Twenty
years
of
wig
wearing
I developed Alopecia just before my 40th birthday (a great start to my mid-life crisis!). It all happened fairly quickly, at first just a few bald patches, but within a month it had all gone. My long blonde hair which, for my entire life, had felt like my defining feature, was no longer there. I wasn’t me anymore. After 6 months of staring in the mirror each morning willing new hair to appear, I reluctantly accepted my new situation. Headscarves just didn’t do anything for me, so it was going to have to be the dreaded wig. I initially went to a local specialist hairdressers who were very kind, but all I wanted to do was get out of there pronto with some kind of wig. Initially, I was sure that everyone knew. I then realised it was an issue of confidence – if I felt confident, I looked confident and therefore everything looked natural. For me, the best way of doing this was to start by wearing my new wig in places where nobody knew me. Gradually, my self-confidence increased and I was able to wear the wig all the time.
The hairdressers I went to, closed down and that led me to the internet and Simply Wigs. Wow! It was a revelation. So much choice. Staff who actually knew what they were talking about and, most importantly, talked to me as a normal human being making a regular purchase ( not someone requiring pity and hushed tones). I was able to try styles and lengths in a way that is not possible with natural hair, and all in the privacy of my own home.
That was 20 years ago. Wearing a wig has become part of life (along with laughter lines and an increasing waistline). I am less easily embarrassed now than I was at 40. But it still presents its challenges. I still find it difficult to know at what point to tell new acquaintances about the wig. Too soon into a new friendship and people are embarrassed, not soon enough and then the time is never right and it becomes a major issue to be addressed. I don’t have an answer by the way, I just muddle along, as always, hoping not to embarrass other people or myself too much.
The Simply Wigs Staff, actually knew what they were talking about.
My most recent dilemma is hair colour. As I mentioned, I am naturally blonde so have always kept to blonde tones in my wigs. However, I have now turned 60 and wonder if I should choose shades more appropriate to my age. Should I go grey? Should I go white perhaps? Maybe it’s time to try some new colours. Or maybe I’ll just stay blonde for a while longer! At least when you wear a wig, you have that choice.
love from,
Shelia.
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Ihave worn a wig for years,use grips to keep it very secure, but i.m never without a terrible itchy scalp. i am still insecure about all all these years later ,as people seem delighted to figure out if it is a wig or not. have had people manely men tugging it. i do peep at airports with the amount of grips i use. but getting to the stage of looking at glues. i have non slip bands and caps ,but don.t feel secured outside my house without the grips . i wear it up sometimes,you get people you know trying to sneakily look at the back of your neck.to see if they can tell that way too.how do people get passed all this, i.m constanly anxious and upset. the thing is i suit it. you,d think that would be enough.
I have Androgenic Alopecia and have been watching my hair getting thinner and thinner for almost 4 years now. Also my hairline is receding. I know eventually I will have to wear some kind of wig. I am terrified. I am having a terrible time with my hair loss. I have nightmares and and anxiety over when it will be noticeable and everybody will know. I am so embarrassed by my hair loss. Thank you so much for sharing your stories. It makes me feel a little better knowing I am not alone. It also makes me feel better about someday getting a wig. Maybe it won’t be the end of the world.
I lost all of my hair at 14. This was 39 years ago and wigs were not good. I’m 53 now and much more confident. Wigs are so much better. I had a daughter at 35 and she has seen me without my wig from the day she was born so it’s nothing to her. So many people have been on fb moaning how much their hair has grown during lockdown so I’ve used this time to change my style and length. I’ve gotten used to it and will feel confident when I go back to work
Hi
every single story here is so relevant and it so reassuring to know we all have similar feelings and we are not alone. i always worry about embarrassing others more than myself i think…..and i don’t think i have ever come to terms with my hair loss and its been 37 years but im ok my wigs are part of me . xxxx
Hi Andrea,
Thanks so much for sharing your story! ?
I lost my hair in my teens and am now 56. I started wearing wigs when I was 28 when I had my first child and went from ‘dark chocolate’ (my natural colour) to ‘champagne rooted’, so from one extreme to another over the years, lol. And I love it because it looks so very natural and there are lots of beautiful styles in this colour – I would highly recommend! Take care and stay confident, hair or no hair. One of the best compliments I ever received, and have never forgotten was from a man who told me very genuinely, that I have a lovely shaped head (pre-wig days), which at the time sent my confidence soaring at a time when I was extremely self conscious. We are all beautiful in our own way.
