Navigating Beauty with Lupus

Lupus makes it a tad bit difficult to feel beautiful. From the skin rashes (don’t get me started on the scarring) to the inevitable skin loss and weight gain that gives you that horrible moon face...

It is a complete struggle and has been one of mine for quite some time. Fortunately, I have learned to accept that I will not have the same features or hair I once had before being diagnosed. I have also had the privilege to encourage others to do the same, especially with the hair bit. We have always heard that our hair is our crown, well, when you are a lupus warrior, that is not the case.

I am here to offer 3 tips on how to look your best with Lupus.

Navigating hair loss

I have had my fair share of intermittent hair loss in my lupus career. I lost hair when I was 25, I was completely bald and had to adjust to my head looking like an egg. Luckily, I grew it all back and look quite good. Then, a few years later in 2024, I lost my hairline, and my hair was thinning. So, I decided to chop it all off and be a short-headed chick for the rest of my life. Now, I am not saying you should do the big chop, no! However, I used castor oil to strengthen my hair and bring back my hairline while keeping it short. Trimming it here and there and applying a hair growth oil may help. The aim of this tip is not to prescribe a solution but to look at your hair loss positively and find alternatives to change your look.

Dealing with discoid lupus

This one is the worst condition I have had and am still dealing with to this day. Let’s not talk about the scarring I have on my arms and legs. I am a girl who loves wearing dresses and skirts as well as sleeveless tops, but ever since that flare, I was self-conscious and always bought clothing that covered my whole body. I would get the occasional stare and questions of why my skin had scars. It was terrible. However, I got over that by using essential body oils, of course, the creams and ointments from dermatologists and vaseline. This has helped my skin to glow regardless of the scarring, and I wear my dresses and skirts with the utmost confidence.

Weight-gain

This one right here is inevitable, especially when you are starting right after your diagnosis. I gained so much weight, I had friends (not my friends anymore..thankfully) who would point out my tummy. They seemed frustrated that I even had a tummy, which is quite peculiar now that I think about it. I used to weigh around 54kg before being diagnosed, and I gained up to 15 kg. I had to change the sizes of jeans, dresses, and skirts. The clothes I used to wear no longer fit, and trying to feel beautiful with all those changes was difficult. I hated myself, sadly. However, my tip here is that it will get better. As you improve with treatment, and your doctor weans you off some of the meds that are making you gain weight, you will lose it. For some, you might not go back to a size 8, but you will feel like yourself again and feel confident. It does get better, trust me. I have lost all that weight(by the way, I call it water weight), and I am back in the fifties. I can fit into the clothes I used to wear, and I have never felt more confident than I have ever felt before.

Feeling like yourself again

This disease is hard to navigate. However, I just wanted to offer a glimmer of hope, even if it is to one warrior out there, that you can find ways to make yourself feel like you again and accept some of the things that come with having Lupus.

Take care.