The A-Team; our A-Z of hairloss...

You might have seen me announce yesterday that I'm attempting to compile an A-Z of everything hairloss, in a bid to create a useful resource for you to draw on! I KNOW I won't remember everything for each letter the first time, but whenever I remember anything extra, I will pop back over to the right letter, update it, then let you know via our social media channels!

Anyway, I'm wittering away and putting off the inevitable, so here goes 'A' in our A-Z of Hairloss . Enjoy!

Adjustable - It's a shame this is the one to start with, as it is a little bit of a stretch, but hey, that's how the alphabet goes! Anyway, it's a common misconception that wigs come in only one size, but that is simply not true! A lot (particularly synthetic) will come in multiple cap sizes AND will be adjustable! This is a great feature as you can see here...

Adjustment - hairloss is a big adjustment! From changing your routines, having to think about wig care (if you wear one), changing habits and even just adjusting emotionally, it is all an adjustment which will feel difficult at first, but you'll get there in the end I promise!

Alopecia (Areata, Totalis, Universalis, Androgenetic, Traction): A common cause of hairloss, alopecia can cause partial or total hairloss from the head and body. It is an autoimmune condition and you can find out more about it here...

Alopecia - Me and my bald head...

Alopecia UK - if you are looking for support with your Alopecia, then Alopecia UK is the official UK charity who can help. Go check them out for great information, group support and anything else you need!

Alternative Hair - another word / description for wigs, 'alternative hair' is a common term and you can search online for an 'alternative hair specialist'. As well as wigs, this term also encompasses toppers, extensions, partials, and all sorts of other things too!

Anagen - Anagen is the 'growth' phase in the cycle of a hair follicle. Depending on genetics, the anagen phase will last 2-7 years for the average person. In cases of medical hairloss, the hair fails to return to the anagen phase, resulting in baldness.

Androgenic Hair - This is the technical term for body hair that develops after puberty. Its growth is affected by the Androgen hormone which means that typically men will have more androgenic hair than women. In many cases of hairloss, including both alopecia and chemotherapy hairloss, androgenic hair will also be affected, as well as scalp hair.

Angry / Anger - Unless you are becoming a #BaldHeadedBeauty by choice, it is inevitable that at some stage you will feel an overwhelming sense of anger! Whether you are angry about the 'betrayal' by your body, by the lack of support for you and your hairloss, the reaction of others, everyone will feel angry for a different reason and it is perfectly normal! You will reach a point where you need to let it go though, otherwise you risk long-term emotional problems!

Anxiety - As with anger, unless your bald look is by choice, anxiety will be a common emotion for you to experience. I certainly did - fear people would judge me or think less of me, that my wig was obvious, that my hair would never come back (although that no longer applies) and pretty much anything else you can think of! Anxiety is common, but you need to find coping mechanisms to ensure that it passes and you can handle it!

Appearance - hairloss will change your appearance. For some people, the close cropped look is a choice and for others it won't be. Either way, it will change your appearance, whether you opt for wigs to keep it concealed, or embrace being a #BaldHeadedBeauty it will change your appearance!

Artificial - Artificial can be used in two ways when it comes to hairloss. First, as another (less common) term for wigs or alternative hair, sometimes interchanged with synthetic. Second, some people say they feel 'artificial' or 'fake' or worry other people will think them so, if they opt to wear a wig! You shouldn't, this isn't a bad thing to do and you just need to remember, it is YOUR choice!

Assumption - This is most commonly a word used with alopecia; one of the things that happens to me quite frequently with my alopecia is the assumption that I have cancer, whenever I go out and about bald. Some people get offended by this, some upset and ultimately you will feel what you feel - for me though, I TRY (but don't always succeed) to embrace these assumptions, and use it as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness of my own condition!

Autoimmune - Alopecia is an autoimmune condition which means that the immune system is attacking the hair follicles and causing loss.

Awareness - Awareness is crucial when it comes to hairloss as it is so misunderstood by Doctors and in fact a lot of people generally. What awareness does is help sufferers encounter less negativity as each year goes by, not to mention helping with fundraising, research, improved care, support and many of things besides! If you feel up to it, get raising awareness - it is so important! This applies for alopecia, trichotillomania, chemotherapy hairloss and everything else too!

Awesome - some people (including me) absolutely love their hairloss, or at least grow to enjoy it! This takes time, but is something you can acheive! The reason I wanted to include this in the list is that otherwise, all the 'A' words like Anger and Anxiety are negative, and there are positives to hairloss too! Check out #100HairFreeDays for some of the reasons I have embraced my hairloss!

