I started losing my hair when I was 15.
by 18 years old I had to shave my very patchy head and buy my first wig. It was a difficult age to be dealing with self-image combined with hair loss and many a tear was shed at that time.
Looking back.
I am approaching 40 now and I have never been happier. I am a Chartered Engineer, I’m married and we have two beautiful children aged 3 and 5.
In my teenage years and early 20s, despite it being an emotional time, it was also a time that taught me some humility and empathy and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without going through it.
I have always been active and outgoing but there was a time when I was in my early 20s I felt like I couldn’t do certain things because I wore a wig. My wig is like a good bra to me. I could go out without it if I really had to, but I would feel uncomfortable and unsupported. I know many ladies are bold and proud but I that just isn’t me. I wear my wig with pride and confidence.
I have been determined to push myself past my anxieties to make sure that my alopecia didn’t hold me back from doing the exciting things I want to do.
The first essential thing for me was to find a fantastic wig that fit into my life – one that I can tie up when I need to, straighten or curl when I wanted to, dye it any colour if I fancied. I tried many over the years but the Amber wig from the Gem collection by Trendco is my favourite!
Out and about.
I love a good theme park and back before I had children of my own, my sister and I went to Universal Studios in Florida with our boyfriends (now husbands).
I was nervous about riding the big rollercoasters, not because they were scary – I love them, but because I was worried that my wig would come off mid-ride. My sister convinced me to swap my wig for a tight bandanna so that I could ride the rollercoasters with a bit more confidence. I stood next to the theme park’s for-hire lockers with my sister and boyfriend making a shield around me to help me feel less self-conscious and I made a quick swap of the wig for a bandanna, popping my wig in a locker.
It was brilliant, I felt liberated and I’m pretty sure we rode our favourite rollercoaster several times that day.
Be who you are.
On my wedding day, a fantastic hairdresser friend pinned my wig up into a wonderful curly ‘up-do’ with beautiful diamond pins. I absolutely loved it and it stayed in all night.
Whether it is doing Go ape, going to trampoline parks, spending a day at the beach or swimming in the sea, I make sure I don’t hold back anymore as life is too short. I try and do all those things with confidence to show my children they shouldn’t be afraid to try anything.
Thank you for the nice comments 🙂
Sophie, thank you for sharing your stories. Amazing woman. You help me to fight for my confidence back. God bless you xxx
Spot on with the bra comparison! The emotions we experience are similar but being younger – far more difficult.
Love the wedding hair – and your positive story.
Goodness me Sophie and wow! You just look amazing. Absolutely love the hair, looks totally your own. What an inspiration. I don’t have many around me who or are as supportive and understanding. I feel in myself happier and confident with my wig and would never wish my hair back. Your story gives such a positive take on it, very uplifting.
Oh Sophie, what a very honest and uplifting account of your hair loss issues and your relationship with wigs: ‘…like a good bra…’
Your photographs perfectly illustrate the way that you have enhanced your life and prospects using wigs as a major support. You are, as you speak- very beautiful, very natural and very inspiring. Thank you