"Alopecia Doesn’t Kill the Person, but It Kills the Self-Confidence". A Hair-Loss Story by Ieva Putnina.

Until a few years ago, Ieva could not talk about alopecia without tears, but now she is free, happy and ready to help other people affected by alopecia. Here’s the story from Ieva Putnina:

How It All Started

“I was born in 1991 in the small Eastern European country of Latvia. I had a happy childhood, being a content and healthy child living with my mother, father, and younger sister.

Suddenly, at the age of 12, I began experiencing rapid hair loss, and by the age of 13, I had lost all my hair.

The experience was shocking and frightening for both me and my family. Initially, we explored various medical options, attending numerous doctor visits and considering different opinions, including medications, ointments, and even injections into the scalp.

Unfortunately, no one could provide a clear explanation for the situation. At that time in Latvia, no one actually spoke about alopecia. It wasn’t that there were no people facing alopecia; it was that they were hiding under wigs or hats. Once, a doctor told me, “Ieva, you are completely healthy,” offering two hypotheses: a deficiency in vitamin D and psychosomatic factors.”

About Alopecia

“World statistics show that approximately 2% of the world’s population faces alopecia at some point in their life. It is a prevalent autoimmune skin disease, meaning that the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies healthy tissues as dangerous and begins attacking them. In my case, I have alopecia areata, resulting in no hair on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes.”

Alopecia doesn’t kill the person, but it kills the self-confidence. Feelings of insecurity, complexes, and fear arise.

Teenage Years

“I associate my school years with constant hiding and fear—I wore wigs and pretended that everything was fine. Despite this, I was an active student who enjoyed organizing and participating in events. I actively engaged in student government, had friends, and took part in entertainment outside of school.

I led a double life, pretending to be okay and avoiding discussions about alopecia because I didn’t fully understand what was happening to me. I concealed my condition under wigs every day, often restricting myself. For example, I refrained from swimming, avoided saunas, and skipped sports activities out of fear that the wig might fall off.”

I even wore a wig at home, driven by the desperate fear that someone might see me without hair through the window.

The Path of Self-Exploration

“My 15-year journey of self-exploration began. I sought explanations about alopecia, but information in Latvia was limited. To access more information, I learned new languages and sought insights from foreign sources.

Shifting my focus to self-growth, I immersed myself in literature and organized my thoughts. I explored meditation, esotericism, and embraced a focus on healthy thinking, lifestyle, natural remedies, and music. Nature became my psychologist and doctor. Purposefully working on myself, I countered every negative thought with three positive ones and expressed gratitude for everything that came my way.

Traveling played a pivotal role in my journey. At the age of 18, I started traveling and pursued studies abroad, exposing me to the world’s diversity and enhancing my understanding of myself.

Other people’s stories served as inspiration for leading a fulfilling life. Initially searching for alopecia experiences in my home country, Latvia, I couldn’t find any inspiring real-life stories. Although I met individuals in Latvia facing alopecia, they were like me—still seeking answers and hiding under hair-covers. So, I had no one who could be an example of living a fulfilled and happy life with alopecia.”

With the rise of social media, I searched to find people affected by alopecia worldwide, discovering numerous inspiring stories. Seeing their published photos without hair, I thought I wish I could do that someday!

Without a Wig

“I hid beneath a wig, fearful of what people might think or how they would react to seeing me bald-headed. The concern ranged from assumptions about cancer, religious beliefs, to the fear of a contagious disease. I don’t blame people; it’s not that they were mean, they simply lacked information about alopecia.

The turning point came in Portugal in 2015 when, for the first time, I overcame my shame and removed the wig. It was a life-changing moment.

The second significant step occurred at a surf camp in Morocco in 2018. Initially, I signed up to learn to surf, thinking I would wear a scarf on my head. Upon arriving at the camp, I realized surfing with headwear was impossible. Knowing that others would see me without hair, I decided to share my story to avoid any awkward stares or rumors. Despite my initial nervousness, the people at the camp were supportive, and I happily continued learning to surf.

In 2019, for the first time, I opened up in my home country, Latvia. It was a brave step.

I posted pictures and a description on my Instagram profile, and there was an unexpectedly great response.

Various people approached me, and the media invited me for interviews. I still receive many messages, both full of pain and despair, and full of inspiration, gratitude, and joy.”

Supporting Others

“In 2019, I also created a Facebook group for individuals dealing with alopecia. Quickly, a few hundred people in Latvia joined the group, making it a space where we could all share, support, and encourage each other.”

The Best Decision

“After opening up on social media, I finally took off my headwear in public and felt free. Following publications on social media and in various media outlets in my home country, people became aware of alopecia and knew that I am healthy but visually different.

Coming out has significantly improved my life: I am happy and enjoying my life, and now I freely choose every day whether to cover or uncover my head. The positive result is evident - hair has grown back in places.

I continue to travel, work, and enjoy my life. I actively participate in supporting others facing alopecia. It was the best decision of my life - to open up.”

Connect with Ieva

You can connect with Ieva on Instagram and Facebook or join the Latvian alopecia support group on facebook.