Awful - As with 'anger' and 'anxiety', awful is another descriptive words that many people will use about their own hairloss or somebody else's. It can be 'awful' and there were days (and still are now occasionally) when I struggled and this was the perfect word for it, but this too will pass if you want it to!

Phew! I think that is absolutely everything that I can think of, but there'll be something I've missed!

Have we missed something? Let us know via Facebook, Twitter or email...

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

My view on alopecia

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald My twitter: @baldguyproblemz

Hi I'm Ben and this is my first blog!! Victoria has posted my story which you can find here if you haven't already seen it: http://prettybaldonline.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/real-life-male-alopecia-story-meet-ben.html

Alopecia...

It doesn't sound particularly appealing does it?

That's because its not, there's not many people in the world who would voluntarily get rid of all their hair. And I have to say it's definitely the most difficult thing I have had to overcome in my life. Although I have come to terms with it and am much better with coping with it than I used to, I still wish everyday that my hair would come back.

It's probably not surprising and I'm sure there's many of you who feel the same way. But genuinely, I think about it everyday and wish it wasn't the case. I look at myself in the mirror and think 'eww'. I think 'how could someone find this attractive?'. And then I tell myself, 'shut up, what's the point in worrying about it, it is not that bad'. Hmm, perhaps that's a good or bad way to look at it, you can make a judgement on that.

'It's not that bad'... I think telling yourself this can either be seen as a good coping strategy or a misconception. On the one hand, it helps in being more positive and makes you more comfortable with your alopecia. But on the other, it can downplay what in reality, is a huge deal. I am not saying that it should be all consuming but just, it has the capacity to be. Sure you can say 'at least my condition is not life threatening' (quoting myself there) and although that's true and something you should be thankful for, it does not bring your hair back.

Personally, I think what takes the biggest toll, psychologically, is the fact that alopecia leaves you feeling helpless... It leaves you feeling that resistance is futile and it leaves you feeling that there's no hope for your follicles. The shear nature of something that's out of one's control has always been frightening, this is no different when it comes to alopecia, as it is a problem you cannot escape... It is literally right on top of you.

This 'problem' you cannot shake can often make you feel alone, it might make you feel like you are fighting an entire army on your own. However, we are not alone and this is something I have realised fairly recently and it has definitely contributed to my mental improvement recently. Realising that there are others like you, fighting the same fight, oddly, makes you feel better. It is always just nice to have someone or some people who understand how you feel and its something that people that don't suffer from can struggle with. It is nice to know that there are others, and since I have found a wider community of alopecians, I have felt much more comfortable.

There may be many of us but perhaps not as many as you expect... According to the NHS, there are 1 in 1000 people who suffer from some type Alopecia in the UK... Which means there are roughly 60,000 people in total who have either alopecia areata, totalis or universalis. Which sounds like a huge number but in reality that is 0.001% of the UK's population. Weirdly, this makes me feel better as it makes me feel very special. Furthermore, 1 in 200,000 people have my type of alopecia (universalis)... Which if you do the maths works out to 35,500 people IN THE WORLD that have the same condition as me (you could not fill most big sports stadiums with that amount of people)... Thats such a small amount of out of 7 billion; you would need 2.5X that amount of people to fill Wembley stadium!!

Apologies for the stats and football stadium comparisons but thats how my mind works!! The point is, that if you have alopecia, you should feel special because it makes you even more unique as a person. As I said in 'my story', it is what makes you, you. Having this condition builds up so much character and inner strength, that it will equip you to overcome any adversity that you will confront in the future; in this sense, view it as a strength!!

Lastly, I would like to mention my personal, most used coping strategy to my alopecia. I am always the first person to make a joke about it (rightly so), I do realise that occasionally that they are misplaced and/or not funny but making comments about it makes me feel more comfortable; I guess it really comes down to the fact that I think everyone else is thinking it (which they probably aren't) and that I have to say it to avoid others thinking it without my knowledge- I want to be in control of when people think about it I guess. That is something I've just figured out while writing this, its just a way of normalising alopecia for me. I do worry however, that people think I mention it too much and think I am doing it for attention when in reality it's my way of dealing with it!

