London Woman's Hair Loss Journey: From Nightmare to Empowerment
Jo Pickering, a 57-year-old West London resident, has lived with Alopecia Totalis for over three decades, transforming a personal struggle into a mission to help others. Her story began at age 25 when she first noticed a small patch of hair missing at the back of her head, a moment that would change her life forever.
The Sudden Onset of Hair Loss
Growing up with thick, curly brown hair that was one of her defining features, Jo initially dismissed the early signs. "I was able to hide it because my hair was so full everywhere else," she recalls. However, over the following months, more patches appeared, some regrowing while others did not, eventually merging until all her hair was gone.
The emotional toll was immense. "Waking each morning and having your first thought confirm your nightmare was in fact reality made every day harder to face," Jo explains. "Without my hair, I felt I had lost my femininity and a large part of myself." She describes finding strands and clumps on her pillow and clothes, a daily reminder of her changing appearance.
Seeking Solutions and Facing Diagnosis
After seeking medical help, Jo was diagnosed with Alopecia Totalis and told there was no cure. She tried various treatments with trichologists and medical professionals over years, but the cycle of hope and disappointment took its toll. "My career and relationships felt irrelevant while I struggled with the shock and stress of my new reality," she adds.
During this time, Jo experimented with scarves and hats but found them unsatisfactory. "I couldn't get them to look like anything I was happy with," she says, feeling distraught and isolated without knowing anyone else with hair loss.
A Turning Point with Wigs
Jo's sister Jayne, a fashion editor, introduced her to Mandeville London Wigs, Europe's leading specialists in handmade human hair wigs. Jo was invited to a photoshoot and given a made-to-measure wig that matched her own hair perfectly. "It was such a joy to put it on and have it cut and styled by Nicky Clarke," she remembers. "I recall it as such a turning point for me and it gave me back such confidence."
This experience led Jo to begin working with the brand, and she is now its co-director. As a wig wearer for over 25 years, she has come to terms with her hair loss and focuses on empowering other women. "Choosing to wear wigs has given me the confidence and sense of normality that I need to give others in my position that same feeling," she explains.
Empowering Others and Shifting Perceptions
Jo has noticed a positive shift in recent years, with more women breaking the stigma of hair loss and sharing their experiences openly. She praises the improved support and resources available, noting that online communities have made people feel less alone. "I do feel that had I been diagnosed with Alopecia today, I would have felt a lot less alone," she adds.
Reflecting on her journey, Jo says, "It's bittersweet for me to look back at my old photos now, blissfully unaware of what I'd come to face." She encourages others to find their own authentic way of coping, whether through wigs or other means. "There's no right or wrong way to cope with your hair loss," she emphasises, hoping her story adds to the conversation in a meaningful way.
