Women's Hair Loss Support Group

At 20 I was diagnosed with discoid lupus which is an auto immune disease. I started slowly losing my hair in small spots on my scalp. I didn't like it, but it wasn't that bad yet. In my 30's I had significant hair loss. I did not lose all my hair but enough to feel it was necessary to buy wigs. At 40 years of age I purchased my first wig.

Wearing a wig might not have been that bad if I was wearing it as a fashion accessory like a handbag or jewelry. However, I did not want anyone to know about my hair loss and so I looked for wigs in my same color and as natural a style as I could find. Only my children and two of my closest friends knew the truth. I am sure some people suspected that I was wearing a wig because they would remark on how perfect my hair looked all of the time. I was always fearful that someone would discover my hidden secret.

Losing my hair went beyond vanity. I felt stripped of an essential part of my being. I had lost part of my womanliness. Inside I felt so bad, ugly and full of shame, even though I did nothing wrong and it was not my fault. I felt alone. I wish the Help a Friend support group was around then. But, I'm very happy that it is here now!

Finally, a support group for women with hair loss. A safe place where we can come out of hiding and help each other. A place to share our stories, our feelings and our coping strategies. A place of acceptance. It takes time to come to terms with hair loss, but you don't have to do it alone, you can be amongst friends from Help a Friend support group.

From a friend.