All in all, to summarise my opinion on alopecia; I think it is unfair because no one deserves to feel like they are helpless against their own body. However, I do think it is important to think positively and remember that in the long wrong this condition will benefit you in terms of your character... I mean who knows, because of the fact that evolution occurs through natural selection of random genetic mutations, we could be the next step in human evolution; this mutation in our genes may be advantageous in the near future! I digress, I think it is important to leave you with my motto on the subject as you are so much more than your hair (or lack of):

Alopecia doesn't define you, you define alopecia

Real Life #Hairloss Experience - Meet Sally

So yesterday, I posted an update on Christoph Soeder's photography project "Faces Unfading" and as well as taking part myself, I also got the loveliest email from a lady called Sally, who also participated in the project!

Sally is leader of the Alopecia UK Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire support group. She started off by saying "I bought this years calendar and was stunned by the bravery of the women who took part.  It encouraged me to have my photo taken without my wig or scarf for the first time as part of Christoph Soeder's degree project". So she did it! As well as being chuffed that our calendar project inspired Sally to become a #BaldHeadedBeauty, I'm even more chuffed that she's asked to share her story through the Pretty Bald blog. Here goes...

My journey from hair to bald

As a child growing up I had a love hate relationship with my hair. I loved that it was long and thick, I loved my mum brushing it until it shone or plaiting it overnight, so it fell in soft curls when undone in the morning; but I hated that it was so heavy it wouldn't stay curly or stay in a ponytail or bun. I hated that my nicknames were carrot or ginger because of its colour.

In my teens the colour softened to a rich coppery gold; it became my crowning glory. 

In my 20s I abused it the way that all young women do, perms, colours, 80s weird haircuts.

In my 30s I loved it again, styled in bouncy bob cuts that shone with natural highlights in the summer. 

In my 40s I started to lose it – just a small patch about the size of a 10p coin which grew back; then another, then a bigger patch. The doctor and hairdresser said not to worry, worrying makes it worse. For 15 years I spent a fortune on creams, shampoos and pills to make it grow – but nothing worked for long and when it did grow back it was pure white. So hair dye became my best friend. Life became a constant struggle to hide the bald bits. I felt at war with my hair.

In my 50s my body hair started to go and I knew I was starting the slide into total hair loss. I felt my body had betrayed me, I felt like a freak. When I lost my pubic hair, I no longer felt like a woman. I was an alien, something not quite human.   My self-confidence was shattered, but outside, to others I seemed strong and in control.  I put a brave face on things, bought my first wig and fought back. Everyone said how strong I was, but inside I cried every day.  

Now my wig is my armour, my route to normality.  Taking it off is now the challenge. I take small steps. First at home, then in front of my closest friends, next in the privacy of a beauty salon, wearing a head scarf to do yoga, a swimming cap at the beach, the first photo wearing a scarf, the first photo bare headed. 

Only one step left now – out in public.  I know I will do it one day when I am ready. I plan to be with friends and other hairless women who will understand exactly what I feel.

What a touchingly honest story and one I know most of us can relate to! At the moment, we don't have a #BaldHeadedBeauty picture to share of Sally, but we're hoping that once Christoph's project has been exhibited, we'll be allowed to share one! In the meantime, here's Sally looking gorgeous in her wig... 

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

Remember @ChristophSoeder? Well here's more about his project...

Exactly a month ago today, I put a call out for Alopecians in the South West / Wales who would be happy to be photographed bald by Christoph Soeder for his University project. I was one such 'model' for the project, and now I have an update for you...

As well as being incredibly busy trekking the country to photograph #BaldHeadedBeauties, Christoph has also been putting a lot of thought and work into preparing for his final project! He has opted for the title "Faces Unfading" evoking the feeling that a lack of hair doesn't mean a lack of presence! Love it!

His exhibition opens on the Friday 29th of May at 7pm in Cardiff at Jacobs Market...

Here's the website bio...
"We're looking forward to welcoming you at West Wharf Gallery, an open relaxed space for contemporary arts at the top Jacobs Antique Market in central Cardiff on Friday 29th May, 2015. The photographic work displayed will showcase the diverse talents and practices of all our members, ranging from traditional documentary to more conceptual, contemporary photography. Alongside the exhibition, we will also be compiling and releasing a publication of our work."

In the meantime, Christoph has done a great job of capturing the natural me, and whilst I look far from perfect (plus my eyebrows are too dark), I rather like the style! Here's a sneak peek at just one of the images you may see at the exhibition...

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

What it's really like to need to wear a wig PART 1

You may or may not have spotted me share this story on Twitter and Facebook yesterday, about one girl's wig experiences and the emotional and financial drain she faces. When I posted the story, I also promised to blog about it and give my thoughts (I have very mixed feelings about the piece) and it has inspired a series of blog posts, of which this is the first!

