What is Hair Loss Awareness Month?

Steve Barth [00:00:04]:
Losing hair has a very powerful emotional effect on our personality because we can control it, but yet we’re left with this real discontent or this real feeling of not looking our best, which means that we’re not always feeling our best. And it’s so important in today’s world that’s so competitive to have that level of confidence.

Kevin Rolston [00:00:40]:
Welcome to this special episode of Hairpot. This week were celebrating hair loss awareness month with you. Thats right. Were celebrating not the hair loss part, but the changing world of hair loss awareness. Even though hair loss affects millions of people, its not every day that you hear someone speak openly about how its impacted them. Listeners to the show know that we are changing that one story at a time. Hairpod has brought so many amazing voices together. So this week we’re sharing some of the most powerful moments from our past episodes.

Kevin Rolston [00:01:13]:
To emphasize one crucial message, it’s important to talk about hair loss. Silence and stigma only make the journey harder and people like our incredible guests are breaking those barriers down. By sharing our stories and experiences, we can find strength, support and solutions together. We’re going to start off by looking back to one of our earliest episodes where we talked to full time content creator Nick Wilkins about his hair loss. It began for him while he was still in high school, and because none of his peers were going through the same thing, he didn’t have anyone else to talk to. Luckily, he took action quickly and was able to see incredible results.

Nick Wilkins [00:01:59]:
But it wasn’t until I turned like 18 when it really all started just like falling out. It was in my combs, it was on my collar of my shirt. And there’s kids in my class saying like, man, you got a lot of hair all over your shirt. Do you have a dog? And I’m like, no, this might be mine, but I was thrown off because they say you lose like 100 hairs a day. So I was like, ah, this is just like my hundred hairs a day that I’m losing. Like, it’s normal still. But then it was, like, starting to happen a lot more and it was a lot more in the shower. My shower drain was getting clogged.

Nick Wilkins [00:02:33]:
Oh, man. I was comparing myself to my friends all the time, like, they had such good hair. And I started to just watch a lot of YouTube videos and I was doing a lot of searching, just like, about hair loss, like how it’s caused and it, like, it gives you a million different answers. There was nothing that I could say, okay, this is me. Because I was watching, like 30 to 40 year olds talking about it. I’m like, man, but I’m 18, so, like, what am I going through right now? And I started to, like, doubt that it was, like, genetics. I started to think it was, like, maybe I was eating bad. Maybe I was doing this or that.

Nick Wilkins [00:03:03]:
So I was, like, trying to, like, avoid the fact that I was just losing hair, like, genetically. But, yeah, I was watching a lot of videos, and then it got to a point where my hair was just, like, it was, like, dying, like, the whole front of it. Like, you could just tell I couldn’t cover it up anymore, like, with my standing hair. And I went to, like, a hairdresser, and I remember talking to her about it. I’m like, do you know anything about hair loss? And she goes, nah, she didn’t know too much. And she was like, everyone who I do hair for, they tell me that there’s no way to fix it. So, like, I don’t think if you are going through hair loss, you can fix it. You can get different haircuts to help it out, to make it look more full.

Nick Wilkins [00:03:40]:
And I was like, man, you know what? I want to prove this wrong. I want to see if you actually can. I had to bring my brother’s girlfriend with me. I had to bring someone with me. I couldn’t do it alone. I had to have someone, like, come in with me because, man, I was embarrassed, and I was just so scared because I didn’t know what was gonna happen or, like, what we were gonna talk about. It was like, I compare it sometimes it sounds kind of weird, but, like, I compare it to, like, if you’re going to the doctors to, like, find out that you have really bad, like, cancer or something, like, you have to bring someone with you to come in for the appointment. Like, it’s too hard to go, like, by yourself, so you have to bring someone.

Nick Wilkins [00:04:13]:
So she came with me, and that definitely helped. That pushed me to actually go. I walked in, they set me up with someone who kind of told me what I’m possibly going through, and they gave me, like, two routes on what I could do, like, to try to fix my hair. And it was just like, it was so easy. I went home the next day, and then I told them, I want to do it. Like, I thought about it for a little bit, and then they got me in contact with another person, and they signed me up for everything, and they started sending me all the products. And it was, like, I’d say after, like, two months of doing it, I started to see, like, changes already. It was just exciting to see, it wasn’t, like, crazy yet.

Nick Wilkins [00:04:48]:
I was still going through a lot of shedding when I was starting everything, and it was still kind of, like, a lot of doubt. But, like, I still had a little bit of hope coming in because I lost my hair really quickly. So I was like, maybe I could fix this. But my one thing I wish I did was going in even earlier. Cause there’s, like, parts of my hair where I’m like, oh, man, if I went in, like, two months earlier, stopped overthinking it, maybe I could have fixed that part of my hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:05:14]:
Even though Nick struggled in silence for some time, he still found the courage to take action and was able to regrow the hair that he had lost. Now, his hair loss was genetic, so he saw it coming, but it still took a lot of strength to reach out to someone and talk to them about what he was going through. The first step is so important, and our next clip is going to tell you why. Lissette began losing her hair in her mid thirties, and it got to the point where people around her were starting to notice. When she reached out to a professional, she discovered that her thinning hair was caused by a health problem that hadn’t yet been diagnosed.

