A woman from the Czech Republic who developed alopecia after cosmetic surgery has shared how she embraced her baldness, inspiring millions of views on TikTok.
At 28 years old, Barbora Kroporthodontic assistant and mother of a four-year-old son, she first had alopecia areata years ago.
5
This resulted in three small patches of hair loss that disappeared during the pregnancy.
However, the condition returned with a vengeance in 2022, possibly triggered by breast augmentation surgery.
“It all started while I was on holiday with my mother in Mallorca. I woke up and found clumps of hair on the pillow,” recalls Krop.
“Within two weeks, most of the hair on my scalp had fallen out. I only had a few strands left and I looked like Gollum from The Lord of the Rings.
“The following month, my eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair also disappeared.
“I couldn’t walk down the street without people staring at me, and watching my hair constantly fall out was extremely stressful.”
Being diagnosed
Krop’s doctor confirmed that she had alopecia universalis, the most severe form of alopecia.
Unlike other forms of autoimmune disease, which can cause patchy hair loss, alopecia universalis leaves individuals completely hairless.
Most read in Hair and Beauty
“I was so emotional,” Krop shared. “I cried a lot and was scared for my health. The doctors didn’t know why this happened to me.
“Hair is very important for a woman and no one can imagine what it’s like to lose it. I was so embarrassed and ashamed that I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror.”
Despite the emotional turmoil, Krop found strength in his family and his love of life.
“I knew I had to be brave for my husband, my son and myself. I love life, so I told myself, ‘Hey, Barbora, don’t give up. Show your bald head to the world. It’s not your choice. ;alopecia chose you.’
“Shaving my head was incredibly liberating. From that moment on, I was determined to face my alopecia head on and not hide anymore.”
FINDING SUPPORT
Krop turned to social media for support, hoping to find others going through the same thing.
“I was just browsing, looking for anyone else with alopecia,” she said.
5
“I found some women from other countries sharing their stories. After seeing them so open and strong, I realized I wanted to be there for other women dealing with this.
“Show them that it’s not the end of the world. Losing your hair sucks, but you can still feel confident bald and live a great life.”
His honesty struck a chord. Before she knew it, Krop’s account exploded, with millions of people tuning in to hear her face life with alopecia.
“Wigs are not cheap. A wig made from human hair can cost around $1,000, while synthetic ones cost around $200.”
Barbora Krop
Along his journey, Krop discovered unexpected positives.
“Alopecia taught me to appreciate the little things and not take them for granted,” she reflected.
“I found other things that I love and am proud of. I like the shape of my head, my eyes stand out, and when I really miss my hair, I can always wear a wig.”
WONDERFUL WIGS
Embracing her new look, Krop found joy in the wigs’ versatility.
“The best thing about wigs is that I can change my look daily and I like that,” she said excitedly.
“I have a collection of 12 wigs of different colors and cuts, including two made from human hair.”
5
Krop had some advice for anyone thinking about wearing wigs.
“Wigs are not cheap. A wig made from human hair can cost around $1,000, while synthetic ones cost around $200,” she said.
“The first criteria is definitely comfort. The wig should not scratch or slip when you move your head.
“Choose the correct size and opt for lace front wigs to make them look as realistic as possible.
“I find that human hair wigs look more natural, especially along the hairline, and often people don’t even notice I’m wearing one.
“Choose a color that matches your skin tone. I was brunette, but now I feel more beautiful as a blonde.
“My favorite wig is long, blonde and straight. It complements my look, and people often ask me where I get my hair done.”
STAYING ON THE PATH
Looking to the future, Krop remains committed to her cause.
“I want to continue to raise awareness about alopecia. I want to motivate women and help them. I dream of traveling with my family, living life to the fullest and doing a job I enjoy,” she said.
“I have so many activities – sports, social media work, photo modeling, my work as an orthodontic assistant and especially my son, dog, husband and friends.
“So I don’t have time to be sad or depressed. That’s my key to staying positive – being with your loved ones and doing what you love,” she said.
5
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
