I have had alopecia areata for 9 years now, since I first noticed my hair loss when I was 13 years old. I was in the shower and spotted a clump of hair had fallen out from the front of my scalp. My immediate thought was that someone had put hair remover in my shampoo! I was very angry and didn’t accept the fact my hair could be coming out. From this point, it continued to fall out, eventually reaching the point of about 90% hair loss. Getting a formal diagnosis was difficult as I live in a rural area and the waiting list was very long.

The early days

In school, I found it difficult to wear wigs but I was not comfortable with leaving the house without my alopecia covered. My mum and dad tried numerous times to find wigs and help me draw on eyebrows to help me feel pretty (even though I was). My local NHS hospital provided a wig service which I was sent to and although the nurse was incredible, it was in a hospital room with no mirror and only had basic wigs to try on for size not for style.

When I was diagnosed I was not really advised very well on the next step, so my mum made it her duty to find a wig shop which would be able to introduce me to wigs. My mum was a huge source of support and is my best friend. We drove 2 hours from my home and found an amazing shop which truly made me feel like a princess. My dad has since raised money for the wig service in my local NHS hospital, helping to provide mirrors, more wig options and resources.

I found sports in school difficult as wigs were too hot to wear and bandanas kept falling down. With the support of my family, I changed my mindset to one of ‘take it off and go for it’. This is when I started to thrive and enjoy sports again.

Finding Alopecia UK

It was through the wig shop in Cardiff that I found Alopecia UK. I joined the online support groups and felt normal again! I was very reluctant to get involved with Alopecia UK as I was scared to meet new people and feeling low about my self-image. However when I joined my first zoom call, I was greeted by incredible people who were understanding, lovely, and some of the most caring people I have ever met. I remember one moment where I took my new wig off on camera and no one even blinked which made me feel human again. It was so much fun to start laughing again post hair loss. I am so grateful to the charity’s volunteers. I will always have time, and a space in my heart, for this incredible organisation.

I am very lucky that my hair has grown back but I still suffer from occasional patches of alopecia which can lead to larger or smaller patches. I continue to do what I love and now try to not ever get embarrassed. I still suffer from patches on my eyebrows and eyelashes, but I have become more confident with makeup. My dad used to have a go drawing my eyebrows on to which I always looked like I was in a constant state of shock LOL! It has made me love hair accessories and I think I have hair clips and bows all around the house!

Final reflections

I have now got 18 months until I am a qualified nurse and look forwarding in helping others and be the light that most people were for me. The ward I am working on as a Healthcare Support Worker are so supportive and understand that my hair may change a lot and quickly!

I am so grateful for my amazing family who continue to support me and my boyfriend who always tells me I’m beautiful no matter what. My family and I have always used humour as a way of coping, and we love the joke ‘I have blocked the drain after my shower!’ 

One bit of advice I would have for someone going through something similar is to not give up and hide. If I could speak to my 13-year-old self, I would say “Carry on doing what you love. And although it may not seem like it, you are not alone in your alopecia. There are lots of other people just like you!”

I would also just like to say thank you to Alopecia UK as I know what ever life throws at my hair, there is always support here. Alopecia UK made me understand having no hair doesn't have to be a big problem but can help to make you who you are! So thank you for coming into my life and giving me the boost I needed to cope.