Hi, I am Lisa.
In 1979, at the age of four,
I lost my hair after an operation on my eye.
I had an operation to correct a lazy eye. Before the operation, I had beautiful silky soft blonde hair. After the operation, my mum got so upset as she combed my hair, and it just fell out in handfuls at a time, within days all my hair completely fell out.
My memory of this time is quite vague but my memory of the following years is not so.
For the first year or so I covered my head with a scarf, it was the late 70’s headscarves were quite fashionable! Or at least that is what my dear Mum told me. I was teased at school and of course, all the boys were fascinated that I no longer had hair and I got repeated requests to “feel my head”, I soon got wise to this and found I could earn a little bit of money for the tuck shop by charging the silly little boys paid up!
In 1980 I got my first wig, it was a human hair one and it literally looked like a bird’s nest on top of my head, it was hot, itchy and uncomfortable and frequently fell off when I was out playing and running around. Nonetheless, I smiled and kept going. It was hard and I cried a lot when I was younger wondering “why me” My parents got be a badge with an image of Telly Savalas and the slogan “BALD IS BEAUTIFUL” – I wore the badge with pride and continued to smile to reassure my parents I was coping just fine. I was not, over time I became more withdrawn and my circle of friends got smaller and smaller.
Then the treatments started, oh I can’t tell you the hope I was given so many times only to have it dashed.
Treatment One
Once a week a heat lamp was applied to my head for half an hour – Failed!
Treatment Two
Coconut oil applied to my head each evening before bed
Treatment Three
Once a week some sort of acid applied to my head to stimulate growth – Failed!
Treatment Four
Trips to a hospital in Liverpool for homoeopathic tablets that purported to also stimulate hair growth.
Treatment Five
Toothpaste and vodka portion mixed and applied to my head! I’ve no idea where that idea came from.
Treatment Six
The final one, I was 17 years old and I said if this doesn’t work I am done, I was admitted to the hospital for seven days and had a solution applied to my head twice a day which literally turned my head purple until all the skin peeled away, again allegedly to stimulate growth, Failed! This one just left me with a very sore and itchy head.
I wore synthetic wigs until around 2010, I then had enough money to finally buy a Human Hair wig, initially I found it really challenging to keep on top of washing and styling it, remember I literally was just a “Wash and go” kind of girl for over thirty years. I love the human hair wigs and my confidence skyrocketed.
Unfortunately, my go-to Human Hair wig after COVID-19 more than doubled in price, so I arranged to meet the SW Team at their shop to try some alternatives.
I had the most AMAZING time trying on the different wigs at their shop and settled on an alternative that was still more than I used to pay but was within my budget. While at the shop my husband encouraged me to try on some synthetic wigs, “No way, they are uncomfortable and itchy” But, I gave in and pleased him and tried on the Tabu wig which was a fantastic price! I loved it, it’s not quite as comfortable as the human hair ones but given I am of a certain age (shhhh 50!) I can get a super hot power surge and my hair does not flop, or stick to my head, it just remains the same.
I wore it on holiday during the day and saved my human hair wig for the evening which meant it was protected from the sun, seawater and sun cream. Having a combination of human hair and synthetic has changed everything and made getting ready in a hurry so much easier.
Thanks to the team at SW for all they do.
Love yourself, live your life and be happy!
Lisa xxx
Hi Lisa, I totally empathise, I am 78 & was diagnosed with alopecia at the age of 40, much later than your experience, but the emotional challenges and the confidence issues I can 100% relate to.
After nearly 40 yes I can’t say that I am used to wearing a wig, it still has it’s challenges, the heat being one of them, but what I can accept is that this is me and finding SW has certainly helped, just wish I was near enough to pop in for a chat.
Best wishes
Malena
Lisa, thank you for sharing your story. I am a fairly recent bald woman, also. We are beautiful with or without hair! Hugs, Rebecca