Alopecia Awareness Month: Get Involved This September 2023

1. Find out more about Alopecia

Alopecia Awareness Month is an excellent time to gain knowledge regarding the disease. If you’re unfamiliar with Alopecia, it’s best to start with the basics. You can learn what it is and how someone who suffers from Alopecia may be affected.

If you or someone close to you suffers from Alopecia, you’re probably aware of something. This month could be the perfect time to find out about the latest treatments and treatments coming up or discuss your experience with other people.

As with all health conditions, there are clinical trials you could be involved in. When you participate in clinical trials, you can contribute to the knowledge base of alopecia areata. Find out more about ongoing clinical trials for Alopecia through ClinicalTrials.gov.

2. Can alopecia be treated?

Currently, there is no known cure for alopecia. In some cases, the lost hair will begin to grow back naturally; in other cases, medical treatment can lead to hair re-growth.

While alopecia treatments do not cure the condition, they can stimulate the affected hair follicles and lead to healing and new hair growth. The effectiveness of alopecia treatment depends on the severity of the condition, the area of the body most affected by the disease and the age of the person being treated.

There are two main alopecia treatments – mild alopecia and severe alopecia. Mild alopecia is hair loss that affects less than 50 per cent of the scalp. Severe alopecia is defined by a loss of at least 50 per cent of the hair or more. Due to the lower extent of hair loss, treatments for mild alopecia are more effective than those for severe cases of the condition.

The most common type of alopecia treatment is the injection of cortisone. In this procedure, small amounts of cortisone are injected multiple times into different areas of the affected skin.

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Although this treatment has been shown to promote hair growth in balding areas, it does not keep other areas of hair loss from appearing on the skin.

For more severe cases of alopecia, more aggressive treatment is usually needed. In these cases, cortisone pills can be given in addition to the treatments for mild alopecia to increase their effectiveness. When these pills are taken regularly along with cortisone shots, topical minoxidil or the application of Anthralin cream, hair growth is boosted, and better results can be seen.

Although alopecia can be treated, it is not guaranteed to work for everyone. When alopecia is resistant to treatment, individuals are encouraged to check out other options for dealing with their condition, such as hair replacement, hair system, hair loss counselling, permanent hair topper, or wigs. However, you don’t have to deal with your hair loss alone. There are support groups (hair loss awareness month) who can help you through this challenging phase, so you never have to feel alone in coming to terms with your hair loss.

3. Social media connections

You can keep informed on fundraising events. It is recommended to follow NAAF on Facebook or Instagram. NAAF through the NAAF’s Facebook page or Instagram.

A variety of other accounts also have personal stories of alopecia-related issues on Instagram, such as:

• @baldbossmovement
• @kyliebamberger
• @relightalopecia
• @thosebaldchicks

These accounts provide real-life tales and personal experiences with Alopecia.

If you feel like sharing something you’ve learned on your own pages, you can use the hashtag #alopeciaawarenessmonth.

4. Tell your story

If you suffer from Alopecia, Alopecia Awareness Month could be the perfect opportunity to share your experience with other people. There’s a lot of value when you share your personal story with others.

If you need more time to be ready to share your thoughts, that’s okay, also. It’s your time to share. You are free to participate as much or insignificantly as you want.

If you want to connect with other sufferers of Alopecia, think about joining an Alopecia Support Group. Specific areas offer in-person meetings. If yours does not exist, there might be virtual meetings that you could attend.

It’s comforting to feel that you’re not the only one. Support groups allow you to share your experiences about treatment options or everyday struggles with other people who have similar experiences.

5. Contribute to the NAAF conference scholarship funding

Every year, the NAAF organizes a conference in one of the cities in the United States.

The NAAF offers a Scholarship fund that helps people who are affected by Alopecia to attend. The fund lets people participate in the conference, but they could not attend because of the cost.

The conference is an excellent opportunity for those suffering from Alopecia to meet their families and connect. It’s a powerful reminder that no one is not on the same journey. Consider contributing to this fund to ensure more attendees can attend this year’s conference.

6. Organize a fundraiser

Find your own way to be inventive! What you love to do could possibly be used as an avenue to raise funds to support research and treatment for Alopecia:

• Do you love sports? Gather a group of friends to participate in an informal tournament.
• Do you love cooking? Make money through baking sales.
• Do you have too much mess? Bring your neighbours together to hold an estate sale.

The possibilities for creative ideas you’ll develop to raise funds for this vital cause are endless.

7. Wear blue

Blue is the colour that’s official for alopecia awareness. So wear blue and inform people around you why you’re wearing blue.

Be on the lookout for landmarks that turn blue celebrating the event. Be on the lookout for landmarks that are turning blue, too. In 2021, many bridges throughout the United States were lit in blue to raise awareness about Alopecia. The town or city you live in may also be taking part, depending on where you live.

8. Participate in awareness month activities

Visit the NAAF webpage for events. In 2022, various MLB teams will host fundraisers for their teams.

You can attend any of these events if you’re in a position. Support your team and raise money and awareness of Alopecia.

9. Make government representatives aware of the need for equal access to care and wigs.

It’s not the case that everyone who loses hair because of Alopecia prefers to wear a beard. So if you’re one of them, the cost shouldn’t be a factor.

Some private insurance companies take care of the cost of the wigs. Others don’t. There’s a constant push for Medicaid and Medicare for wigs to be covered by Medicare and Medicaid; however, it’s not yet universal.

Think about contacting your elected representatives and asking them to change this. Inform them that the expense of getting wigs needs to be paid for. Make them aware that wigs are an essential part of the healthcare for people suffering from Alopecia.

HAIR DONATION OR WIG FUNDING

If you’ve got several inches of hair you’d like to trim, You can give your hair to be turned into a wig for those who suffer from medical hair loss like alopecia areata. Make sure you look up and select a reliable charity.

If you’re financially able, you can also fund the design of a hair wig.

The takeaway

September is designated to be Alopecia Awareness Month, though any time is an ideal time to show support for those suffering from Alopecia Areata.

There are numerous ways to be involved in participating in Alopecia Awareness Month. This is a chance to learn more, share your knowledge with others, participate in events, or plan your own fundraising.

The money raised through events goes to helping those suffering from Alopecia and funding research into treatment options for Alopecia.