A woman from the Czech Republic who developed alopecia after cosmetic surgery shared how she accepted her baldness, garnering millions of views on TikTok.
Barbora Krop, 28 years old, is an orthodontic assistant and mother of a four-year-old son. A few years ago she was confronted with alopecia areata for the first time.
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This resulted in three small patches of hair loss that disappeared during her pregnancy.
However, in 2022, the disease returned with a vengeance, possibly triggered by breast augmentation surgery.
“It started when I was on holiday with my mother in Mallorca. When I woke up, there were tufts of hair on my pillow,” Krop remembers.
“Within two weeks, most of the hair on my head had fallen out. I was left with just a few strands and looked like Gollum from Lord of the Rings.”
“Over the next 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 incredibly stressful.”
GET A DIAGNOSIS
Krop’s doctor confirmed that she suffered from alopecia universalis, the most severe form of alopecia.
Unlike other forms of autoimmune disease that can cause patchy hair loss, alopecia universalis results in those affected being completely hairless.
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“I was so emotional,” Krop said. “I cried a lot and was afraid for my health. The doctors didn’t know why this happened to me.”
“Hair is very important to a woman and no one can imagine what it’s like to lose it. I was so insecure and embarrassed that I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror.”
Despite the emotional turmoil, Krop found strength in her family and her love of life.
“I knew I had to be brave for my husband, my child and myself. I love life, so I said to myself, ‘Hey, Barbora, don’t give up. Show the world your bald head. You don’t have a choice, alopecia chose you.'”
“Shaving my head was incredibly liberating. From that moment on, I was determined to face alopecia head-on and stop hiding.”
FIND SUPPORT
Hoping to find others who had gone through the same thing, Krop turned to social media for support.
“I was just scrolling and looking for other people who have alopecia,” she said.
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“I met some women from other countries who told me their stories. When I saw how open and strong they were, I realized that I wanted to be there for other women who are facing this problem.
“To show them that it’s not the end of the world. Losing hair sucks, but you can still feel confident and live a great life without being bald.”
Her honesty struck a chord. Before she knew it, Krop’s account was making headlines and millions of people were tuning in to hear her views on living with alopecia.
“Wigs are not cheap. A human hair wig can cost around $1,000, while synthetic wigs cost around $200.”
Barbara Krop
On her journey, Krop discovered unexpected positive aspects.
“Through alopecia, I learned to appreciate the little things and not to take them for granted,” she reflects.
“I’ve found other things that I love and am proud of. I like the shape of my head, my eyes stand out, and if I really miss my hair, I can always wear a wig.”
WONDERFUL WIGS
With her new look, Krop has found joy in the versatility of wigs.
“The great thing about wigs is that I can change my look every day and I enjoy it,” she enthused.
“I have a collection of 12 wigs in different colors and cuts, including two made of human hair.”
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Krop gives some advice to those who are thinking about getting a wig.
“Wigs are not cheap. A human hair wig can cost around $1,000, while synthetic wigs cost around $200,” she said.
“The first criterion is definitely comfort. The wig should not feel scratchy and should not slip when you move your head.
“Choose the right size and opt for lace front wigs to make them look as realistic as possible.
“I’ve found that human hair wigs look more natural, especially around the hairline, and people often don’t even notice I’m wearing one.
“Choose a color that suits your skin tone. I used to be a 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.”
Stay on track
Looking to the future, Krop remains true to her cause.
“I want to continue to raise awareness about alopecia. I want to motivate and help women. I dream of traveling with my family, living life to the fullest and doing a job that I enjoy,” she said.
“I have so many activities – sports, social media work, photo modeling, my job as an orthodontic assistant and most of all my son, my dog, my husband and my 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.
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