The year was 1963.
The time before hair straightening products had ever been thought of.
The only way to straighten my very frizzy mop was to have a perm and straighten, rather than curl. So, as a 17-year-old with a new boyfriend, off I went to my local hairdresser.
The shop was very busy that Saturday and a junior proceeded to apply the perm lotion. We waited while the lotion was developing and then straight after that she began to put on the neutraliser. The boss caught sight as she applied it to my crown, and yelled ‘have you shampooed off the perm lotion?’
She hadn’t, but did so then, little did I realise what was to come.
The following week was a nightmare…
My hair started falling out in clumps. I went to the doctors and then had it confirmed that my hair had been burnt! Everyone said it would grow back, but it never did. That same area that was neutralised, has gone through various degrees of thinning to near baldness. I have lived my life with this dreadful problem that no one could find a cure for.
Until that is, I decided to wear a wig. A lifesaver and a near-normal existence for me.
And that boyfriend? – he stuck by me x
Throughout my life, and all my traumas. I am happy to say we have recently celebrated 53 years of marriage.
Hi Adele..wow, your story is so similar to mine! How wonderful your hubby saw through your hair loss…
You look fabulous and I’m very happy for you both..
Thanks for sharing your story Helen. Congratulations on your recent wedding anniversary.
Bless you Helen, what an inspiring story. How wonderful to have such a lovely husband who sees the person beyond the looks. I was in my 20s when I went for a perm, it frizzed and looked awful. The salon owner said to go back in a week and they would straighten it. Being very naive it wasn’t until on my home home I felt my hair and half of it was broken off at the top. Like you I have struggled all my life to cope, until recent years and wigs. I can finally live and be confident, so I do understand some of your difficulties over the years. Happy Anniversary and wishing you many more to come.
Your boyfriend looks brilliant – and so do you! Great ending to your story, Helen. A good Wednesday morning read.
What a lovely story, Helen. What an awful experience to go through when you were so young – but you and your ‘boyfriend’ have shown that we are far more than our appearance, and what really matters is who we are. Thank you, and congratulations on your 53rd wedding anniversary.