The Women's Hair Loss Project

This episode focuses on moving forward through hair loss, and what that looked like for me. I know a lot of women are in a place of feeling they will not be able to accept, they will not be able to live with hair loss - but you can, I know you can. I am living proof of that.  I share different parts of my story and journey to let you know it took different things along the way to get me to the place I am today.  Believing YOU CAN emotionally get past hair loss is so important.  Removing the fixed mentality that things have to be a certain way - that fixed mentality kept me stuck in my own prison for over a decade, till the one day things changed. I changed. My mindset changed. I learned I could be okay even though my hair wasn't going to come back. I accepted my hair loss, I accepted what is, I accepting wearing wigs.  I found a new way to live, and I found it when I was open to it. It was there along, but I wasn't open to it.  I sat down today to speak to you, to speak to the woman who needs to hear these words from the person who has lived through it, and who knows deeply all the emotions and feelings that hair loss brings with it.  We don't always feel like we have any choices, but we do. It's not always the choices we want, but we do get choices. Those choices empower us, and bring us closer to reclaiming ourselves and our power. When I stopped feeling like everything was happening to me, out of my control, without any say of my own whatsoever, and began to make the choices I needed to,  and take action over how I dealt with my hair loss - everything changed.  Visit Me Online: Website: womenshairlossproject.com  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whlpnetwork Facebook:  http://facebook.com/womenshairlossproject YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WomensHairLossProject Twitter: https://twitter.com/whlpnetwork  

Although I have been doing PRP therapy to treat my hair loss for nearly a decade, earlier this year was the first year I had the treatment locally in Beverly Hills by Dr. Baubac Hayatdavoudi, in addition to the PRP, I also had an Exosomes treatment. After 6 months I want to provide my thoughts and where I am at currently. I also discuss the importance or confronting the reality of our hair loss, whether or not we choose to treat it. In my opinion, living in denial can make the journey more difficult and at times also, practically and logistically problematic.  Visit Me Online: Website: womenshairlossproject.com Facebook:  http://facebook.com/womenshairlossproject Instagram @whlpnetwork YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WomensHairLossProject

This episode is raw and personal.  In this podcast I share with you in more detail the cause of my hair loss, and provide a deeper look into my hair loss story/ journey. Last week I had posted a video on my YouTube Channel that was meant to really just share the cause of my of my hair loss, and open the dialogue for others to comment on the cause of theirs or if they didn't know what the cause was, to share that too. While I cannot advise what others should or should not do, I think there is benefit in sharing my story so that others can get a deeper look into a 21 year journey of hair loss, beginning at the age of 21,  and caused by the birth control pill Loestrin FE.  The podcast takes a few tangents, but my journey is like one giant tangent, so perhaps it works. I share some of my hair loss treatment regrets, and the things I tried over the years.  It took me a very long time to accept anything and get to the place I am at. It didn't happen over night, and I think it's important for others to know that, so they are more patient and kind and loving towards themselves when dealing in what can often seem like the impossible…. Hair loss.  Visit me online via my website: womenhairlossproject.com - Via instagram @whlpnetwork  The link to the YouTube Video I spoke of in the podcast: What Caused My Hair Loss?

An update on my experience with PRP is long overdue, and over the last couple months I have tried to record a segment on this, each time only finding that I was left with a question mark and a position of inaction and indecisiveness as to how to continue forward. I found myself stuck. I was already being confronted with the fact that I was no longer experiencing the same benefit of PRP during the last couple years, as I had in my prior years. My hair loss shedding / decline was occurring more rapidly and after my last treatment in November,  I was actually debating on whether or not the time had home to close the chapter of that treatment in my life.  Well, life changed for us all, choices changed. A week ago I finally decided on how to proceed forward, and provided myself with a plan. There is so much power in making a decision, and taking an action towards that decision. The minute I decided to do so, I instantly found relief within myself. This podcast is definitely one giant clump of a run on thought, it's a little all over the place (so my apologies in advance), but I really wanted to get all my thoughts out to you, about where I have been at with all of this. Visit me online via my website: womenshairlossproject.com and also via instagram @whlpnetwork

