Today is National Philanthropy Day and we want to give our deepest gratitude to all our volunteers, donors, and sponsors for their dedication to the alopecia community throughout the year. We couldn’t possibly do what we do without you.
Below, Christal Malcolm shares her journey with CCCA, a form of scarring alopecia.
Since Christal joined the CANAAF Board of Directors as Secretary in 2020, we’ve been inspired by her unstoppable spirit and passion for giving. Now, as our head of public relations, Christal brings alopecia-friendly businesses into the community, co-directs the Wig Lending Library, and hosts our speaker series to raise awareness and provide information to CANAAF members.
Thank you Christal for continuing to inspire us everyday!
My name is Christal, and I was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. I currently work in the health care industry and have been doing so for the last 13 years.
At what age did your alopecia begin?
My Alopecia journey began in my late teens with the thinning of my hair at the top of my head. I just attributed it to over processed hairstyles and the pulling of my braided hair extensions. Patches, more thinning, uncontrollable itching, burning, sores at the nape of my neck and at one point these very fine similar to a paper cut was scattered all over my head. It took years for me to find the right physician(s) and a scalp biopsy to determine that I had alopecia, specifically Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) – I know that’s a mouthful, try saying that five times fast.
What is Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA)?
It’s a form of scarring alopecia that results in permanent hair loss. It is common in black women; however, it can affect men and persons of all races. What causes this type of alopecia are still up for debate, but some suggestions include genetics, bacterial/fungal infections, over processing of hair, weaves and braids etc. My scarring alopecia is predominant at the top and front of my scalp and in some areas at the side of my head.
How have you grown from your personal challenges with CCCA?
Losing my hair was pretty devastating. I was angry, sad, confused, frustrated and full of so many questions. Because there is little to no research on scarring alopecia, coping and trying to find solutions to heal my inflamed head was beyond difficult. I gave up plenty of times. My breaking point of tired of being tired didn’t happen until some 20 years later (I know, that’s a long time). I decided I couldn’t let my hair loss control me or my emotions anymore. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have my off days, but I had to give myself pep talks and work through the emotions no matter what they looked like.
While working through this, I decided to look for a support group or just a safe space that I could talk to someone about my hair loss without being judged. Gotta hand it to google when CANAAF popped up. I’d never heard of CANAAF before and was so surprised they were in Canada! They had a support group session and when I signed up, that was part of my transformation. I was in a session with others that looked like me and I felt safe and free to be myself. I even showed up on the zoom meeting with no wig or headscarf! After the meeting I knew I had to be a part of CANAAF and the rest is history.
What advice would you give your teenage self?
I think I would tell myself that you are not defined by how others see you. Don’t compare yourself to someone else because it’s a waste of time, because you can only be you. If you want to change its because you want to be a better version of yourself. I would be kinder to the younger Christal and tell her everyday, that she is beautiful no matter what angle her reflection presents itself. Teenagers can be mean and there are so many pressures that come with that but girl you got this! Beauty comes from within – it’s your inner spirit that should be filled with self-love, compassion and a glow that no one can stop!
How does it feel to help others find confidence in their alopecia?
It means the world to me knowing that I’m helping others in their alopecia journey because I know exactly what that looks like. Its hard for people who have hair to truly understand how you may feel because its “not just hair” it’s a part of your identity that has changed and sadly you have no control over it. But know that there are wonderful resources and people who get it and who are here for you so you don’t have to walk this path alone. I can relate to the highs and lows of hair loss unpredictability and I also know that something so traumatic can be a blessing in disguise in that it can make you stronger, courageous and a voice for others.
Alopecia is an opportunity to educate the world and redefine society’s standard of beauty. I want men, women and children to know that they are amazing with or without hair. Earth would be a pretty boring place if we all looked the same.
To get in touch with Christal, you can email her at publicrelations@canaaf.org.
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