Women's Hair Loss FAQ #1

I will never pretend to know as much as a physician when it comes to hair loss or any other condition. But, I have learned a thing or two over the past twelve years! So I thought I would answer some of your frequently asked questions as best I can!

• "I've noticed some loss of hair on my daughter's head. How do I know if it is something serious enough for a doctors visit, or if it is just a reaction to something?"

A large deciding factor will be how you noticed the hair loss. If there is a bald spot, then I suggest you make an appointment with her primary physician or a dermatologist. If you noticed a larger amount of hair on her pillow or in the shower, then keep a watchful eye on the situation and make an appointment when you notice any change. Try to document everything you can. Take pictures of any changes that you notice and keep them in a folder.

If there is a bald spot and it is itchy or is red, then make an appointment as soon as you can. Depending on your daughter's age, be sure to talk to her to see what she has noticed or when the change began.

• "I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata a year ago, and haven't noticed any regrowth. Should I be concerned?"

Not at all. That is the nature of this condition. Alopecia Areata is known for being unpredictable, which means it could change at any point, or it could stay the same for years.

• "I have not been diagnosed with any hair loss condition but I have noticed much more hair in my shower drain, my hair brush and on my clothing. What do I do?"

Keep an eye and note any great changes from what you are already experiencing. It is completely natural for a person to shed hair and then it will regrow. But, if you notice your hairline receding or patchy balding, then you may want to research your options.

• "I am going bald prematurely. What are my options?"

Thankfully, you have lots of them! It will depend on the type of hair loss you are experiencing. There are many treatments available that you can try. Or, if you would rather not try anything that is not proven to work- you can decide to either go on with your life as is, or experiment with hair replacement. I suggest looking into wigs or other hair replacement options first and seeing how comfortable you feel. Treatments are available but vary greatly in cost, side effects, availability and comfort level.

• "If my hair is just thinning, would a wig be a worthwhile option?"

Only you can decide what is worthwhile for you. Wigs come in every price range, so if that is your concern you can worry less. One option is to visit a salon and simply try on wigs to see how comfortable you feel. There is no sense in purchasing a wig, no matter what the cost, without trying it on first. Another option is to experiement with hair additions like extensions or pieces. Depending on the amount of hair you are losing, that may be your most worthwhile option!

• "Aren't wigs itchy/uncomfortable?"

Some wigs definitely are itchy and uncomfortable! I always assumed this as a teenager, after I tried on a $50 synthetic wig at a shop near my hometown. But, there are wigs out there which have a lightweight cap, have less hair or have a softer cap/interior. Just like clothing, wigs can be made in many different ways and the best option for insuring your comfort is to try them on.

I hope this first FAQ will be helpful to someone! These are simply questions I received on several occasions. If you have a question you would like answered just leave a comment and lookout for FAQ #2!

Have a great day everyone! Thanks for visiting!

Be sure to follow me on twitter for regular updates www.twitter.com/missdelaware10 or join the Facebook group, "Kayla's Corner for Women & Children with Hairloss"

-Kayla

P.S. I received many questions about the treatments I have tried, which I will be sure to answer in my next post!

Keyword- Options

    Naturally, when a man proposes to a woman, she immediately begins planning their/her big day. She imagines the church, the flowers, the beautiful white dress... And so she sets out to find the perfect one of each of those. For me, it wasn't much different after Kevin proposed. But, one of my first thoughts was- what kind of hair am I going to wear???
    I must say, this is definitely one of the perks to wearing a wig. I'm sure throughout this blog we will explore the countless upsides that I have found to wearing hair, but for now, let's focus on how lucky I am that I get to choose my wedding hair! :)
    This time last year I was preparing to compete in the Miss America Pageant. I went through many of the same decisions that most brides do, but with a different goal in mind- since when you're engaged, you've already won the prize! I remember flipping through all sorts of magazines, and glancing back at pictures of former Miss America's to decide what kind of hair I would want. What shade of blonde should it be? Should it be shoulder length? Or maybe down to my mid-back? Curly or straight? Highlights, lowlights?
    At this point, you may be thinking that most girls have the option to change their hair, too. But I had the privelege of being able to literally hand select my hair from a catalog, have a fitting, and then go through all the same processes that other contestants would. Dreamy, right?
    If you have never worn a wig before, you may be surprised to see the word "options" in the same sentence as "wig". But, as I learned two years ago, you can make your hair look however you would like!
    To bring you up to speed- I have purchased my wedding gown... I have selected the venue... I have designed the floral arrangements, the cake, the stationary and so on. And now it is time to.... Plan my hair!!!
    I am so much more excited about this than you could imagine. I often forget just how many options I have. I can't decide if I want a bright blonde piece, or something with deeper tones. As I learned in our Gemtress photoshoot last month- I may even be able to pull off brown! So, I figured- why not open this up to the worldwide web, and see what you all think! I can give you the first few votes I have received: My mother (the fabulous, superwoman) likes the below should-length, multitoned blonde that I won the title of Miss Delaware in- styled by OnRite retailer/owner of Hair Therapy for Women, Bobbi Russell. And my best friend prefers the long, wavy, slightly deeper blonde wig I wore at the Miss America pageant (from Salon Rispoli in Delaware).

