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pensnestDo we ever talk about women who are losing our hair?
We don't very often talk about periodic or menopausal inconveniences, but the topics are not totally taboo any more and I have been most grateful for discussions of these things. But do we talk about going bald? Not chemotherapy bald, just... losing our hair? I don't think we do, really.
Well, maybe we should.
I have encroaching male pattern baldness. My forehead is a lot higher than it used to be, and the hair on top is woefully thin, although there is still plenty around the back and sides. I don't like it. I feel conspicuous. I know I can see scalp below the frizzy, forward-combed lack of mass, and I know other people can see it too. Meh.
Anyone who shares the problem, do let's talk about it. How do you cope? Hairbands and scarves? Never leave home without a hat? Turban and a selection of purple and magenta wigs*? Ignoring the whole deal?
I have a collection of wigs, varying in quality and colour but aiming to look natural. But wearing a full wig can be a hot and sweaty business, and I'm into the hot flashes time of life (oh, joy**) and it is summer and sticky outside, so, no. Also, there is no way I'm going to do Zumba in a wig! I call them 'dress hair', and have been known on occasion to wear one when going out for a party or dinner. But not every day.
However, about a year ago I bought myself a hairpiece. Luckily for me I seem to have standard 'English mouse' hair, and an off-the-shelf piece matched my own hair perfectly. I look ten years younger with it on. It wasn't cheap, but was intended as a practise run to see whether I would in fact wear a hairpiece if I owned one. Well, I did. So I had myself measured up for a custom piece, and after an interminable time—seriously, a good six months, possibly more, which strikes me as frankly not very good service—I received it. The hair is less thickly applied than the off-the-shelf piece, which feels more like me, as I never did have *thick* hair, and I'm not totally happy with the way it's cut, but nonetheless, it is supremely comfortable, matches my natural colour, and I am far less self-conscious in it than without it. I've actually got ready for bed three times already before realising I still had my hair on.
As for the gym, I have established a firm habit of wearing a broad hairband, which does double duty as concealer and sweat-absorber. And I put my hairpiece on right there in the changing room after I've showered and dried myself. I figure there is no sense pretending I don't wear one, have acknowledged it if people ask, and have even shared useful information with an old acquaintance I met lately who complimented me and expressed a wish her own hair wasn't so thin...
So, there's me, going bald and not liking it.
Anyone else?
* Note to self: a magenta wig would be AWESOME. Although it probably wouldn't go with my rosacea. Okay, make that purple.
** In fairness, it is a lesser evil than regular periods.
We don't very often talk about periodic or menopausal inconveniences, but the topics are not totally taboo any more and I have been most grateful for discussions of these things. But do we talk about going bald? Not chemotherapy bald, just... losing our hair? I don't think we do, really.
Well, maybe we should.
I have encroaching male pattern baldness. My forehead is a lot higher than it used to be, and the hair on top is woefully thin, although there is still plenty around the back and sides. I don't like it. I feel conspicuous. I know I can see scalp below the frizzy, forward-combed lack of mass, and I know other people can see it too. Meh.
Anyone who shares the problem, do let's talk about it. How do you cope? Hairbands and scarves? Never leave home without a hat? Turban and a selection of purple and magenta wigs*? Ignoring the whole deal?
I have a collection of wigs, varying in quality and colour but aiming to look natural. But wearing a full wig can be a hot and sweaty business, and I'm into the hot flashes time of life (oh, joy**) and it is summer and sticky outside, so, no. Also, there is no way I'm going to do Zumba in a wig! I call them 'dress hair', and have been known on occasion to wear one when going out for a party or dinner. But not every day.
However, about a year ago I bought myself a hairpiece. Luckily for me I seem to have standard 'English mouse' hair, and an off-the-shelf piece matched my own hair perfectly. I look ten years younger with it on. It wasn't cheap, but was intended as a practise run to see whether I would in fact wear a hairpiece if I owned one. Well, I did. So I had myself measured up for a custom piece, and after an interminable time—seriously, a good six months, possibly more, which strikes me as frankly not very good service—I received it. The hair is less thickly applied than the off-the-shelf piece, which feels more like me, as I never did have *thick* hair, and I'm not totally happy with the way it's cut, but nonetheless, it is supremely comfortable, matches my natural colour, and I am far less self-conscious in it than without it. I've actually got ready for bed three times already before realising I still had my hair on.
As for the gym, I have established a firm habit of wearing a broad hairband, which does double duty as concealer and sweat-absorber. And I put my hairpiece on right there in the changing room after I've showered and dried myself. I figure there is no sense pretending I don't wear one, have acknowledged it if people ask, and have even shared useful information with an old acquaintance I met lately who complimented me and expressed a wish her own hair wasn't so thin...
So, there's me, going bald and not liking it.
Anyone else?
* Note to self: a magenta wig would be AWESOME. Although it probably wouldn't go with my rosacea. Okay, make that purple.
** In fairness, it is a lesser evil than regular periods.