Hair Loss Panel Recap!

When I founded The Ronnie Shop, I always knew I wanted to do more than create great hair products that addressed traumatic hair loss & provided a naturally-based solution. I wanted to be a resource for people who had similar experiences to mine – sometimes there’s a feeling of helplessness because it seems like nobody has the answers.  In the beginning of my battle with scarring alopecia, I was grateful for a proper diagnosis from my dermatologist, I however felt that the treatment options presented were not tailored to my personal need and the way I wore my hair. Rogaine grew unwanted hair on my face, the scalp creams left a white residue on my fro, and the oral antibiotics messed with my gut flora. You name a prescribed hairloss product and chances is I I tried it!  And throughout the process, what I wanted most was to speak with people who actually understood what I was going through, who would give helpful advice,  and to find a community where I could be educated on all my options. 

Well, that’s exactly what we did on Sunday, May 26^th! I reached out to my network and was able to bring together hair stylists, specialists and dermatologists who focus on hair loss & retention. Our panel included Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu, an FAAD board certified dermatologist, Savonia Wade, haircare specialist and CEO of Savvymane Haircare, Cincia L. Eloy, a professional cosmetologist and founder of Afro-Cia and Bianca Lyder, master stylist and founder of New Horizons Hair. This dynamic group of women spoke on addressing hair loss symptoms early, which signs to look for, the different types of alopecia, the difference between alopecia and trichotillomania and more!

The best part of the afternoon was that it was more of a discussion than a panel, our attendees included other stylists, people who suffer from hair loss, haircare professionals and more. We created a safe space for folks to be candid and raw about an issue that can have deep psychological effects – and we created hope!

Here are some of the key takeaways from our event:

1. If you see signs of hair loss, get it checked out immediately! With certain types of alopecia, you can stop the progress, but not get the hair back, so you want to catch it as early as possible.
2. When researching dermatologists, be sure you are searching for dermatologists who specialize in scalp care! You can use this amazing resource created by Dr. Osei Tutu to get started!
3. If you’re suffering from hair loss, most traditional protective styles will make it worse. Your best bet is to let the hair breathe & grow on its own. This is a question of being comfortable and confident – stylists who specialize in hair loss can help you find a style that will work for you without compromising on your lifestyle.
4. Alopecia and trichotillomania are not the same thing. The latter is a condition creates urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or other areas of the body. This is a condition that is often treated by a medical professional/therapy.
5. Everyone’s situation is different. What may work for others may not work for you. The best course of action is to see a professional in person (so they can properly diagnose you), and create a plan tailored to your needs.

The biggest takeaway though, is that you are not alone! Hair loss is more common than we think and there is an influx of new research and procedures, and products coming out to address our needs. I look forward to continuing to bring you events like these as we all take this journey to an overall happier, healthier lifestyle!