Wigs for hair loss

I have total hair loss. I have found a wonderful hair system (not a wig). Unfortunately I haven't been able to have my system maintained during lockdown and it is a complete mess and I'm back to square one for a while. I may have to consider a wig in the interim so would be interested in any replies.

I have got hair loss and have had since taking steriods, but I also have underactive thyroid, mine shows more though where my parting is, lots hair comes out, I have no bald patches though, my brows aren’t as thick anymore, arm hair has gone, no hair on legs but never had to shave legs anyway

My arm and leg hair has gone too TrendyNannie6, but I have gained a few facial hairs along my top lip and chin area, and one single long dark hair on my chest of all places!
Im an insulin dependent type 2 Diabetic, so maybe that doesnt help with my hair loss on my head, but I really do need to do something about it as its making me loose confidence to go out in public without wearing a wooly hat to cover up the problem, as happened last Sunday when my daughter wanted me to out with her and her family for a Sunday pub lunch. I opted to stay at home.instead.

Hair loss for women is devastating. There is little help out there, well none really.

Hair loss is devastating and I waited a long time wondering what I could possibly do about it, other than consider a wig. I had no illness, I considered it was just a very unpleasant post-menopausal effect.

One day on the radio I heard an interview with a Specialist Endocrinologist who was speaking about the distress and worry which women are often left with, without any real interest or guidance or professional help, when they can be afflicted with a wide range of health problems due to the menopause. The particular interest of this Specialist was hair loss! We were in France, the Specialist was in the UK in Essex and in East London and since I am not covered by the NHS, I needed a private Consultation. I made an appointment and it was agreed that I should first undertake, through my own Doctor here, the most extraordinarily detailed blood and urine tests. These test requests were relayed to me and my French Doctor wrote out a prescription for the Lab. The results came back from Paris and I then travelled to the UK for my consultation. I was fascinated by all the information and help I was given. I then was referred to a Trichologist in Harley Street who was instructed by the Endocrinologist to make up my specific prescription. Following that, I have used drops specific to my needs on my hair each day and very quickly found that I no longer have any hair loss. This is my personal experience, of course, but though there are often multitudes of reasons as to why women lose hair in mid-life, some suffering the kind of male pattern baldness that is common in men, there do seem to be many ways in which this can be brought under control if the treatment is tailored to an individual as a result of detailed patient history and tests.

Anyone who would like contact details to enable them to seek help of their own, please PM me and I'll be happy to provide these.

That's very interesting Grandmafrench. It is over 10 years since I lost my hair. It didn't fall out, it just stopped coming through if that makes sense. I had blood tests etc, lotions, potions from GP and was eventually told 'get a wig'. It has been extremely distressing to say the least. It sounds dramatic to say it has ruined my life, but it has. My hair system is great, but expensive. I am 70 now so it's a bit late to go through trying to get my own hair back. I wish I had been given more help sooner. I was fobbed off. Sorry to hijack the thread.

Don't think you're hijacking, Kate. Isn't it a hair loss thread?
I cannot imagine how you must have felt, and maybe still do if you feel that you were fobbed off.....you and too many other people. I can't understand why hair loss in women shouldn't be a priority and every avenue shouldn't be explored until all ideas, new drugs, tests etc., are exhausted. I wonder if your "problem" ever had a name, or how common it was. In 2020 there is absolutely nothing unattractive about a really good wig. People with a good head of hair wear them all the time, to ring the changes etc., and others wear them constantly - Joan Collins for example! But if hair stops growing through, surely it's a necessity not an option? Except, possibly for the cost - not everyone can afford to go down that route. The same possibly for the sort of system which you've chosen. On top of a feeling of hopelessness which must accompany every woman when she experiences real hair loss or a situation such as you suffered, one then has to endure the feeling that it's really only your problem - a permanent one - though hardly a priority! Of course funding should be prioritised for the treatment of serious illness, but when the NHS is bombarded as it is with requests for expensive cosmetic surgery procedures, often because people decide that they are no longer prepared to tolerate a facet of their appearance, well, I despair. Good luck and well done for taking charge of the situation yourself !

What a lovely, kind, supportive post Grandmafrench . I have harped on many times on GN about this and feel like such a whinger when others are having such awful problems. Total hair loss takes away your identity and affects every aspect of your life. I get cross sometimes when I hear of women trying to get boob jobs on the NHS because they feel depressed. Try being bald.

Well I have finally decided today to take the plunge and order a wig for myself off line. I have placed my order with a company that my daughter has bought hair extentions for her self in the past when she needed them for a bridal 'updo' style for her wedding, so at least I know they are a decent company who.only sell quality branded goods!
I have closen a style and colour very close to my own before my hairloss began, so nothing too shocking stylewise. At least this company do offer a returns service, if I do not like the wig, I can return it for the price of the postage for registed mail, as long as its in a clean and undamaged condition and still has all its packaging and tags attached. Im just preparing myself now for all the comments and teasing from the younger members of the family for the first time they see me wearing it!

