My Job Is To Help Every Woman Feel Confident – Dr Meena Singh

My Job Is To Help Every Woman Feel Confident – Dr Meena Singh

Alopecia is rising in black women everyday. What was once a topic under the table is now becoming more open for discussion thanks to Jada Pickett Smith. Alopecia occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles and the victim begins to experience sudden hair loss with one or more circled bald patches. Doctors all over the world are helping women control this disease. And one of those Doctors is Dr Meena Signh. Meena has made it her duty to help women through the process of Alopecia. As seen on TLC and The Red Table Talk, Dr Meena is one of most sought after Doctors for Alopecia. 

Before we jump right into your work, what do you do for fun?

Well I’m super active! I play a lot of softball and sand volleyball. So I love being outdoors. I love being out in the dirt and sweating because it’s a great way to  release stress. I also love to dance. 

What encouraged you to step into the world of helping women with Alopecia?

I became interested in dermatology while listening to a lecture in medical school by another black dermatologist. And he mentioned what skin of color meant and how to treat patients with skin of color. I learned that we are treated very differently and if you don’t know what you’re doing you could do more harm than good. Recognizing that helped me. And he also stated that we need more black dermatologists in the field to assist with that. When I began, hair loss was the major problem in our community. 

Most women who experience bald spots or patches typically go to a beautician. But you recommend they go see a dermatologist first. Could you elaborate on that?

TLC’s Bad Hair Day airs on Wednesday nights!

Yes! Beauticians and dermatologists are primary care providers. I always try to make sure there’s a team approach. Because the beauticians are the ones who catch the bald spot right on. And then knowing who to send that person to, whether it is me or someone else, is important. I encourage doctors who specialize in hair to form relationships with their local beauticians and cosmologists. Their job is to make sure the hair is beautiful. My job is to make sure they have hair. 

Why is Alopecia more common in black women?

There are so many forms of Alopecia. Some are more common in people of African descent. And it’s never because of a hairstyle, it’s because of how our hair is formed. Our hair spiralizes out of the scalp which sometimes lacks strength and could be more fragile in that area. Traction Alopecia is extremely common. One out of three women will have it. And it’s in the important area,the hairline, where it’s highly noticeable. So it tends to be very traumatizing for that person.  

What’s your favorite celebration in your Indian Culture? 

Holi! You may have seen it. It’s when they throw colors on you. It’s known as the Festival of Spring, Festival of Colors or Festival of Love. It’s so beautiful. The ancient story behind this is there was a young boy who believed in God. And he was constantly chanting and praying to him. However his father praised a different God and he kept trying to kill his son. For many reasons but the prophecy was that he was going to reign after his father. The king’s sister is Holika and they both held the young boy down in a fire while he chanted and prayed. And the only person who died was the Aunt. So it’s a celebration of good over evil, light over darkness. 

You have two daughters, what are you teaching them about hair?

Sadly, they’ve sat through all of my lectures than most people.They have been doing their own hair for a while now and I have taught them to be gentle with their fingers and brushing their hair with certain combs and brushes. They have a completely different texture of hair than I do so they have the luxury to do things differently. Though we do avoid certain hairstyles that could cause traction. 

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