Lisette Davila [00:05:58]:
Yeah, definitely. I remember fixing my hair one day, getting ready for work, and the light in the bathroom just above the mirror was shining on my head. Like, I can actually see the reflection of my scalp. And I was like, what is that? And I’m looking in the mirror as I’m, you know, playing with my curls, and I noticed it was thinning just a little bit here at the top. And so when the light would hit it, I would see my scalp shining off. And I thought, wow, that’s new. That’s different. Am I losing my hair like, I thought I was, you know, way too young? I’m, you know, still in my early thirties, and that’s unheard of.

Lisette Davila [00:06:37]:
You know, my mom and my dad both had their hair, and, you know, I didn’t think that that was normal. I’m in my thirties, and all my friends are, you know, with their thick, full, lush hair, and I’m going thin and starting to feel like I’m getting old. Like, am I getting old? Like, what’s going on with me? It was getting to the point where I felt like a recluse. I didn’t want to go out and socialize with people because I was so embarrassed. I was ashamed, and I didn’t have anyone I can turn to that was a female that suffered or is suffering the same situation that I was. I actually ended up having a surgery. I had a hysterectomy. I was very young.

Lisette Davila [00:07:25]:
I was in my thirties. I was like 32, 33, somewhere around there when I had it. And it was after, when I started noticing the hair loss. Right. So I didn’t put the two together for a while. I didn’t think that having that surgery was going to cause my hair loss. And again, I didn’t have any females to turn to that were going through my same situation to advise me or tell me that, oh, it could possibly be that, until I turned to my doctor and said, you know, I had this surgery, and since then I’ve noticed my hair thinning. Could the two be related? So, yeah, I approached my doctor about it, and she told me that is definitely a possibility that that could happen because of the change in hormones or loss of hormones.

Lisette Davila [00:08:20]:
I had found my situation was hormone replacement therapy, and that’s something that a lot of women are doing today. And that has actually helped me with a lot of other issues that I was dealing with after my surgery. So that is a huge help for women who are dealing with hormones, whether it be if they had to have a hysterectomy or if they have a thyroid condition, which can also wreak havoc on your hair, too, is just going to your physician and getting some blood tests done. It’s as simple as getting some blood tests done to see where your hormone levels are at and then work with your doctor to see where you can get them back on course.

Kevin Rolston [00:09:05]:
Lisette’s story reminds us that hair loss isn’t just about appearance. It’s also about health and well being. Next we hear from Claire Folum, who faced a deeply personal journey with alopecia. Claires openness about her struggles and the emotional rollercoaster of hair loss has helped so many people in her community understand hair loss better. But thats not all it did. Becoming a more open person and getting things off her chest helped reverse the effects of her alopecia.

Claire Fullam [00:09:38]:
The type of alopecia I have is alopecia areata. So it’s like, it’s an autoimmune condition. So it’s like a psoriasis, you know, somebody who has psoriasis, it will flare up and then it will disappear and it will go through different bouts and all that kind of stuff. So that’s the type of alopecia I had. So I did loads of different treatments. But really, I think what was the making of me and the reason why I have hair today is because I spoke about it. You know, I was such a person who used to internalize every slight worry that I had in my life. I used to never want to express myself because I didn’t want my mom to worry or my dad or my husband to worry.

Claire Fullam [00:10:14]:
So I used to internalize. I was one of those, like a swan on the water, you know, like, I looked like I had it all together, but underneath I was panicking. I listen now, and I get stuff off my chest, because I used to kind of internalize a lot, and I used to not speak about things. I will, unfortunately ring my friends, ring my mom, talk to my husband, and I. I will say, I need help right now. It can get really dark, really quick. Hair loss, you know, and I think that a lot of people would understand that who have gone through it, and I think that it becomes very, very out of control. What I would say to people is, when I had no hair, people still loved me.

Claire Fullam [00:10:52]:
I could still do my job. People still wanted to be around me. I was still exactly the same as I am now, with loads of bloody hair. Do you know that kind of way? And I think that it’s really, really hard in those moments to see that, but I think that, and it’s a really hard lesson to learn, and I’ve had to learn it the hard way as well. And I’ve gone through so much over the past eight years to be where I am today. But you really have to dig deep and really care about yourself again, because there’s some part of you who’s let that go along. That way, maybe you’re bottom of the pile. You’re not looking after yourself a little bit.

Claire Fullam [00:11:25]:
This is a whisper from your body to you to try and get you back on track again.

