I still have,
fresh in my mind,
the two or three years,
I went through before finally taking the plunge and wearing a wig.
I had noticed a thinning at the front of my head for some time before it suddenly became a problem I could no longer either ignore or disguise. I was afraid to walk down the road in a breeze because my hair was blown back, exposing this huge bald strip from ear to ear. I totally lost confidence when socialising, even with my family.
I became a very different person.
With help and encouragement from my daughter, I eventually visited a wig shop near me and came home with a purchase. I still did not have the confidence to wear it in public and also, stupidly, went to visit my son and his family in America and still did not take the wig. I had a difficult time during that trip and when I came home I knew I had to face up to my situation. I looked on the internet and then ( my lucky day ) I found Simply Wigs.
That was my turning point.
From that day my life changed.
My original wig I never wore, but the choice and approach of Simply Wigs made me feel almost blessed and I never have a ‘bad hair day ‘ I look 10 years younger, and as a bonus, (during the Covid19 pandemic) I have no root regrowth!
I have suddenly become the confident person I always used to be and, although I live in the South of the country I have the ambition to travel to Huddersfield one day for a good old try-on and consultation.
I would like to be one of those people who can just be totally open about my wig and maybe ring the changes a bit. But I can’t do it and I was really pleased when nobody reacted in any way when I first started to wear a wig and when I walk along the street I just get blanked. Maybe not everyone wants to be blanked, but I do.
My style is almost identical to my old hairstyle but one day soon I’ve got to think about going a bit more silvery and I have full faith in the people at Simply Wigs to advise me through that stage.
Take care,
Lots of love,
Carol.
Well done Carol, without realising it you are on your first step to being more confident and open about it , as you have put it down in words.
I have had Aleopcia now for twenty four year’s and like you I told no one except family and a few close friends. My daughter’s were little and I was afraid they would get picked on if people knew. Looking back it seems very silly now.
I can’t tell you exactly when it changed but to be honest it did take quite a few years! Like you I kept to the same style so no one would guess. Then one day, don’t know why, I just thought to myself “why am I hiding this? It’s not like it’s something to be ashamed of. I can’t make my hair grow back, so embrace it”. And I did, I started buying different styles and colours and when people ask me now now where do I get my hair done I love telling them” I have Aleopcia and wear wigs” . I feel so proud of myself,?.
Keep going and soon you’ll never look back. Hair!! Who needs it when we have wigs!!!! ??
Oh Carol it gives me hope that I can feel confident as I have the same hair prob I have worn it once to visit my sister and yet have to pluck up courage to go public
This letter amused me because as I read it I became more and more amazed at how like my own story this was . “ You could have written this Carol “ , I thought and then , at the very end , I discovered that I had written it !
Well done it took me a long time to wear a wig but now I dont think about it I feel alot better about it .
Carol’s feelings towards wearing a wig is EXACTLY like mine. I had to build confidence when first wearing mine and I am afraid to change styles, colour etc. I was so nervous of people knowing and before long I realised nobody was looking at me. I loved being blanked. I also live in the south and dream of being able to visit Simply Wigs. Maybe when Covid is cleared I will make the journey.
Your story totally resonates with me. I am coming up to my 20 year anniversary of alopecia and aside from family and close friends, there are people I’ve known for years who I still haven’t opened up to. I’m just not that kind of person. I’ve stuck to the similar style and colour(varied a little at times) and yes, I too need to start lightening up a little – both in my attitude towards this AND the colour!! Thanks for sharing x
Brilliant. I too have very thin hair at the front and wear a variety of styles now as I am “one of those people” who let anyone interested know that I wear a wig.
We all know, Carol …… it’s not what anyone would want – but we can and do continue with our lives – and learn a few lessons along the way about reactions/responses – and what really matters!
Kick on gal – as I have for 10-years, using SW to provide me with style inspiration and the necessary accessories. Jan
Thank you for telling your story. My sister went through exactly the same thing a few years ago and now it’s my turn. You give me heart. ?
That’s so lovely to hear Carol x