Living with Alopecia as a Black Woman

Hair has always been more than just a style—especially in the Black community, where our coils, curls, and protective styles tell stories of identity and culture. So when I began noticing bald spots and thinning edges, I didn’t just lose hair—I felt like I was losing a part of myself. Living with alopecia has been an emotional rollercoaster, one that many Black women silently ride. In this post, I’m sharing my personal journey through hair loss and healing, the types of alopecia that uniquely affect Black women, and the black hair products for alopecia that actually made a difference in my recovery.

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What is Alopecia?

Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss. It can affect the scalp, face, or even the entire body, and it varies in severity from small patches to complete baldness. Alopecia isn’t a single condition—there are different types, each with its own causes and patterns of hair loss.

Personally, alopecia has caused thinning edges and thinning at the crown of my head. I've always had thinning edges, but when I noticed other thinning areas, I became scared, confused, and concerned. My first thought was OMG, I'm losing my hair! How am I going to style my hair? Can I stop it? What can I do? After I came to terms with what was happening, my next steps were to learn everything and to see a doctor immediately.

Common Causes of Alopecia

• Autoimmune conditions
• Genetics
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Harsh hair treatments or tight hairstyles
• Nutritional deficiencies

For me, my alopecia is caused by my autoimmune disease, medication I was taking, and wearing sew-ins consistently with few breaks. The cause of your alopecia maybe different, so it's best for you to consult a doctor.

Types of Alopecia

• Alopecia Areata – An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss.

• Androgenetic Alopecia – Also called male or female pattern baldness; it's hereditary and happens gradually.

• Traction Alopecia – Often caused by hairstyles that pull on the hair, like tight braids or ponytails; common among people who frequently wear protective styles.

• Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) – A scarring type of alopecia most commonly seen in Black women, starting at the crown and spreading outward.

I was diagnosed with traction alopecia and alopecia areata. As I stated previously, it is best for you to consult a doctor to determine the type of alopecia you are experiencing.

Treating Alopecia

There are various methods you can use to treat your alopecia. I'm going to be sharing my specific treatment plan. Again, consult with your doctor for a treatment plan specific for you.

• Prescription strength Minoxidil (basically Rogaine). There are some over the counter topical treatments you can use to stimulate hair growth.
• Vitamins. The supplements I've been taking are Vitamin D, Biotin, Collagen, Zinc, and Mary Ruth's multi-vitamin. I've heard good things about Nutrafol, but it was a little pricey for me.

Currently, I'm starting to see some areas that are starting to grow. I do have some scarring, so there are some spots that most likely won't grow back, but I'm focused on growing as much healthy hair as I can. Dealing with alopecia, I do have some good days and some bad days, but hey, it's a work in process. Subscribe to my newsletter. I will be sharing some alopecia friendly hairstyles for black women.