The first thing I did was watch the video, and I went from horrified to pretty angry at the content of that video! The video is inane and very misleading and whilst I appreciate the hair stylist is responsible for Beyonce's beautiful, bouncy locks, if my wig consultations went anything like that, I'd have been out the door faster than you could say 'wig'.

There are two common ways to buy wigs; first, through a wig reseller, either a hairdresser or wig specialist or second through an online store. What that SHOULD involve is an opportunity to discuss and consider your options, likes and dislikes, and second, the opportunity to see what a wig looks like before saying 'this is the one'. Upon watching the video (which takes a different tack), the hairstylist tells the girl what she will have which 'should come in at less than four grand', and then when they are ordered in and arrive, the pair decide 'this is the wig' after no more than wafting it around on a polystyrene head. Luckily for her at the end of video, she walks out with glamourous, very natural looking hair and a big grin on her face, but no thanks to the consultation in my eyes! I hope to goodness that this is just a poorly edited, low-budget video to 'add interest' rather than a glimpse at the reality of the consultation; but based on my discussions with other people, this type of experience is all too common!

Don't ever believe that just because someone sells wigs for a living they a) have a clue what they are talking about, b) understand the emotional and physical experiences involved in wearing a wig or c) resell the right wigs for you. There are a lot of absolutely fantastic wig specialists and advisers out there, but there are also many that 'fall' into selling wigs, either as a way to make money, as an extension to a hairdressing business, or because they originally tried to help out a friend. Unfortunately, the latter can often leave people with a feeling that wigs are essential but a nightmare, rather than the much more desirable accessory that fits simply and easily into your everyday life. What a good wig should make you feel is fabulous and your natural self, and in the best case scenario should make you fall in love with it! True, it isn't your natural hair, but when you can't face the prospect of being a #BaldHeadedBeauty just yet, you wig should be your absolute best friend, not an item to be tolerated.

Here's what's so wrong with this video:

1. There are probably a million different wigs on this planet ranging from synthetic to human hair with different cap constructions, styles and prices. For a good wig that's suitable for medical hairloss rather than dressing-up, you should expect to pay somewhere between £100 and £4,000 depending on your choices. £4,000 should not be your starting point and should be a very serious, considered decision as there are plenty of lower-budget wigs out there that can be just as good as a £4,000 one; trust me! 
2. TRY. IT. ON. I cannot stress this enough - try a wig on. How good they look and feel will depend on your head shape and size, the cap construction, the colour of the hair, the colour of your skin and the shape of your face. Something that looks fabulous on a friend can look entirely different on me, and just like buying a dress, you have to make sure it fits when it's actually on. True, your consultant can help increase the likelihood that it will fit, but they can't guarantee you will like it until it is on. Even if you order it online, as long as you don't wear it for hours and send it back with any obvious wear, you can give it a try to ensure you are happy!
3. Think about your lifestyle; a wig is not a direct replacement for your hair, because it is not growing out of your head! I know that sounds a tab obvious, however it does mean that it isn't repairing itself or growing, and therefore it will deteriorate over time. I have both human and synthetic wigs, but having an active lifestyle with a lot of dog walking, windy days and not a lot of spare time, it's my synthetics that get the most wear, offer the best value for money and suit me the most. Don't think that a synthetic can't be as good as real hair and make a considered choice rather than selecting the closest physical match to your original.

As I said, this seems to be just a poorly shot promotional video rather than any serious reflection on the appointment or service offered (she expands on the service in the actual article), but it does unfortunately provide unrealistic expectations and your wig experience just shouldn't be that way! If you do have any questions, feel free to email me and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction!

Victoria x


www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

Meet Miss April - The very gorgeous Julie... #PrettyBald #Calendar

We of course cannot let this month pass by without mentioning the very gorgeous and lovely Julie (Juliana), our Miss April.

Julie is the epitome of hairloss 'success' if you can call it thay; someone who has battled the demons associated with hairloss and emerged as a gorgeous butterfly, full of confidence and at her happiest! You might have spotted her in Sunday People telling others of her story, but if you didn't, don't forget to give it a read...

Julie is 52, and has been a mental health nurse since the age of 18 (kudos). She has been a sufferer of Alopecia Areata for much of her life, with bouts at the age of 12 and 16 initially. Steroid Injections did the trick and then Julie went unaffected until the age of 32, getting progressively worse until not only was her hair affected, but her confidence and self-esteem too. The hairloss ultimately led to a divorce at 43 as she hit rock-bottom.

