A Czech Republic woman who developed alopecia following cosmetic surgery has shared how she embraced her baldness, inspiring millions of views on TikTok. At 28 years old, Barbora Krop, an orthodontic assistant and mum to a four-year-old son, first encountered alopecia areata years ago, resulting in three small patches of hair loss that vanished during her pregnancy. However, the condition returned with a vengeance in 2022, possibly triggered by breast augmentation surgery. "It started while I was on holiday with my mum in Mallorca. I woke up to find clumps of hair on my pillow," Barbora recalled. "Within two weeks, most of the hair on my scalp had fallen out. I had just a few strands left and looked like Gollum from The Lord of the Rings. Over the next month, my eyelashes, eyebrows, and body hair also disappeared. I couldn't walk down the street without people staring at me, and watching the constant hair fall was incredibly stressful." Barbora's doctor confirmed she had alopecia universalis, the most severe form of alopecia. Unlike other forms of the autoimmune disease, which may cause patchy hair loss, alopecia universalis leaves individuals entirely hairless. "I was so emotional," Barbora shared. "I cried a lot and was scared about my health. The doctors didn't know why it happened to me. Hair is very important for a woman, and no one can imagine what it's like to lose it. I was so self-conscious and embarrassed I couldn't look at myself in the mirror." Despite the emotional turmoil, Barbora found strength in her family and her love for life. "I knew I had to be brave for my husband, my child, and myself. I love life, so I told myself, 'Hey, Barbora, don’t give up. Show your bald head to the world. It’s not your choice; alopecia chose you.' Shaving my head was incredibly liberating. From that moment on, I was determined to face alopecia head-on and not hide anymore." Barbora turned to social media to seek support, hoping to find others going through the same thing. "I was just scrolling, looking for anyone else with alopecia," she said. "I found a few women from other countries sharing their stories. After seeing them be so open and strong, I realised I wanted to be there for other women dealing with this. To show them it's not the end of the world. Losing your hair sucks, but you can still feel confident bald and live a great life." Her honesty struck a chord. Before she knew it, Barbora's account blew up, with millions of people tuning in to hear her take on life with alopecia. Through her journey, Barbora has discovered unexpected positives. "Alopecia taught me to appreciate the little things and not to take them for granted," she reflected. "I found other things I love and am proud of. I like the shape of my head, my eyes stand out, and when I really miss my hair, I can always wear a wig." Embracing her new look, Barbora has found joy in the versatility of wigs. "The great thing about wigs is that I can change my look daily, and I enjoy it," she enthused. "I have a collection of 12 wigs in different colours and cuts, including two made from human hair." For those considering wigs, Barbora advised: "Wigs aren't cheap. A wig made from human hair can cost around $1,000 (£775), while synthetic ones are about $200 (£155). The first criterion is definitely comfort. The wig shouldn't feel scratchy or slip and slide when you move your head. Choose the correct size and opt for lace front wigs to make them look as realistic as possible. I've found that human hair wigs look more natural, especially along the hairline, and people often don't even realise I'm wearing one. Pick a colour that suits your skin tone. I used to be a brunette, but now I feel more beautiful as a blonde. My favourite wig is long, blonde, and straight piece. It complements my look, and people often ask me where I get my hair done." Looking to the future, Barbora remains committed to her cause. "I want to continue raising awareness about alopecia. I want to motivate women and help them. I dream to travel with my family, live life to the fullest, and do work I enjoy. I have so many activities – sport, work on social media, photomodelling, my job as an orthodontic assistant, and mainly my son, dog, husband, and friends. So, I don’t have time to be sad or depressed. That's my key to staying positive – be with your loved ones and do what you love," she concluded. Featuring: Barbora Krop Where: Czech Republic When: 06 Aug 2024 Credit: @barcakrop/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**