Living with alopecia without a support system

Living with alopecia without a support system 

Rachel Hannah is 47, and she lives in Philadelphia. She describes herself as a very empathetic person, who does not like to see anyone in pain or suffering. 

She has had various health issues, and she has now been experiencing alopecia since 2023.

She was a model as a child, and has always been judged on her looks, even by her own family. She then became an aesthetician who works with skin, and says that this is an industry where you are also judged on how you look and your appearance by clients and peers. 

She has been diagnosed with Female pattern hair loss and Teogen effluvium after visiting three dermatologists to get answers and a suitable treatment plan. She has had to advocate for herself and do a lot of research. She sill feels like she has no idea what will happen regarding her hair loss going forward.

Rachel states that although her family were sympathetic at first, they soon lost patience with her and have made it clear that they think she should have got over it by now, put a wig on, and got on with her life. her relationship with certain family members is conditional, and the relationships have broken down over this. Losing her hair has caused tension between her and her family, and left her with no support network or help. 

After times where she has really struggled with her hair loss, she feels completely alone and has noone to support her. She has had to seek help and community online with others who have had hair loss and understand her better.

After struggling with surgeries, illness and addictions, she still describes her hair loss as being the worst thing that has ever happened to her. 

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