Hello you shaggy or shiny bald ones.
My name is Martina, I am 25 years old and I come from central Switzerland. I would like to tell you a little about my story of becoming a topless woman.
It all started in 2017. After I was a passenger in a car accident, my mother discovered about five bald patches on my scalp, each the size of a two-franc coin. I was shocked and couldn't explain it all; I had no other symptoms such as itching or pain. I quickly made an appointment at the dermatology department of the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital (LUKS). At that time, I was employed at the LUKS as a health professional.
The dermatology team quickly understood my worries and fears, and within three days I had an appointment with a specialist. After clinical examinations, I was diagnosed with alopecia areata. I was told that the condition would be mild and that local cortisone therapy would be necessary. The reason was psychological stress.
After two weeks, small, fine baby hairs actually started to grow back in the bald spots and by the time of my check-up, my hair was already about 5mm long again. Everything's fine, right?
Out of sight, out of mind: For three years after that, I had nothing to do with hair loss. On the contrary, my long, curly hair was flawless as always.
In February 2020, I noticed more and more that everything looked a bit loose when I tied my hair up for work. The hair structure became finer. At the time, I was working on my nursing degree and had a lot on my plate. A few weeks later, on unpaid leave after graduating from university, I noticed a lot of hair in my comb in the evening. Unsuspectingly, I styled my curls after a shower - after all, I had just been to the hairdresser.
After just one month I have
I decided to go bald.
Before I left the house, Mamma examined my new hairstyle. I will never forget her words: "Don't be alarmed, don't panic, but you have lots of bald patches on your neck and the back of your head." As if stung by a wasp, I jumped in front of the mirror and saw the disaster. Not round, circled patches like before, but bald, misshapen patches. I started crying out of reflex and canceled my trip. I immediately started searching Google and quickly came across other women with the Alopecia Ophiasis type who looked similar to me. The next day I made another appointment with the dermatologist.
When I went there about a week later, the entire part of my neck was already missing. The prognosis was devastating. This type of ophiasis was difficult to treat and the chances of success, despite cortisone, were slim. I started using the local cortisone ointment. A few days later, I had more and more bald patches, my scalp was rough, scratchy and full of small red dots.
Only four weeks passed from the first evening I noticed it to the decision to call it a day and go topless. The cause remains largely unknown. Due to autoimmune factors, my body probably thinks I'm better off without skin tags. During this time, I received a lot of support from my teammates and everyone around me. For some, it was almost worse than it was for me. I felt powerless, helpless and afraid. Afraid of not being accepted by others as I am, of standing out and of everyone turning around to stare at me.
The strength that we carry within us, we show to the outside world.
On April 5, 2020, my partner shaved off the rest of the Gollum-like tail of hair that was left. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I felt free, myself and good just the way I am. In the weeks that followed, I learned to deal with being stared at by many people, after all, I no longer conform to the norm. A wig was not an option for me personally, I wanted to be who I am, not disguised or hidden from others. I still radiate this to this day.
The first severe sunburn while hiking came relatively quickly, I felt like a burning torch. To prevent this from happening again, a colleague of mine designed a few beanies for me (ByEvelinEberli, Hitzkirch LU). She also made me aware of the Kopfrausch label. I haven't had a bad hair day for a little over two years now. For a short time, without any treatment, I had short hair again. I enjoyed it, was keen to experiment and went to the hairdresser at least every three weeks. When the hair loss came back, however, I was able to accept it - after all, I now know myself better as a "bald head".
The diagnosis of Alopecia Areata certainly turned my life upside down, but it also taught me a lot about myself.
Our appearance never defines our character. The strength we carry within us is what we show on the outside. Today I am definitely a stronger woman who knows what she wants in life and who has learned that individuality defines us all, regardless of our handicap.
Today I am a proud hairless woman who wants to encourage other women and men to stand up for themselves. In my new job in anesthesia nursing, it was not an issue from the start whether a strand of hair was sticking out from under my cap or not.
The Beauty in a Person's Heart
is more sublime than that which can be seen with the eyes.
– Khalil Gibran
Stay proud of yourselves!
All the best, your
Martina
