came in with styles and wigs that she felt would work. I kept with my natural hair color, very dark brown. It was 1987 and I was 49. Some of my hair showed at the sides of my face and under the back of the wig. That added to the natural look. About five years later, I was fully coloring my hair, my problem was on top, and decided to try a wiglet. I had a beautician cut my hair to fit and she showed me how to use it. Wiglets are lighter than wigs and you feel better because more of your hair is uncovered. The color of my dye and the color of their dye matched perfectly. Now I am 69 and almost a year ago decided to stop coloring, even tho I knew getting a match would be difficult. After several mistakes, one too dark, one too light, to be put away for the future, I have found something that is fairly close. When I went for a haircut today, the girl did not know I had a wiglet on until I began taking it off. She was nice enough to cut my wiglet to match my haircut.

Sure I would like to feel the wind in my hair, tho I don’t swim anymore. But I have gotten used to wearing it, you do not notice it, for the most part, during the day. If a stiff wind comes up, like so many other women, I just hold on to the top of my head. Haven’t lost one yet!

It was difficult when I became a widow and had to tell the new man in my life about my hair, but it fazed him not one whit. And if it would have, then it would have been good riddance to bad rubbish.

You don’t need to go out bald, cover it up. It is something we use, just like a bra. Think of being my age and going braless with my DD cup!

If you can afford it, get a human hair wig. It can be cut, styled, colored as you wish. It will move in the wind, and, surprisingly you will feel it. Your head becomes sensitive, and while it is not like your own, it is a heck of a lot better than nothing.

Helen

]]> By: Mira http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-106 Mira Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:08:09 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-106 Hear, hear to that. I check this website every day, it is my daily pep pill! To be able to share experiences with women who are going through the same thing is so therapeutic. The worse thing about hair loss is that you can feel so alone. I have many female friends who have the usual weight, wrinkles, waxing (! - oh how I would kill to have too much hair) type complaints but none who are losing the hair on their head. It's so difficult to talk about it as the last thing I want to do is have anyone (even people I love) starting at my head and agreeing that I have a problem. So thanks again to everyone who is part of this forum, you are a great source of stregth to me! Hear, hear to that. I check this website every day, it is my daily pep pill! To be able to share experiences with women who are going through the same thing is so therapeutic. The worse thing about hair loss is that you can feel so alone. I have many female friends who have the usual weight, wrinkles, waxing (! - oh how I would kill to have too much hair) type complaints but none who are losing the hair on their head. It’s so difficult to talk about it as the last thing I want to do is have anyone (even people I love) starting at my head and agreeing that I have a problem. So thanks again to everyone who is part of this forum, you are a great source of stregth to me!

]]> By: julie http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-105 julie Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:19:54 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-105 To shave or not to shave...wig or no wig! Everyday, I make a choice. Somedays I look and it leads to inspections, checking for new growth or more shedding. The torture of shampooing gives me nightmares...one dream consisted of shampooing my hair in the shower and it all fell off when I rinsed. I wait for those days, just so I don't hold the razor and do it myself...It would feel too much like suicide, and that's a familiar feeling back from the days I fell hard into depression and the downward spiraling of that reality. Maybe, as a form of suicide, I would be killing off the dead protein, the part of me that kills me. It would be a metaphorical action, to kill off something already dead in order to revive and bring myself back to life. Instead of pushing it to the back of my consciousness to remain and often peek its ugly head to nag me...maybe, just maybe...the shave will feel like i'm taking a breath of fresh air for the first time. How nice the water would feel against my skin...or the wind blowing over me. Whatever job or boyfriend I end up with...it's only because of everyone of you that have read and written the stories that bring us together...it's the pain that affects us all. The voices and comraderie of our souls...the soothing nature of the written word...the uplifting beauty of positivity and the glorious strength we possess...all have been encapsulated into the best "pill" on the market! Without the support of every woman...I wouldn't feel as confident. Today, I'm trying on another wig I purchased that I haven't taken out of the bag. I had to name it first...when I change my look, I change my name...it can be so fun and therapuetic to be someone else for a change... To shave or not to shave…wig or no wig! Everyday, I make a choice. Somedays I look and it leads to inspections, checking for new growth or more shedding. The torture of shampooing gives me nightmares…one dream consisted of shampooing my hair in the shower and it all fell off when I rinsed. I wait for those days, just so I don’t hold the razor and do it myself…It would feel too much like suicide, and that’s a familiar feeling back from the days I fell hard into depression and the downward spiraling of that reality. Maybe, as a form of suicide, I would be killing off the dead protein, the part of me that kills me. It would be a metaphorical action, to kill off something already dead in order to revive and bring myself back to life. Instead of pushing it to the back of my consciousness to remain and often peek its ugly head to nag me…maybe, just maybe…the shave will feel like i’m taking a breath of fresh air for the first time. How nice the water would feel against my skin…or the wind blowing over me.