Slowly, engaging with her hairloss, telling others and slowly coming to accept it, made her a stronger, happier person. She met a new man, who accepted her as she was without the hair and they married in 2012. Since then, she's embraced the hairloss, going wig-free after the Alopecia UK Liverpool Flashmob and even opting for a gorgeous floral tattoo on her head (ouch)! She's vivacious, funny, charming and a delight and her story is one of personal tradegy and ultimate happiness which I believe is possible for anyone!

Well done Julie

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

Hairloss... Why you're not failing...

Today, I read a really interesting interview in The Telegraph, chronicling the hairloss journey of Alya Mooro at the age of 23. One thing that straight away captured my attention was her assertion that she felt like a 'failure' for suffering from hairloss.

For me, this was never something that I experienced - many other emotions graced my brain, from inconsolable sobbing feeling like I'd never get through it, to a strange denial detachment that felt like burying my head in the sand. Never once though did I feel like a failure - in fact I frequently felt that others were failing me by being ill-equipped to properly advise or support. That said however, something I have definitely learned along this journey - you cannot predict how someone will feel on a day-to-day basis, how they will handle the situation and whether they will focus on finding a cure, or become a #BaldHeadedBeauty who embraces their hairloss. Feeling like a failure wasn't in my remit, but that doesn't mean it's wrong - simply sad.

Whatever the emotion you're feeling, and however it affects you, something you're not is a failure! Yes, it may feel like it, but in reality, it's not like hairloss or alopecia is simply preventable - if it was they'd have found a cure by now and would be advocating a healthier diet, or less chemicals or something else, simply to prevent the 'problem'. Failure by definition is 'not achieving the end goal' and it's not like we have a goal of 'having a full head of hair' or even consider it until the hairloss starts to happen. It doesn't diminish the feelings though and it doesn't mean you'll feel them any less!

I always find reading stories like this so interesting - it reminds me of how far I've come, as well as showcasing the diversity of hairloss experiences, which is just so important to give a sense of perspective!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

What does it mean to have confidence...? Guest post from Kerry Montgomery

Sorry to harp on about it (I think this is my third post mentioning this), but the trip to The Ideal Home Show was brilliant and a great chance for me to meet others! Whilst only Brenda was a fellow #BaldHeadedBeauty, I did get the chance to meet another very interesting lady, before cementing our contact via Twitter! Kerry was another show participant and is also a researcher at Sheffield University, studying the effects of, and potential ways to support those living with visible skin conditions including acne and alopecia. We asked her to tell her story of Body Confidence and this is what she wrote...

If someone had told me ten years ago I would be on a catwalk in front of a large crowd of people I would have laughed, but over the last month I have spent three days taking part in Katie Piper's catwalk show: Confidence: The Secret.

So a bit about me, I was born with a genetic condition called Crouzons syndrome; the condition affects the appearance of the face and skull. It has been a struggle, particularly as a teenager; my parents tried to make things as normal as possible for me but time off school due to surgery and hospital visits meant my teenage years were a little different. School can be a difficult place for anyone who is set apart from the ‘norm’ - looking back I realise now if it hadn't been the way I looked, I would probably have been singled out for doing my homework on time, or getting good grades.  People would ignore me or call me names or threaten me. How I looked elicited such a strong reaction that I was actually assaulted because of it. I remember being chased home by five boys a few years older than me; I managed to make it home, bang on the door and my step dad chased them away - I was about 12 at the time. The reactions of other people severely affected my confidence as a teenager and young adult, it would stop me going out socially and I would be afraid of meeting new people because of worry about their reactions. I felt different to everyone else, and I didn't like my face, so much so that I decided that I wanted to have further reconstructive surgery. I was told it would have no medical benefits but it could ‘improve’ the appearance and shape of my face. I thought long and hard about it and decided that in order to feel better this was what I needed to do. However it wasn't to be, I woke up expecting my face to look different but the surgeons felt the procedure too risky and stopped the surgery - I was heartbroken.

That’s when I realised that this was it - this was what I looked like and it wasn't going to change. For me, this certainty helped. Looking back now, in some ways I'm glad the surgery didn't go ahead. It made me think about appearance and what it meant to me and the people I loved. All the negative reactions had come from people who I wouldn't ever dream of associating with - so why was I concerning myself with that? I don’t feel my appearance defines me as a person, when I describe myself it doesn't factor into it. I wouldn't say I think about the appearance of my face very often. I have everyday worries about my weight, my height, getting the right fit in clothes. I take care of myself and think about what to wear or my hair - as Katie would say it’s about being the best version of myself that I can be.

