Using Social Media to Help Women With Hair Loss - An Interview With Hair Influencer Lorena Calderon

A person’s early 20’s are confusing enough, but add mysterious hair thinning into the mix and it feels like a whole new battle. Lorena Calderon started losing her hair in her twenties, attributed it to birth control and tried to move on. In 2018 she went to the doctor and got a biopsy done, The results: stress or alopecia. The treatment: prescriptions that didn’t work. 

After finding a video of popular public figure, Dani Austin, online sharing her hair loss and wig buying experience, Lorena was opened up to this whole new world of wigs and hair toppers that changed the game for her and led her to where she is today. 

Living a life with alopecia or hair loss can feel like a lonely experience. Like many others, Lorena shared her hair journey on social media and found a new community to connect and thrive in. Gaining over 20K followers, Lorena is breaking down barriers one Instagram reel at a time! 

Interview conducted Jul 20, 2023 via email. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi, my name is Lorena Calderon, and I was born and raised in Miami. I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I'm married and have two boys, ages 7 and 10. My family is from Nicaragua, and I'm bilingual. I really enjoy traveling and exploring new places. I'm a big fan of wine and wine country, and I wish I could visit every year. I also love working out and am a big Peloton fan.

When did you first notice your hair thinning? What was that like?

I've always had thin hair and just kind of accepted it. However, in 2006, my now ex-husband pointed out just how thin my hairline was. Classy, right? 

After this, I became fixated and obsessed. It made me really self-conscious, but luckily life was moving fast, so I tuned it out for a while and focused on other things.

How did you find wigs & hair toppers?

After the births of both my boys, I experienced severe postpartum hair loss. I searched the internet for hair loss solutions, tired of wasting money on pills and potions that promised to regrow my hair. 

In 2019, I visited a local wig shop with my mom, but the options were old-fashioned and limited. I bought a piece that I wore a few times but never felt confident in. I settled for fibers and short hair that took a lot of time to style. 

Then, while researching on YouTube, I came across an influencer sitting outside a wig store, crying because she couldn't make her natural hair work. Her husband encouraged her to try on a wig, and I knew deep in my soul that my husband would be just as supportive. I found a community of ladies on Instagram and researched brands, terminology, and options. I bought my first human hair wig in the summer of 2020, and it changed my life.

You share your life with wigs and hairpieces on IG to help normalize hair loss and wearing hair. What was it like posting about it for the first time? Were you nervous?

I was terrified. I felt like I was revealing a secret I had kept for so long. But I wanted to share hope, encouragement, and guidance with others, just as I had received when I started. 

It took me 40 years to realize that life is too short to care about what others think. It was the best feeling to stop worrying about others and focus on myself and what makes me happy.

You recently got a Silk or Lace Collection wig. What do you love most about it?

I absolutely love Aurora [from the Silk or Lace Collection]. The color is different from what I usually wear, but the hairline is impeccable, and the lace is so transparent that it's undetectable.  

The knots are perfectly bleached, and the density is just right. If I had to pick one thing, it would definitely be the immaculate hairline!

What would be your top piece of advice for people beginning their hair loss journey?

My advice would be to give yourself grace and be patient throughout this journey. It can be a significant adjustment to see yourself with a lot of hair if you've had thin hair for a long time. Take your time, play with the hair, watch tutorials, wear it on short errands to ease into it. 

Before you know it, you'll be surprised at how normal, easy, and life-changing it can be.

You wore a wig for your wedding day! How was the experience?

I had one of the best hair days on my wedding day, and that feeling was priceless. When the stylist arrived, I showed her my wig, and she wasn't phased at all.

She refreshed the waves on my wig, and it was so nice not to worry or stress about my scalp being visible or my hair looking limp and lifeless in the pictures.  

What is your favorite tv show to binge right now?

Ted Lasso!

What is your go to hair color/style? 

I really am a sucker for a dark root with lighter balayage and some loose beach waves.

If you could only choose one beauty trend from this year to keep in your routine, what would it be? 

Honestly, I’m not one to be too in tune with trends because I wear what I like and it’s as simple as that lol. But after googling the top beauty trends for 2023 I would say face and body jewelry sounds fun! Also the warmer hair colors are totally my vibe!

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Follow Lorena on socials:

Instagram: @faux.hurr.lifee

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