Jan, a lovely member of our Simply Wigs community, bravely shares her hair loss experience in this blog post. She walks us through the journey of encountering autoimmune hair loss and how she has adapted with the help of hair wear, makeup and accessories to keep her feeling like herself.
My hair loss experience began with a Thursday morning and an 8.30am appointment that beckoned with my wonderful hairdresser, Patsy. The deal was that I shampooed my own hair in exchange for the early appointment, so I was in the shower, with the shampoo, lather and rinse. Horror, two CHUNKS of my longish, thick curly hair came out in my hands and my heart rate shot up. No, this could not be happening, I was in good health, mid-fifties, professional and successful. Patsy carefully cut my hair to shoulder length and I wore the first of many bandanas to work. That was the last appointment I ever needed with a hairdresser.
why me?
Colleagues said: “You look hippy chick.” The doctor said: “Hair usually grows back.” The specialist said: “You will probably lose all your hair.” Over a period of two to three months I did, everywhere.
The search was on so that I could face the world, with confidence, in spite of my hair loss experience. Now I have several different hair-wear styles and over the years people have said to me: “Your hair is lovely,” and “How do you keep your hair looking like that?” The only answers are: “thank you” and “I look after it.”
Quick learning was required – it is not just choosing the hair-wear style and colour; it is the accessories that were not forthcoming at the start of my hair loss experience. That is all resolved now – thanks to Simply Wigs – long-lasting double-sided tape, artificial hair shampoo and conditioner and a specialist brush. Sorted, educated – thanks to the beauty industry.
I could face the world
Swimming? No problem
Several years later I have been dark blonde, brunette, dark brown and grey. The test, for me is: “Can I do an authentic hair flick?” You bet! My collection of bandanas has also expanded as I am a runner and a headband enhances my confidence levels provided by the double-sided tape, especially when it is windy. Swimming, no problem – but I always wear a soft stylish cap for the same reason.
Close-up is more problematic. A search for a skilled beauty therapist brought Natalie into my life and her semi-permanent make-up to provide me with eyebrows. For high profile functions she has also done my make-up and carefully applied false eyelashes – which appear to be the final hurdle. In this new decade I have found a brand of false eyelashes adapted for hair loss and my optician suggested shaded lenses – to complete the hippy chick look!
It is the often-maligned beauty industry that has provided help and support – for me – since that traumatic day, several years ago when I learned about the autoimmune system, which periodically reminds me of its diseased presence with fizzing limbs and pitted nails.
To conclude, I ponder, is there an upside to the hair loss experience? The ease of changing a hairstyle is one, the second is learning about yourself, from the initial coping to asking questions in the search for product support. Then, what needs to be acknowledged is acceptance. For sure, when I look in the mirror, I sometimes ask: “why me?” There is no answer to that particular question, just another mystery of life and hair loss is not high on the research agenda of medicine, so I guess I’ll apply some superb 24-hour eyeliner, flick my hair wear and get on with living a positive and fulfilling life!
Get on with living a positive and fulfilling life!
It;s great to see so many people enjoying their wigs.
Could you tell me where you get the long lasting double sided tape from. I use grips at the moment. But I’m always scared people can see one from behind.
i would just like to say i have worn various styles of wigs over the years due to cancer treatment my hair never grew back, at first i had no confidence till i wore my wigs reguarly from buying them from simply wigs and then people would often say how lovely my hair was and ask what colour my hair was, i have now worn wigs with confidence from simply wigs going on between 10 and 15 yrsthankyou simply wigs.
Hi there. Would love to know the make of the eyelashes and eyeliner you use as my eyelashes are virtually non-existent. Val x
Hi all, what an enlightening piece Jan!
I think we all think ‘why me’ sometimes in my case for about 10 years and then wished I’d started my wig journey yonks ago!
At the start of my wig wearing life ( 5 years ago) people would say ‘ I love your hair’ and ‘where do you get it done’ etc and I used to bat away their questions by saying ‘ it’s a wig’ but after a while I realised it made them feel awkward to what to say next….but now have the confidence to say ‘thanks’ and if they want to know more say I’ve bought it or it’s a wig!
Life is far too short to worry about what other people think ( I now realise) so go forth ladies, hold your head up high and be the amazing, confident woman you deserve to be.
Denise x
Hi I also have problems with my autoimmune system,at the moment my hair is going slowly and I still manage to cover my scalp but yes I will need a wig soon. Thank you for your story, I realise there is light at the end of the tunnel !
Thank you so much for sharing your story ?
What was the name of the brand of eyelashes you get. I have some but very fine and sparce
I too have lost all of my hair and on 2 occasions all my fingernails . I was interested in the comment you made about fizzing limbs, as I now have twitching legs/calves . Is this connected to our auto immune problems.
Thanks for your frank post. I have only lost head hair and one eyebrow. I also just got a false two teeth clip. I am usually half way to somewhere when I realise I only have 2 of the three on. Usually it is the teeth or eyebrow that is missing!! Thank goodness I can laugh about it.
I can relate to this story so much. 7 years in from chemotherapy ,still baby thin hair (see through)and no eyebrows drawn on every day.My wigs are my go to pick me up. Different styles and colours for different moods.
Still it’s a small price to pay I’m still here to talk about. So don’t be afraid of wig wearing embrace it. You’re a different person every time you change it.
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Do you wear hair or non hairwigs?
It’s just that I find with the non hair wigs is that once the hot weather comes my scalp sweats a lot