When the charity asked me about being involved in the show I wanted to be part of it because of the message: that living with a visible difference does not define who we are, and we can be confident, and look confident. Traditionally on catwalks there is a view that to be on stage you need to be what society deems as ‘beautiful’, but who defines beauty anyway - where does this come from. It's changed over time - previously the curvy figures of Marilyn Monroe and such like were sought after, and now this has changed to coveting the size 0 body. Beauty products are modelled by people with flawless skin and perfect hair - so what about the rest of us who don’t fit the mould, who look different to the women on the adverts and on the TV? We still use the products and wear the clothes so surely fashion and beauty needs to take this into consideration?

It’s been a journey getting to this place, to be able to stand on a catwalk in front of people and feel confident and I'm sure there will always be days when I look in the mirror and wish things were a bit different, but that doesn't make me different to anyone else. My appearance does not stop me doing things; sure when I first meet people I wonder how they will respond, but in my head now I think if someone is going to judge me, or respond to me in a negative way based on my appearance then I don’t really want to be around them anyway!

Doing the show I was lucky enough to meet amazing, beautiful women, and their stories touched me in some way. Everyone had overcome something very challenging and difficult and when that happens we have a choice, and the women I met all decided to fight and not let their difference define them. This strength came shining through as confidence, a confidence that they could do what they set their mind to and not be held back by negative views of others. Indeed one affirmation was ‘happiness is not comparing yourself to others.’  

My affirmation was ‘Who I am is enough’. A friend shared this affirmation with me, and to me it means that I don’t need to try and be someone else or seek to be different from who I am. I feel it has a powerful message.

I am passionate about helping people who are experiencing distress related to living with a visible difference, particularly social anxiety. My research at Sheffield university currently focuses on developing support for people living with skin conditions for example alopecia and acne. For me, my experiences have given me insight and awareness into living with a visible difference and I hope to use this to help others.

Kerry.

Kerry at The Ideal Home Show with Katie Piper and fellow models

I hope you enjoyed this post and if anyone has any questions for Kerry about her or her research, please let us know and we can put you in touch! We're looking forward to more updates from Kerry about her work progress in the future and wish her the best of luck!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

The countdown is on... Alopecia UK Alton Towers trip - here we come...

Last month, Kayleigh wrote about the importance of group support and the benefit of strength in numbers. She of course referred to the inaugural Alopecia UK trip to Alton Towers, giving individuals the chance to ditch wigs and ride the rollercoasters, without constantly worrying! Sounds great!

Last year, I couldn't make it, but this year, I'm in! I'm joining the group as a volunteer and have been assigned to keep the adults in check (not that they need it). The great news is I am now on my way with pal and fellow Alopecian Hannah and we'll be arriving later this afternoon!

The countdown is on folks and tomorrow or Sunday once I've exhausted myself running like a loon around Alton Towers, I'll of course write it up and share the pics I'm allowed to! I think for me, the best thing about events like this is the opportunity to not be 'the odd one out' and be able to truly embrace who you are, without having to constantly explain if you don't have the energy to!

I'm hoping that everyone else benefits as much as I expect to and advise anyone struggling to come to terms with being a #BaldHeadedBeauty to sign up to the Alopecia UK newsletter to ensure they don't miss out on more great events like this!

Whoop whoop!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

A day of inspirational women and celebrating difference with @MuskehoundFinn and @KatiePiper_

Alopecia UK circulated a message not that long ago, encouraging followers to enter a competition to win a chance to appear on the first Diversity Catwalk, being organised by Katie Piper. The competition asked entrants to upload, email or tweet a picture of themselves and their 'difference' telling the judges of the defining moment in their journey to Body Confidence; the winner would appear on stage at the Ideal Home Show, Olympia, alongside an inspirational group of women who all had their own point of 'difference'. AUK hoped that enough ladies from the #BaldHeadedBeauty community would enter to ensure that at least one of this group of gorgeous women would appear on stage, showing the world that Bald is Beautiful.

When I saw the competition and read the info and inspiration behind it, I absolutely knew I wanted to be there (not on stage mind you, a front row seat would suffice). I wanted to see first hand what these 'differences' looked like and how Katie Piper planned to try and change an industry that is bought and sold upon the idea of perfection. Not long after, I received a tweet from one of our very lovely followers Brenda who had been hand picked to join the select group of individual beauties parading down the catwalk in a show entitled 'Confidence; the secret'. Coincidentally, Brenda hadn't been recruited for the show through the competition, but had in fact been one of the original cast; a coup for bald awareness, particularly Alopecians.