Christine
Hi Andrea. I lost all my hair in my teens. At 35 I had a little girl. Though I mostly always wear a wig I also always spent time without it. From the time she,was born. It never upset her. It was normal, mommy with hair and mommy without. She thinks I’m beautiful.
Hi, Its been lovely to hear similar stories to my own. I had struggled with Alopecia from my 20’s but after a lot of stress and the birth of my 3rd child at 36 I lost all of my hair. I am in my 60’s but still blonde! I have a different issue now. I confidently wear a wig all the time now and thanks to Simply Wigs have had some lovely styles and the colour combinations get better and better. My little granddaughters are now aged 5 and 2 1/2. My elder GC gives me very affectionate hugs and kisses. On a couple of occasions I have noticed she has found the edge of the wig at the nape of my neck. She is curious but when I have stayed over night I have slept in the wig. I am worried I will scare her. Has anyone had an experience of sharing this with their children/grandchildren. What age is best and how do they explain the loss of hair in a child’s language. I also don’t want her announcing to all that I don’t have any hair either. Any suggestions or stories would be appreciated.
Meanwhile thank you so much to Simply Wigs for their excellent customer service and indeed for giving wig wearers a platform to share ideas and stories. Their wigs are wonderful.
Regards
Andrea
We are not alone. I have left a sum of money in my will for research, hair loss is not sexy – of course WE are – because we have attended to the situation – thanks to Simply Wigs.
Thank you for sharing Sheila. I started with patches at Xmas 2019 what a shock it was to wake up and see bold spots. Ive lost 40 %of my hair but I’m dealing with it. I shall celebrate my 60th next month and will be giving my first wig a facetime outing with my family?
But you are still you, Please move on and work with it, there are lots of lovely styles and colours to try. You will feel better. There are more of us out there than you think.
I’ve had partial alopecia periodically since my twenties, then total in my late forties, it wasn’t a traumatic problem on chemotherapy in my fifties it had long gone. I’m in my mid seventies now. I accept it is, for me, not life threatening, but a lifelong condition. I can’t change it, I can’t control, it would have been be such a waste of all those years to have let it get me down.
Try looking at the advantages. 5 mins in the shower and off you go. Non of this messing around with hairdryers, conditioners, hair dye, etc It’s freedom, you can always look good. Most people say they like my hair, I would never dream of embarrassing anyone that had just paid me a compliment, I’ve had many over the years. I smile and leave it at that. The odd person that stares, just stare right back. My close friends know, the rest who cares?
I wish you peace and happiness. Life is a gift to enjoy.
Hi
Thanks for sharing your story. Felt as if it was mine in part. I’m still struggling and have not come as far as you. Me not being me anymore is still a stumbling block. Heartwarming to know that moving on is possible.
Hi Sheila
I lost my hair 15 years ago at 43 and had a similar journey to you. I changed from being mousey brown to blond within months of losing my hair as changing my image got me through this. Now I’m in my late 50’s I’ve experimented even more so with different styles and colours which is so much easier these days as wig companies have listened and are aware we want choice. Over the last few years I’ve been pink with Rae in pastel pink , pink with If you dare and dare to be wigs. I’ve also tried grey with Lily and Hazel in lotus silver which is very modern.
Sadly blue doesn’t suit me at all!
Try a white/grey wig I think you’ll be surprised how good it looks and with the fantastic service from Simply Wigs you can return it with no problems if you don’t like it.
A change might be just the thing during this time of lockdown
Jackie xx
Oh my word! That is like reading my own story! It follows my life almost word for word. I was 40 too, and everything else is exactly the same as well. Thank you for sharing this….I won’t be sending mine in now as it is identical 🙂 Good for you Sheila! xx
Great Sheila .You . Just go any colour YOU want!!!
I am 65 and currently wearing wigs in light champagne rooted which is almost but not quite grey…..
Thank you for sharing your story Shiela. You should always be confident and it doesn’t matter what age you are as long as you feel comfortable in any colour. Thanks xx