This is my real story; I got treated for alopecia areata. Yes, that’s right you read it correctly. There are 3
types of alopecia areata; alopecia areata, alopecia areata totalis, and alopecia areata universalis. Alopecia can happen to anyone men, women, or even kids. I had lovely, long naturally curly hair. It all began in 2015 as a normal hair fall of 100 strands a day, which gradually increased over a period of 5 years. I saw my eye-brows falling off too. The hair on my hand was not growing back in certain areas, it looked like patches. I went to a Gynaecologist initially as I had PCOD’s I could only relate this to menses or my age. The Gynaecologist prescribed medicines including vitamins. (During this time, my personal life was in turmoil as I was on anti-depressants and OCP’s to prevent heavy bleeding) Hence I could understand this could be the ONLY reason for tremendous hair loss.
In 2019 out of frustration, I finally visited a Dermatologist. This was my last hope to save my beautiful locks. My hair density was checked. I was told its Alopecia Areata and it was spreading towards my forehead, the texture of my forehead skin had changed, it was more wrinkly than usual. I was prescribed medication to apply on my scalp, thrice a day, and multivitamins which were specifically for hair growth. This medication was for 3 months but it did not help me at all. Because it’s an autoimmune disorder hence treatment is not guaranteed. I was frustrated with the medicines & losing confidence, seeing my hair everywhere in the house, bathroom, and dresser even stuck on my comb, towel, and pillow.
But, I am me, a super-strong woman & did not lose hope, the moment I noticed a “PATCH” on my scalp during my visit to a salon in Sharjah in December 2019, I had decided, I will go to a men’s salon, specifically with a Muslim old barber once I reach India (a few years back one of a Muslim barber in Sharjah had cured a friend of mine) Hence this notion was stuck in my mind. Nevertheless, I followed my instincts and found a salon. I walked in, since it was an exclusively men’s salon, they were startled; while I spoke to them and narrated my entire problem to my surprise before I could finish they said it’s curable with a certain oil that needs to be applied. I was overwhelmed, joyous, and couldn’t control my emotions. I readily paid them to fetch the oil. I was again called in the evening at 6 p.m by then they arranged to bring 1 bottle of oil. I was told it’s a “Keeda / Keera” or in English as we know as a “worm”. I asked them how and why I got it, though they did not have any specific answer except that I might have used a common comb or it happened through a ladies’ salon. I reached back at 5:45 p.m (you see my urgency) I was told I will have to shave off my head because they could see not one but more than 5 patches all in different sides and sizes on my scalp. I was not reluctant and readily agreed, but as this “hair shaving” was not planned I was not carrying any scarf so I hopped out to the next store brought a black scarf to cover my head. Once he started shaving my head I got nervous and anxiety gripped me, I was profusely sweating thinking, what if I never get my hair back? I repetitively asked him, will I get my hair back to which he every time replied “DEFINITELY, DO NOT WORRY” He continued shaving, once done he said, I have 10 patches and it’s good I agreed to shave (because if we would not have known the exact number then I would not have been completely treated and the problem would have relapsed). After shaving, he scraped those 10 patches so that the hair follicles’ pores would open up and the oil would seep deep into my scalp. Shaved, Scraped, and used a laser (these laser shots of high intensity were like tiny shocks). He then opened the bottle of oil, for me at that moment the oil was nothing less than a miracle oil but it smelled awful, terrible, just yikes.
After application, I felt the warmth, a terrible burning sensation. Got up from my chair and stood right under the AC. After a minute just before leaving he covered my head with a disposable, transparent shower cap and I covered my head with my new scarf and walked out of the salon, feeling a bit weird as people really gave those terrible stares. On reaching home, my daughter adorned my new looks but my son was pretty upset, he cried and even refused to talk to me. I consoled him and said it’s a matter of few weeks, be my strength, not my weakness (but, you see kids are too innocent to understand). My mom was upset too, but my dad, sister & brother called me from U.A.E and gave me more strength to fight it through.
The shaving & oiling session continued for 4 days straight (13th / 14th / 15th /16th March 2020). I had sleepless nights & for once just before sleeping I actually felt something crawling on my head. Woke up several times in the night, the pillow also hurts and so do the heat boils that were popping on my head and forehead because of the heat of the oil. DAY 4TH ALL THE SMALL SIZE PATCHES WERE CLOSE AND HAIR FOLLICLES HAD OPENED UP. This was the greatest & the most awaited GOOD NEWS.
For me every morning was new. 18th March when I went to the salon, Musabir Ali (my barber) said this will be the second last time. Then came the D-day, 20th March 2020, my last shaving session. I could see and feel the difference myself. I asked him what needs to be done; he said to apply only on the top portion of my head (fontanel) because this was of a bigger size which needed time to cover-up. Days passed by and It’s the 21st of April, amidst this lockdown of coronavirus & staying at home, I see my hair growing each day. I foresee new hairstyles every week, I would definitely color my hair to all the desired colors like blue, pink, yellow & green coz it’s the moment I want to live in and be happy.
My heart goes out to those who lost all their hair and couldn’t find treatment. Hence I wrote this article to create awareness.
I’ll post pictures and details of the oil. PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT ENDORSING, PROMOTING, OR ADVERTISING THAT PRODUCT. I have personally used it. I understand the pain of losing hair. Hair is a beautiful form of self-expression.
Do post comments, share the article, or message me if you have any clarification.
