From Vision Loss to Purpose : My Journey to Functional Trichology

About ten years ago, I was told that I would be legally blind by the time I turned 40. The doctor specializing in my condition made that prediction because I refused an experimental surgery—one that they weren’t entirely confident would work. I walked out of that office and never went back.

Two years before that, I experienced a severe headache on the left side of my head, accompanied by intense pressure in my eye and slight loss of vision. I went to my eye doctor, and he took one look and immediately sent me to the emergency room—he even called ahead to let them know we were coming.

I was given a diagnosis and prescribed a regimen of six different eye drops to “help,” but not to heal. Those drops left permanent scar tissue in my left eye that impairs my physical sight (but not my vision)—something I now jokingly refer to as having “one good eye.” I set six different alarms on my phone to remind me when to take each one.

Those alarms have since transformed; now, they remind me to eat, to rest, and to take care of myself while my job, and different areas of my life, require(d) me to take care of others. I've always been very health focused, but this experience is why I prioritize health above all else. It’s why I listen to my body—because I refuse to let my health spiral out of control again. For me, it’s always health goals over body goals.

Choosing Resilience Over Defeat

I’ve never been the type to sit and wallow in a problem. I attack challenges head-on so they don’t control my life. After leaving the hospital, I was back to work the next day—eye drops and all. My family at the salon I worked at, and my best friends kept me sane, laughing, and making jokes about the eye patch I had to wear at the time (we all still do, actually) while I had to be strong for those who were struggling more with my diagnosis than I was. As I’ve grown into the person I am now, I remain deeply grateful for the people who have walked alongside me. They know who I was, but they don’t confine me to my past. They let me evolve.

Thankfully, I grew up in an environment where Elders taught me natural ways to heal the root causes of illness. As they passed on, I was fortunate to connect with others who expanded on that education, both formally and informally. This knowledge has always been the foundation of my approach to health and life – what’s the problem and how do we fix it?

Seeing Life Through a Different Lens

If you ever see me staring out of a window, it’s because I’m marveling at the beauty around me. I was “supposed” to be blind by now, but I’m not. I don’t take many photos, not because I don’t cherish memories, but because I once believed I wouldn’t be able to see them (Now, I just really don't like taking pictures and honestly, I feel so uncomfortable when I have to be in front of a camera – I tense up instantly). Instead, I capture moments in my mind, letting my other senses take over. That’s how I preserve what’s meaningful to me.

Over time, I stopped living for others. I stopped allowing others to live through me. I’ve always been private, and in recent years, I’ve grown even more protective of my moments. When I say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, it’s because I acknowledge that my life could have turned out so differently. I move through life with calmness and gratitude.

People often assume they know someone just because they recognize their name. But assumptions are merely stories we tell ourselves based on our own perspectives. Just because you don’t see someone where you are or experiencing the same problems as you doesn’t mean they aren’t thriving elsewhere or overcoming something else.

My Path to Functional Trichology

Becoming a Trichologist was always an end goal for me, but my personal health journey gave it deeper meaning. As a hairstylist, I witnessed so much hair loss over the years but didn’t have the formal knowledge to identify different forms of alopecia or understand what could be done about them, but I knew it went beyond the surface of my current knowledge. So, I pursued education.

I don’t have hair loss issues myself, but I was led to heal my own internal imbalances—imbalances that once threatened my vision. And in doing so, I learned to literally see life differently. If I could restore balance in my own body, I knew I could help others do the same.

Alopecia, dandruff, and other scalp issues aren’t just surface-level concerns; they’re symptoms of deeper health imbalances. If we fix your health, we can possibly restore your hair. But for me, this work is about so much more than hair—it’s about helping people reclaim their well-being.

The Right Clients, The Right Timing

I don’t believe in pressure sales. My clients don’t either. The people who work with me are the ones who are truly ready to take action. I’m here whenever you decide to move forward in reclaiming your health and, eventually, your hair growth.

I can’t guide you through the emotional and mental work needed to meet yourself—that’s not my lane. But once you’re ready to take responsibility for your well-being, I can help you uncover your customized solutions.

Why I Started This Blog

Throughout my life, I can honestly say that I’ve never really had the type of mentors that I was looking for, so I had always had to become who I wanted to look up to. In all situations, I wasn’t aligned with who I needed until I became who I was looking for. Apparently, this is no different. I started this blog because, during my own research, I couldn’t find a Functional Trichologist writing about what we actually do, and most people don’t know or understand what Trichology really is. If you’re a reader like me (because watching and listening to lectures is not my learning style and I tune out instantly), then this space is for you.

In the next post, I’ll explain the difference between a Hairstylist/Cosmetologist, a Hair Loss Practitioner, a Traditional Trichologist, and a Functional Trichologist. Within this blog, you’ll learn what we do, how internal imbalances contribute to hair loss, and general ways to stabilize those imbalances. You’ll also meet some of my colleagues— functional practitioners, and others, who may be able to help resolve your concerns.

If you’re ready to learn, stick around. This blog was created with you in mind.