“I have Fibrosing Alopecia. This is where the hair gradually recedes from the forehead and above the ears”.
What is frontal fibrosing alopecia? This is a form of scarring hair loss affecting the hair margin on the front of the scalp. What causes this? It is due to the inflammation and destruction of the hair follicles from the body’s own immune system. What areas can it affect? There can be hair loss from the front of the scalp and near the ears. In some cases, the eyebrows, eyelashes and/or other parts of the body may be involved, as well.
My G.P. said that nothing could be done about the hair loss but it might be possible to prevent any further loss and referred me to a dermatologist. He was very kind and I was given tablets, creams and a course of steroid injections on my scalp. None of this helped.
I was used as a demonstration patient at an area Dermatology meeting. I was examined by the assembled specialists and one actually said to me, ‘How does this make you feel?’ I can still remember the ring of astonished faces when I replied, ‘Absolutely awful and embarrassed.’
I was given a prescription for a wig and my daughter came with me to a local hairdressers. As we waited I whispered to my daughter about the lovely hairstyle of the stylist. When I told her that I had always wanted hair like hers she amazed me by saying, ‘This is a wig!’Since then my confidence has grown, especially when I discovered Simply Wigs and was able to enjoy the excellent service and funky styles.
I often receive compliments about my hair and accept them gracefully. When my dear sister had to have chemotherapy and was given a wig prescription she said that this held no worries for her as I always looked so good. She lost her fight, but I have been always glad that I helped a little with her struggle. She was determined to ‘Go down with all flags flying.’ I was given a photo shoot for my 80th birthday where my ‘Coco‘ wig gave me all the confidence I needed.
Love to you all,
Anne
xxx
I have only just now discovered this site. I also have Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, caused by Lichen Planopilaris, an autoimmune disease. When it first started, 10 years ago, I was 65. Being a very public person, and a musician, I thought my world was going to end. I spent years wearing a bandana, and I still do, but my hair loss has reached the point where a bandana just won’t cover the baldness. I have just a small patch of thin hair over the back of my head. I have started to wear a wig for about three years, but my problem was that it would blow off in a high wind. (I live in Cornwall) I discovered a product called “It Stays” which is a roll-on body adhesive. Now I am more confident, I am considering increasing my range of styles, and this site will be of help to me. Thank you for your stories.
The comments here are really uplifting. I shaved my head for charity following the death of my husband from lung cancer last year, but as it started to grow back it was very patchy and thin, with very obvious receding in two places that resembled male pattern receding. Whilst I walk around without a wig at home, and now just keep my own hair clipped short, wearing wigs has increased my confidence so much and allowed me to integrate back into the workplace successfully – my husband died during the third Covid lockdown, so I had been isolated with him for coming up to 2 years.
My boss now has fun guessing ‘what hair will Sue wear today’ but I get lots of compliments and many people don’t even realise it’s a wig.
Thank you for sharing your powerful story and I know how devastating this is as I also suffer the same and found it hard to give in to hairpieces. I have been wearing Ellen Willie Close top piece which I am finding harder to get. You look amazing!
Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. It is great to feel that we all support each other. I sympathised with Diana. My 70th birthday pictures have me with my comb-over and my 80th photos are much better.
I suffer with this alopecia also .Although I was given name Male pattern alopecia. After receiving no help from my GP. I consulted a dermotologist privately. He gave me steroid injections into my scalp. This has halted the receding. Wish Id seen him earlier. Simply Wigs saved my life. I have had many wigs from them and always been very happy. It gave me back my confidence.
Hi Anne, thanks for sharing your story. I have this type of alopecia too and I have accepted that my hair is never coming back. With the amazing wigs available now, this is not as much of a problem – people always say my hair looks amazing!
And can I just say that if you celebrated your 80th birthday recently, you look absolutely amazing!
Thank you for sharing your story Anne. I have the same condition and have worn wigs for several years now and feel so much happier as a result. After years of trying to keep my receding hair over my forehead and wearing head gear to keep it in place when outside it is wonderful to walk out on a windy day without a second thought. I have just had mt 70th birthday but when I look back at my pre-wig 60th birthday photos I cringe and know how much better (and younger) I look now! I don’t keep my wigs a secret but I also don’t go out of my way to advertise them and most people are surprised if I let on.
The Simply Wigs website is brilliant with friendly and helpful staff. I need petite size so my choice is reduced and I am learning what will suit me but the option to return purchases is so helpful.
A very uplifting story to read, and you look fabulous!
I too, was devastated when my hairline started to recede. My sons wedding ten years ago made me look at toppers. Honestly I have never looked back. I have grown so much more confident in general and once you put it on that’s it for the day, so easy. I use Jon Renau Essentially You with tape at the front and two clips at the back, it’s brilliant. I agree with the last comment that this was the best thing to happen to me once I accepted it.
I too have this form of Alopecia. It started some 45 yrs ago and I only started wearing wigs last year! I still don’t wear a wig around the house or when it’s really hot but I enjoy putting one on when I’m in the mood for dressing up. People are perfectly used to seeing me both ways now and that on itself is very liberating.
Hi Anne
Thanks for sharing your comments I also have this type of Alopecia in my case it was triggered by B12 deficiency and I also was referred to a lovely Dermatologist at my local hospital. Fortunately the treatments I was prescribed have halted further hair loss . Although I could manage with a hair topper I have gone down the wig route as there is so much choice and it is so much easier for day to day use. I can’t praise Simply Wigs enough for their advice and choice of products and have become quite experimental in the choice of styles. My current favourite is from the Ellen Wille Changes Range, the Alive wig is shoulder length and hasn’t got too much density so ideal for summer. Far from being a disaster losing my hair has saved me from all the faff of trying to disguise thin hair. For anyone considering buying a wig I would say go for it you will never look back You may even get your inner sex goddess back!