By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

We don’t often really think about it, but for some, hair can be the difference between exclusion and living a normal life.

Alopecia areata is an incurable disease that causes the body to fight its own hair, leaving the afflicted person with varying degrees of hair loss. Some lose only patches while other lose every hair on their body. Sometimes it grows back; sometimes it does not.

It was with this in mind that Diane Cooley, of Alpharetta, whose daughter has the disease, decided to begin “It’s Just Hair.” Now in its third year, It’s Just Hair has partnered with Taylor Brooks Salon, on Jones Bridge Road, to donate hair to the charity Held last Monday, Cooley said that this year’s It’s Just Hair event pulled in well over 100 ponytails to be donated to charity. 

Locks of Love is a charity that makes wigs for people who have lost their hair. It is typically associated with cancer victims who have undergone chemotherapy; in fact, the majority of their wigs are given to those with alopecia.

 
While the disease strikes both genders, it is typically the girls who are hurt emotionally through the loss of their hair.

“As a girl, it’s really hard,” said Karen Deshazor, an Alpharetta woman who has had the disease since she was a young girl. “Being able to feel normal and accepted is really empowering” and the wigs provided by Locks of Love provide that normality.

Sela Ackerman, 9, was having her hair cut so that she can give it to her mother, Sherri, who also suffers from the disease.

“She can’t wait to get it cut,” said Ackerman of her daughter.

The wigs are of such quality that, according to Ackerman, “people are really surprised [that I have a wig]. They really can’t tell.”

Monday was a day that brought out the best in people. This year there were more than 100 girls and women who gave their hair for It’s Just hair. 

One of those donors was Imika Jain, 10, of Alpharetta, who has been growing her hair out for two years in order to donate it to Locks of Love; when she heard about It’s Just Hair, she decided to help out.

“It’s a good program,” said Omila, Imika’s mother. “Maybe next year, I’ll be able to do it.”

Julia Butler, owner of Taylor Brooks Salon, has been partnering with It’s Just Hair for two years now, although this is one of several ways that the salon interacts with its community.

“We’re putting our talents to work for the good of the community,” said Butler of her staff of stylists, who volunteered their time for the event. The salon will also donate hair at any time during the year to Locks of Love. Donated hair must be at least 10 inches long and not be chemically treated.   

For more information on alopecia, visit the National Alopecia Areata Foundation at http://www.naaf.org. For more information on Locks of Love, visit www.locksoflove.org.