ORLANDO, Fla. – August marks National Hair Loss Awareness Month, a time to spotlight an issue that affects millions of people, especially women. Did you know women make up approximately 40% of hair loss sufferers?
Hair loss in women is often overlooked, but it can profoundly impact the identity, self-esteem, and mental health of millions of women.
Experts say hair loss in women can result from medical conditions, medications, stress and genetics. In fact, according to a recent report in Harvard, every woman will develop some degree of female pattern hair loss over time. Postmenopausal women face a higher risk, with up to two thirds experiencing thinning or bald spots. The risk is even higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of their family.
Candi Dwyer is sharing her journey after recently being diagnosed with breast cancer and starting chemotherapy.
“As a woman, your hair is your identity. It’s part of your identity, it’s part of yourself, and to be going through something like this is so terrible, and then to lose part of yourself and part of that identity is hard,” Dwyer said.
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Dwyer turned to Ritzy Rags Wigs & More in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood. Owner Leigh Shannon is working to raise awareness about female hair loss and providing essential support.
“No one even knows there’s a hair loss month,” Shannon said. “Just getting word out that there is help, it could help some people.”
All month, Shannon is offering free wig and topper consultations, demonstrations and 25% discounts to help people suffering from hair loss. He says he sees clients from across Central Florida who are experiencing hair loss for a variety of reasons,
“Blood pressure medicine can do it, (hormonal) birth control, we’re getting a lot of women who had really bad COVID,” Shannon said. “Alopecia is another one and that is terrible because you could keep this hair, but have big bald spots in the back. So, that’s where the toppers come in and things like that.”
“I’ve always had very thin and fine hair, so I haven’t really been able to do much with styling,” said Dwyer, who was trying on several wigs and toppers at Shannon’s shop.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Dwyer wants women to know that a mammogram actually missed her cancer, but she says she knew something wasn’t right and pushed for further testing. Every October, Ritzy Rags Wigs & More also partners with leading wig companies to donate 12 wigs to cancer patients facing financial hardship.
“Hair is an important thing for women, and there has to be some sort of normalcy,” Dwyer said. “You have to be able to take control of your life and if having a beautiful wig is doing that, then that’s very important.”