Kevin Rolston [00:11:36]:
Claire’s story is a powerful reminder of the emotional impact hair loss can have and the importance of both giving and receiving support. Her presence on social media has helped bring so much awareness to her journey with alopecia. It’s incredible just how much social media has given people a platform to share their lived experience with hair loss. One of our guests, Jordan Pryor, has been breaking the stigma of hair loss by being an open book. Not only does he share on social media, he’s open and honest with everyone in his life.

Jordan Pryor [00:12:14]:
So I had a video that went viral on TikTok where I was doing, like, a Q and a thing, and someone had commented about how my hairline was super crispy. You know, like, it was, like, nice and straight on the sides. My fade was a lot better than it is right now. And I flipped it up. Flipped up. The hairpiece was like, oh, well, you know, that’s funny that you say that like it’s fake, you know, because I’ve never been one to shy away from making people laugh or anything like that. Like, I don’t care that people know.

Nick Wilkins [00:12:41]:
That, you know, I don’t have real.

Jordan Pryor [00:12:43]:
Hair, so to speak. I really did just show up one day and just had all of my hair back. And my friends were like, how? Because I didn’t tell them. I didn’t tell them what I was doing, where I was going. They were just like. Because, you know, they’d given me such a hard time for years about it. And then it was just like, one day they’re like, wow, your hair looks better than mine. I was like, yeah, it does.

Jordan Pryor [00:13:01]:
Part of the reason why I think I’m so open with it is I do have an individual in my family who has had a toupee since he. Or a men’s hair piece, rather, since he was 25. And so it’s never really been a taboo thing in my family. But, yeah, for folks who might be listening, I would definitely suggest starting off young. And while it’s. While you’re early into the hair loss process, if that’s the route that you’re wanting to go, because it is easier to show up with, just like you were saying, just a little bit more hair at a time versus what I did, going bald and then full head of hair.

Kevin Rolston [00:13:36]:
Jordan’s story is a testament to the power of openness and community in overcoming the stigma of hair loss. Finally, we revisit a conversation with Steve Barth, one of the founding fathers of hair club. Steve’s journey began at a time when talking about hair loss was even more taboo than it is today. His story reminds us that while hair loss can be challenging, it doesn’t have to define you.

Steve Barth [00:14:07]:
It was 1976 that I actually found myself wandering into 185 Madison Avenue in New York City. And that was the only space in the entire city and the entire universe. That hair club existed. What drove me into that office was probably about two years earlier. I was starting to really become aware that I was losing my hair. Although, again, that shouldn’t be much of a surprise to anybody, because there’s just such a strong genetic predisposition for hair loss in my family. My mother’s father lost his hair. My father’s father lost his hair.

Steve Barth [00:14:39]:
My father had three brothers that lost their hair. So I guess in many ways, my cards were marked, and you know, 1976 was a crazy era in the seventies or the mid seventies, and the most popular show on Broadway was hair. So the ability as a young man getting out of college and getting started in life to be able to have the confidence to go forward, build a career, build self esteem while experiencing thinning hair was very different then, what, 22, 22 years old or 2021? I think today a lot of young guys that are getting into this are taking, you know, have a very different attitude, and they have a more progressive attitude. And I think they’re more liberated in many ways. Get me right, they still like transition to be comfortable and not necessarily drawing a lot of attention to that. They did something to the hair, just like if you did something with your skin or, you know, or you did something aesthetically. But I think that a lot of the guys today have liberated themselves from the shackles and the chains of being kept in the closet and concealed and afraid to confront their whole issue about hair loss, to get out of that closet and confront it. I think it’s a healthier attitude today.

Steve Barth [00:15:54]:
Losing hair has a very powerful emotional effect on our personality because we can control it, but yet we’re left with this real discontent or this real feeling of not looking our best, which means that we’re not always feeling our best. And it’s so important in today’s world that’s so competitive to have that level of confidence.

Kevin Rolston [00:16:20]:
Steve’s message is a powerful way to wrap up today’s episode. Hair loss may be a part of your story, but it doesnt have to be the whole story. Talking about it, seeking help, and finding community has helped so many of our guests reclaim their confidence, and we know it can help you, too. Thank you for joining us on this journey through Hair loss awareness. If todays episode resonated with you, please share it with others who might benefit from these stories. Lets continue to break down the stigma surrounding hair loss by talking openly and supporting one another. Thanks for listening to another episode of Hairpot. Check us out at Hair Club on Instagram or search Hairpot on Facebook to continue the conversation.

Kevin Rolston [00:17:05]:
If you’re enjoying the show, consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. We also have a website. Check it out by going to podcast dot hairclub.com. we’re here to build people up and share real stories so people experiencing hair loss us feel a little bit less alone. And when you share, review, and subscribe, it helps us do just that. So thank you. Until next time.