 | A customer story... My journey with alopecia has been an emotional ride. From the initial shock of realising my hair loss was spiralling out of control to the ultimate triumph of choosing the hair I've always dreamed of; it's been a journey filled with both despair and hope. My alopecia journey: I was diagnosed with alopecia areata in my early teens, shortly after starting secondary school and battled with this form of alopecia for at least 10 years. |
At the age of 26, I started to notice more frequent patches of hair falling out, my hairline was thinning, and I was becoming increasingly anxious. I regularly trawled the internet, hour after hour, for hair loss solutions.
To mask the thinning areas, I resorted to headbands and hats. However, well-meaning comments about my 'unique style' only served to highlight my efforts to hide my hair loss. It was a constant reminder of a problem I couldn't solve, and I wondered how I would get through it. |  |
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Seeking help from medical experts Initially, my dermatologist prescribed steroid creams. After an unsuccessful trial, they suggested injecting steroids directly into my scalp. Fortunately, this approach proved effective for the next ten years whilst I navigated college and university. While losing hair and finding ways to hide it was challenging, it was a manageable phase compared to what lay ahead. |
Later, my doctor delivered a devastating diagnosis: my alopecia had become more aggressive, and the steroid injections were no longer working. They proposed a strong dose of oral steroids but warned of severe side effects and uncertain outcomes. The prospect of complete hair loss and the potential toll on my body was emotionally overwhelming. And that’s when the wig hunt began…
Wig 1.0
I spent days researching wigs. Where should I buy one? What should it be made from? How can you style hair that’s not your own?
Obsessed with learning more and finding a solution, I turned to my hairdresser for help. She was incredibly supportive, reaching out to various suppliers to locate a specialist who could create a custom wig. Following her recommendation, I scheduled consultations all over the UK.
My determination was unwavering. Yet, my first consultation was a disheartening experience. The business owner was friendly but suggested wigs that felt completely out of place. At that point, I didn’t know where to turn next.
The wig hunt continues
After a night of rest and reflection, I decided to explore another option close to home. A relative had picked up a leaflet about a local wig company; The Hair Clinic in Mansfield (stocking Trendco wigs). With renewed hope, I visited the shop during my lunch break.
I was immediately impressed by the friendly and supportive atmosphere. It was a relief to finally find a place that truly understood my needs and offered practical solutions. Surrounded by other women facing hair loss due to chemotherapy, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my own health and the opportunities ahead.
A few days later, I purchased my first wig. It felt incredibly large on my head and certainly took some time to adjust to. I was so self-conscious that even a gentle breeze made me fear it would come loose!
Readjusting to life
Initially, I was too nervous to wear my wig to work, opting for scarves and hats instead. After gaining confidence through outings with friends and family, I finally mustered the courage to wear it to the office. I felt incredibly self-conscious. Luckily, my colleagues were incredibly supportive, and wearing the wig eventually became part of my day-to-day routine.
I began to appreciate my new hair, which was longer and thicker than my natural hair had ever been. It was a strange irony, as I had always had a complex relationship with my own hair. With newfound confidence, I turned to Instagram and Pinterest for styling inspiration.
Finding my wig soulmate
 | I’m sure many of you with alopecia will have stumbled across Olivia Bently from Made in Chelsea, a few years ago, she started talking publicly about her alopecia and battle with mental health In ore of Olivia’s hair, I succeeded in finding the girl who made the wig she wore on TV. Daisy was friendly and helped me pick out colours, root length and a natural colour mix – I had shown her pictures of what my hair used to look like and the pictures I liked from my online research. After about only about 15 mins I was out of the salon having ordered my own very first bespoke wig. |
However, COVID-19 threw a spanner into the works. It meant that I wasn’t going to be able to have my wig fitting in person. I spent a few weeks fretting and then texted Daisy to ask if she’d post my wig – I was desperate to try it on. While I was waiting for my bespoke wig to arrive, I found an amazing offer on a mid-length, Trendco Rene of Paris curly number.
I ordered it and as soon as I put it on, it boosted my mood. During this period, I was learning more about the industry, different wig types, caps, lace, and adjustable straps. After a while, I became used to the feeling of wearing my wig and found ways to secure it with double-sided tape and clips.
I realised it was possible to get better-fitting caps - this one fitted my head much better and felt far snugger. It didn’t feel like I’d had some kind of extreme hair transplant, and I had a very big smile on my face. I think this was a real turning point.
When my bespoke wig arrived, it was like Christmas Day. I put it on and straight away I loved the length, the feel, the colour and although it was too big, it was SO exciting to be able to flick my new wig around, it looked so natural and flowing – it wasn’t stiff, and it didn’t bother my ears or neck like the synthetic wigs.
The wig was designed with an elasticated band at the back of the wig which made the cap feel so much more secure! I felt like “me” again for the first time in over a year.
After a couple of hours of excitement, I started to think about cutting the lace... for the first time on a £800 wig. Needless to say, it was a nerve-wracking experience. I handed my friend a pair of scissors and we tackled it together after binging tutorials on YouTube so we could make sure we got it right!
Where I’m at today
After 20 years of navigating hair loss, I've learned valuable lessons.
While I initially enjoyed experimenting with bespoke wigs, I've come to realise that they aren't right for me. The high price tag and the disappointing fit (despite providing accurate measurements) haven't been worth the investment.
 | I've found more joy and confidence in my ready-to-wear Trendco wigs which seem to get better with each purchase. The most recent one being Megan from the Fair Fashion collection. You can see my latest experiment, colouring and styling it here. My message here is clear: if you’ve got the vision, you can make it happen with a bit of creativity and confidence. I’d love to chat to anyone about what they want to achieve. A quick shout out to Steph from the Nottingham Salon who’s been so understanding and supportive, I don’t know where I would have been over the last 5 years without her! To stay in touch, follow my blog: lifeafterhairloss.squarespace.com What’s next? I’m really excited to be getting married in Feb 2025, so I’ll be writing a blog about buying and styling the perfect wig for your wedding. Here’s a sneak peak of the trials I’ve had so far. I can’t wait to share my wedding pics with you! |
