Being diagnosed with alopecia areata (this incurable, sometimes lifelong form of hair loss) can bring about significant emotional aspects to consider.
It’s imperative to recognize that grieving over hair loss is a natural response.
Most people who suffer from alopecia areata (AA) come face-to-face with ongoing stress, anxiety, and other concerns associated with mental health. The way we look plays a role in our attempts to have a positive self-image. Therefore, it only makes sense for hair loss to affect your confidence and self-esteem.
Discover four ways to get over those hair loss insecurities when navigating this autoimmune condition that’s tough to predict.
RELATED: Too Much Stress May Be Leading to Hair Loss
1. Reduce Your Stress Levels
While stress may not be a direct outcome of alopecia areata, it could be thought of as a trigger, as those who have gone through symptoms have also had high amounts of stress.
Stress can take place no matter what age you are. Young children who get AA get triggered by life-changing circumstances — a brand new school, a bully, a sibling at home, or their parents’ divorce. Adults also develop it because of stressors — positive or negative.
With AA, decreasing stress could also possibly help you regulate hair loss and regrowth cycles. To help regulate stress while dealing with alopecia areata, BlackDoctor.Org highly suggests the following methods:
- Make time to exercise whenever and wherever possible, even if it means going for a brief walk on your lunch break
- Integrate relaxing hobbies into your daily life, including yoga and meditation
- Try to get no more than seven to eight hours of sleep a night, letting yourself unwind without distractions of electronic or blue light–emitting devices (i.e. smartphones and tablets)
- Practice healthy boundaries by saying ‘no’ to extra responsibilities that are not pressing or don’t require immediate attention
- Put your phone or other devices on ‘Do Not Disturb’ during work hours, setting boundaries when possible.
2. Have Fun Sporting Head Accessories
Besides using headwear for its original purpose of protecting bare skin from hot and cold climates, your doctor might advise you to get experimental and creative with how you accessorize. This can support your journey of building self-confidence. Trending options include wigs, hats, and scarves.
If you’re looking to spice up your wardrobe and accessories, think about checking out the National Alopecia Areata Foundation’s Marketplace. On top of headwear and soft headscarves, you can also find hairpieces, a range of quality wigs with