This National Hair Loss Awareness Month we spotlight Alopecia – its causes, symptoms and treatments.
August is National Hair Loss Awareness Month, which aims to shine a light on Alopecia’s emotional toll and innovative treatments, sparking hope for those affected.
Alopecia comes in a variety of forms, such as: Alopecia Areata, which manifests as sporadic hair loss on the body or scalp; Alopecia Totalis, which is the total loss of hair on the scalp; thirdly, body hair loss is a sign of Alopecia Universalis and Alopecia Barbae that usually results in facial hair loss such as the beard.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology alopecia is brought on by a combination of hormonal, autoimmune, and genetic variables. In particular:
Alopecia runs in the family in 1 out of 5 instances (1:5), suggesting a strong hereditary component.
One factor contributing to alopecia is autoimmune disorders, in which the immune system unintentionally targets hair follicles.
In one out of every ten instances, hormonal imbalances—especially thyroid disorders—are the cause (1:10) In one in eight cases, alopecia can be brought on by stress, both mental and physical (1:8)
Alopecia can result from taking certain medications, including as those for cancer, high blood pressure, and depression, in 1 in 20 cases (1:20) Alopecia symptoms include brittle or fragile hair, bald patches that may enlarge or merge, redness and irritation in the afflicted regions, and hair loss or thinning, which frequently begins with small patches.
GRAPHIC: Alopecia by the numbers, understanding its impact
Sizakele Mashinini’s life took an unexpected turn in 2003, when she welcomed her second child into the world. Two years later, she began to notice a disturbing change – her hair had stopped growing, and the shedding wouldn’t cease. It was then that she discovered she had central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, a diagnosis that would alter her life forever.
For 18 years, Mashinini has navigated the challenges of permanent hair loss, which typically begins in the central crown of the scalp. As she reflected on her journey with Wits Vuvuzela, Mashinini opened up about the profound impact it has had on her sense of self.
“Alopecia has taught me that we’re different people suffering from different ‘illnesses,’ however, it is one condition that truly affects your self-esteem and confidence.” she said.
Alopecia is treated with medications like minoxidil (Rogaine), which promotes hair growth and decreases hair loss, corticosteroids, which often lower inflammation and encourage growth, and finasteride (Propecia), which delays hair loss and increases growth. Moreover, there are treatments like Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, which uses platelet-rich plasma to encourage growth, and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), which stimulates hair growth.
Mashinini said: “For me, beauty standards don’t define me. I have discovered strategies to see past my flaws. I am aware that someone with a strong will is required. I have come to appreciate the aspects of myself that make me feel more like myself and have accepted the fact that wigs and other cosmetic alternatives exist to help us “belong.”
In this way she’s found confidence in having no hair and no longer feels pressured to conform to traditional beauty standards. Mashinini highlights the value of kindness, education, and dispelling stigmas as we promote awareness during National Hair Loss Awareness Month. “My message to others is to be kind to someone who has alopecia; it can happen to you or anyone, regardless of colour, age, or creed.”
FEATURED IMAGE: A close-up shot of a woman’s scalp, showing patches of hair loss due to alopecia. Photo by: Stock images.
Although braiding is frequently thought of as a protective hairstyle for Black females, its importance goes well beyond aesthetics, it encompasses identity and resistance.
For thousands of years, African culture has been deeply rooted in the ancient art form of braiding. The elaborate designs and patterns are a visual depiction of community, identity, and spirituality that have been handed down through the ages.
Ancient Africans held braiding to be a highly esteemed art form, frequently practiced by elders and spiritual leaders. Braids were employed by several tribes as symbols of social standing, spirituality, and life events. For instance, the Yoruba tribe saved elaborate designs for kings and spiritual leaders, signifying power and distinction, while the Maasai people used braids to symbolise age, marital status, and spiritual development.
The Himba people also braided their hair with beads and cowry shells to symbolise their ancestry and the harmony of nature. Significant life events such as puberty, marriage, and maternity were commemorated by the Zulu tribe using unique braiding patterns. These many braiding customs had something in common, demonstrating the profound cultural and spiritual significance of braiding in African communities.
A picture of a student getting her hair braided at a salon in Braamfontein. Photo by: Katlego Mtshali
It is said in a Dope Black CIC article how Black slaves in the United States were subject to regulations on their hygiene and appearance during the time of enslavement. Nonetheless, hair braiding continued to exist as a means of cultural preservation and resistance. Women under slavery would braid each other’s hair in elaborate patterns and designs that not only honoured their culture but also provided a means of communication and escape for fugitives.
