Imagine within just weeks losing every bit of hair... all over. It's unpredictable and it happens. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease that can have a devastating affect on self-image, especially women's. Bald Girls Do Lunch is the only nonprofit created specifically to help women cope, gain confidence and feel a sense of community.Learn more...
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Lately, I’ve asked some make-up artists (who provide service as well as sell cosmetic products) if they volunteer their time for the American Cancer Society’s ‘Feel Good Look Good’ program.The answer is almost universally yes they do or yes, they would if asked. And if I ask the same artists if they would volunteer a few hours to help our women with alopecia who have no eyebrows or lashes, the answer coming back has been, “it’s only worth my time if they buy lots of things.”
Ok…so in our country, let’s hope this is not an emerging pattern - where women with temporary hair loss due to the side effects of chemotherapy receive individual consultations donated willingly along with complimentary assortments of make-up (supplied by the cosmetics manufacturers) and women with permanent hair loss due to alopecia can’t even get donated time by the same experienced professional artists.
Is this a result of the recession or are we seeing a trend here? Send me your comments: thea@baldgirlsdolunch.org
Presented below is the concluding paragraph and final sentence in the February, 2010 JAAD (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology) feature article “Alopecia Areata Update: Part II Treatment”. (Italics and bolding added)
“There has been little progress in the treatment of AA in the past decade, and ILCSs are still the preferred method of treatment for most patients. Newer topical and systemic agents (eg. biologics) have been tried, but the outcomes have been unattractive. We are still in need of developing treatment options for refractory cases and for specific hair-bearing sites ( ie eyelashes) where treatment choices are almost nonexistent. Because of higher psychiatric morbidity in patients with AA, psychosocial support is a valuable tool in any management plan.
Failing to provide required information including infection risks in promotions for Latisse, an FDA warning letter went out last month to Allergan.
“…For example, the webpages omit important risks associated with Latisse, including the risk of bacterial keratitis from contamination of Latisse or the applicators, and the risk of use with contact lenses. In addition, the webpages do not mention the potential for disparity between eyes in length, thickness, pigmentation, number of eyelashes or vellus hairs, and the direction of eyelash growth. Moreover, the body of the “About Safety” webpage fails to communicate the potential for excess hair growth outside of the treatment area.” - FDA
Use discount code BGDL at checkout for falseeyelashesstore.com and receive 15% off their already high quality and low priced lashes for everyday use featuring invisibles and minis. Or, go the wild and crazy route with crystal, rhinestone, feathered and beaded lashes. Highlight a wig with a clip-in hair extension. Thank you FES for affordable alopecian beauty!
Sponsor the lunch program. $275 provides the food and beverage for 10 women.
Sponsor a beauty workshop. $500 provides professional style consultants and make-up artists
Become a Business Friend of BGDL
Jointhe Founder’s Circle. A $1000 contribution expands much needed staffing capabilities.
Join the cause: July, 2010 for “Bald is In” and “alopecia awareness” events in your state. July is International Women with Alopecia Month. Tell us your plans.
Support our cause: donate a percent of sale of your special item to our nonprofit.
Donate your screening room in Los Angeles and major metro areas. We’re showing award-winning indie short “Hairless” for fundraising and networking events.
Hold a “That Takes Ovaries” open mike or reading; designate BGDL your nonprofit fund raising cause.
Hold an Auction or other fundraiser of any size from small to large.
Donate printing services for “How Are You Nurturing Your Self-Image?” brochures and BGDL fact sheets
Spread the word withour popular designs in the “Bald? So What!” t-shirt and logo collection.
In December, this blog said “Lumigan a Hot Topic….” following the FDA approval for this glaucoma medication to be used in cosmetic use for growing longer, fuller lashes. I have seen it work for alopecians who have some lashes, albeit very thin and short.
Have I used it? No. I have blue eyes and I like them a lot. One of the side effects of Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) is permanently turning blue eyes to brown along with the risk of skin hyper-pigmentation at the application site which may be reversible. Great care must be taken in maintaining sterility of the applicator to avoid contamination and infections. Safe and effective pediatric use has not been established.
The active ingredient is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%. Prescribed as a glaucoma med it’s known as Lumigan. Recently approved by the FDA for lash enhancement, the product is called Latisse.
Your regular everyday online shopping generates donations for our organization from hundreds of stores.
Go to goodshop.com and enter Bald Girls Do Lunch as the charity you support.
One of our favorite shops is to enter folica.com from the goodshop.com portal and a % of sale is donated to BGDL . Ardell eyelash products are extremely discounted at this site and shipping is free over $50. Enter folica in the little text box or see the goodshop drop-down menu for hundreds of other stores.
Amazon and many many others you shop are in the list. You must enter your store from goodshop.com first and designate Bald Girls Do Lunch for the donation to be counted.
Use Code SKIN15 at check-out for a sweet 15% off your order at folica.com
It was announced in a press release by Allergan Inc. on 12/3/08 that the drug Lumigan, currently approved to treat glaucoma, is close to FDA approval for cosmetic use as an eyelash growth enhancer for upper lashes - but don’t get excited if you have extensive loss due to AA. It had been discovered in clinical studies that a side effect in glaucoma patients was the growth of longer, darker and fuller lashes. The FDA posted a review of the drug on its Web site Wednesday ahead of a Friday review by an outside panel of medical experts. The advisory panel is being asked to vote on whether it thinks Latisse ( the proposed brand name) should be approved. The FDA usually follows its panels’ advice. If approved, the product would be the first FDA-approved product sold for eyelash enhancement.
Two pilot studies were done with alopecia areata volunteers at the University of California San Francisco using Lumigan or Xalatan on patients with greater than 50 percent eyelash loss and concluded that it was not effective. No study has yet been done on AA patients with less than 50 percent loss. These pilot studies were a joint effort of the UCSF departments of dermatology and opthalmology with principal investigators Drs. Price and Stamper.
And as with all drugs, there will be risks and the potential for serious side effects in some people.
wilshirewigs.com for accessories:wig tape, styro-heads, wig blocks, table clamps…all those little things that make a big difference.
Their wig tape selection alone has over 30 separate items. Most every wig tape I’ve used is also perfect for keeping clothing straps and necklines in place, not to mention the emergency hem repair. So keep a few in your wallet. Just like all those folks walking the Red Carpet….you, too, can look absolutely put together when your moving parts are taped in place with yards of wig tape. It’s true…and it works.
Eyelashes ($2.75); Duo Surgical Adhesive ( 1.2 oz ) ($11.50); Styrofoam heads ($4); large packs of double stick wig tape ($3.75); storage box plus styro-head($12). Have a very tiny head? Buy their canvas wig block in a child size. Have a long-haired wig? Wilshire has the long-necked heads.
They also have a custom workroom with ventilators who will resize your wig or add more hair even if you did not purchase from them.
Fake that lash line when yours are next to none or you’ve got a sizable gap - like I re-developed recently. No patience for a strip of lashes? Try this: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. Use the basic gel colors without shimmer.
Winner of the “Elle”‘Genius Award, “In Style” ‘Best Buy and “Allure” ‘Reader’s Choice Awards’ this product lets you create an illusion with dimension and staying power. Transfer-resistant when dry this stuff is an alopecia girl’s best friend. Sit down and use a tabletop magnifying mirror to see what you’re doing. Apply directly at the lid edge with a short but firm brush where lashes would usually grown from. Work quickly. Keep your brushes clean and cap product tightly.
