Despite times of deep despair and "self-loathing", Kellie has emerged, since her official diagnosis two years ago, a bona fide role model for thousands of women. Photo / Supplied
Despite times of deep despair and "self-loathing", Kellie has emerged, since her official diagnosis two years ago, a bona fide role model for thousands of women. Photo / Supplied
A Queensland woman has revealed her hidden health battle, turning her secret struggle into an inspirational movement.
At first glance, it's difficult to imagine Queensland woman Kellie Scott has ever struggled with her self-esteem.
Sporting a huge smile and a head full of perfectly styled hair that changes shades every other day, Kellie's Instagram account shows a strong, confident woman.
But the 33-year-old journalist's Instagram account exists to share the story of how a simple switch in her contraceptive pill triggered the loss of 70 per cent of her hair.
Kellie lives with androgenic alopecia — an incurable form of female pattern hair loss that causes extreme thinning mainly around the hair's natural parting.
Despite times of deep despair and "self-loathing", Kellie has emerged, since her official diagnosis two years ago, a bona fide role model for thousands of women who struggle with hair loss.
The signs
Kellie lives with androgenic alopecia - an incurable form of female pattern hair loss that causes extreme thinning mainly around the hair's natural parting. Photo / Supplied
Kellie's hair loss journey began back in 2012 when she switched her contraceptive pill during a routine visit to the GP.
"I had been using Diane-35 ED for about 12 years, which I'd initially started as a teenager, to treat acne," Kellie said.
After learning about the potential health risks associated with Diane 35 ED, Kellie switched to a more common pill, Levlen.
"At the time this seemed all fine, but about a year later, I noticed my hair was thinning," she said.
"It took about two years after that for me to realise and accept that my hair loss was ongoing."
Through her own research, Kellie realised the pill switch had triggered her hair loss.
"I think playing around with my hormones wreaked havoc with my body," she said.
Faced with a rapidly thinning head of hair, Kellie attempted every tip, trick or treatment to keep what little hair she had left firmly on top of her head.
"Over about the course of a year I saw two endocrinologists, two trichologists and a dermatologist," she said.
"I spent a considerable amount of time self-loathing the hair I do have and stressing one day that I'll have none."
The diagnosis
Over the next few years, Kellie lost up to 70 per cent of her natural hair.
Finally, in 2017, a dermatologist diagnosed her with androgenic alopecia, but this did little to help Kellie's self-esteem.
"When you have alopecia, there are very few treatments available, and the ones that are out there are only effective for a small percentage of women," she said.
"My confidence definitely took a hit because when you're in this situation, you're extremely vulnerable and desperate to make your hair look as full as possible."
Kellie said she was devastated and mourned the loss of her hair in private.
"I would cry myself to sleep watching YouTube videos on miracle hair loss cures," she said.
Seeing women walk down the street with a full head of hair would often leave her feeling incredibly upset.
"So much of our femininity is tied up with our hair, we're told as little girls that men prefer long hair," Kellie said.
Now, with almost 9000 dedicated followers on her Hair Loss Boss Instagram account, Kellie offers insights into her hair loss journey and tips on how to "own hair loss like a f***ing boss".
According to Kellie, she receives dozens of messages each day from women asking for advice.
"It's hard to believe I'm sure, but I'm grateful for my hair loss because now I wear the best hair of my life, and I get to help people," she said.
"This is a real issue, and women shouldn't feel embarrassed about it.
