In 1991, our Founder Sabrina Nunn was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata a form of hair loss that results in round bald patches on the scalp, face and/or body. She was told that her hair loss was caused by her immune system attacking her hair follicles in an effort to fight off the Chickenpox which she had contracted a few months prior.

Sabrina initially experienced periods of hair loss and regrowth on her head, the cyclical nature of Alopecia Areata, eventually regrowth stopped. When first diagnosed information about Alopecia Areata or any type of hair loss in women was scarce and support of any kind was non-existent, so Sabrina struggled off and on with bouts of anxiety, depression and the stress of losing her hair in silence. While information resources and chat groups for alopecia surfaced on the Internet about 10 years after her diagnosis, in the “real world” a supportive community and information tailored to the specific needs of females with hair loss was still absent.

Sabrina recognized the importance of and need for such a community where women with all types of hair loss, not just the Alopecia Areata classification, could access support, information and resources in person.  An environment where they could gather to share their personal and professional hair loss challenges in confidence without criticism or censure, and acquire coping skills that would enable them to live fully with alopecia.  In 2014, VERSIDA which stands for Vibrant Evolving Resilient...Simply Inimitable Despite Alopecia was born out of necessity.

Sabrina understands the emotional upheaval brought on by alopecia and is extremely sensitive as to why so many woman hide it and suffer in silence, having done so herself for more than a decade until she grew tired of her hair loss ruling every aspect of her life. Over time she concluded that being both visible and vocal was the first step toward not only her own personal healing, but presented the opportunity to bring this unmentionable reality for millions of females out of the shadows, enlightening the public about that which is often hidden in plain sight.

It’s vital for women who are experiencing hair loss to know they are not alone and that a caring comforting community is close by. Sabrina is committed to supporting women who have to take this journey while positively changing societal perceptions about women with alopecia. She believes strongly that public education, community involvement and corporate partnerships will aid in crumbling the pedestal that hair has been placed upon.

VERSIDA is Sabrina's purpose and passion, and what she does is exceedingly personal. She works to eradicate the secrecy, silence and stigma of hair loss for all women while supporting them as they heal their way toward being whole, ending their hidden pain and unveiling their real beauty which is not what society has taught us to believe it is. As so eloquently stated by one of VERSIDA’s early supporters the late Professor Amy Dietz of Pennsylvania State University, “ Beauty is something more organic, immeasurable and inclusive of all women. ”

Then one extremely hot day in July I went out to my garage completely unaware that I had not covered my head until a neighbor stopped me in my tracks by saying, "You cut off all your hair, you look amazing!"

Although I had thought about going out in the world bald I was too afraid, but that day because of my dear neighbor was the first time I felt like I had control over my hair loss. I felt empowered, liberated and comforted all at the same time, that day I chose how to live with my alopecia.

I am here for you as you reclaim your power and decide how you wish to live with your alopecia.  Whether you do so wearing a wig, weave, scarf, headwrap or your bald head it's your choice, and no matter what you decide you will always be Vibrant Evolving Resilient...Simply Inimitable Despite Alopecia!

                       xoxo Sabrina