Wedding Hair with Alopecia

You’re so lovely! I like your hair down, could you maybe add a braid on one side to dress it up a bit!

Your hair does look lovely down, but I understand wanting a change for your wedding day. I apologize in advance because I know very little about alopecia... is there a way for you to use extensions? There are ones called a halo crown like this: Halo Crown

You'd be able to get a fuller look, and maybe be able to do a half up/down do.

I hope that helps, again, I apologize for any naivety in my response.

You are gorgeous! Maybe you could leave it down and either straighten it or do some retro curls so it feels more special. Would you be interested in adding a headband?

Retro Curls

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It's ok, a lot of people don't know much about it and you don't sound naive at all

I hadn't seen anything like these before--cool! I'm not sure how extensions and stuff like that work, so I'd need to see if they'd even be an option with how little hair I have at the scalp. It's certainly pricy, but might be worth the investment...

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My hair gets soooooo frizzy and bushy when I straighten it, I don't think I'd go that route--but I was 100% planning on a headband! You're right, changing the size of my curls would be enough to make it feel special. I'd have to see if it could be done without my bare scalp peeking through, this look is lovely.

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I think I have about a 1 1/2 inch width of hair by my face where that could work would it get too lost in the curls do you think?

First off, I’m sorry you’ve had such horrible experiences with your hairdressers. You would think that they would be more understanding to alopecia considering they specialize In hair. If you decide to go with a new stylist I would fill them in ahead of time before you meet and maybe they could brainstorm some goof alternative styles for you!

Second, I'm not sure how you’ve envisioned your hair on your wedding day, but a lot of people have told me they regret an updo because they never wore there hair up. Make sure you still look like your(beautiful)self on your special day! And as it was already mention have some extensions added to your lowest layer could definitely help add volume and give you more options.

Third, don’t worry too much, you and your hair will end up looking beautiful on your wedding day

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It may be something that hairstylists may have at a cheaper rate, this was just something I saw on a quick search. My sister ended up using extensions as her hair is extremely thin, and it helped her hair to look fuller, so a few layers of the halo kind may help you do a half up/down if you want something like that.

I wish you luck OP, and just so you know, whatever you decide to do - your FS loves you just the way you are, I'm sure hair up or down .

I have the same exact situation... have you tried natural looking wigs? I wear them everyday and no one knows that its a wig. Try going to an African American salon (I am an African American cosmologist) we deal with this type of situation all the time so we know how to be creative in hiding it while making you feel even more beautiful than you already are. I hope this helps.

I think it looks pretty down. Maybe add some volume with a cute 20's style face veil or fascinator or something, if that goes with your vibe.

Add in clip on tracks for added length and fullness and accesorize with hair ornaments

View Quoted Comment This sort of hairstyle was going to be my exact suggestion with the addition of a few extensions to help fill out your hair. A glitzy hairband would add interest and help to keep the style in place.

I also second going to an African American hair salon since alopecia is something that they see a lot, both genetic and traction. They will have a lot more solutions for you than the average hair salon.

In my 24 years of life, never (before now) has going to an African American salon been suggested to me. I'm so going to try that!

Hopefully a few extensions will be a thing I can do, and cover any thin spots that larger curls might expose. Thank you all so much for helping to put my worries at ease and assuring me that there is hope for a pretty style, even with my hair down. ❤️

View Quoted Comment I agree with this and was going to suggest something like this. I think if you find the right headpiece you would add so much! Either way, you’ll look great!

NEVER let a hairdresser make you feel that way. I also have alopecia and it's caused a lot of stress for me to not only manage my desired wedding hair, but also not have giant bald spots in my wedding photos. Find a new hair dresser. (depending on your location I can recommend a few).

One thing my wedding hair dresser used for my engagement photos was scalp spray - since the alopecia isn't going away, we'd make it hard to see in photos. So she sprayed the top of my scalp with some "dye" spray (that washed right off) which made it impossible to even know I had hair problems during my engagement shoot. I'll be buying a can for my wedding and it helped a great deal. Hang in there!

View Quoted Comment They have several different kinds of extensions- go to a store that specialize in extensions- if there are a couple in your area I would call and see if they have any experience working with allopecia. My extensions for real hair 5 clip in set (which wouldn’t work specifically for your hair but like I said there are several different kinds) was about $200 just to give you an idea. I love that photo with the white headband or a side braid.
your hair is gorgeous down! And you can always use a headband or veil to spice things up a bit.

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Last year my future step daughter was diagnosed with alopecia at 9. It started on top, middle of her head and then she lost her eyelashes. She is a strong young lady and has handled it better than both her parents. The doctor prescribed her steroids, both topical and oral, and to date her hair on the top has grown back to be about 3 inches long while the rest of it is a little longer than shoulder length. She requested to have her hair done on the wedding day so I called my HMUA and she as very welcoming to trying to find a style that she wants offered to pay for hair extensions if she wanted them. There are hairstylist out there that will not make you feel awkward and embrace your beauty.

Maybe you can get a few extensions and they can do a side bun style pulling the fuller side to the other. You are going to look beautiful either way!

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I hope your future step daughter feels beautiful on your wedding day, and every day--it's a lot to process emotionally as a kid for sure but it sounds like she's got some great people in her life to keep her feeling good about herself

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I've never returned to the ones who have made me feel that way; the last lady who cut my hair was wonderful and I will use her again if I'm in the area (nowhere near where I live unfortunately, I cut my hair on a whim while visiting family).

That spray sounds way more affordable than extensions, thanks for sharing your plan! I need to find a resourceful hair dresser like yours! I live in rural MN though 😐 ...might travel to the twin cities for wedding hair.

Okay...I will be going with loose hair, though hopefully with larger curls and some help from a GOOD stylist.

Here's the headband I purchased to go with my blush gown and pearl necklace.

Sales consultant helped me and since there is a ribbon to tie it, I can wear it under my hair securely or on top to keep my curls in place