Whatever job or boyfriend I end up with…it’s only because of everyone of you that have read and written the stories that bring us together…it’s the pain that affects us all. The voices and comraderie of our souls…the soothing nature of the written word…the uplifting beauty of positivity and the glorious strength we possess…all have been encapsulated into the best “pill” on the market! Without the support of every woman…I wouldn’t feel as confident. Today, I’m trying on another wig I purchased that I haven’t taken out of the bag. I had to name it first…when I change my look, I change my name…it can be so fun and therapuetic to be someone else for a change…

]]> By: admin http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-104 admin Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:51:52 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-104 Great Link, all those women look absolutely fabulous with shaved heads, all except the one that has a digital conehead :) As I look at the pictures I think, whats so wrong with that. Nothing is. Of course it should be considered a crime for Demi Moore to shave her hair because its so darn gorgeous. All it is, is finding the courage to do it, to DO SOMETHING. I'd love to have a page on this site just dedicated to women who do shave their heads or just wear their hair loss proudly, so that it can inspire other women who have gone through the treatment gamut such as myself and come out the other end exhausted and still losing hair, to take back themselves. It's hard finding that place down deep, to realize as you have said before, we are more than the dead protein on our heads and to not allow hair loss and all the suffering it brings to penetrate our minds and job of us living. I often feel I exist, but I'm certainly not living. Great Link, all those women look absolutely fabulous with shaved heads, all except the one that has a digital conehead :) As I look at the pictures I think, whats so wrong with that. Nothing is. Of course it should be considered a crime for Demi Moore to shave her hair because its so darn gorgeous. All it is, is finding the courage to do it, to DO SOMETHING. I’d love to have a page on this site just dedicated to women who do shave their heads or just wear their hair loss proudly, so that it can inspire other women who have gone through the treatment gamut such as myself and come out the other end exhausted and still losing hair, to take back themselves. It’s hard finding that place down deep, to realize as you have said before, we are more than the dead protein on our heads and to not allow hair loss and all the suffering it brings to penetrate our minds and job of us living. I often feel I exist, but I’m certainly not living.

]]> By: Mira http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-103 Mira Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:37:42 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-103 Julie, You're so beautiful that all anyone is going to be looking at is your face. Good luck with finding a new job, I am sure with your courage and determination, it will not take you long to do so. I too want to have the courage to shave my head ( it would be so much cooler to bungee jump without bits of hair flying in your face) and keep thinking of sinead 'o' conner, skunk anansie and how great they looked. By the way, just came across this website :) http://www.wiw.org/~jess/archives/2007/02/19/eight-bald-women/ I think my plan for the furure is, shave my head, have great tattoo on my head, and have a fabulous wig for when I feel like having hair. Julie,

You’re so beautiful that all anyone is going to be looking at is your face. Good luck with finding a new job, I am sure with your courage and determination, it will not take you long to do so.

I too want to have the courage to shave my head ( it would be so much cooler to bungee jump without bits of hair flying in your face) and keep thinking of sinead ‘o’ conner, skunk anansie and how great they looked. By the way, just came across this website :)
http://www.wiw.org/~jess/archives/2007/02/19/eight-bald-women/

I think my plan for the furure is, shave my head, have great tattoo on my head, and have a fabulous wig for when I feel like having hair.

]]> By: Elle http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-102 Elle Fri, 21 Sep 2007 05:56:59 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-102 Julie, I don't know how myself or others have found such wonderful partners. They really are a dying breed, but I always thought to myself that when it came to dating I was glad that I was different. Both with the wheelchair and hair loss. Why? Because it weeds out the jerks right there and then. Something like hairloss really shows who are worth pursuing and who not to bother with. Yes it means you MAY have fewer relationships, but it saves a lot of heart ache and then a loss of esteem and confidence from breakups over something as ridiculous as hair loss. :) Elle. Julie,

I don’t know how myself or others have found such wonderful partners. They really are a dying breed, but I always thought to myself that when it came to dating I was glad that I was different. Both with the wheelchair and hair loss. Why? Because it weeds out the jerks right there and then. Something like hairloss really shows who are worth pursuing and who not to bother with. Yes it means you MAY have fewer relationships, but it saves a lot of heart ache and then a loss of esteem and confidence from breakups over something as ridiculous as hair loss. :)
Elle.

]]> By: julie http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-101 julie Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:35:33 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-101 Thanks for your advice! I think i'll wear a black suit and some pretty eyeshadow to direct their attention to my eyes. I'm do marketing/sales in the beauty industry and I'm also a Realtor. We always deal with the public so its quite difficult to concenrate on people when you are already so self-conscious. Its so difficult to find work nowadays and I know competition is so fierce in any industry. Sometimes, I just wish I could stay home and read or write books all day! I always dream of winning the lottery. It would be nice to! :) Thanks for your advice! I think i’ll wear a black suit and some pretty eyeshadow to direct their attention to my eyes. I’m do marketing/sales in the beauty industry and I’m also a Realtor. We always deal with the public so its quite difficult to concenrate on people when you are already so self-conscious. Its so difficult to find work nowadays and I know competition is so fierce in any industry. Sometimes, I just wish I could stay home and read or write books all day!

