The dermatologist told me I had Alopecia Areata.
Back in 1990, I was only twenty-three years old and planning my wedding when a visit to my hairdresser for a regular ‘perm’ identified a small bald patch on the back of my head. Thinking nothing of it, my mum recalled that I’d had a small bald patch about the size of a fifty pence piece when I was a child. As the months leading up to the wedding went by, the patch got bigger and I was referred to see a dermatologist, who told me I had Alopecia Areata.
Autoimmune conditions run in my family, and this was how it manifested in me – at least it wasn’t Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus that affected other family members. Minoxidil was prescribed, staining the pillowcase purple, and my fingers were crossed for a swift end to the distress it was causing me.
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease. This results when your immune system is overactive, causing it to attack and damage your body’s own tissues.
My wedding went ahead with my hair looking fairly awful, but I wouldn’t give in to wearing a wig at that point. In fact, I waited for another year or so before the hair loss had become bad enough that I couldn’t get away without one anymore.
I’ve been wearing wigs since 1992, and I’ve worn many different makes and styles over the years. I think at the age of 56, I’ve accepted my condition will never improve – no treatments worked for me, I tried acupuncture, dietary changes, creams etc.
I’m probably 80% bald and I have lost part of one eyebrow now, but I still have all my body hair to deal with! I am very open about it with people I meet, and most are really surprised as the wigs now are fantastic and easy to care for.
I live by the sea, and I swim regularly so I keep my ‘old girls’, as I call them, for swimming in the sea. And yes, a big wave got me one day and the wig floated away!!
I think now that if my hair ever grew back, it would freak me out more than when I first developed the condition. I accept it’s a part of me that I can’t change, but it doesn’t hurt me physically or stop me doing much. And it’s saved me a small fortune at the hairdressers!
Sending love, Julie xx
Dear Betty-Ann.
I appreciate you replying to my query.
Thank you.
Julie, I chose Top Notch Hair Enhancer Jon Renau, my hair is white and Laura matched it for me, my colour is No: 60 Winter Sun. It does not have dark roots and it is perfect for me. My own fringe mixes with the topper, also the sides hang with the topper and when I brush it, it all matches perfectly, I use my de-tangle brush not because it is tangled, but because it is gentle …… x
Thank you for sharing Julie.
Hi Betty- Ann – my hair is extremely thin. Which topper do you use please?
Thank you for being so honest. It has helped me to come to terms with my very thin hair. My hair is just falling out all over and is now so thin I cannot do anything with it, and I have to wash it every day to get some kind of lift as gels and thickening lotions are far too heavy. I decided to wear a topper, leaving the sides of my hair to mix in with the topper hair. Simply wigs took a sample of my natural hair and I sent them a picture of how I wanted my hair to look, and they found just the right topper for me. Perfect colour. I have had it for about 1 month now, and I cannot even notice it on my head, it is so light and natural. I am so happy with it and my friends just tell me they love the way I am now doing my hair. Blessings to you.
Hi Julie,
It was so good to read your story, having been through a very similar time. I too swim regularly in the sea in my old wigs and lost one by being bowled over by a wave! But I found it washed up on the tideline later in the day looking like a bedraggled animal! Your wig is fabulous. We are so fortunate to have Simply Wigs, which for me, has made the whole experience worlds easier.
Dear Julie,
How brave you are to share your story.
2022 after 3 rounds of chemo I lost all my hair everywhere!!
I had beautiful hair.
Found Simply Wigs and never looked back, tried lots ,still trying to figure which one is for me, fun trying!! My hair is growing back very very strangely so far,so still wear my wigs, because as yet I do not feel brave enough to “go naked” ! You look very lovely in your photo. You are an inspiration for all of us with these stories! Thank you ??
Hi Julie,
My experience has been exactly the same ,small bald patch when young that worsened.
I have worn wigs for 30 yrs now and it’s second nature to me. Some wigs better than others and I tend to stick to the same style .
Just glad I can afford them .