I had a wig while on chemo. I wore it once. It was a lovely style but I couldn't bear how hot it was. I preferred to go bald.

My hair DID come back after chemo but not totally and is very thin and stringy now. Not helped by chemo induced menopause.

I'm interested in the hair system mentioned by Kate. I'm not sure I can be bothered with lots of tests and appointments to get it to grow back.

Good luck Julia When I first had my hair system, I thought I would get negative comments.. Everyone was lovely and said how great it looked.
Gagajo it took me a long time to find my hair clinic and I was apprehensive and scared. They are wonderful, kind and caring. However, it is not cheap but no more expensive than many women spend on hairdressing.

That's brilliant, Julia. Bet you won't regret it and you cannot seriously accept not going out and having fun etc., because you're self conscious about your hair. So maybe starting this thread has pushed you into making a decision? Make sure you let everyone know how you get on?

Kate can you ever imagine a hair loss thread being a "whinge-free" zone? Some the sadness released onto this Forum is almost too much to bear sometimes, but we all have to deal with problems in our own way, it's not a contest. When you have had the experience and can talk about stuff, it often helps others, so hopefully you might be able to give lots of helpful info to GagaJo now. Keep safe.

Yes Indeed Grandmafrench Thank you. You too.

Have you spoken to your doctor about it?

All the women in my family have thin hair. My grandmother lived with us when I was a teen and she wouldn't go out without a hat. One day I came home and she was wearing a splendid wig. The NHS had provided her with two wigs. I saw it change her life. In my forties I went to the doctor in despair with my thinning hair. He asked what my mothers hair was like and when I said she had the same problem he said in that case you'll have to live with it. I hate having my photo taken as the camera seems to obliterate what little hair I have. I hate meeting new people. It has ruined my life. Can someone explain what a hair system is?

inishowen I emphasise with you as I am in the same position. My hair started thinning when I was 17 and also receding in the last few years. Mine is an auto immune condition and nothing can be done. The rest of my family have good hair and even the men don't go bald.
It has blighted my life and now I can't even colour what little I have left as I have become allergic to hair dye. Thin grey hair is not a good look.
I would like to get a wig but my husband is very against it. I know I should stand up to him but it is honestly not worth the aggro.

About a year ago after losing my husband I noticed that my hair was getting very thin on top. My daughter advised me to go to the Phillip Kingsley Clinic in Harley Street. I was shocked at how expensive it was but decided to treat myself, so I went in February. After consultation and blood tests I was prescribed drops to use on my scalp and and an intensive scalp treatment cream. I have been able to reorder on line and I think there has been some improvement. My daughter went there and she definitely has had major regrowth and her hair looks amazing. The only drawback, which wasn’t explained at the consultation is that you have to keep using the treatment forever!

JuliaM, I hope you are pleasantly surprised. My sister lost all of her hair through chemo and her wig was fab. She looked exactly the same. You have done the right thing going for a look you have already. Please let us know how it goes.

Inishowen I believe there are several types of hair systems. Different salons do different types, depending on the extent of your hair loss. I have total hair loss so had to go quite drastic. My system is made from real hair and is glued on. That sounds awful doesn't it and I was very apprehensive at first. However, it's fine. The system is fabulous. I wash it the same as my own hair (head in the sink, shower or whatever).
You can have any style, colour etc. It will never come off even in gale force winds. Every 6 weeks I go back and they take it off, condition my scalp etc. If the system gets thin, they replace it.
People often say 'haven't you got lovely hair' which makes me smile!
Prior to this I was constantly crying, wouldn't go out etc. I could never be one of those admirable bald and proud ladies. I would post a photo if this was an anonymous forum.

I too have very thin hair and took the (wig) plunge a couple of years ago. I went to a wig salon for the first one, mostly to get the initial info about it all, sizing, care etc. However, I wasn't pleased with the lack of choice really.
Now I buy online and love the huge choice out there. If it doesn't suit or isn't the right colour it can be sent back for a full refund ... just needs to have its label on it. The colour is what I find the most difficult to choose and get right.

It's been a game changer really, I know I look a completely different person now ... can only be a good thing!!!

Framilode how sad. It shouldn't be up to your husband if you buy a wig or not. Why would he be against it if it's going to make you happy and boost your confidence....!!! Just buy one. You don't need anyone's permission......

I was also more or less told by a GP 'bad luck'. In other words I was on my own with this.

My hair has become progressively thinner over the years and much more so after total hysterectomy bringing on early menopause. I have coloured my hair since I was 16. The lockdown made me decide to try growing out the colour. My husband and I cut it between us, following the hairdresser's lines. We were both worried that it would look even thinner but the amazing thing is that it looks thicker than it ever has. I had a proper haircut on Tuesday and even my hairdresser had to admit that it looked good when it was finished. So a big saving on time and money, I used to have it coloured every three to four weeks.

If your wig doesn't look natural then a good hairdresser can cut it to suit