Brenda kindly sent me two complimentary tickets and I bought along my biggest inspiration - my mum. We travelled to the show on Good Friday, and after a tortuous trip around the stands coveting a lot of things we didn't need, but loved (including a hydrotherapy pool, a hot tub and a fire pit), not to mention an expensive impulse buy I'll not doubt regret when the bank statement comes in, we nabbed ourselves two second row seats, right next to the stage. We were there early and a group of models / dancers took to the stage, showcasing a range of clothes from sponsors. Glamourous, co-ordinated and tall, everything you'd expect from a model, these ladies and gents grooved their way down the runway to a number of tracks, showing off everything from yellow macs to evening wear. Not what you would call bucking the trend, but engaging nonetheless.

Next onto stage came the very gorgeous (and absolutely tiny) Katie Piper, more beautiful and frankly normal in real life than the pictures or TV cameras do her justice for. She's spunky, funny, intelligent and resolute and has a goal to engender and promote absolute Body Confidence in each and every person. She spoke, some about her own experiences, some about the experiences of others she's met, and most importantly about the fact that fashion and beauty can be very important in helping someone be the best, most confident version of themselves, ultimately providing a very exposed and very real platform to promote and gain acceptance for the unconventional or 'different'.

She stepped back and onto stage strutted a feisty and confident bunch of women; I would challenge anyone to tell me how and why these women were anything other than beautiful. True; burn scarring, a missing limb, a wheelchair and no hair may not grace the front covers or inner pages of glossy magazines, but there is absolutely no way that any of these women could be considered anything other than stunning.

Next, Katie talked about the human spirit and the fact that despite negative comments being oft heard by those struggling to come to terms with a condition, it is in fact the strength within ourselves that is important. She highlighted that each and every person has a 'human spirit' and that no matter what guise we believe that appears in, each and every one of us will have been touched by someone else in some way. A particularly poignant point was that none of us know just how strong we can be until we are tested and that ultimately, we are in charge of our own destinies.

She then segued into the fact that each and every women on stage was concerned not with their 'difference' or 'disability', but with entirely unexpected areas or features of their body; back onto stage they strode, wearing oversize baggy white t-shirts, and on the back of each was their own area of concern. From a 'big tum' to 'thighs' and even the size of their hips, each and every one of these women had an area they'd like to improve. This too included Katie, who for the record would like to be taller than her 5'3'' so she can give heels a miss, and would also like a more round bum like 'Kim Kardashian'; she too was clear that actually there are things she would like to change, but that she won't love herself any less.

One very interesting technique which Katie opts for but which I personally have never used, is positive affirmations; reminding yourself of the important things and ensuring that happy thoughts are interlinked with day to day life. She dropped a number into her motivational speeches, including one statement from her Doctor in the early days of her recovery; as she sat worried about never finding love, or being considered beautiful again, her doctor said to her 'Why worry; worrying about what hasn't happened yet is a waste of energy that gets you nowhere.' Katie was clear that this was a turning point for her, and regularly using affirmations like 'I am bigger than my problem', 'Inhale Confidence, Exhale Doubt' and 'The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts' have all served to have a positive impact on her life.

Speaking to Katie after the show*, I realised just what a philanthropic person she truly is, but also how draining it can be to put yourself in the spotlight and say 'This is Me'. Talking of her work, she was clear about the importance of dividing her time between being a mum, working and looking after the Charity. The Katie Piper Foundation', at the same time, highlighting her understandable drive to support burns victims. Despite that, she said that the show, which had showcased a whole range of different conditions, had underpinned a realisation that their differences don't need to be the same for people to inspire other people; it is the journey each individual takes and the strength that they show that can provide inspiration to others on the same or different journeys.

Katie's ultimate goal is to provide a platform to deliver awareness, show difference and help people to understand and embrace it. Kudos to her!

Here's a few pictures from the event and over the next week or so, there will be a follow-up interview with Brenda talking about her personal experiences of the show, once she's come down off Cloud 9 of course!

Brenda & I

Katie Piper & Pretty Bald

Swimsuits - well done girls!

One final point is to say well done to each and every one of the ladies!

Victoria x

*Please note, I am paraphrasing here; I was a little too starstruck to remember exact words used! Sorry Katie x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

Don't be a fool - make sure you flip over your calendar page!

Despite being April Fool's Day, we're not kidding with this post, reminding you to turn the page on your gorgeous Pretty Bald calendar...

