Alopecia Awareness Month September 2023

Written by

Megan Brooks

Last modified September 14, 2023

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In the tapestry of human existence, our differences are what make us extraordinary.

Each unique thread contributes to the rich mosaic of our world.This Alopecia Awareness Month, let us come together on the journey of understanding and empathy where Oxea London will become a shining star and will shed the light on all the alopecia survivor’s that will touch the lives of countless individuals across the globe.

Simultaneously, Alopecia is more than just a medical term, According to The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimates that Alopecia Areata affects 15 in 10,000 people in the UK. The NICE calculation gives a figure around 100,000 people in the UK currently affected by alopecia. It’s a testament to the resilience and courage of those who navigate its challenges daily.

What is Alopecia?

Alopecia areata is an unpredictable condition that causes the hair on your head or body to fall out in patches. These kinds of patches will connect and then become more noticeable.

The condition develops when your immune system hits your hair follicles causing hair loss. This kind of hair loss is found out to be very common keeping in mind the statistics like nearly 6.7 million people in the United States and 160 million worldwide are affected with this alopecia according to NAAF.

There are various types of alopecia and each one of them will come with its own characteristics,

Androgenetic Alopecia (Male and Female Pattern Baldness), This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women. It is often hereditary and is characterised by a gradual, patterned loss of hair. In men, it typically results in a receding hairline and balding at the crown, while in women, it leads to thinning of the hair. Alopecia Areata, this autoimmune disorder causes sudden, patchy hair loss. It can affect any hair-bearing area, including the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. In some cases, it may progress to total hair loss (alopecia totalis) or loss of all body hair (alopecia universalis).

Telogen Effluvium, This type of alopecia is usually triggered by a significant physical or emotional stressor. It causes a large number of hair follicles to enter the resting phase, resulting in sudden, diffuse hair shedding. It's often temporary, and hair growth typically resumes once the underlying cause is addressed. Traction Alopecia, This is caused by excessive tension or pulling on the hair shafts, often due to tight hairstyles like braids, ponytails, or extensions. Over time, this constant pulling can lead to hair loss, especially along the hairline.

What are the causes of alopecia?

When alopecia areata happens your hair begins to fall out, mainly in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. In some of the cases hair loss will take place in a few spots and on the other side it will be more significant, including the entire hair loss.

An experts from Oxea London has found that many people with a hereditary alopecia areata also have a personal or family history of other autoimmune disorders, say for example an atopy, a disorder recognized by a tendency to be hyperallergic, thyroiditis, and vitiligo.

Despite what individuals think, there is a little scientific evidence to support the view that alopecia areata is caused by stress (chances are it cannot be true as well)

The cases of hyper stress could potentially trigger the condition, but most recent research points toward a genetic cause.

What is Alopecia Awareness month?

Alopecia Awareness Month is observed in September and is a special time dedicated to raising awareness about alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.

"In the vibrant shades of life, there exists a thread, delicate yet resilient, that weaves through the stories of countless individuals. And that thread is the thread of Alopecia Awareness Month, a time when we come together to celebrate the beauty of diversity and ethnicity".

Some key highlights observed during Alopecia Awareness Month

While juggling with the Alopecia we see not just the absence of hair but the presence of strength and a spirit that refuses to be defined by external appearances.

Let us, in this month of awareness, fade the lines that separate us and fill the gaps with understanding and compassion.

1. Raising awareness

Awareness is equal to advocacy, 2% of the population is affected by alopecia at some or the other point in their life from which many people are still unaware of the significant impact of alopecia on individuals and families.

Show some love and empathy towards the survivor's and make them believe that this too shall pass.
Create a culture where they feel welcomed and not left out.
Make them feel that they are not the only ones suffering but there are others as well, together they are one whole family.
Contact a local newspaper, television channel and arrange an interview on what Alopecia is and how it impacts lives and how to overcome it.

2. Support and community

Create a community of survivor’s and let them realise that they are not alone in this situation, let them speak with their hearts out and make them hear the stories of others who have fought with the situation strongly.

There is also a huge community of support via leading Alopecia charities, including Alopecia UK – and this September, you can join the campaigns of #awarenessforalopecia, raise funds with the help of social media and other resources, and help alopecia survivors overcome the condition in the best way possible.

3. Education campaigns

Hold or sponsor a family friendly awareness event and let the survivor’s understand about alopecia.

Share alopecia areata educational brochures at public libraries, community centres or at any other popular places.

Host an event where one can come upfront and talk about the experiences and emotions about alopecia.

Oxea London’s team will be there to guide and help you throughout your journey of alopecia where you will see your confidence coming back along with your hair.

4. Hair donation and fundraising for alopecia

Every penny raised here will save one life for sure! Do something happening and make that penny worth the while, raise the fund while interacting and engaging with all the individuals and help them gain their confidence back.

Contact and collaborate with some exceptional hair studio’s like Oxea London for hair donation camp’s, as they will come upfront and help the survivor’s with the best wigs and other hair solutions available that will not boost their confidence but will give them the reason to live the life greatly.

5. Awareness month events

Awareness months are dedicated to raising awareness about various causes, health issues, or social concerns, get involved in all of them and get the best out of it, starting from raising the funds from there while creating the awareness.

6. Wear blue: A sign of alopecia Awareness

Alopecia awareness month is typically associated with the colour blue. This choice of colour may vary by organisation or region, but it’s often used to symbolise support and awareness for individuals affected by alopecia.

Blue is often chosen for its calming and soothing qualities, which can be particularly meaningful for those dealing with the emotional and psychological aspects of hair loss.

Why Is Rising Awareness About Alopecia Important?

Raising awareness about alopecia is essential for fostering inclusivity, supporting affected individuals, advancing research, and promoting a more understanding and compassionate society.

Keeping in mind the state of physiological well-being, alopecia awareness here will help reduce negative judgement and help them understand that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid and genuine, where they will not get into the stage of depression and trauma.

An early help and detection of alopecia will boost the confidence of individuals who are experiencing hair loss to seek medical attention promptly. Get into the research first as the research will feature what is best for you and why, the deeper the research the effective treatments, medications and therapies you will get, with that get the innovative solutions like hair replacement technologies and wigs.

A researched knowledge about alopecia will lead to the best funding for the survivor’s. Involve into communities that create awareness about the alopecia, such helpful campaigns will form a group which offers vital resources, information and emotional support.

Empower and boost the confidence in the individual so that they can breathe and live wonderfully, encourage them that they are no different from other beings and let them share what they feel.

Conclusion

As we acknowledge Alopecia Awareness Month, let us celebrate the beauty in being different, the strength in vulnerability, and the unity in diversity.

Together, we are the colors that make the world more vibrant, more real, and more beautiful. Oxea Invisible Hair Solutions in London supports and empathises with the survivor’s and they will make sure to support you in this journey with their best services and kindness.

Author Profile

Megan Brooks

Megan Brooks is a Certified Trichologist at Oxea Invisible Hair Solutions with over 21 years of Unbeatable experience. Throughout her remarkable career, she has successfully completed an impressive 8000+ hair replacement systems. Megan is dedicated to transforming lives and boosting self-confidence so that one can live with all the pride. She has served over 800 satisfied clients and still-counting, while helping them regain their natural appearance and feel their best.