So, tell me... What do you think? Post your comments on Kayla's Corner for Women & Children with Hairloss on Facebook!

Traveling with/out hair

Hi Friends!


I hope you are staying warm today, wherever you are because it is cold here in Washington, DC! In a few days, I will be on a plane headed for the Bahamas and I cannot wait to warm up! I travel so frequently, that packing is something I am fully capable of doing last-minute (although, I regretfully admit that I have a reputation for always forgetting one thing). My life has gotten so busy this season, that I decided to take a moment last week and pack ahead of time. It felt strange to be preparing for anything so far in advance! But, for now, it looks like it's paid off! The downside is that every day I check the suitcase to make sure I actually packed what I thought I did.


My suitcase is full, and ready to go! But, the last few things I have to throw in tomorrow morning are my cell phone charger, my medication and my hair! I realized today that many women may not feel completely comfortable traveling with their hair just yet. So here are my tips- trust me, I have lots of experience!


Before packing, I always decide whether or not I plan to wear my hair on the plane. If not, then naturally, I will need to pack it. Most of my trips are for a few days at a time and I try to carry on my luggage as opposed to checking it in. For those trips, and during the winter, I usually decide to wear my hair on the plane. But, in the summer, or for longer trips, I utilize the option to pack my hair and travel as I am.


For anyone out there wondering if you will need to take your hair off at the security checkpoint- the answer is no. Each of my forms of identification includes a picture of me without a wig. I have always found that I would much prefer to prove my identity by taking off my wig, than finding myself in a position where they don't believe who I am because the girl on my license looks healthy and vibrant with makeup and long blond hair, and there I stand pale and nearly bald.


I have tried packing my hair many different ways- and it truly depends on what else is in your suitcase, and the size of your luggage. For this trip, I am using a large suitcase. I have everything packed and have positioned my shoes on one side, or under soft clothes- leaving a soft bed for the hair to lay.

First, I comb the hair as best I can and apply a smoothing cream, leave-in conditioner, or frizz-away spray (whatever you have at home). This will aid in avoiding lots of frizzy hair when you unpack. Next you place the wig on your traveling head (Styrofoam is the lightest and easiest, I have found). Plus, if you change your mind and decide to wear your hair on the trip back, you can dispose of the styrofoam head if need be!

I use four T pins- one in the center at the top, two above where your ears would normally be, and one at the base of the head. Next, cover the hair with a hair net. Last, you will wrap the entire head in a pillow case or a delicates laundry bag. 

If you haven't enough space for a mannequin head in your luggage, then complete the same process and wrap the hair gently into a hair net, and then another, before laying in a pillowcase. I often do this when traveling with a single carry on.


If you have extra space (like I do in the last picture)- be sure to add some filling like tissue paper or cotton t-shirts, so your hair isn't rolling around the entire flight!


Quick note- be sure the hair is dry before you pack it!


When I travel, I have so many things to bring that I minimize my hair accessories. Based on what style you prefer your hair, I suggest traveling with a wig that requires the least fuss! Typically, I bring my straightener, because I can use it to either tame the hair, or curl it. I always bring a small bottle of leave in conditioner, and a tiny bottle of hair spray.


I hope this helps the next time you are traveling! These tips work for traveling with hair extensions, too. Do you have any suggestions that I didn't cover? Leave a comment! I love learning new ideas!


Be sure to check out our Facebook page- Kayla's Corner for Women & Children with Hairloss and follow me on twitter to get daily updates! www.twitter.com/missdelaware10

"I don't have cancer. I have a premiere."

