My Alopecia Story

In honour of Alopecia Awareness Month, I want to share my story.

The Beginning of Hair Loss

My hair loss started when I was 15 years old. I had very bad cystic acne and was prescribed a strong acne medication that was new to the market. Within months, my thick, coarse hair began to thin dramatically. My ponytail shrank, my part widened, and I could see my scalp where there used to be dense, dark hair.

At first, I thought it was temporary. Doctors brushed it off as “normal shedding,” and I told myself it would grow back. But it didn’t. Instead, it got worse.

The Diagnosis

When I was 23, after years of watching my hair slowly thin, I went to the doctor, got a scalp biopsy, and finally received a diagnosis: androgenic alopecia. I’ll never forget sitting in the hospital parking lot afterward, sobbing. I knew my life would never be the same. I was convinced I was unlovable, unattractive, and destined to live a life of shame and isolation because of something I couldn’t control.

Hiding My Hair Loss

For years, I did everything I could to hide it. I spent hours styling my thinning hair, strategically parting it to disguise bald spots. I used powders and fibers daily, always checking mirrors to make sure nothing showed. I avoided rain, wind, and swimming pools. I planned my life around my hair.

Dating with Alopecia

Dating was the hardest part. I carried this secret like a weight, terrified that any man I liked would run the second they found out. I believed no one could possibly want me with hair loss. And in fact, I was broken up with at 22 after I told the guy I was dating about my alopecia. I was crushed, as this cemented the belief in my head that I was unlovable and would be alone forever.

That belief was shattered when I met my now husband at 28. After weeks of dating, I finally blurted out my “big confession,” shaking with fear. He looked at me and said: “That’s it? I thought you were going to tell me you had cancer. I don’t care about your hair. That’s not why I care about you.”

That moment changed my life. He’s been by my side ever since: 15 years together, two kids, countless ups and downs- and never once has he made me feel less than.

Discovering Wigs

I started wearing wigs in my early 30s. At first, I was terrified people would notice. But instead, coworkers and friends just thought I’d gotten a new haircut or blowout. The freedom I felt was incredible. I could try different looks, feel confident again, and slowly stop hiding.

Releasing the Shame

The biggest shift came when I stopped keeping my hair loss a secret. When someone complimented my hair, I would shock them by telling them it was a wig. I took the opportunity to talk about female hair loss and how I’d lost my hair. Talking about it out loud, instead of carrying the shame in silence, gave me back my power. And I realized something important: there are millions of women just like me, living in the same shame and isolation I once felt.

From Pain to Purpose

That’s why I started Hair Loss Pride™.

After being laid off from my biotech career after a company restructure in 2022, I leaned fully into this mission. I wrote Hair Pride, a children’s book that celebrates all forms of hair. I began offering wig consultations, 1:1 coaching, and support groups for women and teens with alopecia. And most importantly, I created a community where we can remind each other:

👉 You are not broken.
👉 You are not alone.
👉 You are so much more than your hair.

My Mission Today

What once felt like the most painful part of my life has now become my purpose. My mission is to end the stigma of female hair loss and help women reclaim their confidence, whether that means rocking a wig, shaving their head, or embracing their natural texture.

You are beautiful in every version of yourself. And I’ll keep showing up until every woman with alopecia believes that too.