This month features the gorgeous of our gorgeous #BaldHeadedBeauties posing with umbrellas in case of the infamous April Showers! Julie, Emma, Jackie and Jen all took part in this shot in their wellies and not much else; this was one of the first taken during the day and I have to say hats off to these ladies for getting into the swing of things so early on...!

Cue 'Singing in the Rain theme tune folks!

Victoria x

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

Looks like @KarenGillan may be rejoining the #BaldHeadedBeauty ranks

A couple of years ago, Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan shaved her head for a movie role. Starring in the film Guardians of the Galaxy, Karen was forced to shave her hair for her role as Nebula. After the shave, she kept her own hair and had a wig made from her natural hair for between takes and after the show; she has since spent two years growing her luscious locks back, only to have to face doing it again!

We think Karen Gillan was a truly gorgeous #BaldHeadedBeauty, but apparently she's dreading it! She said "I have a physical and emotional attachment to this hair. We’ll have to see if I have to shave it. Maybe CGI will have developed further by the time we shoot it.”

Losing your hair is tough, but we think Karen rocks the bald! It's a shame she's so worried about it! You never know perhaps she'll shave her head, embrace it and come along to the Alopecia UK Alton Towers event!

I'd love to interview her about her fears; if I could ask her any questions it'd be:

• What's the scariest thing about losing your hair
• What was the worst thing about being bald?
• We're running #100HairFreeDays - what was the best thing about being bald?
• What advice would you give someone going through hairloss?

Good luck to her!

Victoria x

Watch her shave her head for the first time here:

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald

A really sad problem for #BaldHeadedBeauties

Losing your hair is tough and anyone that tells you otherwise probably hasn't experienced it first hand. There are things which can help, like wigs, headscarves and hats, but not everyone feels comfortable using these! There are then those who elect to become a #BaldHeadedBeauty, braving the bald come rain or come shine*!

A very interesting side-effect of losing your hair (at least in my opinion) is society's reaction to it; some people take it in their stride, some will stop and stare, but for some reason, for many, baldness seems to come with a sign that says "Talk to me; I'm dying to hear your opinion!" Whether you are male or female without hair, your lack of luscious locks seems to generate a talking point. Meeting one chap a few weeks ago, he said in his experience losing his hair opened him up to bald jokes and people pointing out he was going bald; in his words, whilst he doesn't particularly mind nowadays, he knows he is balding and if you advised someone they were fat, there would be uproar! Personally, I don't have a huge issue with the comments, because I have taken a personal stance to take the time to explain and educate, raising a little bit more awareness, but I really appreciate those who find it difficult.

On Facebook, I am connected to many suffering with Alopecia and other forms of hairloss. A couple of days ago, I saw a story from a friend who had been approached in a public place (with her young daughter) and told her hairloss was all her own fault and she needed to look after her health and diet better. Nope; pretty sure that's not what's behind the alopecia! Unfortunately, this is more common than it sounds and I recently read an article about a young lady in New Zealand with a similar experience...

As a hairdresser, losing her hair was pretty traumatic, but something she took in her stride. Straight away, she opted to be a #BaldHeadedBeauty, embracing her hairloss and going hair free. Four years later, she's taken the very tough, very personal decision to start wearing wigs; whilst many people go the other way, her decision has been born and triggered by the sheer level of comments and feedback she received. In the article, she described the fact she doesn't want to be accused of 'hiding behind her wigs', but she's struggled with the number and variety of comments; it wasn't that they were even negative, just the number of times a day she had to explain her look and her condition! Whilst on the one hand, this approach has meant she's spent four years educating and raising awareness of the condition, just because of how she looks, I can also empathise with the amount of energy and time required to make all these explanations! What a sad and very tough choice she's had to face!

I totally get the fascination - as a species our curiosity seems naturally endless, and I bet if people thought they were creating a problem they'd be mortified - but it's hard to imagine the endless questions the #BaldHeadedBeauty face!

Sometimes, I wish there was a simpler way to explain that didn't have require so much effort and energy!

In the meantime, for those who do want to opt for the bald, don't be afraid - I've regularly gone out bald and whilst I don't do it all the time, my experience is that the comments aren't that common! I think in part, a job like hairdressing makes it worse, putting you in the limelight!

What about your own experiences? How have they been?

Victoria x

*We advise you gorgeous baldies to wear suncream if the sun is shining! A tomato head is not comfortable - trust me, I know!

www.prettybald.co.uk Twitter: @PrettyBald