One Friday evening in the summer of 2011 my hairdresser noticed a couple of small bald patches on the side of my head, no bigger than 2cm long. The following week when in the shower, as I combed through my (long and thick) hair I noticed an unusual amount of hair falling out. Keeping in mind my hairdresser’s words, I scheduled to see a GP the following day.
Being a friend as well as my GP, she never used the used the words “alopecia“, but instead focussed on my hectic corporate lifestyle, with many commitments abroad impacting my stress levels, as well as being a single mother to a young daughter. She prescribed a series of health tests mostly to do with my immunity system and suggested I try to approach life in a less hectic way.
Over the next 3 weeks all of my hair began to fall out, including that all over my body. Sadly this included my eyelashes and eyebrows. Initially, my waist-long hair matted up so thickly it was as if it had been woven into a carpet around the nape of my neck. Because I hadn’t been told this was a side effect of alopecia, friends admirably tried to pry out hairs one by one in the hope of saving them. But alopecia alters the hair particles and each hair hooks into the other matting it, such that by week 3, all my hair had fallen out and I suddenly found myself having to face the world bald, without ever having used wigs and hairpieces previously in my life.
Ironically during these 3 weeks, I undertook every conceivable blood and hormonal test. As it turned out all test results came out negative, and on paper, there was nothing wrong with me other than low Vitamin D levels. In fact I was deemed to be in perfect health. However, I was diagnosed with Alopecia Universalis which is an Auto Immune disorder.
With the support of friends, I started to become familiar with the use of wigs and the varying characteristics and qualities in the market. I opted for wigs styles that more or less looked like my old self and found that the more expensive wigs not only last longer, look like real hair, but also have the ability to be maintained and styled when the hair fibres inevitably get a little frizzy after prolonged use. In truth these wigs are so realistic I receive compliments constantly about my “hair” and often feel as if I should declare “it’s not real but thank you”.


In the first few months when my hair first fell out it is fair to say I was in shock. Especially when glancing at myself in the mirror – the image looking back was not consistent with the image in my mind shaped over a lifetime. My daughter was 9 when my hair fell out and during these initial months she was scared to touch my bald head. It was an emotional and harrowing time.
In the many years since then I have mastered the technique for make up in lieu of eye lashes and eyebrows, and stick with wig styles that reflect how my own hair would have evolved over time. My big lament? It is very hard for those who have not experienced hair loss of this magnitude to understand the very damaging psychological impact. This includes the medical profession who view hair loss arising from Alopecia as a superficial condition.
In reality it is terribly debilitating to a person’s psychology and full hair loss results in clinical depression in most women. Sadly, because Alopecia is not life threatening little research and funding is directed towards it other than for male pattern baldness.
This highlights the very real need in the market for realistic, affordable and quality wigs and hairpieces. My demeanour is effected by my appearance and I am very grateful each and every day.
Love to you all, Lola x
Thank you Lola. I went through total hair loss when I was 28 and I am now 73. You are so right to highlight the psychological effect of this condition. I get on with it as we do when there is no choice. Thank goodness wigs are so much better now than they were when I was offered my first NHS wig. I am so glad that I found Simply wigs and for the variety of good quality wigs now on offer. You look great. Best wishes.
I too had the same experience, it is devastating, no one knows unless they experience it. I was 40 when it happened to me, I’m now 76, obviously after 36 years I would hope that there is a silver lining in the making. Meanwhile we do have Simply Wigs giving us our crowning glory back. Thank God for such a life line to regaining essential confidence. Good Luck to all Xx
Exactly the same happened to me Lola and it is devastating, the lack of any support because you are not ill is so hard. The wigs now are amazing and do make you feel normal again because that is all you want to feel … normal.
You look amazing
Lola you look amazing.. I too lost my hair I was 59 but had alopecia ariata for 10-12 years previous.. patches appeared and I would have to comb over the patch put lots of hairspray on and always worrying if patches showed.. then 4 and a half years ago in a matter of 3-4 weeks bald.. eyebrows.. eyelashes gone.. simply wig came to my rescue.. took a lot to except wearing one .. but I go no where else for my wigs ..
The readers of these stories know only too well what it feels like to experience hair loss. My GP said to me: it usually grows back’ – mine didn’t. Simply Wigs is an essential part of my life.
Earlier this year (2024) I was abroad and had a routine GP appointment about an unrelated matter – the (young) doctor looked straight at me and asked if there was anything else he could help me with. I told him I had no hair and he politely asked if he could look at my scalp. This required me to be very courageous, but I said yes. He told me the hair follicles were present, not damaged – as they sometimes are. My hair fell out some 12-14 years ago and he said: ‘there is hope, research moves on’ I volunteered to take part in his study – watch this space, but with great patience! Janni
I feel for you and admire you for overcoming the difficulties. It was about 1961 when I first had a bald patch and when I married in my twenties, the pill took away the rest of my hair. To think that it is still the case that this condition is not researched, just blows my mind. You can tell yourself that you’re stronger than you thought you were because you’ve coped with it all. I’m having fun trying various colours of hair; the only question remaining is: will I go grey or not? Good luck.
Thank you Lola, you do indeed express very well the depression that is over whelming and also the guilt that you feel because you’re not without hair due to drugs that are saving lives. On the brighter side your attitude and picture is joyful.
Love to you too!
What a great read Lola..where would we be without wigs? They are so realistic now and have come on greatly over the years..
I certainly couldn’t go out without one..
And I agree with you about the Medical profession doesn’t really realise the profound emotional damage hair loss does..
You look beautiful in your wig..
Thank you for sharing..
Love your story Lola it must have been scary for you glad you’re getting used to the wigs. It’s been 40 years since I had to start wearing wigs and they are much better now, nobody really understands what it is like to go through this. Good luck for the future