Hairdresser helps shy 4-year-old with alopecia find confidence

"Sasha’s hair may grow back or fall out... no matter what your age, you lose a lot of confidence when you lose your hair."

Sasha during and after her fitting. Image: TikTok/@lustahair

Not all heroes wear capes - in fact, sometimes, they make others wear them. Yes, I'm talking about hairdressers.

We all know that a new haircut or style can be transformative; which is why a heartwarming video about a little four-year-old with alopecia at a wig salon has been viewed almost five million times.

Sasha's life-changing experience was captured and posted on Lusta Hair's TikTok, and it's pure magic to watch. 

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"That's my hair!"

"I was the same age as you when I lost my hair," Holly - a fellow alopecia sufferer - begins in clip.

Holly lets Sasha have a feel of a wig, so she's comfortable with the sensation. She then lets her try on her own hair - normalising the process - which is so pivotal.

Then, trying on the wig for her head size, Holly asks Sasha, "What do you think?" and in the smallest voice, the response comes: "I love it."

As they are cutting it to her desired length, Sasha declares, "That's my hair!"

The clip ends with Sasha running around gleefully, trying out her new look.

"What a precious little bean"

Viewers were deeply moved by the difference Sasha felt.

"I have lupus and it’s caused me to develop alopecia and this video helped me gain the confidence to go to my first hair consultation," wrote one.

"When she had your pink hair - when she saw you take your hair off, she visibly relaxed," noted another.

And a third added, "The way she lit up when she saw herself."

Viewers also applauded the salon for their compassion, with one commenter saying, "Taking your wig off was probably the most important thing in this interaction. 🥺❤️Sobbing. What a precious little bean."

Sasha trying on Holly's wig. Image: TikTok/@lustahair

"Sasha's hair may grow back or fall out over time"

Speaking exclusively to Kidspot, Founder of Lusta Hair, Kimberly, gave the clip more context.

"Sasha is four years old and her hair loss began a few months ago. Since then, her parents have tried various treatments, but these haven’t been very effective.

"Alopecia Areata is a very unpredictable form of hair loss. Sasha’s hair may grow back or fall out at various stages of her life.

"Her parents (and Sasha) wanted her to have a wig before she starts primary school next year. The kids in her class have been wonderful with Sasha, but no matter what your age, you lose a lot of confidence when you lose your hair."

The salon, Lusta Hair, has been around since 2019, to help women with hair loss by providing hair toppers and wigs.

"As someone with Androgenic Alopecia (female pattern hair loss), I’m very passionate about providing the best product possible for our customers," Kimberly says.

"Soon after Lusta launched, Holly joined my team, and she has helped design our wigs over the years. Holly has Alopecia Universalis and lost all her hair when she was five years old. Holly grew up wearing a lot of wigs which weren’t comfortable, secure or looked realistic.

"So, it’s been so important for Holly that we create wigs that are actually made for kids to wear every day and feel their best in."

Originally published as Hairdresser helps shy 4-year-old with alopecia find confidence