I always dream of winning the lottery. It would be nice to! :)

]]> By: admin http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-100 admin Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:30:36 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-100 Hey Julie - I'm so sorry you got laid off, its horrible having sudden changes like that happen in our lives at any moment, but more so when you are dealing with hair loss. What type of wigs do you wear? I've seen some that look incredibly natural, even in person. There are a lot of orthodox Jewish families in my neighborhood and, as most people already know, orthodox Jewish women wear wigs as part of their religion. I can only tell because I'm looking closely from behind and the wigs sometimes lay a little different in the back if they are wearing a shorter style wig. But from the front, wow, they look darn good. The hair is of such good quality. As far as detraction from have your prospective employers look at your head during the interview, I'd dress real sharp, put on makeup perfectly and just wow them with your obvious intelligence and genuine desire to help others. I'm not sure what industry you work in, but I'm sure you'll do great out there in the interviewing world. I'd like to win the lottery too, only I don't play :) Makes it kind of hard huh? Hey Julie -

I’m so sorry you got laid off, its horrible having sudden changes like that happen in our lives at any moment, but more so when you are dealing with hair loss.
What type of wigs do you wear? I’ve seen some that look incredibly natural, even in person. There are a lot of orthodox Jewish families in my neighborhood and, as most people already know, orthodox Jewish women wear wigs as part of their religion. I can only tell because I’m looking closely from behind and the wigs sometimes lay a little different in the back if they are wearing a shorter style wig. But from the front, wow, they look darn good. The hair is of such good quality.

As far as detraction from have your prospective employers look at your head during the interview, I’d dress real sharp, put on makeup perfectly and just wow them with your obvious intelligence and genuine desire to help others. I’m not sure what industry you work in, but I’m sure you’ll do great out there in the interviewing world.

I’d like to win the lottery too, only I don’t play :) Makes it kind of hard huh?

]]> By: julie http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/elle-york-hair-loss-story/#comment-99 julie Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:22:04 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=36#comment-99 Where the heck are you women finding these wonderful men in your lives??? The men I meet get so scared when I tell them about my situation and I never hear back! Is it the men in the US? In Chicago? I've tried the online dating game and have met someone, so far so good. But I can't understand why some men are just such cowards, unable to face a real woman. We are so much stronger, fiercer, smarter and determined than most. I am so proud of everyone and happy for everyone on this forum. Sharing the pain, the emotions...sometimes I can't help but read and cry! I am at a point where I am comfortable with wig wearing even though its limiting my active lifestyle. I want to sit in a hot tub! I want to go swimming in the pool at my local gym. I wish I could go skydiving or bungee jumping and feel the wind through my hair, not rip it out! I want to shave my head and see if this new guy will still accept me for who I am. I don't want to waste my emotions and time or energy with someone that cannot accept it. I can't start a relationship like this and its torturing me. Getting close and intimate scares me the most... Aside from the relationship, I recently got laid off and the stress is causing my hair to fall out even more. I'm job hunting now and am nervous about interviewing because of the wigs. I'm confident about my skills and would love to get a good job...I'd rather win the lottery and stay at home! LOL :) Wearing the wig during interviews makes me so self-conscious, I feel like they're staring at my head instead of picking my brain! Any suggestions? Where the heck are you women finding these wonderful men in your lives??? The men I meet get so scared when I tell them about my situation and I never hear back! Is it the men in the US? In Chicago? I’ve tried the online dating game and have met someone, so far so good. But I can’t understand why some men are just such cowards, unable to face a real woman. We are so much stronger, fiercer, smarter and determined than most.

I am so proud of everyone and happy for everyone on this forum. Sharing the pain, the emotions…sometimes I can’t help but read and cry!

I am at a point where I am comfortable with wig wearing even though its limiting my active lifestyle. I want to sit in a hot tub! I want to go swimming in the pool at my local gym. I wish I could go skydiving or bungee jumping and feel the wind through my hair, not rip it out! I want to shave my head and see if this new guy will still accept me for who I am. I don’t want to waste my emotions and time or energy with someone that cannot accept it. I can’t start a relationship like this and its torturing me. Getting close and intimate scares me the most…

Aside from the relationship, I recently got laid off and the stress is causing my hair to fall out even more. I’m job hunting now and am nervous about interviewing because of the wigs. I’m confident about my skills and would love to get a good job…I’d rather win the lottery and stay at home! LOL :) Wearing the wig during interviews makes me so self-conscious, I feel like they’re staring at my head instead of picking my brain! Any suggestions?

]]>