Written by Elizabeth Chua
(PHOTO: Elizabeth Chua)
Many would say that hair is significant to a woman’s self-esteem as it is commonly associated with beauty and youthfulness. Adeline Tay was a joyful and bubbly teenager who had big plans ahead of her. To her dismay, her life changed in 2014, when she received a doctor’s call informing her about a disease called Alopecia Totalis. From being able to freely enter a public ladies washroom to being questioned on whether she entered the right one, what was once her source of confidence is now bringing her apprehension and fear to face the world.
Adeline Tay, a 25-year-old living in sunny Singapore, struggles with something that would be many women’s living nightmare — losing every inch of hair within the span of a few weeks. She was first diagnosed with Alopecia at the young age of 19.
Her hairdresser was the first person to notice a bald patch. The hair loss started to kick in after three weeks when she observed clumps of hair falling out. That was when she finally decided to see a doctor. Her initial diagnosis was Alopecia Areata which are random small bald patches. However, it eventually acutely turned into Alopecia Totalis, which is the complete loss of all hair on her scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and nostrils. It was an extremely tough experience for Adeline as she was in utter disbelief and could not accept the person she had become.
Over the past six years, it has been a rollercoaster ride for Adeline. Her family and peers would get their hopes up with each regrowth, thinking she might recover fully. But with every relapse, they get disappointed. Dealing with this condition has changed Adeline’s life forever, but she would not have been able to pick herself up without her family and friends. “I often tell others that I am a by-product of the support and encouragement that others have shown me,” Adeline said as she recalled the good memories spent with her peers.
Sharing her story on TikTok was never part of her intention to raise awareness for Alopecia. As funny as it sounds, Adeline stumbled upon an Asian Koel Bird that appeared at her window one day and decided to post a TikTok documenting this rare encounter. It took off with the algorithm, and her video went viral. Comments asking about her appearance were starting to flood in. Adeline saw this as an opportunity and decided to share more about Alopecia on TikTok.
As her content started gaining attention from the general public, many news outlets in Singapore began to reach out for an interview. “It’s truly amazing how social media works,” Adeline continued.
Adeline shared that social media has made her more confident in how she sees herself. Initially, she was very self-conscious about how her looks had changed and how people would think when they met her for the first time. “Ever since I decided to post about my condition on TikTok, I was able to be open about it, and it has helped me to better cope with the ongoing changes,” Adeline explained.
When asked about the reason behind her decision to start sharing her story publicly, she answered, “By spreading awareness about Alopecia, I can help people, especially those who recently got diagnosed. That’s what I would have wished for back then when I first got my diagnosis; to have someone to relate to.” Turning an insecurity into something that gives strength and inspiration to people was something that nineteen-year-old Adeline would have never imagined.
Over the years, Adeline has managed to brave through each relapse and come out stronger than ever.Alopecia is not just hair loss; it is a life-changing experience that can affect a person physically and mentally. But it has never held Adeline back from pursuing her passion. Adeline decided to volunteer in the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps andenlisted in the Army despite the condition.
“To my fellow Singaporeans who have Alopecia, you are not alone. We are not alone.” Adeline affirmed as she grinned from ear to ear.