    For those of you ladies who have begun the wig-searching process, you know how difficult it may seem. I know one of my biggest priorities when I began looking at pieces was that it looked natural. Otherwise, I didn't think it was worth a penny! Now I understand every woman has her own budget (especially if you think it will be a short term investment). But, I quickly learned that you get what you pay for!
    I could go on about the importance of finding the right piece for you- the right texture, the right quality and makeup, the right length and so on. There is no sense in buying a human hair wig, down to your daughter's waistline in platinum blonde if she is naturally a brunette who doesn't want to have to worry about caring for her piece. Nor is there any sense in purchasing a synthetic piece if you know you want the option to style your hair a different way each day, or color it as you like!
    Stepping down from the soap box now :) But truthfully- the most important thing you could learn from my years of experience, is that you have options! And without making a sales pitch- options are exactly what I have found with my hair from OnRite.
    For any of you Sex and The City fans out there, you probably remember Samantha's unwillingness to settle on just any wig- as showcased in the clip above. And who can blame her?! She needed to look like a million dollars, and didn't want to feel like the "woman with cancer" for just one night. I loved seeing a TV character embodying that aspect of what so many women go through all over the world! Samantha never committed to one wig when she lost her hair- she changed it up with her mood. One time she even wore pink hair (which was amazing!).
    If you know me, you know that I love the flexibility of my hair! Some days I have long, blonde hair. Some days I have a brunette bob. And some days I am footloose and fancy free (ie bald). My girlfriends (especially my pageant friends) are completely envious of the fact that my hair can change with my mood. On my lazy days I wear either no hair, or a lesser expensive, pre-styled piece. On date-night, or for big events, I wear my custom piece that was designed, colored and cut just for me! And when it's chilly outside (like today) and I want to keep warm and still look girly, I wear my go-to piece (the one you see above).
    So here is my prescription- don't settle for a piece that isn't you! There are so many options available, and there is certainly one that will make you (or your daughter/mother) feel comfortable and beautiful!
    For fun- here are some of my favorite options!

Until next time!

My Story- the short version!

    Welcome to Kayla's Corner! An extension of the support you will find from Hairloss.com. I figured that a great way to initiate this blog, would be to formally introduce myself and give you a better understanding of what you may find here.
    When I was eleven years old, I was attending middle school (junior high) just like everyone else. I grew up in a relatively small town in Delaware, which happened to be the same relatively small town my mother was raised.
    One morning, I woke up, brushed my teeth and got dressed just like every other day. But when I was getting dressed later that evening for ballet class, I found an unfamiliar spot on the top of my head. I decided to cover it up as best I could in my traditional bun.
    The following morning, I had forgotten all about that unwelcome spot... until I was brushing my hair before school. I decided to part my hair on the side, to cover up the empty spot at the center of my head. I didn't tell anyone about my discovery. Not even my parents.
    This pattern continued until finally, my part had widened so much that I couldn't hide my secret any longer. Thankfully, my parents are very open people and they sat me down to have a conversation about what was going on. We decided as a family that I would visit my primary physician, who later referred me to a dermatologist. It wasn't long before I heard these words.... "Kayla, you have Alopecia Areata." Aloe-whatta? I thought. It sounded very serious. Am I dying? Is it contagious? Will it get worse?" How can I be eleven and balding??? My grandfather isn't even bald yet!" All these thoughts were running through my head.
    Proactively, my dermatologist recommended a few treatments which included minoxidil and another steroid cream. My mother reminded me that first night to apply the cream before bed, and as we applied it, I instantly felt a burning sensation. But, alas, we applied the treatments for a few weeks to give them a try. After that, I didn't see the point. The minoxidil made my remaining hair look unwashed and greasy and I was afraid it would get on my pillow and make me grow facial hair! And the cream burned, and felt uncomfortable.
    From there we noticed no growth or change. The doctor asked my parents to take turns staying up at night and watch to see if I pulled my own hair out. When we ruled trichotillomania out, the doctor reconfirmed my initial diagnosis. But, he had no other appealing suggestions for treatment. At age eleven, I couldn't bare the thought of getting injections to my head!
    I kept attending school just as I was- au natural. The most inconvenient of times were cheerleading competitions where I was clearly missed the ringlet curls bouncing behind my head, and ballet performances where I lacked the traditional bun.
    My parents decided to take me to a local wig shop to see if I was interested in purchasing a hair piece. But, everything I tried on either looked unnatural or felt itchy! So, for years I went without wearing a wig. Until finally, after a series of life changes and some maturing, I was open to the idea of "wig shopping" again. When a friend and mentor, Laura Mattey, introduced me to Mario Rispoli, owner of Salon Rispoli (Gemtress retailer in Delaware), I had no idea what to expect! But, the minute I put these hair pieces on, I knew I would be a fan for life.
    I'll end my first post here, but will gladly answer any questions you may have on the Facebook group "Kayla's Corner for Women & Children with Hair Loss". I hope this blog and our Facebook group will provide you a place to turn when you need answers or support. If there is something you are going through, I have probably been through it, too!  So please relax, and know that you aren't alone!

Until next time, friends!