Thank you to our Corporate Supporters!

AAAF recently contacted some of our corporate supporters who we love working with and asked them about their experience with AAAF. Below you can find more about their experience and their business. 

Company Title: SMP- HQ Premier Scalp Micropigmentation clinic.

I am associated with AAAF as I want to promote scalp micro-pigmentation as an affordable, accessible, and modern option for people with alopecia, as it provides a cosmetic solution to areas of hair loss, giving the appearance of a full head of hair.  

I have had multiple clients and inquiries from people with alopecia who are connected to AAAF which helps my business reach out to people who might be considering cosmetic options for their alopecia. Scalp micro pigmentation works well on everyone, not just men, as many often assume.

I first heard about AAAF during my scalp micro-pigmentation training in Los Angeles. The company that I trained with are ambassadors for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation in the USA. When I came back to Australia, I searched for a similar organisation which led me to reach out to AAAF!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smp_hq/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smphqmelbourne/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smphqmelbourne

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/ryan-anderson-smphq

Hair ware Fashion Wigs

We are associated with AAAF because we believe working together gives a greater connection to people going through alopecia.  AAAF is very important to our business as it connects people to us and lets them know that they’re not alone during this time and that there is help out there.

We heard about AAAF about 7 years ago through our clientele going through alopecia.

AAAF can support us and people going through alopecia by letting them know that we are in the southeast area and we have the knowledge, care, and hair ware to give them their confidence back and feel good within themselves.

We love to support people going through alopecia by offering our services and high-quality headwear at a low cost to them,  we don’t believe in looking good should cost a lot.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047710815567

Web Page: https://hairwarefashion.business.site

Lena’s phone number: 0400108292 

Wigs on Wheels 

Wigs On Wheels has been associated with the AAAF since our very early days.  Our mobile wig service has been around for 17 years now. I remember we had been approached to have a stand at an AAAF workshop day where ladies with alopecia could come and connect with other people and see and/or try on the latest products that were available at the time like wigs, hairpieces, headwear, scarves, eyebrows, etc.  

It was a great day that we all enjoyed and I think it was from that day that we decided we wanted to contribute towards helping the Foundation, thus our donation, knowing it would be put to good use.

We’ve used the foundation when it has had grants on offer to help our AA ladies – especially the ones we know that are struggling financially.  We’ve also referred them to the AAAF so they can connect with other women facing the same challenges.  A support network is so important for these women – that’s how they find out that they’re not alone, and also what options are out there and that there are actually options.  Because we only provide our wig service to women facing hair loss, we get to see just how many women are out there dealing with the same situation. It’s comforting to know you’re not alone. 

The AAAF supports us as we do it – by referring women to us who want to find out more about their wig, and hairpiece options. We are always happy just to chat about their options (knowledge is power) and then it’s up to them as to whether they wish to take the next step and make an appointment. 

Wigs On Wheels provides a discreet wig service to the home. Depending on where you are located, your health fund may cover you for some or all of the wig – contact them to find out more.

Web Page: www.wigsonwheels.com.au

The Wig Lady 

I have been a member of AAAF for years because I have Alopecia Totalis!

I get a lot of support because they support me on their list of wig suppliers. When new clients come to me with Alopecia I always suggest they contact our group.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIGS4UPERTH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wigs4uperth/

Web Page: https://www.wigs4uperth.com 

My Walkers Wiggery 

I have decided to specialise in making wigs for people who live with Alopecia, as it is such a widespread issue that rarely gets acknowledged for the impact it can have on suffers. Coming from a hairdressing background I have worked with many clients over the years who have suffered from Alopecia and I know the positive effect a good wig or topper can make on how a sufferer feels about themselves.

Being associated with AAAF allows more sufferers of Alopecia to access the kind of wigs and toppers that I make.

By helping to promote my business to alopecia suffers both locally and nationally.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrwalkerswiggery/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrwalkerswiggery

CRLAB Australia 

Whilst we offer solutions and treatments for all types of hair loss alopecia makes up a large percentage of our clientele.

Many of our clients have gained valuable information and guidance from your network and contacted us for our products and services. 

We first heard of AAAF through a client and informing your network of what we offer (CNC non-surgical hair replacement) would allow us to serve more clients who seek alternative hair solutions.  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crlabaus/
Instagram (sister company): https://www.instagram.com/carlalawsonhairextensions/
Web Page: https://crlab.com.au

Ten Years In

Happy Alopecia Areata Awareness Week! AAAF is so excited to be celebrating our tenth Awareness Week with this amazing community.

This year has brought a lot of reflection and introspection. For AAAF, celebrating our tenth birthday has been very different to how we envisioned. We’ve changed plans, boosted our remote and online support, and had to pause many of our usual events and fundraising activities. Many states have been lucky enough to be able to celebrate Alopecia Areata Awareness Week in person, while others have joined remotely.

These changes, coupled with our tenth birthday, have really brought home how much has changed for AAAF and for our amazing community since we started.

