I haven’t looked back since.
I have always had very fine, thin hair but one day I was horrified to see just how thin it was. I remember the day so distinctly. I was trying on a skirt in BHS and they had a new arrangement of mirrors in the changing room and instead of seeing the back of my skirt, all I saw were the two almost bald patches just above each ear. I was so upset that I never even looked at the skirt again.
I rushed back to work and the security of my little office. My confidence was dashed. At every meeting I attended after that, I was always conscious of where I sat and who could see the back of my head. I tried the shampoo the hairdresser recommended for hair loss. I tried all the hair loss products to “colour” in my scalp then my bald patches wouldn’t show through.
I eventually went to my GP who confirmed it was androgynous alopecia and offered me some caffeine shampoo on prescription. I realised things were bad when I preferred going to the dentist rather than the hairdressers.
“I was so lucky that my sister had the same problem and told me she had discovered a really supportive website and had ordered a wig to try”
It was “Simply Wigs” and I haven’t looked back since. I went straight onto the website and had an amazing time looking at all the various wigs, full descriptions and 360 degree views were so helpful. I ordered 2 wigs to try on and made an appointment to try them on at their site shop just outside of Huddersfield where I found the Gisela Mayer “Abbey” wig that makes me feel so full of confidence.
The appointment was totally private and I felt so comfortable trying them on there. As alopecia is classed as a medical condition, I discovered that I didn’t even need to pay VAT on my wig. I decided to have it shaped into more of a bob at the back and a small fringe cut into it. A fringe was something I had never been able to have with my own hair as there was never much to cut a fringe out of.
It didn’t take me long to forget that I was wearing a wig. I went out on my first windy day and the wig was held on securely with the adjustable back and the slightly stretchy lace front. For the first time in my life I could go out in the wind and the rain and not have to get out the hairdryer and try to restyle my thin, frizzed up hair on my return. I don’t even have hat hair anymore. Just a shake and a quick smooth does the trick every time. I now enjoy looking at myself in the mirror and brushing my hair into shape.
Each morning, I put on my makeup, top it with my wig and feel a million dollars. The old me would despair at the length of time it took to try and make my hair look presentable.
I did actually put a picture of my new hair on my Facebook page to tell all my friends that I had bought a wig and why and a couple of them thanked me as they were suffering from the same worry about thinning hair.
“I just felt that being honest about it all was the best way forward for me”
I didn’t want my friends looking at me and thinking “is that a wig she is wearing”. The first time I washed it was my only worry as when it was wet, it looked as if I had destroyed it. I was so relieved when I brushed it the morning after and it bounced straight back into its original style. I made sure to buy the recommended shampoo and balsam and also the leave in conditioner spray for regular maintenance.
I looked what people’s reactions were to my new hair and people continued to look me in the eye with no straying up to examine my hair. I have had so many compliments from neighbours and friends who I have bumped into during lockdown.
My advice to anyone who is considering buying a wig is to take the plunge. I haven’t looked back and the added bonus is that it hasn’t mattered to me that the hairdressers have been closed for so long this past 12 months. I’ve got my beautiful wig to put on each day. I can’t wait to restart my new hair life after lockdown!
Thank you for sharing your story. I love that you were upfront about wearing a wig – I still find this a challenge. Also, I too have androgenic alopecia – I had no idea that I don’t have to pay VAT. But maybe being a bit of an addict I couldn’t get a discount every purchase
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for sharing your story, and you look great. I can relate to everything you say – so grateful that Simply Wigs is there for us.
Lovely Story, we can all identify with everything you say!
Well done…
It takes a lot of courage to ‘debut’ with a wig at home and even amongst family and friends. This wig really suits you and gives a very fresh and youthful look. It doesn’t look in the least ‘wiggy’, but that is probably because you had it cut to suit you.
You look lovely!
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Your hair looks great! Really really encouraging thank you. I wish there was somewhere to have a first look at colours ‘in the flesh’ and a try on of wigs in London before I take the plunge with Simply Wigs. Perhaps there will be soon
That is so like my story. Thank You. The back of my head went first, also there were bald patches above my ears. And I didn’t even realise how bad it was at first because of looking at my face in the mirror.. Then one day I looked – and nearly died of embarrassment. Simply Wigs to the rescue!
I too have worn wigs for many years due to thinning hair, the final straw for me was after being admitted to hospital with a chronic illnes, my hair just got so bad I had to do something, I have worn them now for 23 yrs,I get a NHS prescription for 2 a year, which helps greatly with the expense,