After years of driving myself crazy, using all sorts of products, including polysorbate 80, on my hair, I got a wig. The woman was wonderful, she put me at my ease and came in with styles and wigs that she felt would work. I kept with my natural hair color, very dark brown. It was 1987 and I was 49. Some of my hair showed at the sides of my face and under the back of the wig. That added to the natural look. About five years later, I was fully coloring my hair, my problem was on top, and decided to try a wiglet. I had a beautician cut my hair to fit and she showed me how to use it. Wiglets are lighter than wigs and you feel better because more of your hair is uncovered. The color of my dye and the color of their dye matched perfectly.
Now I am 69 and almost a year ago decided to stop coloring, even tho I knew getting a match would be difficult. After several mistakes, one too dark, one too light, to be put away for the future, I have found something that is fairly close. When I went for a haircut today, the girl did not know I had a wiglet on until I began taking it off. She was nice enough to cut my wiglet to match my haircut.
Sure I would like to feel the wind in my hair, tho I don’t swim anymore. But I have gotten used to wearing it, you do not notice it, for the most part, during the day. If a stiff wind comes up, like so many other women, I just hold on to the top of my head. Haven’t lost one yet!
It was difficult when I became a widow and had to tell the new man in my life about my hair, but it fazed him not one whit. And if it would have, then it would have been good riddance to bad rubbish.
You don’t need to go out bald, cover it up. It is something we use, just like a bra. Think of being my age and going braless with my DD cup!
If you can afford it, get a human hair wig. It can be cut, styled, colored as you wish. It will move in the wind, and, surprisingly you will feel it. Your head becomes sensitive, and while it is not like your own, it is a heck of a lot better than nothing.
Helen
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Helen, Thank you so much for sharing a little of your story. I found it very inspirational and so positive, I loved it!
If you also would like to share your story, send it to: women@womenshairlossproject.com
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September 27th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Helen, you story is inspirational and has given me the confidence to go out there and buy myself a wig! As you say, people go to great lengths to enhance their physical appearance ( cosmetic surgery etc) so I don’t see why I should think twice about getting some great fake/real hair to make myself look better. Also, living in an African country has made me realise how common it is for women to wear wigs, weaves etc. Thanks for sharing your story!
September 27th, 2007 at 11:03 am
GOOD FOR YOU MIRA!!!! I’m so happy you feel confident to go out there and get yourself a wig and I’m so pleased to hear that Helen’s story inspired you. That’s so wonderful!
April 20th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Helen, I absolutely loved your story. It’s so great to hear a “voice of experience” saying it’ll be OK, life goes on, that we can deal with it. Thank you for sharing it.