Emmy Combs
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia is an auto-immune disorder.
Alopecia means hair loss, so absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows. When someone has Alopecia it means that their immune system attacks your hair follicles resulting in baldness.
There are 3 different types of Alopecia:
Areata (most common)
Totalis
Universalis
Alopecia Areata is hair loss in patches over the scalp. Alopecia Totalis is basically hair loss over the scalp and face. Lastly Alopecia Universalis, the severe form of Alopecia Areata, is complete hair loss over the entire body.
Hi Im Emmy and I Have Alopecia Universalis!
Let me share my Alopecia story with you...
I was Diagnosed with Alopecia when I was just 2 years old. From about the ages of 5 to when I was 16 years old I wore a pink bandana to cover my bald head. Wearing the bandanas made me feel comfortable, safe, and just better about myself. For the longest time I was terrified to go out in any public setting without the bandana. That was for a reason that is unexplainable. It made me feel secure and safe... just like how wearing everyday clothes feels to someone. I was always known as the girl with the pink bandana. It made me feel special and more than just the girl who doesn't have hair. Realistically the bandanas were unhealthy for my body and mind. Physically the bandana was uncomfortable around my head because of how tight I would tie them. I would be cutting off the blood circulation to my head causing massive headaches and dizzy spells. It is crazy however, I would go through the so much trouble just to make sure that the bandana was secure and was not moving off my head. Most days I could not wait to come home, take it off, and just feel free... My mind was only thinking about how it looked and what would happen if it just fell off. It was a horrifying thought that constantly ran through my mind. I always wished one day I would gain the courage and strength to be able to go out in public without it. It was my biggest dream...
I realized that I actually had that strength. That courage. The confidence. It was just hiding deep in my couscous and I needed to pull it out. I finally did what I always wanted to do. I removed the bandana from my bald head and I have let myself free!! As of may of 2017 I stopped wearing bandanas and I was able to express myself and be a more confident version of myself. This has been the best decision of my life. I view the world from a different perspective than others. I believe that you should live your life being happy with how you are rather than wishing you were someone who you are not. Alopecia has become apart of me and who I am as a person. Alopecia does not define who I am, however it has helped me realize who I aspire to be as a person. It has made me strong, confident and overall an outgoing sociable person.
I have a strong passion for makeup, as you can tell! Makeup is my strong suit! I use makeup to create art. An art of beauty on my face instead of someone looking at me for my unique differences, my bald head. I hope instead they are looking at the art that I've created on my face. Makeup is the thing that makes me happy and i use it to emphasize my facial features and replace the ones I don't have, like eyebrows and eyelashes.
Giving up the bandanas and finally going out in public without them was one of the hardest things I have done, even if it seems to be an easy thing. The first day I went out in public without one I was scared, nervous, and it made me even feel sick. I wasn't afraid of anyone saying anything negative, I was just more afraid in my head. I hadn't been without one since I was 5 years old. It was a scary experience for me, however my friends were the ones that guided me an helped me through it. I finally did what I always wanted to do and I went out in public without it and ever since I have not worn a bandana. I have had countless amounts of positive feedback on my appearance. This makes me happy to see people in this world notice the positive things about a unique human being instead of the negative ones. Even if I have only inspired 1 person, so be it. It breaks my heart to see some people tear themselves apart for something so uncontrollable. I will do the most to just help 1 sole in need for support. Its the person I am and the person I have learned to be. Having Alopecia has affected my life majorly and I see things from a whole different perspective. I love who I am and I hope that you do as well️.