Bald Ladies Go Natural in Nevada .

Damien Russell

06 August 2008

So, Bald Girls Do Lunch, a not-for-profit organization, is bringing ladies with alopecia areata together for the 1st time in Nevada. At lunches and dinners like these Thea Chassin, founder and president, meets girls who are craving to point out, "I have alopecia, so what. " when it comes to alopecia areata, an autoimmune hair-loss condition. "Secrecy severely restricts a lady's lifestyle options" announces Chassin. "The key to living happily is chatting overtly and feeling in control. Loved ones mean well, but it's a relief to chat to somebody like myself who understands the challenges." According to Chassin, when everybody at the table shares the same condition, powerful bonds and self-esteem are built. The lively consultations cover situations as wide ranging as dating, business conferences, alternatives to wigs and physical activities. But the general goal of the organization is promoting individual choice and comfort. Ladies of all ages decorated with wigs and hats come to the events, and some even debut their bald look. Given this cool recommendation, Bald Girl events are gaining momentum countrywide. In twenty-eight towns and fourteen states, girls have got together for support by breaking down the taboos surrounding female baldness. Meeting in public helps counter the assumption that each bald lady has cancer, Chassin believes. Not able to grow or sustain hair on their scalps -- and often even brows and eyelashes -- folk with alopecia areata are basically in good health. Alopecia areata affects men, girls and youngsters of all ages -- roughly five m. folk In America Characterized by smooth, round bald patches, it can progress to finish hair loss that includes all body hair. Some treatments work for some folk, but there's no cure. Alopecia areata is extremely unpredictable, might have a genetic predisposition and can crop up at any point of life. Bald Girls Do Lunch, a 501c3 public charity, was set up by Thea Chassin in NY. Her degree in physical care from Columbia School brings both systematic and humanistic abilities to her work with girls. She saw that ladies crave fun and exciting chats over coffee or lunch to split knowledge. She credits the inspiring, women-only format for conquering feelings of aloneness.