National Alopecia Areata Foundation

11/03/2026

Hair loss is not simply a change in appearance. It can change how you see yourself, and how the world treats you.

For people living with alopecia areata, the impact can extend far beyond visible hair loss. It's watching your sense of self shatter; in the mirror, in relationships, at school, at work.

Beyond the Mirror exists to make that visible; not just the hair loss, but everything it touches.

👉 Hear from our community: naaf.org/beyond-the-mirror
💬 What has alopecia areata changed for you that others might not expect? Share it with

11/03/2026

🎶 Our friend Molly Tuttle is featured in a new Music Connection interview!

Molly shares more about her music, latest projects, and her connection to NAAF, including the importance of finding community and support. 💙

Check out the full interview! 👇

Molly Tuttle: A Stripped-Back Return for Little Miss Sunshine

11/02/2026

NAAF support groups provide a welcoming environment where individuals, families, and friends can connect, share, and support one another.

Check out this month’s meeting dates. We hope to see you there. 💙 Find a support group near you and additional meeting details at naaf.org/support-groups. Don’t see a support group listed in your area? Our virtual support groups welcome everyone.

11/02/2026

Thank you to The Dermatologist for raising awareness of these important facts about alopecia areata! Head over to their page to read more.

Growing awareness of alopecia areata has improved visibility, but stigma remains. Dr Brittany Craiglow discusses persistent misconceptions, social challenges, and opportunities for better patient support.

11/01/2026

Nothing is scarier than missing a deadline and an opportunity to make a difference! 🎃👻

The deadline to apply for NAAF's 2027 Teen Advocacy Fellows (TAF) program is TODAY, October 31!

Through this program, teens will learn about advocacy, develop their personal stories, and meet with members of Congress to help create change for the alopecia areata community. 💙

Whether you want to build leadership skills, connect with peers, or make your voice heard, the TAF program is a great place to start.

✨ Apply today or share this opportunity with a teen who may be interested.

👉 naaf.org/teenadvocacy

10/30/2026

✨ ICYMI: Our October eNews is here! Catch up on the latest NAAF news, including our new awareness campaign, upcoming events, research updates, and ways to get involved. Here's what's inside:

🪞 Beyond the Mirror Campaign Launch
📣 Recruiting 2027 Teen Advocacy Fellows
🗨️ Call for Presentations: NAAF Conference
🎥 You Are Not Alone Webinar Series
⚖️ New Legislation: Wigs for Warriors Act
🗓️ Conference Registration Opening Soon!
☀️ Walk For Alopecia Spotlight
🧪 Clinical Trial News

➡️ Read more:

We recently launched Beyond the Mirror, an awareness campaign created to help more people understand the full experience of living with alopecia areata and bring greater awareness to what isn’t always visible.

10/30/2026

Join us for our next You Are Not Alone Webinar with Maria Hordinsky, MD, Angela Christiano, PhD, and Javed Shaik, PhD as they discuss the latest research on the relationship between the gut microbiome and alopecia areata. Learn why scientists are studying this connection, what they hope to discover, and how this research may help us better understand alopecia areata in the future.

Did you know that the trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your digestive system may play an important role in your overall health and immune system? Researchers are beginning to explore whether the gut microbiome could also be connected to autoimmune diseases, including alopecia areata.

Whether you're living with alopecia areata, caring for someone who is, or simply interested in the latest research, this webinar will provide an easy-to-understand overview of this exciting and emerging area of study.

👉 Register today for this free webinar. https://ow.ly/k03r5100XQS

10/29/2026

Alopecia areata is more than what you see.

Growing up is a time of discovering who you are, building confidence and finding your place in the world. For young people living with alopecia areata, that journey can come with challenges that extend far beyond visible hair loss.

For Liam, living with alopecia areata has been part of navigating identity, relationships and important life transitions.

As part of the our Beyond the Mirror campaign, Liam shared his story to help others understand the often unseen impact of alopecia areata.

Because alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, not simply a cosmetic condition. Its effects can reach into mental health, self-confidence, relationships and everyday life.

Watch Liam's story and help us build greater understanding of what it really means to live with alopecia areata.

Learn more about the campaign: naaf.org/beyond-the-mirror

10/28/2026

If you have alopecia areata, you already know you're not the only one. Here's just how many of us there are.

Nearly 7 million people in the U.S. have it, or will develop it. Worldwide, that number climbs to 160 million - about 1 in 50 people.

More than 80% first show signs before age 40, and 40% by age 20. Onset often begins in childhood or early adulthood. About 1 in 5 have at least one family member who is living with the condition.

But the numbers don't capture the full experience of living with alopecia areata, or the impact that can extend far beyond visible hair loss.

That's what Beyond the Mirror is here to change.

👉 See the full picture: naaf.org/beyond-the-mirror
💬 Are you one of the millions? Share your story with

10/28/2026

Want to support the alopecia areata community while boosting your academic resume? Become a NAAF Teen Advocacy Fellow (TAF)! 💪 🤩 📚

The TAF program empowers our young adult community members to share their stories with policymakers to create change for the nearly 7 million Americans affected by alopecia areata. It's also a power move 🙌 for your academic resume because it will help you:

✅ Develop real-world leadership skills
✅ Gain hands-on experience with civic engagement
✅ Build confidence in public speaking
✅ Stand out with a unique, mission-driven experience

Learn more and apply to be a NAAF Teen Advocacy Fellow by ✨ October 31 ✨ or share this opportunity today with a teen who wants to build their academic resume, network with peers nationwide, and make their voice heard. naaf.org/teenadvocacy