When AAAF first began, the most common question we were asked was “Am I the only person with this condition?”. We consider it one of the greatest signs of success that we no longer hear this.

AAAF’s Christmas in July Giveaway

The Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation is celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2020. To celebrate, we have 10 fantastic give away packs for 10 lucky winners.

To enter the giveaway, submit a creative work about alopecia and the theme “ten”.

You could write a letter to yourself 10 years ago, create an artwork with ten colours, a poem with ten lines, ten photographs from your journey with alopecia, write up the ten best things about alopecia or the ten things you wish you’d known. The only limit is your imagination.

How AAAF Began – 10 Years On

By Chel, AAAF Founder and President

I am often asked why I wanted to create AAAF ten years ago.

It wasn’t that I wanted to create AAAF; it was more that I saw a need to have a unified body that supported everyone who had some form of Alopecia Areata.  The support group that I had been a member of didn’t align with my ideals of how to get Alopecia Areata known in the wider community. I had the hope that one day there would be unconditional acceptance on someone’s appearance.

My son’s appearance changed dramatically by the time he was two.  Try and think back twenty-one years ago, the comb-over for males was the fashion. So having a toddler with patchy hair did bring on the stares and, yes, the questions.

AAAdventure Camp 2018

Alopecia Awareness Week 2018 was huge! We had so many great projects launch, announcements of upcoming programs and great events all over Australia. But the 2018 AAAdventure Camp was definitely one of the highlights. Check out this great video sharing some of the wonderful things we got up to!

AAAF in 2018

I have a confession to make. I’m absolutely nuts about New Year’s Resolutions.

I know, I know – January 1^st is just a date, there’s no reason to limit introspection to one tiny portion of the year, and yes, I’ve heard that making resolutions might even be bad for keeping them.

I can’t help it. I really like them.

For me, January really does feel like the designated check in. A chance to look back at what’s been achieved and be excited for what’s ahead. To decide what to bring into the new year and what to leave in the past. Truth is, I’m a big of a day dreamer. If I didn’t give myself a designated time to decided what I want to do and plan how we’re going to do it, I’d end up another year down with nothing to show for it.

A year ago today, we posted AAAF’s New Year Resolutions for 2017. We celebrated the amazing things we did in 2016 – like the Bald Canvas Initiative and our Remove GST on Wigs campaign – and we made plans for what was to come.

Looking back on 2017, I feel very proud of our wonderful team, and our outstanding community, because we achieved everything we set out to do. And so, so much more.

#Healthy Alopecia Blog Competition

As announced in our recent Alopecia Awareness Week, Love Alopeciais running a competition for 12 months in support of our theme for 2018, #HealthyAlopecia, starting December 2017.

We’re looking for your story on any aspect of health and wellness, ranging from mental health, physical activity, social engagement, what wellness means for you, or anything in between. In exchange for your story, you go into the draw to win up to $2000 towards a healthier you!

Introducing #HealthyAlopecia

In Alopecia Awareness Week 2016, we began our #EmbraceAlopecia campaign and theme for the year. We’re very proud of the response we’ve had to the campaign to Embrace Alopecia, especially the individuals in our community who came forward to share their stories and personal journeys, many of which can be found here on Love, Alopecia.

12 months later and we want to continue to build on the outstanding success of #EmbraceAlopecia and maintain our dedication to championing awareness and understanding of alopecia, promoting acceptance of appearance diversity and providing support to help individuals find self-confidence and happiness on their journey with this condition. To help us on this path, our theme for 2018 will be Healthy Alopecia.

The Healthy Alopecia theme will structure much of the programs, events and communications executed by AAAF and is to be all inclusive audience program. This campaign will focus on a broad range of health and wellbeing areas, including positive mindsets and mental health, physical excise, empowerment, diet and nutrition, healthy social connectedness and skills to support these areas.

We’re inviting you to take part in Healthy Alopecia too. #HealthyAlopecia

AAAF Goes to NAAFCon2017

With AAAF South Australian Branch Manager Liz Bear.

1. What’s your connection to Alopecia/AAAF?

I was first diagnosed with AA 34 years ago.  My eldest daughter also has AA as did my paternal grandfather.

2. Tell us about the NAAF Conference

The NAAF Conference is held annually at various cities in the United States by the the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. People with AA and their families attend from all over the United States and some from Overseas.  This year it will be held in Miami, Florida.  During the 4 day conference, while different session are on during the day for attendees, NAAF organises a children’s camp so children with AA can meet others who are like them.  There can be around 500 attendees.

Why GST on Wigs Matters To You

If you’ve been paying attention, you may have noticed that AAAF’s social media accounts have been busy with information about GST and wigs, petitions and demonstration rallies. It’s easy to think that taxation on wigs is a tiny issue, only affecting a tiny portion of people, and only having a very small impact on those people. If you don’t wear wigs, you might find yourself thinking why on earth does this matter, and why on earth would it matter to you.

For people with alopecia, the question of Goods and Services Tax on wigs can be, quite literally, a matter of life and death.