Hair is regarded as a reflection of our identity due to its personal and public nature. The desire to beautify the body is regarded as an inherent part of being human, with hair remaining as a symbol of femininity and beauty.
Alopecia, an autoimmune condition that results in varying degrees of hair loss from any part of the body, can results in social phobia, anxiety and depression, especially for women for whom a deep, personal relationship between hair and self-esteem has existed throughout history, philosophy and religion.
Women with alopecia are very often required to adapt to the condition rather than look for a cure for which there is none.
For some, to dispense with a wig or to shave their head is a decision made over a long period of time, which offers the chance to redefine both themselves and the concept of beauty - their own and that of other people.