There are many potential causes of hair loss, and none of them should make you feel ashamed.
By Lindsey Lanquist, Self
Hair loss, for any reason, can be a scary thing. Body-positive Instagrammer Milly Smith (follow her at @selfloveclubb) fully understands that, which is why she shared her hair loss story on social media.
[post_ads]"This post is damn hard for me to do," Smith wrote on Instagram.
"This is something I don't talk about at all and something I've been
ashamed of for so very long." Smith explained that she'd lost her hair
several years ago after switching to a new medication. She felt
embarrassed at the time, and she kept her hair loss a secret from those
around her. "Watching my hair fall out in handfuls after taking a new
medication left me devastated," she said. "The hair still hasn't grown
back and might not ever...I've hidden it for years, styled my hair in
ways to hide it, and been forever conscious of it."
Though
the experience was initially really upsetting for Smith, she's grown
more comfortable with her reality over time. "Hair/no hair/hair loss
doesn't and won't control my happiness," she wrote. "It doesn't make me
any less worthy of love. It doesn't make me any less beautiful. It
doesn't make me any less deserving of happiness." She then gave a
shoutout to those of her followers who've lost their hair or are
currently losing it. "You're f*cking beautiful and not alone," she said.
"Don't be ashamed of who you are."
Quick reminder: It's normal to shed around 100 strands of hair per day. If you're losing more than that, there are plenty of potential reasons
why. Pregnancy, medication, intense stress, or even wearing too-tight
hairstyles often enough to cause traction alopecia are all common causes
of hair loss. Many hair loss conditions are treatable, and you can
visit a dermatologist or primary care provider with any questions you
have. The truth is, hair loss isn't that rare. Like Smith said, you're not alone. And though it can be shocking—or even scary—it's nothing to be ashamed of.
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See Milly Smith's Instagram in full below.
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