Strength in Unity: Observing Alopecia Areata Awareness Month

A full head of hair, while it can be easy to take for granted, is a true blessing-in-disguise. The way our hair looks and feels is a crucial piece of our identity. It’s our DNA. So, as Hair Loss Awareness Month wraps up this August, it’s important that our efforts in uplifting the hair loss community press on. What better way to keep the support going then by commemorating Alopecia Areata (AA) Awareness Month this September! Let’s come together and show our support to not just our loved ones with AA, but any individual who might be fighting that battle.

What is Alopecia Areata?

Hair loss is frustrating, confusing, embarrassing and even heartbreaking at any age, but it might be less challenging the younger you’re affected by it, as Helen explains. “When you’re a child, you’ve had much more time to learn how to cope or work with your hair loss,” she says. Helen contrasts this with adult hair loss, adding: “Just imagine having a full head of hair your entire life, until one day, you wake up with these bald patches forming on your head.” The sudden, drastic change in an individual’s appearance can be excruciatingly jarring for them, making alopecia areata just as much a mental battle as it is physical.

If you or someone you know is battling hair loss due to alopecia areata, please know that you’re not alone. As we collectively grow more understanding and aware of one another as a society, the resources for those with AA are expanding, too. The most prevalent of them all being:

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The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF)

The National Alopecia Areata Foundation is a true ally for those navigating the challenges of alopecia areata. They offer a warm, supportive community where individuals can find both emotional comfort and practical help, from local support groups to one-on-one phone calls. Their dedication to advocacy ensures that the voices of those affected are heard and understood, while their ongoing research efforts bring hope for better treatments and, eventually, a cure. Whether you’re seeking support, looking to get involved, or just want to learn more, the NAAF is here to guide you every step of the way.

How Beauty Professionals Can Support Individuals with AA

As a beauty or hair professional, being able to provide a safe space for people amidst their hair loss journey is imperative. Even if you’re not able to treat your client necessarily, being there to listen, allowing them the utmost privacy, and remaining by their side speaks volumes. Above all, though, both Helen and Jo can’t stress how important it is that someone experiencing hair loss is connected with the right resources as soon as possible. Hair loss is a very delicate battle, that can often lead to years of built up and suppressed emotions. If you’re not 110% prepared or able to help your client (which is okay!), make sure you’re still playing your part as the professional to get them to the right place.

Want to make sure YOU’RE providing a safe space to clients? Just refer to the checklist, below! By deploying even a few of these tactics, you might completely revolutionize someone’s life.

"Our role as beauty and hair professionals is so much more than just providing services or getting a check at the end of the week. We’re a healers; therapists, even, in many ways." – Helen Owens, hair replacement specialist and author of Finding Our She-Compass

Safe Space Checklist:

• Offer private consultations or treatment spaces if able.
• Practice active listening.
• Use sensitive, supportive language.
• Reassure the client without offering immediate solutions.
• Understand the limits of your expertise.
• Have a referral system in place for hair loss specialists.
• Stay updated on hair loss conditions.
• Follow up with the client post-visit.

Being a hair or beauty professional takes being a supportive ally in your clients' journeys with hair loss. Even if you're not able to directly address their concern, your empathy, discretion, and referral to specialists can offer immense comfort and support.

A More Educated & Unified Future

1. https://dermnppa.org/new-insights-on-alopecia-areata-comorbidities/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8kzGAVPw0UOC3n880qwtnmJ-8w8ivBF8ho-i0p2-6gkCiWvu6Gw1UhoCBD0QAvD_BwE
2. https://www.naaf.org/funded-research/