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JUNE SIMMS: The National Alopecia Areata Foundation says alopecia areata affects about two percent of the population. About five million people in the United States have the condition. It affects people of all ages and races, and often begins in childhood.
That was true of Kayla Martell, the winner of the Miss Delaware Pageant in twenty ten. Ms. Martell began losing her hair when she was about ten years old. By the time she was thirteen, all of her hair had come out.
SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Kayla Martell began competing in beauty pageants around that same time. In many of the events, she competed without hair. In fact, three of the five times she attempted to become Miss Delaware, Kayla was bald. She wore a blond wig the last time she competed, winning the competition in twenty ten. That win put her in position to take part in the Miss America Pageant.
Ms. Martell has used beauty pageants to help educate the public about alopecia. She compares wearing a hairpiece to other beauty queen traditions, like false eyelashes and hair weaves.
She says it is important for people to understand the emotional and social pressure that alopecia sufferers experience. She advises people with alopecia to contact a support group to tell them that they are not alone. She also says the most important form of beauty is inside out, not outside in.
JUNE SIMMS: Kayla Martell did not win the 2011 Miss America Pageant. But she was one of the top ten finalists. And her public comments have helped raised public understanding of alopecia.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25