I initially noticed my hairline thinning in February 2024, just as I found out I was pregnant with my second son. My heart sank; I was losing a big part of my identity and femininity. It gradually got worse over the coming months until I was left with a completely bald hairline and crown.

To make matters worse, I was then hospitalised with a kidney infection at five months pregnant, which led to anaemia for which I was given ferrous sulfate (iron) tablets. My hairline seemed to grow back quite rapidly whilst I took the iron supplements, and I thought I finally had the answer— unfortunately, this was not the case; the tablets stopped working their magic and the hair loss travelled further back to my vertex. My regrown hairline did, however, remain intact which did ever so slightly ease this uncertain and heartbreaking journey. 

18 months, various blood tests and being told lots of different possibilities as to what could be the cause of it later, I’ve received a diagnosis of alopecia areata and have been given some scalp serums that are showing very early signs of possibly working. But I know alopecia areata is unpredictable and any regrowth might be unrelated to anything i'm doing. 

I’ve now come to peace with it— and with the help of wigs, my initial feelings of confusion, embarrassment and helplessness have turned into empowerment and a fierce passion to promote awareness and normalise hair loss. There’s something so magical about normalising the abnormal, and the beauty of embracing it actually brings with it a confidence like no other. 

The one thing I find always helps me on bad days is getting my creative juices flowing; and as a mum of two boys, I decided to combine my two favourite things— drawing and writing, and created my own children’s book, ‘The Little Bear Who had No Hair’. The story follows a young bear’s rollercoaster journey to try to fit in with society’s norms. I thought it the perfect outlet for my emotions whilst also raising awareness for hair loss; and not only to make little ones who are experiencing it, for whatever reason, feel less alone, but for any child who feels different in any way, to have a little bear to turn to. 

Filling my free time with writing and illustrating this book has not only been a form of therapy, but it’s given me focus and a purpose.

Being in a better place mentally, I also decided to create an Instagram page to share my journey with the world whilst I navigate alopecia, and this has completely transformed my mindset. You can follow my journey at @_couldnthairless.

You can order a copy of The Little Bear Who Had No Hair here.