I stumbled across something online today that said that Tina Turner actually suffers with alopecia universalis. I’m not sure if thats true or not, as many African American women wear wigs and hair weaves. Most often I think it is for style, but who knows this could be why I have never actually have seen a picture of her without her wig. She always looks so fabulous, the wigs just add to her beauty.
But after reading that I started wondering about the other famous women who are known to wear wigs all the time. Cher and Dolly Parton are the ones that come to mind instantly. Is it for fashion and style or is it because they are also losing or have lost their hair. I guess my personal thought is that they most likely have some form of hair loss, whether it is alopecia areata, or just plain old androgenetic alopecia. I could be wrong, I don’t have any evidence to support that, but why else would you spend your whole life wearing a wig?
When you lose your hair I think you often look around for others who are experiencing the same condition, you just don’t want to feel alone. Maybe thats why I think they too have hair loss, it could just be my minds weak attempt to cope better by trying to lump their situation into the same category as mine… diagnosis hair loss.
I found an interesting article that was published back in 2003 titled, “Dolly Parton Unwigged? Never!” In the article Dolly Parton says she would never step outside the house without the wig and makeup, she joked, “unless my husband is dying of a heart attack, and even then I would think about it.” Funny.
I came across a video on youtube put up by a woman from Sweden who has alopecia areata. She has but together her story from pictures starting from 1987 when she was a child, though the diagnosis in 2003 all the way until today. I admire her strength, courage and acceptance. She’s beautiful with hair, she’s beautiful without. She looks so comfortable with herself and in her own skin. I really want to get to that place. It’s definitely a must watch video for any woman suffering with hair loss.
I recently read about this organization called “Bald Girls Do Lunch” after reading an article in the Desert News. Bald Girls Do Lunch is founded by Thea Chassin who has had alopecia universalis since 1997. Chassin lives in New York and for the past five years has been a support group leader for alopecia areata. She deals with women, men and children of all ages. From the beginning, Bald Girls Do Lunch was created as a non profit organization that was devoting all its resources to the emotional and practical needs of women with alopecia areata.
Their website states:
Bald Girls Do Lunch supports women with alopecia areata — an auto-immune skin condition which causes the partial or total loss of hair on the scalp, brows, lashes and body. We are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women living with the challenges of this condition.
How do we help? We recognize that too many women are feeling very alone with this condition. We bring them together for small and intimate lunches where they can discuss with each other whatever’s on their minds.
• We hold workshops with wig makers to understand wig types , how they are made and which ones suit our lifestyles
• We hold classes with a master make-up artist
• We provide tips and guidance for learning how and when to discuss this condition with family, lovers and friends
This is such an amazing concept and organization. They have the following upcoming lunch locations
Pasadena, CA – Septemeber 9, 2007
New York Special Event – October 7, 2007
Scottsdale, AZ – October 13, 2007
I want to first write that I am not a fan of hair transplants for women, I personally
think that most women with androgenetic alopecia are NOT candidates for
this procedure. Having said that, I get emailed all the time from women looking
for a good hair transplant surgeon.
If you are deadset on having a consultation, please visit the International Alliance
of Hair Restoration Surgeons. The IAHRS (http://www.iahrs.org)
is an organization that selectively screens skilled and ethical hair transplant
surgeons. Read
my thoughts about hair transplants here.
I stumbled across something online today that said that Tina Turner actually suffers with alopecia universalis. I’m not sure if thats true or not, as many African American women wear wigs and hair weaves. Most often I think it is for style, but who knows this could be why I have never actually have seen a picture of her without her wig. She always looks so fabulous, the wigs just add to her beauty.
