I was about 28yrs old, a busy Mum of four, when one day I noticed small, bald patches at the back of my head. I started to cover the patches with the rest of my hair. Little did I realise that this was going to change my life forever.
Taking a bath one evening, whilst washing my hair, it was coming out in handfuls. I cried out and my eldest daughter came rushing into the bathroom to see what was going on.
My daughter called for my husband and he helped me out of the bath. I was completely devastated, scared and frightened.
I couldn’t sleep that night. I was so worried and confused about what was happening to me!
The following day, I called my eldest sister. She was amazing and sorted me out with getting in touch with my Doctor, who recommended me to a Trichology Specialist.
At my appointment I was asked several questions with regards to any stress or trauma in my life recently. I had lost my lovely Mum 18 months previous to this when I was 6 months pregnant with my fourth child. Also my husband was in the Navy and spent long periods at sea. My Mum was my rock and would be there to help me with the children before she passed away, so things were very hard going.
I also had Glandular fever, where I can’t even remember a week of my life! Along with that, we moved house too. So yes I had had plenty of stress, my Specialist agreed!
So began the tests, poked and prodded. Different treatments tried and tested.
Nothing worked and my hair never came back. I lost every hair from my body. No need to shave my armpits or legs has been one of the bonuses. Learning to pencil in my eyebrows and wear false eyelashes every single day, has now become part of my everyday routine. If I don’t do it, I don’t feel human.
Losing your hair in the 70’s wasn’t great. The choice of wigs were limited and it all seemed an embarrassment. It was not talked about and no help with beauty etc.
Thank you so much for your reply Helen and for sharing with us. I really appreciate it.
Best wishes
Chris
Hi Chris, The shorter wig is by Natural Image Impact wig colour Creamy Glow, longer wigs blonde one and the done up wig is by Rene of Paris Bailey wig, colours Creamy Blonde and Nutmeg R.
Take care Helen
Hello Helen and thank you so much for sharing your experience. Would it be possible to know the name of the blonde wigs and the ‘up-do’ one. Thank you again. C
Hi Helen
I loved reading your story and you look so radiant in your photos. Very positive and uplifting Thankyou for sharing xxx
Thanks all of you for your kind comments, yes its good to know we are not alone , I’m very lucky having a wonderful supporting family around me , and a great friend who I met back in the 70s who was my neighbour and helped me out with the children too when my hair fell out , we’ve been friends ever since we are now in our 70s!!
Take care all of you
Helen xx
Helen you look fantastic, thanks for sharing your experience xx
Helen, you look gorgeous ! My absolute favourite is your hair in the second blond picture .
Hard to think how much times have changed , thankfully !
You have been extremely brave and inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story !
I am an orthodox jew and part of our commitment is to cover our hair as a married woman. Over the years I have had many wigs and also alternate with hats. I am now eagerly awaiting to receive my first order from simply wigs and hopefully will have better luck than with a previous online order from another firm, which I discovered to contain completly different models and colors from my order!
Eagerlyoiking forward to the arrival of my order of two wigs. I will write again on their arrival! Continue the good work. Pauline
Thankyou for sharing your experience Helen, you look fabulous! I love the Simply Wigs community – the fact that we have this wonderful forum to enable us to share our experiences and know we’re not alone, can only make us stronger ?
Wow Helen what an interesting and amazing story, you certainly went through a huge amount. You would never know looking at you now, looking gorgeous and I love your hair.