How did you tell work colleagues about your Alopecia?

young woman with alopecia

We asked SP, who works as a medical professional within Palliative Care, how she managed the situation with her work colleagues and the patients she meets on a daily basis? How did you tell family, friends, work colleagues ‘I’m going to lose my hair’?

SP started to lose her hair towards the end of 2018, it started with patchy hair loss, but by December she was no longer able to wear her shoulder length hair down, but tied back in a pony tail.  Her GP prescribed topical steroids to deal with these patches but following an appointment with a recommended trichologist, Alopecia Aerata was diagnosed. Her hair loss had reached such a degree that it was beginning to impact her self-confidence and dictate whether she felt able to attend social occasions – let alone some key events coming up – a friend’s wedding and a university reunion.

young mum with alopecia

SP came to visit us in the studio for a morning and we talked about her work situation and went through the variety of headwear styles / scarf tying techniques that might fit in with her day and work situation.  Here is SP’s story on how she managed and some of the styles she liked.

‘I know when I visited you a few weeks ago we spoke about how best to manage things at work, and you said you would be interested to know what I decided to do. So thought I’d share with you how I’ve dealt with it, as it may help others facing similar dilemmas.

So first of all I emailed my line manager and explained about my diagnosis, and that I could no longer conceal my hairloss by tying my hair back. I explained that on my next working day I would be coming into work in either a hat or headscarf. I asked her if she would kindly send a message to just the staff in our department, just so that it didn’t feel like the elephant in the room.

I didn’t feel the need to explain to the entire workforce as I was sure word would get out! I decided that I would tell the patients on my existing caseload. I haven’t phoned them specifically to announce that I’ve lost my hair, but just when I was next due to visit, I’ve phoned ahead and explained my change in appearance. They have all been incredibly kind. I haven’t said anything to my new patients, they have met me in my headwear and have accepted that this is me.

I sent a general message around to the mums at school and a few other local people just to avoid any confusion, or awkward questions about why I am suddenly wearing hats! I explained that there was no need to reply, but those who did thanked me for setting the record straight, and thought the idea of the message was great.

young woman with alopecia

I have had a few strange comments which I think is unavoidable.  I have been asked by a volunteer if I was a patient at the hospice.  I’ve been asked if the reason I was wearing a hat at my desk was because it was raining outside! And the best yet have I become a Vegan!!! On the whole, it hasn’t been nearly as difficult as I had imagined it was going to be. My children have accepted it and their friends haven’t even batted an eyelid at my new look, or questioned the hats and scarves. I’m feeling a bit better in myself and my confidence is growing.’

young woman with alopecia at work

Many thanks to SP for her frank and honest account about her struggles with hair loss. She is a remarkable woman (a nurse too, they’re very special folk!) and like all women we juggle a lot –  relationships, work life, home life, and our children’s lives. One thing is clear SP explored all avenues of diagnosis and information; no woman need feel alone and we encourage all our long term hair loss clients to get in touch with www.alopecia.org.uk There will be a support group in your local area within the UK and if not close enough, their Facebook group will put you in touch with other women in all stages of diagnosis. SP’s courageous account of how she has faced her anxieties and marched her way through is amazing inspiration and she has written her hair loss account in the hope that it helps other women facing the same situation.

Want to read on? – 5 Ways to Plan Ahead To Prevent Hair Loss Ruining Your Day 

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