ONE devoted woman has been left with a comb-over after experiencing hair loss at just 25 years old.
Now, she has been raising awareness for alopecia.
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Darby Krueger of Ohio, 25, started losing her hair last year and initially didn’t think much of it.
However, after just eight months, she has been forced to adopt a “comb-over” style.
Now, she has been advocating for hair loss awareness and is aiming to show others that hair does not define beauty.
She had some words of wisdom for those battling hair loss.
TRUE BEAUTY
“Your hair does not define your beauty. It comes from within,” Darby said.
“At first, I didn’t take [the hair loss] seriously.
“I had it in my head that this would clear up in a few months and I wouldn’t have to think about it ever again.
“I still try to keep a positive attitude no matter what. I am embracing the change and rolling with the punches.
“Growing up, young girls are told by society and social media their hair equals beauty. I was no different in learning that.
“It has taken me all this time and losing my hair to finally be freed of that thinking.
“At the end of the day, it is just hair and I am beautiful with or without it.”
HOW IT STARTED
Darby started losing her hair through alopecia at the age of 24, thinking it was nothing until a patch started to appear at the top of her head.
Immediately, she knew that there was nothing that she could do about the condition at the time, and instead, aimed to embrace it — rather than hide it.
By trying a range of different techniques and hairstyles, such as wig toppers, hats and headscarves, she managed to work with the hair loss.
Darby got the most recognition with her comb-over style which she has been rocking on social media — causing quite a stir.
NO HATE
However, she has not been letting the comments get her down and instead has been using them for a good laugh instead.
Some comments even compared her to TV characters and suggested that she should attach a unicorn horn or plunger to her bald spot — which she says is all said in good taste.
After receiving lots of lovely comments and thank you messages online, Darby says that she has been glad to help people feel comfortable with hair loss and says that she is the right person to help others.
“It was August 4, 2023 when I first noticed some thinning by my left ear,” she said.
“I was 24 at the time. It has only been eight months of active hair loss.
“I wasn’t sad at first because I knew there was nothing I could do at the moment to stop it. It wasn’t fixable in that moment like losing weight or changing up your style.
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“It has not gotten to the point where I am spending money out of my own pocket.
“Insurance covered two rounds of injections to my scalp (KENALOG-10) and a topical steroid solution (FLUOCINOINDE) I rubbed on my patches every day. I still use the topical solution once a week.
“Out of my pocket, I spend money on headscarves, hats, clips, spray hair and wig toppers. Only cheap ones though. Real wig toppers can run a couple hundred depending on the quality.
“When I get hundreds of comments and stories from others and their hair loss struggles and how I help them with their own confidence, it confirms I was the right person to get this disease.
“People have suggested I tattoo the spots, put rhinestones on them, attach a unicorn horn, or stick a small plunger on the bald spot.”
Darby Krueger
“I’d rather have it and share my story and garner a strong and loving community than hide it away from the world.
“I would give up all my hair if it meant others could feel more comfortable in their own skin.
“I get a lot of funny comments on what I look like or what I should do with the spots. People will say I look like Pearl from Steven Universe, Saul Goodman because of the combover.
“People have suggested I tattoo the spots, put rhinestones on them, attach a unicorn horn, or stick a small plunger on the bald spot.
“When I wear my combover I am also told that wind is my biggest enemy – they’re right and I learned the hard way.
“It is all in good fun and they cheer me up when I need a laugh.
“The nasty comments don’t get to me much and they are far and few between. It is out of ignorance that they react that way.
“They are also usually kids. Kids can be pretty mean so their comments don’t mean much to me.
“If you or someone else is dealing with hair loss, whether it be genetics or a disease or a disorder, you are not alone.
Read more on the Irish Sun
“Seek community and find others like you for that support because they know exactly what you are going through.
“If someone looks different than you, just remember that they are as human as you are.”
Tips for styling thinning hair
Rachael E. D Sey is a certified trichologist with almost 15,000 Instagram followers.
She revealed to The U.S. Sun how to protect hair from further loss.
Hairstyles
Sey recommended opting for a top knot or loosely braided ponytail over styles that tension strands.
She also advised to limit the use of heat tools such as a hair dryer or straightener.
Those who have afro hair, should avoid braids or consider larger braids.
DIY treatments
The trichologist said hair should be washed regularly and trimmed every six weeks.
She recommended using hair oils to help “improve scalp circulation and follicles.”
