Short Anagen Hair Syndrome ~ Our Journey Part One

I've held off on writing about this for quite some time, but have now decided to share.  My hope is that our journey might shed some light for others.  What we do or don't may or may not change the outcome but we are willing to try.

This is Karley's story:

Prior to two, her wasn't growing and we were giving it time.  Henry's hair was much like Karley's but then after two, his hair was growing normally.  We waited with Karley until after she was two.  We saw little growth but didn't do anything about it, but it was always in the back of my mind.  {When I say normally, I mean approximately a half inch a month.} 

Then she turned three.  We heard a lot of, "oh, will grow, give it time", "She's fine, it will grow."  Just prior to her starting school, I really wanted answers.  I started googling and came up with Short Anagen Hair Syndrome.  As a hair stylist, I'd never heard of it, nor had I seen anybody who mirrored Karley.  A few clicks, an even better understanding of hair, and finally a facebook page for Short Anagen / Loose Anagen Hair, I knew that's what she had.  There are many girls who look very very similar to Karley.

Short Anagen Hair Syndrome ~ is a condition where hair does not grow beyond a short length, due to an unusually short duration of active hair growth (anagen phase).  Most cases are associated with fine blond hair.

I talked with her pediatrician, {who was one in the camp of, "it will grow"}, had never heard of SAS.  I was referred to a dermatologist office.  Since I was pretty confident that her hair had a short anagen life, I didn't see a reason to go to a specialist but did request somebody who was familiar with children. 

Pretty much one look and the Dermatologist confirmed her to having Short Anagen Hair.  She also has some scalp condition {like cradle cap} but that wasn't the cause but certainly wasn't helping any new hair growth.  She gave me some tar shampoo and that was it.  There is also a condition very similar called Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome but we didn't feel this was Karley's case as her hair doesn't come out easily when pulled.  We have Sophie to thank for this confirmation.

There isn't a cure for SAS.

I reported back to her Pediatrician and left the facebook group.  I was heartbroken.  I didn't want to be reminded of this.  We see our daughter for how beautiful she is and as parents hope to help her see her inner beauty that shines tremendously.  But, in the back of my head, I hear people throughout my life speak about this or that person who has "two hairs on their head", "doesn't have any hair", etc all in a negative fashion, {like the person could help it?}.  I remember sitting with a group of women telling them about my daughter, then they start talking negatively about older girls who, blah, blah blah.  I cringe.  I hear this as my baby. 

Karley starts school, we move on.  Until recently when we've noticed her interested in hair.  She pets her cousins pony tails, she hand brushes her sister's hair and she hand brushes her own hair, in what looks like hopes of it being longer.  All the while, never saying a word.  My husband and I just exchange looks of sadness for a little girl who would love piggy tails.

I re-join the facebook group.  This time I see a few people talk of a Gluten Free diet.

Part Two can be read here

In Christ,

Tina