My Hair Loss Story, written by Audra Rackley @audrarackleyhair

I’d like to start off by introducing myself. I’m Audra, and I have had Alopecia Areata since birth.

There is no cure for this Autoimmune Disease, so I have been wearing hair for over 20 years. I am also a hair stylist. I am so grateful to have a profession in which I love and can help others. It took me many years and many different jobs to reach the point at where I am today. I feel blessed to be able to share my knowledge and passion with others behind the chair as a stylist and hair loss specialist.

Over the years I have worn or worked with every different type of hair there is.

I started initially wearing the clip on ponytails from Sally’s. Then as my AA progressed, I started wearing extensions. I bonded extensions for quite a while myself.

That was extremely unhealthy for my scalp, and just not practical. I graduated into wearing synthetic wigs, trying many colors and styles. But with the desire to have the most natural and realistic look, I moved into human hair. I’ve worn full lace, lace front, silk top, medical caps, a CNC system that was bonded on, long, short, blonde, brown, red, if it’s out there I have most likely tried it.

This gives me a true connection with the clients I work with, an understanding of the journey they are walking. I went undiagnosed clinically until 3 years ago.

I grew up being bullied from the time I can remember in a rural Kentucky town. It was scarring to say the least. It was a horrible and traumatic experience nobody should go through, especially a child. I don't think I had any self confidence until I was at least in my 20's.

Like most women who experience hair loss (1 in 3 to be precise) I was ashamed and wanted to hide it. The fear of rejection or more bullying drove me further and further into a hole of depression. I’m not sure when the positive turning point was exactly, but living like that for so long was exhausting.

I made the decision to slowly start sharing my story with others and coming out of my shell. I realized that I wasn’t the only one in the world who was suffering with this. It was so hard to share at first, some days I still feel that way.

At that time I decided to become a hair stylist. I felt like that was my true calling. At 28 I started cosmetology school, graduating in May 2010 from The Aveda Institute Charlotte.

Working behind the chair is what eventually made me feel more comfortable with myself.

Seeing how women trusted me, sharing their own insecurities and fears. That motivated me to turn the most negative thing in my life (my hair loss) into the most positive.

After several years of being a commission based stylist I took a giant leap of faith and opened my own Aveda exclusive salon, Studio Blue. Being a salon owner was what I lived and breathed for 5 years. The hard work was very rewarding. I had the highest rated, most successful salon in my city. But not without consequence.

The time spent running a successful salon and working full time behind the chair didn’t allow me to focus on hair loss education and training. Believe me though, there is always A PLAN, a door to be opened, dreams to achieve.

In August of 2018 I closed Studio Blue and opened WHR. I truly believe I am living out my purpose today owning Wilmington Hair Restoration. I spend my days customizing wigs and hair pieces, still working with a select few clients, volunteering with various organizations and counseling others on how to live with bullying and hair loss.

I recently took a week long class to learn how to make full lace wigs or toppers by hand. This was AMAZING! I plan to start making custom pieces later this year after some more practice.

I feel like my hair loss has enabled me to meet so many new friends and do what I love every single day.

My hair loss does not define me. In an odd twist, it has made me shine.

woman with alopecia and hair loss

Please message me if you have any questions or need any guidance on your hair loss or alternative hair journey.

Find me on IG @audrarackleyhair

Tagged:

Posted on June 23, 2020

Blog Contributor

503 comments

Older Post

Back to Our Latest News and Features

Newer Post

Comments

Rainer Moura

January 21, 2025

Crypto Consulting Recovery Experts Lost Recovery Masters

Lost Recovery Masters centers its expertise on financial fraud and ethical hacking services, focusing much of its resources in fighting binary options scams, a pervasive threat to individual investors and financial institutions alike. With a proven track record of success and a commitment to transparency, Lost Recovery Masters provides personalized support throughout the recovery process, keeping clients informed every step of the way.

Contact details:
Email: Support@lostrecoverymasters.com
Website: https://lostrecoverymasters.com/

FUNDS RECOVERY EXPERT

January 20, 2025

🔲 🔲 FUNDS RECOVERY *🔲 🔲

⬛️ HAVE YOU FALLEN VICTIM TO A FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT SCHEME, CRYPTO SCAM Or OTHER TYPES OF SCAMS???

⬛️ Are you struggling to get back the money you lost? You’re not alone. Every day, countless individuals face the devastating impact of scam operations that drain their hard-earned savings. But there’s good news – we are here to help you recover what’s rightfully yours.

⬛️ Truth be told, the only Specialists that is capable of retrieving your lost funds from online scams, fraud and scam investment websites are Team of PROFESSIONAL HACKERS & CYBER FORENSIC EXPERTS, we are the Funds Recovery Expert who knows various Retrieval Techniques and Strategies that suits different scenarios of Scam

⬛️ At Funds Retrieval Panel, we specialize in Funds Recovery using advanced technology with the help of our Top notch hackers and cyber forensic experts that works cooperatively with the use of various Advanced technology softwares, hardwares and AI’s to retrieve your funds from fraudulent investments, crypto scams, and malicious online schemes. With years of experience in the financial and tech sectors, we are the trusted solution for individuals looking to recover lost money.

⬛️ We don’t just promise results – we deliver them. Our expert team has successfully recovered Billions of dollars for clients who have fallen victim to scams

⬛️ CONTACT US NOW to schedule your free consultation and start the process of recovering your funds.
🌍 www.fundsretrievalpanel.com 🌍
📩 info@fundsretrievalpanel.com✉️

Rosa Sliver

January 20, 2025

YOU CAN RECOVER YOUR STOLEN FUNDS WITH THE HELP OF // THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT

The most reputable and trustworthy recovery experts available today. THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT. They can help you retrieve your stolen crypto funds. They have technical expertise resources to track down and recover lost crypto. I had lost £973,000 to fraud and at first I thought it was gone for good. I went online to search for recovery, I saw numerous testimonies regarding THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT and how they had assisted other people in getting their money back. I didn’t hesitate to contact them, in just a few days the experts returned all my money. They said that they did an investigation and returned my money immediately. They can never ask you for any upfront payment. They can help you track your funds. They are cyber security experts doing great jobs out there. Be wise and do your research to avoid being scammed again. For anyone in a similar situation seeking to recover funds lost to online scams, contact THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT through