Hair loss is a traumatic expertise that impacts over 50% of Black girls in some unspecified time in the future of their lives. Final yr, I observed my hair was beginning to fall out. After 4 months of agonizing over the accelerating loss, I sought therapy from a dermatologist. My physician didn’t do far more than peer at my scalp and write a prescription for oral treatment.
The shedding slowed down and ultimately stopped, however not earlier than I had my hair cropped from the lengthy model I had worn for years right into a pixie lower simply so I wouldn’t have the stress of watching my hair accumulate right into a puddle at my ft each time I washed it within the bathe. I by no means discovered what induced my hair loss and attributed it to the pressure of an ongoing well being disaster. Since then, I’ve by no means stopped worrying that an surprising stressor would trigger my hair to fall out once more.
Fortunately, my hair continued to thrive and is now again to a size higher suited to my style.
Supply: Prostock-Studio / Getty
Not too long ago, I got here throughout an occasion entitled “Rooted in Wellness: Addressing Hair Loss with Consultants,” that includes two consultants within the subject of hair loss and hair care: Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in hair restoration, and grasp pure hair care specialist Diane C. Bailey, a world-recognized pioneer in pure hair care who joined forces in 2020 to supply Black girls a one-stop location to enhance their hair well being.
On this unique interview, in honor of Alopecia Areata Consciousness Month (September), they share hair loss myths and the advantages of merging dermatological care and hair styling providers beneath one roof.
MadameNoire: What are the highest three hair loss myths girls should know?
Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu
Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu: Three that come to thoughts are: One, individuals don’t must see a physician and don’t know that hair loss will be handled by a dermatologist. The second is “Protecting kinds are protecting.” They’re not. And the third is “Stress is the principle explanation for hair loss.” Hair loss is the results of a number of components, of which stress is only one. Our scalp is one other organ of the physique, and it may be diseased like different physique components. Hair loss isn’t just an aesthetic concern; it’s a well being concern and is usually an early signal of underlying medical circumstances.
Diane C. Bailey: Whew, there are such a lot of! “Oils are good for hair progress,” “My hair doesn’t develop,” and “Wigs are protecting kinds.” Many Black girls don’t really feel horny, glamorous, or female with their pure hair. Particularly their naturally textured hair. That is all based mostly on what now we have been advised about femininity and sexuality. We’re advised our hair must be a sure shade and look a sure strategy to be lovely. Hair loss is a worrying expertise. As a hairstylist, I get to wipe away their tears and assist and nurture them by means of their journey. For too many Black girls, lengthy hair is the final word aim, not wholesome hair. That’s till they arrive to the dermatologist’s workplace after they have hair loss. Then their priorities change. That’s after they perceive that wholesome hair is premier.
Supply: Prostock-Studio / Getty
MadameNoire: What’s the connection between psychological well being and hair loss?
Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu: It’s HUGE. Hair loss will be seen as a circle. When individuals develop hair loss it causes nervousness, melancholy, and might even result in the avoidance of social conditions, relying upon the extent of it. Folks don’t wish to discuss hair loss. They’re embarrassed. The most typical sort I see within the clinic is centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, and there have been research that present it’s related to nervousness and melancholy. There are stress receptors on the hair follicle, which might have an have an effect on on the situation. Due to the social and political that means of hair, something that has to do with hair has an outsized impact on Black girls. We place a variety of emphasis on our hair and use it to put worth on one another. It makes individuals wish to manipulate their hair to look a sure means or put on it a sure means that causes (extra) nervousness.
Diane C. Bailey
MadameNoire: How do you method your purchasers?
Dr. Achiamah Osei Tutu: I take a holistic method to therapy, working from the within out. Some girls come to me and so they haven’t seen their common practitioner in years. Once I discuss to sufferers I ask the standard questions. What’s your well being historical past? Do you will have any systemic points, like anemia or a thyroid situation? How are you consuming? What does your hair care routine appear like? What merchandise or styling instruments do you utilize? Have you ever had any new stressors? How do you handle your stress? If it’s maladaptive, corresponding to pulling their hair to alleviate nervousness, I recommend they see a therapist, too.
Diane C. Bailey: My job is to ensure they’re supported earlier than they go house. As soon as they go away Dr. Osei, they typically have topical or treatment (they should begin utilizing) to take care of the irritation that’s triggering the hair loss. Once they come to me, I’m pondering “How will we deal with the hair and the scalp they do have so we will begin the method of pure hair progress. Usually, I ask the consumer to make three appointments, one each three weeks. We detox the scalp and begin to comb (her hair) and all of the issues she must do to handle it. Most girls get the weave or the wig and ignore it as a result of they’re pacified as a result of the world sees them in the best way the world needs them to be. What occurs now when it’s time to get a job, be intimate with their mate, or swim, or put on a hat. Now, your hair is the point of interest. You’ll be able to’t do something till you get your hair proper. If we go actually deep, they’ll see that their hair is sufficient.
Supply: Prostock-Studio / Getty
MadameNoire: What’s the principal takeaway you need individuals to grasp?
Dr. Achiamah Osei Tutu: Persons are extra conscious now that they’ll go to the dermatologist and that’s serving to stem hair loss total. Many don’t know the place to go. Hair loss is an growing epidemic. Don’t take it calmly. In case you are having any type of hair loss, go to a dermatologist. The longer you wait, the much less doubtless you might be to have it managed or handled as a result of ultimately you get scarring.
Diane C. Bailey: Once I began working with Dr. Tutu in 2021, I had 30 hair loss purchasers. Now, it’s nearly 400. It’s horrible, but it surely’s good. My apply is a single room with one chair. It’s a secure house and a spot the place purchasers look ahead to coming. It’s an area the place they are often actually seen and heard. It’s nearly like a confessional. Like if you go to church and communicate to somebody about their spirituality. It’s unhappy. Typically individuals need to mourn their hair loss. But it surely’s additionally an area of hope. The science is a lot extra necessary than the artwork of styling.
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