Five years ago, Valeria Key was diagnosed with alopecia after dealing with thinning hair and trying to get answers from dermatologists and scalp experts.
“This was hard news for me. In our society, especially women, our hair is the crown,” says Valeria. “I didn’t want to hear that my hair wouldn’t grow back, but in the end I said to myself, ‘This isn’t me.’ I’m a complete person. That’s what I have to deal with. .
Valeria initially spent thousands of dollars on sewing and wigs. Because I couldn’t imagine going out into society without them. Then her daughter-in-law told her about Anita, a Milwaukee-based henna artist.
“I researched Anita’s business (Hands of Henna by Anita) and found that her henna is made entirely from natural ingredients, which is very important to me,” says Valeria. “I was interested, but I didn’t get in touch right away.”
Henna is made from small shrubs found in hot climates such as India, Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, and the Middle East. It is placed in a container and the artist applies it to the skin.
A few months later, Valeria’s cousin lost her hair to chemotherapy and asked Valeria to “go bald” with her.
“I couldn’t say no. But I knew that if I was going bald, I would henna my head first. So I posted Anita on Instagram,” says Valeria.
Valeria admits she was initially worried about how the henna paste would affect her skin. Valeria didn’t feel any irritation from the henna, so Anita made a freehand design that completely adorned her scalp.
“Basically, she made my head a canvas,” says Valeria.
Valeria’s first public outing with her cousin was a success and she continues to go out regularly.
“I haven’t worn a wig since,” says Valeria, who gets a new henna design every three to four weeks. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go out.”
In some sessions, Valeria suggests designs, and in others, Anita goes with the flow.
“Every time I get a new design, I like it better than the previous one,” says Valeria.
Anita started her business in 2008, providing henna “tattoos” for birthdays, weddings, bachelorette parties, festivals, special events, book clubs, private gatherings and one-on-one sessions. She has worked in the United States, India and Spain, but she resides permanently in Milwaukee’s River West neighborhood.
Anita volunteered with Rocks for Locks, an organization that provides free henna to balding women, in 2014 and began applying henna to women with baldness.
“Every time anyone gets henna, they know it’s an honor and a privilege.” These women, like Valeria, are so dedicated and brave. I always look forward to our honest, unfiltered conversations and her insight into everything.”
Valeria’s feelings for Anita are common.
“Anita’s skill and creativity were unimaginable, but most importantly she represented who I am, how I feel about design, and how others in my life perceive her. I really care about you,” she says.
One of the unexpected positive aspects of Valeria’s bold look is how much it inspired other women.
“I’ve met so many bald women over the past 10 months. Some of the women I already knew didn’t know they were bald,” says Valeria. “I’ve had women come to me in tears and say, ‘My hair was falling out and I didn’t know what to do with my head, but now I know.'”
Alopecia is caused by hormones, aging and genetics. Although more common in men, about one-third of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Her two-thirds of postmenopausal women suffer from thinning hair, thinning hair, or female pattern baldness.
“I’m not the first woman to get henna on my head, but the responses I’ve gotten from women who were once hopeless or lacking confidence give me hope,” says Valeria. Be positive and remember that I am not the only woman living this life. ”
Follow Anita’s Hands of Henna on Facebook and Instagram.
