They said " Your hair is your crowning glory".
I do really believe on this saying. Your hair really change the way you look. It made you beautiful and sexy. But what does it looks like if your hair falls off? Do you what to know my experienced way back 9 years ago? So here it is...
I discovered a small patch of my hairline last 2011 of December. Since then, everyday my hair kept falling especially when I took a bath and combed my hair. I went to the salon to cut my tangled hair. The hair dresser said that it was an "alopecia". I was just confident that it was not a serious problem. He said to stop using hair shine products and avoid using conditioner. I followed what he said. I even bought "LUAT" herbal shampoo and I didn't use any conditioner since that day. However, my hair sheds drastically. When it entangled, it was difficult to combed at all. As I brushed it, that portion of the hair which were entangled eventually sheds off.
To hide the hair which was falling and eventually receding, I bought a synthetic long hair wig. It do gives a
glam in my face. I bought another sathura
synthetic mid length wavy wig . That time, I am confident how I looked for I
suits to my complexion and I knew already how I carry that wig. Unlike
the first time I had it, I am uncomfortable of wearing it. Wearing
a wig was not my dream for I have my healthy and wavy hair back then. However, it
opens my perspective to appreciate how I look if I have different hair
style and color. But wearing it was not easy. I experienced itching in my
head and humidity increases especially in absence of hair conditioner.
The worst falling of hair that I experienced was last January 4, 2012. I even shouted and cried of what I had seen those clump of hair. That's the time that I felt scared. Scared of what might happened to me. I'm I dying? or do I have a serious disease? Some other people even thought that I have a cancer. I am really upset of my situation. Only God and my family were my sole of strength that I have at that very moment.
To stop those speculations, I went to a dermatologist
named Dr. Vicente Verallo. Upon checking my hair, he said. He found two
possible type of diseases. One is the telogen effluvium and the other one
is alopecia aorta. In order to diagnose my case. He
suggested to have biospy test. He took a small part on my scalp, and it was sent to the laboratory for testing. The test was taken last January 7, 2012.
The result was supposedly released on January 12, 2012 but after 5 days of being upset of what would be the result, it was delayed. Consequently, I was so scared to
death. It prolonged my agony. According to Verallo's secretary, it was transferred to another laboratory to rechecked its result's validity. Checking its result validity? It doubled my anxiety. What is it? Do I have a cancer or something. It took another 5 days of waiting.
During that time of test, this is how typically looks like.
After the awarding ceremony of January 16, 2012, the group headed to Basilica del Santo Nino to offer a thanksgiving mass. After the mass, there was healing of the sick. I fervently prayed for my condition. That I will be okay. That this drastic change of my hair will not contribute too much to my health.
January 17, 2012. I went back to the clinic. That time I am very nervous. The secretary handed me with the result. The result stated that I suffered a " Telogen Effluvium". I immediately sent message to my husband Ryan to search that word. He replied immediately;
" Telogen Effluvium" is a scalp disorder characterized by the thinning or shedding of hair resulting from the early entry of hair in the telogen phase (the resting phase of the hair follicle).Emotional or physiological stress may result in an alteration of the normal hair cycle and cause the disorder, with potential etiologies including eating disorders, fever, childbirth, chronic illness, major surgery, anemia, severe emotional disorders, crash diets, hypothyroid and drugs.
As the doctor gave me an advice, that the hair will eventually will grow every 3 months. Upon, hearing it, I felt relieved knowing that that condition is not a cancer nor any another else. It is just a hair condition which can be treated. He then told me to avoid using hair conditioners. Moreover, took some off and keep away from stressors and lastly, that I should eat at the right time.
Stress is one of the factors that contributes to my hair fall. So to those moms like me, you should free yourself from stress. If you don't like to experience what I've been through.
| February 24, 2012 |
Prior to this hair falling incident, I remembered that I almost forgot to eat for I was too much engrossed with the work that I didn't mind the time for eating. As a result, I suffered severed headache that when I touched my head or even a strand of my hair. It was really painful that I always pulled my hair up.
To hid this situation to other people especially with my students and colleagues, I wore cap, bonnet, scarf and even wigs. I took me about 3 months of hiding.
For I am ashamed with my condition. When the school year 2011 -2012 ends, I had the courage to go to the parlor. It was March 25, 2012 when I decided to shaved my hair. So eventually my husband and I went to the barber shop did my hair done.
 |
| March 26, 2012 |
That was me a day after my hair was shaved. Confidently beautiful.
I realized that no matter how you looked like, you can face such fear and humiliation if you are surrounded with people who care and love you. Loving and accepting oneself is one of the best way that you can move forward.
Thanks God that it was just a Telogen Effluvium. Thanks to my husband Ryan Pet and my family for the love and support.
This is me April 5, 2014
This is me April 5, 2014
This is me as of 2020
Life live , eat well and be happy to get rid of stress.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS -- Contact me here:
Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/c/RoseJaneArreza
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosejanearreza/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RoseJaneA/
Facebook Main: https://www.facebook.com/rosejane.arreza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosejanearreza
Blog : http://thesafemode.blogspot.com/
