I have alopecia, but I have never worn a wig. After adolescence, I felt the need to show myself : the story of Eugenia Longo

Eugenia Longo, a content creator known for her candid approach to self-expression, has shared her personal journey with alopecia, a condition she has lived with since the age of three and a half. Diagnosed with an inherited form of the disease, she grew up without the typical hair models that many children take for granted. As she matured, she began to understand that femininity extends beyond physical appearance, encompassing how one interacts with others and the messages one chooses to convey. In an interview with Vogue, she described her evolving perspective: “The femininity is complex, not reducible to a single detail such as hair or eyebrows. Before how I appear, I feel like a woman in the way I position myself, in how I relate to others, and in what I am able to transmit.” Losing her hair so early forced her to confront questions about beauty and femininity at a time when most young girls are not yet preoccupied with such matters. She reflected on this period as an early introspection that helped shape her identity. “What was beautiful, what was feminine, how I appeared to others, these were things I had to think about,” she explained. This process became a crucial part of her self-discovery, especially as she explored therapeutic options for managing alopecia. While experimental treatments exist today, she chose a different path: acceptance. “I started from there, awareness of myself,” she said, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness even in the absence of medical alternatives. Despite the challenges, Eugenia has never worn wigs. During adolescence, she used scarves and hair clips to style her headwear, blending them with her clothing. Over time, however, she felt the need to remove these accessories and embrace her true self. “It was a long but natural process,” she noted. “I didn’t rush into it.” Her confidence gradually grew as she learned to navigate the world without hiding behind layers of fabric. “When I hid, there was a lot of insecurity,” she admitted. Even in relationships, she struggled to show herself fully until she realized that her worth wasn’t tied to her appearance. The greatest challenge she faced was not the mirror, but the judgmental gaze of others. “I have never seen myself as ugly,” she stated. Yet, the scrutiny from those around her proved more difficult to handle. The weight of societal expectations often overshadowed her internal sense of self-worth. However, over time, she found strength in her authenticity. “As I grew, my security increased,” she said. “I stopped living in the figure I had been conditioned to accept.” Today, Eugenia continues to share her story through her work as an influencer, using her platform to promote self-acceptance and challenge conventional notions of beauty. Her journey reflects a broader movement toward embracing individuality and rejecting unrealistic standards of appearance. By choosing to live openly and authentically, she has become a symbol of resilience and empowerment for others facing similar struggles.