Hair braiding remained essential to Black cultures even after slavery. Black people started using braiding as a means of expressing their cultural past, reclaiming their identity, and defying Eurocentric beauty norms. Braids and other natural hairstyles became symbols of Black pride and a refusal to assimilate during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
In South African schools and corporates, braids have sometimes a site of conflict. Recently at LD Moetanalo High School in Mhluzi, a teacher was suspended for forcibly cutting a student’s braids off in class. While the incident at LD Moetanalo High School is still being investigated, it underscores the ongoing need for schools to foster cultural inclusivity and acceptance, ensuring that students’ cultural expressions, including traditional hairstyles like braids, are valued and respected
For Takalani Netshiavha, a third year LLB student at Wits,” braiding has become a part of my identity as a black woman. When I braid it improves my confidence and self-esteem immensely because I feel more beautiful.”
Anne Tsheshe, a Cameroonian braider in South Africa, finds joy in creating a special bond with her clients, understanding their hair textures and needs. Her favourite part of braiding is “When a young Black girl’s face lights up with uncontainable excitement and joy, beholding the magic my skilled hands have created.”
Braiding has become a lucrative venture for many Black women in South Africa, extending beyond formal salons. Informal braiding services on street corners and markets have created income opportunities and has empowered women while fueling a thriving industry that balances cultural preservation with economic gain.
Even for those who move overseas from Africa, finding a salon where their hair can be braided is essential. Sharon Nawaya said to Wits Vuvuzela: “My move to Texas from South Africa was first daunting because I struggled to find a salon that caters to the texture of my hair and find someone who could do my knotless braids but eventually, I found a salon that caters to African hairstyles.”
Cornrows braided with care, worn with confidence. Photo by: Katlego Mtshali
For some, braiding is an art and skill worth passing on. “Braiding will always be an integral part of me. When I have a daughter, I will pass on the skill to her, requiring a tender touch and understanding of her hair texture that I have acquired over the years.” says Lesedi Mashinini.
Sisterhood and community bonds are forged and strengthened during the braiding session. Ikageng Molokomme an honours student studying Marketing told Wits Vuvuzela that she views braiding as” a symbol of sisterhood and community. When we braid each other’s hair, we’re not just styling braids we are strengthening bonds and creating memories. “
Designers have been using braids in runway shows and collections, which can be seen in the following Vogue article, and they have been a mainstay in the fashion world in recent years. In the fashion industry, diversity and inclusivity have been aided by this embrace of culture. But it is crucial to recognise the cultural value of braiding and to inform people about its background and significance.
It is imperative that the cultural legacy of braiding be preserved and transmitted to the next generation as we move forward. A few methods to guarantee the art form’s survival are workshops, classes, and online tutorials.
Thus, despite the misunderstanding sometimes, braiding is a sign of solidarity, identity, and cultural legacy for Black women and goes beyond just a hairdo. For millennia, it has served as a tool for self-expression, resistance, and fostering community. It is crucial to recognise and honour the significance of braiding in Black culture as we continue to negotiate the complexity of modern life. By doing this, we can encourage more tolerance, variety, and understanding, preserving braids as a potent representation of Black pride and unification.
FEATURED IMAGE: Female getting braided in the heart of Braamfontein. Photo by: Katlego Mtshali
Balding or the loss of hair, which has always been a condition associated with men in their 30s or older, is starting to affect men barely in their 20s.
According to one of the leading hair loss specialists in South Africa, Dr Kevin Alexander (http://www.hairloss.co.za/dra.html), one reason for this increased incidence of hair loss among younger men, is the fact that there are increased stresses placed on these men in today’s society.
Brendan Roane, a 25-year-old former Wits student started losing his hair about 4 years ago and it has gotten worse. He hasn’t bothered with treatment: “there’s not much you can do about it, unless you get surgery which I’m not keen on”. When he consulted his doctor, he said “you’re screwed”.
Male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in men. It is characterised by a patterned hair loss which starts above one’s temples. This condition can start developing any time after puberty which is when blood levels of the hormone testosterone increase.
Image showing an example of male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. Source http://www.regrowlostheadhair.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/head.jpg
Alexander said he saw negative implications in hair loss among his young patients. He said it was “psychologically devastating” for them. “They lose confidence since baldness can make you look 10-20 years older…they become the butt of jokes.” There are negative impacts for them socially and in the workplace.
A 22-year-old Wits student who wanted to remain anonymous said he started noticing his receding hairline when he was 15. He wanted to have dreadlocks but couldn’t because of his hair loss. After trying different products such a creams and sprays, he has resorted to shaving all of his hair off to hide his condition.
“Losing my hair made me seem old so I just started shaving my hair every second day,” he said.
Although his hair loss had affected him negatively in the past, his confidence has improved because his “chiskop” has given him a unique identity.
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