Back in 1991 I was preparing to go off to Africa on a research project. In order to manage my hair in the hot and humid climate I went off to the hairdressers to have an easy to manage hair do. I had a weave put in – a curly weave that would not need any care other than washing daily. By the way, I should tell you I am of Afro Caribbean descent, so hair is always a challenge.
One of the issues I did find was on a drive from south of Ghana to a town in the north along red earth tracks. Although I wore a headscarf, at night my hair was covered in red soil and the water ran red as the earth came out. I found that my hair beneath the weave dried out a lot which may have contributed to my future problems.
Anyway, the project went well. I went off to the hairdressers on return to the UK who took out the weave and I finally finally got a lovely long hair wash – bliss. But tragically she found my hair thinning at the front and top. This was very distressing to manage. We tried lots of hair products and finally another weave which made the whole thing worse.
Time went on, and because my hair is very, very important to me as a professional woman in an executive position, I began to wear wigs. I use to wear wig when I was a teenager – I have always wanted to be a red head – silly I know, but wearing different styles and colours gave me confidence.
Time went on and my hair line didn’t improve, and I continued to wear wigs. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had both chemotherapy and radiotherapy and my hair fell out and never recovered. That was 10 years ago, and I still only have patchy hair at the front and top, so I continue to wear wigs. Now, of course I can choose to be a red head. However, I still feel embarrassed about my hair loss. The only person who sees my ‘bald’ head is my husband – not even my sister has seen how patchy my head is. She has glorious shoulder length white hair, which I had before going off to Africa.
In Ghana, women have all sorts of wonderful hairstyles with braiding and beads. I did experiment with this but felt it wasn’t for me. So wigs are my present and future.
Love to you all, Dawn x
As a wig wearer of many years due to Alopecia,and my confidence suffering a huge knock, I too am a wig wearer and thank God for leading me to Simply Wigs, they are the best with their huge range of products and services,long may they continue
Love and hugs to you all,
From Pat xxx
Thank you Dawn for sharing your story. I can relate to a lot of the feelings you’ve expressed.
You are a beautiful woman and nowadays we are so lucky that the variety of styles and colours of wigs are available to us. I’m sure, whichever style and colour you chose, you will always look lovely.
Hi Dawn..what a great read..you look fabulous in your wig, it looks so natural and real…as someone has already said, we are so adaptable to hair loss, I spent a fortune on products, nothing worked and was miserable, until I found SW…wigs are so much better these days, they’ve really come a long way, almost undetectable and that’s great!
Dawn, you look so beautiful. When I’m not wearing toppers, I mooch around the house (and sometimes do grocery shopping) in a Christine turban. These may look warm, but trust me, the bamboo viscose with a touch of elastane to help with fitting are cool and comfortable. A bit of lippy and I’m good to go out, walking among the hairy people and feeling good. Never be embarrassed – not like this is your fault! My very best to you, Queen of acceptance xx
Hi Dawn
You look absolutely fabulous .
I only go wig-less when I’m indoors .
Wearing a wig now is so much more acceptable than years ago !
There are so many stars that wear them , so why can’t we .
And, the best thing is we can change styles and colour without too much fuss sitting in the hairdressers chair for hours on end ?.
They have given me back my confidence.
So Dawn , go forth and conquer.
Your looking great ? xx
Hello Dawn,
You have overcome your hair problem and your distressing diagnosis so well. You look fabulous now. Best wishes to you going forward.
Hi Dawn, you look fabulous, that wig really looks good on you. My hair never grew back after chemo so I know what’s it’s like, but like you I have come to rely on wigs from Simply Wigs and am now confident I look normal when I go out. My family and the postman are used to seeing my nearly balding head.
Love Sue. Xx
Hi Dawn
Your wig suits you very well. And as a step towards the red hair you always wanted, you could try a dark wig with a red/auburn streak at the side. A friend of mine has one like that, and I always think how sophisticated it looks. (She has a large collection of wigs).
Well, you look great in your wig! I had bonded in extensions for a short while, and they pulled out a lot of my bio hair.
How did the research go?
Hi Dawn
It always surprises me how many diverse reasons there are that we lose our hair and the amazing ways people adapt to to hairloss. I’m sure for a time we mourn the loss and then pick ourselves up and get on with it as in your case. Your wig looks fabulous and looks so natural.
Whilst I am happy to tell others I wear a wig I would not like to go wigless in public so thank goodness that Simply Wigs is helping the Hairloss Community.
There is one question that worries me and that is the high number of people with hairloss, could our modern lifestyles and stress be contributing to this?
Love Tricia