Scottish TV presenter Gail Porter has made headlines after posing for a photoshoot with a wig for the first time. Porter, who has alopecia, spoke to the Sun about how the wig gives her the freedom to do different things while still loving being bald. Although choosing to wear a wig can be a difficult decision for those with alopecia, campaigners want people to be free to choose how they want to look.
Sue Schilling, herself living with alopecia and CEO of Alopecia UK, commended Porter’s choice saying “it is key to give people the freedom to explore different options – and choose to look however they want to”. Schilling was even considering buying a new wig for the first time in seven years.
Hair loss and alopecia can be a traumatic experience affecting not only one’s physical appearance, but also mental well-being and quality of life. For Lillie Goldie, 19, being diagnosed with alopecia had a huge impact on her life. After losing all of the hair on the top of her head, she contemplated dropping out of performing arts college. However, once she got a mesh integration – a permanent hairpiece system similar to a wig that can last up to a year – she felt like herself again. Lillie started a TikTok account to share her experience and help others feel less alone.
Laura Mathias, a campaigner for alopecia awareness, lost her hair at 13 and didn’t leave the house without a wig for 17 years. But when the Covid pandemic hit, Laura began embracing her baldness and started prioritizing her own physical comfort over other people’s social comfort. While Laura’s happy to be bald, she never ruled out wearing wigs again.
Ebuni Ajiduah opened a salon in 2022 to help black women manage hair loss and have a safe space to talk about black hair. Too often, women with hair loss feel unheard and not taken seriously. Ajiduah runs a hair loss support group where women can talk openly and runs classes on protective styling.
For all of the individuals mentioned, hair loss has been the source of a lot of trauma and heartache and has taken a lot of courage and self-love to embrace their natural state. However, it’s still not an easy decision for everyone, especially given the societal pressures and stigmas associated with hair loss, particularly for women. Ultimately, it’s important that those who experience hair loss have the freedom to choose how they want to look and be supported to do so
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