Jan 1st of this year Ricki Lake came out to the world revealing her secret battle and struggle with hair loss that she had been dealing with for nearly 30 years. I met Ricki in 2012, she had joined my site, The Women's Hair Loss Project, in search for help, support and understanding. We connected through hair loss.  I am so honored to be able to be joined by Ricki, from her home in Marina De Rey, for this episode of my podcast. It was an unbelievable privilege to sit down with her and listen to her tell her story as she shares how her hair loss started and takes us along for an inside and intimate look at what it was like dealing with hair loss while being in the public eye.  She also shares some never before seen personal footage from from the day she shaved her head, (which you can seen the videocast on my website) and also snippets of documented clips from when she revealed to her boyfriend for the first time (after dating for 20 months) about her hair loss struggle. Spoiler alert, he embraced her with loving and open arms, as any good man would… good news for those women who are concerned about dating and hair loss.  Ricki is truly a beacon of strength, and hope for others, and I am inspired by her courage to be able to step forward, and put a face (a very public face ) to this debilitating and devastating disorder that so many women like myself have had to deal with and often having to have done so suffering in silence.  Ricki Lake's Documentary Site: https://www.thebusinessof.life And on instagram: @rickilake Visit me online via my website: womenshairlossproject.com and also via instagram @whlpnetwork

I am joined again by Joe Tillman, The Hair Transplant Mentor to discuss the validity of Low Level Laser Light Therapy and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy for the treatment of hair loss.  I have personally chosen to never try low level laser light therapy for my hair loss and discuss my reason for that, however, over the years I have heard some women say they received some benefit and others say they received none.  I have been doing PRP Therapy since November 2009 with Dr. Joseph Greco in Sarasota Florida. Side note, I live in Los Angeles and have chosen to take the trip from LA to Sarasota (with no direct flights) to see him every 4-5 months for this treatment (not sure that's the exact prescribed timeframe to go for treatment, but it's what I felt made me feel most comfortable). I have personally have found value in this treatment, but like I mentioned above with LLLT, I've also heard from women who have felt they received no benefit at all. As with all therapies, our bodies are unique in how they respond, and if they respond at all.  Joe shares his knowledge and insight on these two very popular treatments often being promoted online.  It's important we have all the information needed before we can decide whether or not we want to try any hair loss treatment. Joe Tillman is The Hair Transplant Mentor, he has been working in this industry for 18 years, helping both men and women that are considering hair transplant surgery. He was one of the first people to ever document his hair transplant journey beginning March 18, 2002. Eventually what was his passion became his career, and he is now a full time independent guide for both patients and clinics. Joe is also the co-host of Spencer Kobren's The Bald Truth, which airs Fridays Live 5pm EST on his YouTube Channel To learn more about Joe Tillman, visit his website: https://www.hairtransplantmentor.com Visit me online via my website: womenshairlossproject.com and also via instagram @whlpnetwork

In this episode I am joined by Joe Tillman, The Hair Transplant Mentor, to discuss the topic of women and hair transplant surgery. Do women actually make good candidates for this procedure? It is my understanding based on my what I've read over the years, and also based on the experience I have with my own type of hair loss - female pattern baldness aka androgenetic alopecia, that women like myself are NOT candidates for hair transplant surgery. I wanted to dive deeper into this topic and get the facts from an expert, so that women can be empowered and educated when making decisions on treating their hair loss.  While I wasn't surprised to hear that in Joe's opinion, 90% of women are not candidates for hair transplants, I got educated in learning about which procedure would be preferable for a woman if she was in fact a candidate, the controversial industry topic of Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) vs Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) for women's hair restoration surgery. In this episode, Joe will discuss all the reasons why 90% of women are not candidates for this procedure, and he will also discuss the other 10% of women that could potentially be a viable candidate. Joe Tillman is The Hair Transplant Mentor, he has been working in this industry for 18 years, helping both men and women that are considering hair transplant surgery. He was one of the first people to ever document his hair transplant journey beginning March 18, 2002. Eventually what was his passion became his career, and he is now a full time independent guide for both patients and clinics. Joe is also the co-host of Spencer Kobren's The Bald Truth, which airs Fridays Live 5pm EST on his YouTube Channel To learn more about Joe Tillman, visit his website: https://www.hairtransplantmentor.com  Visit me online via my website: womenshairlossproject.com and also via instagram @whlpnetwork

