'Life Doesn’t End When You Lose Your Hair': Woman in Her 20s Documents Life with Alopecia (Exclusive)

• Wayde Cadogan unexpectedly began losing her hair in August 2024. Her hairdresser encouraged her to see a doctor

• She turned to TikTok to share her journey, dispel myths and build an inclusive community for others dealing with similar situations

• Despite the challenges one faces with alopecia, Cadogan's experience has also led to personal growth and increased resilience

In a recent viral clip, Wayde Cadogan joined the “Subtle Foreshadowing” trend with a twist: she showed a video from when she began to lose her hair, before knowing the severity of her alopecia. Cadogan has since gained a big following as she documents her journey as a woman in her 20s with the autoimmune disease.

“My alopecia related hair loss began unexpectedly in August of 2024,” Cadogan exclusively tells PEOPLE. “I was at the hairdresser and I mentioned that I had noticed a significant amount of hair shedding when brushing and washing my hair. My hairdresser then identified three significant sized bald patches and told me I should see a doctor ASAP.”

While there are different forms of alopecia, Cadogan has alopecia areata, which is characterized by circular bald patches on the scalp. “It occurs as a result of your own immune system attacking its hair follicles,” she explains.

Related: Ashley Tisdale Changed How She Cares for Her Hair After Alopecia Diagnosis: 'I Couldn't Take It for Granted' (Exclusive)

The journey hasn’t been easy.

“Navigating alopecia in my 20s has been extremely unexpected and quite difficult,” Cadogan admits. “So far it’s been a journey of complete denial, grief and trying to find self-acceptance which I am still working on.”

One of the most heart-wrenching moments came when Cadogan made the decision to shave off her remaining hair. “It was so devastating to look in the mirror at an unfamiliar face and try to accept the reflection starting back was actually me,” she recalls.

But from this pain, Cadogan found purpose, turning to TikTok to document her journey. “I wanted to create videos that I needed to see when I was going through the thick of it … pun intended,” she says with a hint of humor that has become her trademark.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Through her videos, Cadogan isn’t just sharing her story, but she’s building a community as well as challenging long-held myths about alopecia. “I would like to dispel the misconception that all alopecia is genetic. I am the only person in my family to have ever experienced alopecia,” she states, adding that this condition can affect anyone, regardless of lifestyle choices.

For those newly navigating life with alopecia, Cadogan offers compassionate advice: “Take it one day at a time. It’s okay to feel devastated, embarrassed and angry but be kind to yourself,” she shares, adding, “Also, connect with others! Tell people what you are going through so that you can get the appropriate support.”

Despite the challenges that come with having alopecia, it has also become a path to self-discovery and personal growth. “It helped me build more resilience and be kinder to myself as I work towards self-acceptance and confidence,” she reflects.

Related: Bride Refuses to Allow Cousin with Alopecia to Wear Headscarf or Wig at Wedding

Through it all, Cadogan remains focused on her mission to support and inspire others. “I hope my content and story brings awareness to alopecia, builds an inclusive community for those experiencing hair loss but also brings light to the fact that life doesn’t end when you lose your hair,” she explains.

She encourages others to explore different options, such as wigs, which can be intimidating at first but can become a fun way to express oneself. While she’s conquered many fears, Cadogan is still pushing herself too, she says; her next goal is to leave the house completely bald.

Read the original article on People