Happy October! It has been a few months since I updated my hair/alopecia situation. To be honest, I never thought in a million years I’d be dealing with alopecia personally. I learned about it in cosmetology school so many years ago, but it wasn’t something I worried about or even came across in my 43 years of being in the business. A hairstylist with no hair. This has been such a low blow to my being.

Unfortunately, I will likely always have alopecia as it is an autoimmune disease and I have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s). I’ve learned when you have one autoimmune dysfunction, you will likely have more. So this is what I was handed. I won’t lie or sugar coat it, it’s depressing.

I am however, thankful for medications that can help. JAK inhibitors help the immune system from attacking the organs, in this case, hair follicles. I started a JAK called Litfulo in January and started seeing hair growth in April. Patience and self-care is key. While I don’t yet have a full head of hair, pictures below, I feel better with at least some hair. In the beginning, it came in pure white but it’s slowly returning to my natural color – with white hairs shining through! It happens this way often; as the hair follicles heal, the color returns.

I’ve learned a lot through this journey. I’ve learned that what someone looks like does not define them. I’ve learned that stress and people pleasing can lead to physical overwhelm which weakens every part of you. I’ve learned (I’m still learning) that saying “no” is okay. Someone’s every request does not have to be met by me. I have to be as kind to myself as I am to others. I’ve learned to lean on God for strength and direction; I have faith.

What I choose to eat and choose not to eat matters. Getting physically fit matters, though it’s challenging! Forgiving myself for slipping up matters. Having time to relax and do something enjoyable matters. Everything we do to take toxic energy out of our lives, matters. I grew up believing that my two brothers and I didn’t matter but I know know that we do. I matter and you matter. This is a whole bunch of mattering!! giggle-giggle.

So, as I sign off for now, remember what is important for your best health and do that.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies”. This passage frames physical health as a sacred responsibility.

Eat well ~ Live well~ Be well ~ Be happy

The drawback of taking a JAK is if it is stopped, hair will fall out again because the immune system will start attacking the follicles again. In some cases your autoimmune disorder can stay dormant.