Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles. This causes sudden hair loss in small, round patches on the scalp or face. The condition can affect anyone regardless of gender or age, and its course is unpredictable—some people regrow hair quickly while others experience cycles of loss and regrowth. There is currently no cure, but treatments like corticosteroid injections or topical edications may help regrow hair and manage symptoms.

In my case, alopecia appeared overnight. I woke up to find two dime‑sized bald spots on my scalp. My gynecologist had never seen anything like it and referred me to a dermatologist. Hearing the diagnosis—alopecia areata—was both a relief and a shock. I had a name for what was happening, but no one could tell me why or how to stop it. Over the next months I tried steroid injections, changed my diet, meditated, tracked triggers like stress and diet, and cried more times than I can count. The unpredictability is the hardest part—some days patches shrink, other days they expand. My journey with alopecia has forced me to confront my attachment to my hair, learn patience with my body, and cultivate self‑compassion. Through this site, I share what I learn, from medical research to messy, personal experiments.