Hair loss- we're breaking the stigma!
When it comes to hair loss, we each have our own story to share. Through this series, get to know the stories of women from all over the world. Tiff is an Alopecia Areata babe absolutely smashing the streotypes of wig wearing.
Where are you from?
I'm from Penrith, Sydney, New South Wales
When did you start experiencing hair loss? What has your experience been since then?
Around 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with alopecia areata. I had small patches of hair loss that I hid with different hair styles. We had a death in the family around 6 years ago and the stress around that situation made a large amount of my hair fall out.
At that time, I was wearing scarves and beanies to hide my hair loss. My hair took a while but it eventually grew back. Two years ago during the pandemic I lost a lot of hair again, more than 50% gone. I then discovered Lusta and bought my first wig after a wonderful consultation with Holly. It was a gorgeous dark brown long wig and every time I wore it I got compliments on how beautiful my hair was! I then bought a light brown shorter bob wig with highlights after another great consultation with Holly. After I bought my second wig I got the courage to completely shave my hair off.
During this time I enlisted in the Australian Army Reserves and went down to basic training. Taking my wig off on the first day I was there and stepping into the hallway revealing my bald head was the hardest thing I have had to do in regards to my hair loss. The weeks that I spent down there I shaved my head bald every two days and I got used to being the bald girl in the platoon. When I came back I decided to embrace being bald and continued to shave my head, and also wear my Lusta wigs to my teaching job and when I went out for dinner or special occasions.
My hair has started returning and I am currently trying to grow it into a pixie haircut, I would say its at about 85% grown back at the moment. This is a condition that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life and I’m so happy that I have embraced being myself whether I am bald, have my own hair or am wearing my Lusta hair.
Who was the first person you told about your hair? How did it go?
The first person I told about my hair loss was my husband, Chris. He has been supportive from day one. He's always been there for me, encouraging me and helping me with my hair since my hair loss began. He also supported me in buying and wearing hair. When I decided to shave it off he did it for me, when I needed to learn to shave it for army training he helped.
How did you find Lusta Hair?
I found out about Lusta from Instagram. I was researching places to buy wigs and I found the local places often only catered for older women. I wanted something younger and something that made me feel confident. I was excited when I found Lusta on Instagram and I probably followed and read every post for weeks before deciding to buy my first wig.
What do you love about wearing hair?
I love feeling glamorous when I put my long hair on and I always get compliments when I wear my long hair. I love my shorter hair for everyday occasions, it looks more like how I used to wear my natural hair. It is also great for my teaching job, wearing hair to school allows me to focus on my lessons and not have to filter questions about my shaved head from curious students.
How has Lusta been part of your hair journey?
Lusta has been wonderful. Joining a community, the Instagram posts and stories, the phone consultations and lives, I’ve even made friends online from Holly introducing me to other members of the Lusta community. I like the tutorial videos to, I always refer to these when I need to wash and style my wigs.
What would your advice be to other women with hair loss?
My advice would be to take it one day at a time. I have accepted my hair loss now but it has taken me a lot of time and life experience to get here. I still have days where I don’t feel confident or I catch someone staring at me at the shops but I tend to think other’s people’s opinions aren’t my business and I put my shoulders back and carry on. And I always have my Lusta wigs to wear if I want to feel glamourous or just forget about my natural hair for a day. I am proud of myself that I don’t care about rocking my shaved head at the gym, swimming, at the shops, camping or buying a coffee. I would also advise anyone thinking about buying hair to give it a go, I will be forever grateful that I found Lusta and had those consultations with Holly.
Would you like to share your own hair story? Send an email to hello@lustahair.com ❤️
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