One of the great things about TikTok is that the algorithm will eventually lead you to exactly what you need to see before you even know what it is. That seems to be what’s happened for a woman posting under the handle @being_mrs_brown about her specific condition that a lot of other women have—but not many talk about.
Jennifer is a mom based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who already has a pretty big following on Instagram. She posts a lot about her life as a mom via open adoption and keeping what looks like an adorable home.
She also has androgenic alopecia, which means her hair is thin and falls out much more than most women her age. She told BuzzFeed in an interview that it started to fall out noticeably when she was 21 years old.
“I didn’t think women my age dealt with hair loss,” she said. “It was so isolating.”
Usually, if you have a genetic condition, there are other people out there going through it, too. Jennifer has found them via her viral TikToks about putting her wig on. She says in the video that she just decided to start wearing wigs full time this year.
Jennifer has experienced different levels of hair loss throughout her life. She says she wore wigs in 2014 when medication made the hair loss worse, trying to keep it a secret. Some hair grew back, but she realized she didn’t like how it looked—and didn’t want to keep the wigs a secret anymore.
“That decision essentially happened overnight,” she said. “I hated my hair and came to the realization that I was done hating part of myself. It’s been the best choice I’ve ever made for myself and my happiness.”
“Regardless of age, most women feel alone in their hair loss or hair thinning. I hope my page helps normalize hair loss for women,” Jennifer added. “I’ve done a lot of emotional healing in the past year through wearing wigs. Today I can easily smile or joke about my hair loss. I think that’s encouraging and refreshing for a subject that is usually so taboo.”
@being_mrs_brown my decision to wear wigs. #fyp #wigs #hairloss #alopecia #follea #androgenicalopecia
Because the algorithm has taken me there, I know there is a wide range of stylists who will show their followers how to put on and style a wig, especially Black women who have long normalized switching their hair up.
https://www.tiktok.com/@_princessaudra/video/6850556220068072710
And it has become more normalized for men to wear toupees as well:
@agbodoll7 #duet with @lollife258 #hair #DoItBold #fyp #facts #react #reaction #pov #black #tutorial #fyp #transformation #transition #wig #new #viral #barber
Jennifer’s posts may be unique in that she is addressing the secret of hair loss beneath the wigs, and telling people it doesn’t have to be a secret at all.
“I started my TikTok and Instagram account to ensure no other woman feels alone in their hair loss. I’ve loved the community of strong hair loss warriors on my page! They encourage me daily,” Jennifer stated. “Every person, at some point in their life, struggles with self-confidence. It’s not just you. You aren’t alone in your hair loss. Take baby steps towards self-acceptance. Make whatever choice will help you feel beautiful.”