Low and behold, it worked. My hair started to grow again. And with each growing strand, my commitment to a holistic approach deepened. I started accompanying my mum to fairs, listening intently to conversations about how harsh chemicals (including carcinogens) have been normalized, even in so-called organic products. I learnt about how the skin microbiome worked, and how plants can do the trick.

This whole ordeal taught me two very important life lessons. One, that is to never blindly trust authority figures. Ultimately, its our body. We have the right to pause, research, and make an informed decision about what goes on it. And two, that there is so much beauty and wisdom in how our ancestors did things. I began to champion this cause. You could say it became a part of my personality.