This woman's hair transformation is nothing short of incredible

September 4, 2017 5:07 PM

While there are treatments available to help alopecia sufferers, hair loss can be permanent in some cases.

Balding is often associated with men, but many women suffer from hair loss, too.

A common form of it is called alopecia, which according to the American Academy of Dermatology occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing strands to fall out either in patches or all over the body.

While there are treatments available to help alopecia sufferers, hair loss can be permanent in some cases. But recently, one hair stylist stepped in to give a client suffering from alopecia a total hair transformation—and the results are amazing.

Cherie Amor, owner of the Elegance of Amor salon in Brooklyn, posted a video on Instagram documenting the entire process. “She wasn't sure if this could even be done and I guaranteed her I can pretty much make anything work,” Cherie wrote in the caption about her client. “The come out was amazing and she was happy… so get the look… no need to be embarrassed … always feel comfortable in the skin you’re in!”

In the video, Cherie’s client can be seen with alopecia in the front, sides, and top of her head. Then, Cherie placed a crochet cap over the areas where she suffered hair loss, and hair was sewn in. The final result was mind-blowing: Cherie’s client now has a full head of hair, parted down the middle with curls at the bottom.

Alopecia can happen to anyone, but about one-third of African American women suffer from traction alopecia (TA), a type of gradual hair loss caused by damage to the hair follicle. TA can happen to anyone who regularly wears their hair in tight ponytails, pigtails, or braids.

But alopecia can be caused by a variety of things, including genetics, which is why treatment for it varies. Among them, the American Academy of Dermatology lists minoxidil (a medicine that’s applied to the scalp that can stop hairs from thinning and stimulate growth), laser devices that stimulate hair growth, corticosteroids (a medication that’s injected into your scalp to stop inflammation that occurs as a result of some kinds of alopecia), and hair transplantation.

Alopecia doesn’t usually happen overnight. If you find that you’re starting to see bald or thinning patches in your hair, talk to your dermatologist. They can often halt alopecia from progressing and may even be able to stimulate hair growth again.