The fear of the unknown really was what had me so afraid because I didn't know what was happening. I didn't know what was going on and nobody could tell me."
No Longer Hiding Behind Wigs. New Era of Confidence.
01
Shawna, has Alopecia Areata and scarring alopecia, and we're gonna learn a little bit more about her story. Shawna, when did you first notice that your hair was falling out and what was that like?
"I first noticed my hair was falling out about almost 14 years ago. It started as a very small dime size circle and it just expanded.
02
What about that moment when you did get told it was alopecia? How was that?
"I felt like my world had come crashing down on me. You know, who are you without your hair? I've been asking myself that for the last 14 years. I'm glad I know now."
03
When we first met, you mentioned that you did start wearing wigs at the beginning of your hair loss journey, but then took a hiatus for a couple of years. What ultimately led you to that decision?
"Even if you don't have alopecia, getting a wig or styling a wig or learning the basics of It was a lot. So, I did learn how to do my own lace and lay my own wigs, but after a while I was just like, this is too much.
I felt like I was hiding. You know what? I'm just going to go ahead and not wear any kind of wig. I didn't want to hide anymore for myself."
04
You also mentioned that you were interested in maybe choosing to wear wigs again now that you've found some time to find your inner peace. What was that like?
"That decision was very hard because I felt like I was betraying myself. I felt like I had got so accustomed to the bald girl, the alopecia girl, the shiny head girl, you know, I fell in love with her and to decide to put a wig back on, I kind of felt like, why are you doing me like this?