Frankie Hair Toppers

Alopecia has been with me for over 37 years. Who in my family passed the lucky gene on? Research has shown that FPHL has a strong genetic predisposition and that the inheritance can come from either parent (polygenic) – so I can’t blame one or the other! I did notice that my mother had identical hair loss to me when she was in her middle 30’s.

In the early stages of losing my hair, I had a gradual widening of my part line and then years later there was diffuse thinning over my crown area.

The diagnosis of FPHL had me searching day and night at my local library (no Google back then) on topics such as alopecia, medical issues that could cause this, the list was endless. I was thinking that there must have been some miracle cure. It was an all-consuming process, from every waking moment till I fell asleep and even then, dreaming about it.

Personally, I felt hair loss was a “taker”. It takes your self-esteem, your social life, your identity and makes you feel vulnerable in ways that you would never have imagined.

Over the years, I tried every available vitamin, products such as Minoxidil in combination with Spironolactone (Spironolactone is taken when some women have higher levels of androgens (hormones) and typically can take up to 12 months for results to be seen). I found Minoxidil messy, never drying properly on my scalp and my hair having that “crunchy” look and feel to it. I didn’t like the side effects of Spironolactone and neither did my body. It messed with my periods, caused breast tenderness, dizziness and frequent urination. So that medication was ceased too.

A dermatologist opted for a diagnosis of a fungal infection, so I used Ketoconazole shampoo for a few months – not bringing any positive results either.

Finally, I gave up on the so-called miracle treatments and accepted it for what it was. It wasn’t easy and took a lot of work on my journey for self-acceptance and self-love.

I thought that I would have to wear a wig for the rest of my life, not realising that hair toppers were a thing. I struggled to find the right one and ended up designing beautiful pieces which are super comfortable, super easy and quick to apply (think extra snooze time) and looking bad ass. They boost your self-confidence and are the ultimate solution from going “meh” to “yeah” in seconds.

It’s hoped that my story has given you some inspiration, knowledge, and the power to take the next step in your journey.