Woman With Hair-Pulling Condition Trichotillomania Shaves Head In Brave Video

Brave Woman Shaves Hair To Stop Herself From Pulling It Out
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Rebecca Brown suffers from trichotillomania (TTM) - a condition that causes sufferers to have overwhelming urges to pull out their own hair.

In the emotional video above, Brown films herself as she shaves off the hair it has taken her so long to grow.

"I currently have tonnes of hair on my head but I have so much permanent damage that some of this is not going to grow for another year or so," she says.

"It's either shave my hair or lose my hair. I am fed up of being triggered and tortured by the hair on my head and I don't really have any other options - it's so complicated."

With tears in her eyes, Brown, who posts regular videos about TTM on her YouTube channel TrichJournal, then uses an electric razor to shave off her hair.

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Once all the hair from her head has been removed, Brown says: "Shaving does not stop my disorder. This is not the end of my disorder, but I've kind of been forced to do this.

"Despite this I've got to keep ploughing forwards. You can't give up with a disorder, even when you hate it you just have to keep going because you can't do anything else.

"I need a bit of time to process this - this has been so hard to do."

It is estimated that around 110 million people worldwide suffer from TTM.

Previously speaking to HuffPost UK Lifestyle, hair loss expert Lucinda Ellery said the majority of sufferers are women, most of whom develop the condition around the time of puberty.

She said: "Sufferers develop TTM as a habit to deal with stress and anxiety – it is a form of release and many people are not aware that they are engaging in the activity until it is too late."

Brown's latest video has been viewed more than 87,000 times since she posted it onto YouTube earlier this month, with more than 1,000 people commenting to show their support.

Previously blogging on HuffPost UK Young Voices, Brown said receiving kind words form others in the past has helped her to cope with her condition.

"Living with trichotillomania has meant that I've had a lot of ups and downs," she said. "But it's always extremely comforting knowing that there's a whole community of people behind you and supporting you."

For more information about TTM, visit the NHS website or go to Trichotillomania Support.

Hair Loss Facts Or Fiction?
Overexposure To The Sun Causes Hair Loss (01 of20)
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FALSE BUT SOMEWHAT TRUEUltraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin problems like accelerated aging and cancer, but it will not interrupt hair follicle function, says hair expert Dr. Alan Bauman of Bauman Medical Group in Florida. However, overexposure of hair fibres to UV radiation can in fact weaken the fibres, disrupt the cuticle and make them more prone to dullness, frizz and breakage. (credit:Alamy)
Pluck One Grey Hair And Two Grow Back (02 of20)
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FALSEThe good news is pulling out grey hairs won't make more grow back. The bad news is most people get grey hair as they age anyway. (credit:Alamy)
Over-Shampooing Can Make You Lose Hair (03 of20)
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FALSE Many people may notice they shed daily after they shampoo or brush their hair. "Hair follicles cycle on and cycle off and repeat that process over the course of their life span," says Bauman. Each day 100 to 200 hairs shed and these hair follicles are replaced by other hair follicles entering the growth phase. (credit:Alamy)
Standing On Your Head Makes Your Hair Grow (04 of20)
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FALSEIt may sound funny, but this is a commonly heard myth. Bauman says hair loss is not a blood flow problem, but instead can be caused by other factors like age and genetics. "Even if increased blood flow helped hair growth, you could not stay in that position long enough to have an effect on the hair follicles," Bauman says. (credit:Alamy)
Balding Is Linked To Old Age(05 of20)
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TRUEGenetic male and female hair loss gets more common as we age. However, another type of hair loss called alopecia areata is common in children and young adults and could result in complete baldness. (credit:Alamy)
There's No Cure For Baldness (06 of20)
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FALSEWhile there is no "miracle cure" there are certainly many treatments like government-approved drugs, laser therapy procedures or hair transplants. (credit:Alamy)
Higher Testosterone Linked To Hair Loss (07 of20)
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FALSE "What you inherit is the sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone or DHT (a hormone and natural compound of testosterone) that can cause hair loss in men and some women," Bauman says. If you're male and you take testosterone, it could accelerate the hair loss process. (credit:Alamy)
Hair Loss Comes From The Mother's Side (08 of20)
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FALSEThere are approximately 200 genes that regulate hair and hair growth, Bauman says. "We know today that there are generally some genes from both sides of the family that play a role. Your mother’s father deserves some of the 'blame’ but perhaps not all of it." (credit:Shutterstock)
Hats Can Cause Baldness (09 of20)
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FALSEHats do not cause hair loss in any way or form. Period. (credit:Shutterstock)
You Can Grow Back Dead Follicles (10 of20)
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FALSEMedications or laser therapy, for example, can help hair follicles grow thicker and healthier, but once the follicle is dead and gone, the only option for regrowth is a hair transplant. (credit:Shutterstock)
Salmon (11 of20)
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When it comes to foods that have a beauty punch, it's hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. (credit:Shutterstock)
Dark Green Vegetables (12 of20)
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Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. This oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner. (credit:Shutterstock)
Beans(13 of20)
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Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do beans provide protein for hair growth, but they also inject ample iron, zinc, and biotin into your locks. (credit:Shutterstock)
Nuts (14 of20)
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Do you go nuts for thick, shiny hair? You should. Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure you eat nuts on the regular. (credit:Shutterstock)
Poultry (15 of20)
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Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave. Low quality protein deficiences can cause weak brittle hair, while extreme deficiencies can cause a loss of hair colour. Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits. (credit:Shutterstock)
Eggs(16 of20)
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When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn't matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they're served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find. They contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients. (credit:Shutterstock)
Whole Grains (17 of20)
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Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins. (credit:Shutterstock)
Oysters(18 of20)
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While they are perhaps best known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, oysters can also lead to healthy hair. The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc -- a powerful antioxidant. If oysters don't make a regular appearance on your dinner plate, don't despair. In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb. (credit:Shutterstock)
Low-Fat Dairy Products (19 of20)
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Skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.
Carrots (20 of20)
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Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad. (credit:Shutterstock)