What exactly is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes a person’s hair to fall out. It is an autoimmune disease; that is, the person’s immune system attacks their own body. In this case, their hair follicles. When this happens, the person’s hair begins to fall out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter. The extent of the hair loss varies; in some cases, it is only in a few spots. In others, the hair loss can be greater.

On rare occasions, the person loses all of the hair on his or her head (alopecia areata totalis) or entire body (alopecia areata universalis).

It is believed that the person’s genetic makeup may trigger the autoimmune reaction of alopecia areata, along with other unknown triggers.
Alopecia areata is an unpredictable disease. In some people, hair grows back but falls out again later. In others, hair grows back and remains. Each case is unique. Even if someone loses all of his or her hair, there is a chance that it will grow back.- webmd.com

In the 7 years of my career, I have encounter 2 clients who have such condition. The first one, I applied extensions on her for over a year, until she graduated from University and moved out of the province. Both of her eyes have very thin and sparse natural lashes, but over the year they have grew stronger, longer and fuller.  I was able to applied thicker and longer extensions for her.

The young lady on the picture shown, had full and healthy lashes on her right eye, however had gaps and very thin and brittle lashes on her left eye. To balance out her eyes, I applied classic singles extensions on her right eyes.  Just a slightly thicker and longer than her natural lashes (a mix of 0.10 and 0.15 C curls in 10mm). As for her left eye, I also applied classic singles 0.10 and 0.15 C curls in 10mm with a mix of volumes lashes in the middle where there are gaps.

There are many lash serums in the market that can help. These are not miracle potions. The process and result are slow, but they do work.  Whatever lash serum you are using and the results are instant, usually also have side effects. Please avoid!

Medical condition like these cases, as a lash technician, I try to do my best.  If you’re hoping to have a drastic change like wearing strip lashes, I will politely decline your business, because I refuse to apply a set that I acknowledge will cause damage to your lashes. Although I have seen horrifying sets from other “lash technicians” (we shall talk about this in another post next time).

Wake up Pretty Montreal!

-Katy