Even Though It Wasn’t My Own, I Got My Hair Back

In May 2017, I discovered by chance that I had a large bald patch – at the time, I was 13 years old. We contacted my doctor, who said it would probably grow back – it wasn’t anything dangerous, and we weren’t told anything more about the condition.

Over the summer, a little new hair started growing in the patch, but new bald spots appeared. In December, I began losing a lot of hair, so we were referred to a dermatologist. By the time I finally had my appointment in April 2018, I had lost around 25% of my hair. I didn’t really gain much clarity from the dermatologist, except that she confirmed I had alopecia. I was given something topical to apply, but it didn’t help. In the following months, things progressed quickly. From May to mid-June, I had lost 75% of my hair. At just 14 years old, I had to acknowledge and accept that I needed a wig. I didn’t feel I could walk around with the hair I had left. In July 2018, I made the difficult decision to cut off the last sad remnants of my own hair. There were only a few thin strands left.

In June 2018, when we contacted Toftild, they were quick to find an appointment for me. We received the most wonderful welcome. They explained what the condition is, how the hair growth cycle normally works, and so on. It gave me a completely different understanding of the condition I have, and a sense of clarity that I hadn’t been able to get from the doctors.

I went to Toftild expecting that we would just talk about the options, but before I knew it, we were trying on wigs. They were human hair wigs, generously donated by kind people, so those of us without much hair of our own can regain a sense of joy in life. I’ve always been a girl with long hair, and suddenly I could have it again – even though it wasn’t my own. The hair in the wig was almost like my own, which was amazing.

Thank You for Hair Donations

Over time, I’ve tried several different types of wigs, and I can honestly say that human hair wigs are the most amazing. I am deeply grateful to those who donate their hair. It gives those of us without hair the opportunity to have beautiful and natural-looking wigs.

Today, I have almost all of my own hair back. Occasionally, I get new bald patches, but I take it as it comes. That’s what I’ve learned.

Malou, 17 years old