Diane Williamson is a full time voice over talent professional for Fortune 500 companies, phone systems and also broadcast. She is a veteran hair wearer and deals with Alopecia Universalis (total hair loss, from eyebrows, eyelashes, to leg hair).  Diane has been following my Facebook page since 2012, and has been a tremendous support to myself and other women dealing with the incredibly difficult affliction of hair loss.  Dealing with Alopecia Universalis since the 80's, she discusses dealing with hair loss and hair wearing, while working in the very public industry of broadcast reporting. Diane has dealt with hair loss and searching for hair, during a time period where information was even less prevalent and accessible, than when I started my own journey. She has experienced total hair loss, transitioning into wearing wigs in the workplace, and dealing with the devastating emotional impact of hair loss in all aspects of her own life. She has battled through and as I like to call it, “made it to the other side, where there is life after hair loss.” It is a thing, it does exist. Her story is inspiring and I absolutely loved speaking with her.  Please join us for this episode, while we discuss her hair loss journey, and as she shares her knowledge and insight to people dealing with hair loss now.  You have visit me online via my website: www.womenshairlossproject.com and also via instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whlpnetwork/

The journey to finding the right type of alternative hair for yourself takes time, whether it's a topper or a wig. Much of this will not only be determined by our level of hair loss, but also our comfort level.  Often times I get asked if I jumped right into wearing Follea (the brand of wigs I wear) or if I tried other methods of alternative hair/ or brands.  I definitely tried several other things over the years and had what I called many “Failed Starts,” where I'd get an item of alternative hair, find it was a total failure for whatever reason, and then I'd give up YEARS. I definitely did not accept my hair loss easily and certainly didn't accept hair wearing easily. My first failed start to wearing alternative hair dates back to 2001 (my hair loss began in 1999) and I did't start wearing hair full time till 2012.  In episode 3 of The Women's Hair Loss Project podcast I discuss a couple of my "failed starts" throughout the years, and share the importance of being patient with yourself when attempting to wear hair for the first time or finding the right piece for you. You have visit me online via my website: www.womenshairlossproject.com and also via instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whlpnetwork/

In part two of this episode, I continue my conversation with the amazing and talented master wig stylist, Sophie Hafner. In this episode we discuss the following topics: -Coloring Your Wigs Is The Key In Making Them Look More Real -Our Fear of People Noticing Our Wig Transition In The Workplace -How To Deal With People Wanting to Touch “Your Hair” Sophie also answers the following questions asked through Instagram: 1- Do you do short wigs? 2- What is the most popular wig length? 3. Tips for altering the wig cap size 4- How to prevent inversions  5- How often should you wash your wig? 6- How do you remedy wig build up? 7- What products do you recommend for a wig shampoo, conditioner and heat protectant? You can find Sophie on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairdesophie/ and through her website https://www.sophiehafner.com/    

Sophie Hafner is an amazing and talented wig stylist based in Los Angeles, CA. For the last 5 years she has been the only person I entrust with coloring and cutting my wigs. Meeting her transformed my wig wearing, and took it to a whole new level I didn't know possible. Her passion and calling has always been in helping women with hair loss discover the hair that works best for their specific needs and individual stages of hair loss. She accomplishes this by customizing the very highest quality pieces to be unique, personal and most importantly natural to every woman she works with.  I'm excited to have her share her wig knowledge with everyone seeking to learn more about hair wearing. In part 1 of this 2 part episode, we discuss the consultation process as well as the technical aspects of wigs, including: -Wigs vs. Toppers -Adjusting to Wearing Hair by Learning To Treat It Like Your Own Hair -Lace Front vs Closed Front (How to Choose)  -The Follea Gripper - What Type of Hair Loss Is Best Suited For This Wig? -Sizing of Wigs -Handtied vs. Wefted (open wefts/ closed wefts)  -French Top/ Natural Skin Top vs Lace Top -Coloring Your Wigs -Styling, How To Achieve Volume and Bounce in Your Wigs Please check out part two of this episode. You can find Sophie on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairdesophie/ and through her website https://www.sophiehafner.com/

Ashley from Nashville discusses her journey 5 years into hair loss. I met Ashley though Instagram…After replying to a question of hers via video and posting it to my instagram account @whlpnetwork -  I was pleasantly surprised (and shocked) to find she sent me a private video response back via YouTube sharing more of her story. I connected with her struggle in dealing with hair loss at such a young age, and felt she would be a wonderful guest to have  on for my first podcast. I am super appreciative to have had this beautiful and bright young woman on the show, she was candid and real about her struggles and the place she's at in learning to accept and deal with her hair loss.