Bonding stories - Ava

My name is Ava G. and I have Alopecia Universalis (AU), total hair loss on my entire body.

My hair loss journey began with my second pregnancy, Alopecia Areata (AA), it was only a small round spot that was treated by a dermatologist with cortisone injections and grew back immediately. Then after my daughter was born my hair thinned quite a bit and I started getting larger bald spots but after any monthly injections it all grew back.

Then 11 years later after of a lot of stress the AA came back, I had monthly cortisone injections for 4-5 years and the hair would grow back, but with each regrowth a new spot would appear. I became a regular at the Dermatologist.

During this time, I was desperate, I did tons of research and looked high and low for a solution, I saw many medical specialists and holistic practitioners and spent a lot of money, but AA had a mind of its own and did not respond to any treatment at all.

Eventually after 5 years, I lost all my hair and became AU, needless to say I basically had a nervous

breakdown and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Losing all my hair was one of lowest points in my life, for 6 months I couldn’t sleep or eat. I continued to work in a high pressure very demanding job but that was all I could manage to do. I didn’t socialize, didn’t visit family or friends and just wallowed in my misery.

Unfortunately, my hair was my crowning glory and not knowing anyone else who suffered from AU or wore wigs I was lost.

As I was losing my hair, I tried all the sprays, powders, lotions and potions that I could find.

My very empathetic hairdresser suggested as delicately as possible that I get a wig, she was so compassionate and saw me at my worst. She found a wig place that was almost an hour drive from my home, regardless, my husband and I went to see her, and she suggested a clip in topper since at that time I had some hair left.

Well $1,200.00 later I got a human hair stock piece topper that was too big and uncomfortable but looked ok, I had more hair and it gave me a little more confidence, but of course I was shrouded in secrecy and told no one but my husband and daughter.

It was very difficult to stay overnight at my kids houses and I didn’t leave my room without a hat or scarf.

Unfortunately, this topper was horrible and only lasted a few months.

I saw videos on YouTube about hair bonding and found a salon only 15 minutes from my home. I went for a consultation and quickly ordered my first custom hair unit for $1,800.00 and it was completed in 3 months. I would have my hair bonded every 4 weeks for $125.00 per month and they used a medical grade glue that truthfully smelled toxic. Unfortunately, the hair wasn’t the greatest, but I felt so much better and truly my life had improved tremendously, I was back to myself again.

I then found another hair replacement salon that was much further away, but I could get two better quality hair pieces (so they said, it wasn’t very good hair) including bonding for $355.00 per month that’s over $4,200.00 per year, definitely not in my budget, but again, I’d pay anything to feel normal.

I discovered the wonderful hair loss community on Instagram and connected with other hair loss sisters with all types of Alopecia, I immediately felt a relief that I wasn’t the only person suffering from this trauma.

I then eventually found hair loss groups on Facebook which led me to my beautiful friend

Kristina and her group “Bonding Sisters” which was a life changer!!

After lots of discussions with Kristina and purchasing the “Her27hair” video I took the plunge and started bonding myself still paying the $355.00 monthly contracted price at the hair replacement place, but I didn’t have to drive each month to get it bonded, I felt a little more freedom.

Bonding was easy for me to learn, but I needed to bond a full poly wig and the hardest part for me was figuring out the proper alignment and the correct tape to use. Poly isn’t my favorite material since it makes me sweat and gets very itchy.

During this time, while I was still under contract with the second hair replacement place. I decided to try a lace wig and after lots of research discovered Kapenzo wigs from Canada. Their hair quality is amazing, and the HD lace is totally undetectable. My contract expired with the hair replacement place last February, and I’ve been ordering Kapenzo ever since, saving tons of money!!

I’ve been bonding for 1 ½ years using Walker Blue tape and touching up with Got2B glue and best

thing is that I have the freedom to bond whenever I want. I love the liberating feeling a bonded unit gives me, I feel comfortable wearing my hair up, staying overnight at my kids and friend’s houses and just traveling, I have my life back.

I’ve watched countless videos on bonding, either on Instagram and Facebook and have found that

through various sources you can learn a lot, probably the most important tip that I have found, is have all your bonding tools ready when you’re preparing to bond and remain calm.

I haven’t shared my hair loss with many people, mostly a few cousins, friends and of course my children and husband know.

I have finally accepted my AU and know that I can’t change anything and when I do open up to someone, they are totally shocked that I’m wearing hair, they are always amazed at how natural my hair looks.

My best advise to bonding is reach out to a fellow sister if you’re having any issues. I’ve shared a lot of information with other sisters and have taken a lot of their suggestions as well.