Client Story - Elaine

When I was a young woman I had plentiful long hair, and loved to try different hair styles and colours. I just enjoyed my hair. Whilst being a little shy underneath, I threw myself into being active and appearing extrovert, to get the most out of life.

Soon after reaching 50, I noticed that my hair was getting thinner, and then that the parting was getting wider and that at times my scalp showed more than it should. Initially I put it down to the stress of moving house, however it did not recover, but rather steadily got worse. At my son's wedding I wore my hat all day, simply because I felt so self-conscious! I had to get up early on days that involved me going out, to maintain regularity in putting on various preparations intended to stimulate hair regrowth, but unfortunately they didn't work.

I sought medical help, but at best the GP was disinterested, and in one case downright rude and dismissive, telling me that my head itched as it had got sunburnt, and what did I expect at my age. There was no follow up; it was down to me to find a solution. Meanwhile, my confidence to go out and enjoy life was evaporating along with my hair. I bought wigs but somehow that didn't feel like me. I began to question who I was … my social life was shrinking fast.

Then one Friday afternoon my long time best friend called me. She had been sitting in the oncologist's waiting room, waiting for an appointment, when she had read an article about Lucinda Ellery in one of the magazines on the table. She photographed the whole article with her phone and sent it to me. My husband and I read the article, and watched a TV program it referenced, and by the end of the following day I had an appointment to see someone at Lucinda Ellery. Finally it seemed I had found someone was willing to help.

My first appointment at Lucinda Ellery in Bristol was a revelation, and had me quite excited to see what could actually be done for me. The result was great, and I have now been returning for 7 years and am on my fourth 'system'. Bristol is about 90 minutes travel each way, and I return every 6 weeks or so, as I like the feeling of hair attached to my head, so there is a significant commitment on my side, as well as cost, but I now have beautiful hair and often receive compliments for it, for which I just thank them. The majority of my friends have no idea it is not my real hair, and those I have chosen to tell are usually amazed.

Lucinda Ellery has given me courage to face the world again and maintain a full social life. Every time I go, I am treated with care and consideration, nothing is too much trouble. I have never looked back.

Lucinda Ellery Comments

Thank you, Elaine. Seven years, a fourth system and ninety minutes each way - we don't take that lightly.

Hers is one of the most common stories we hear in Bristol. The thinning starts soon after 50, you put it down to stress or a house move, and by the time you accept it's neither, the parting has widened and you're having to cover the problem even at the social and family events that matter most to you.

The GP appointment will sound familiar to a lot of women too. Elaine was told her head itched because it had got sunburnt, and what did she expect at her age. Female pattern hair loss is the most common cause of thinning hair in women and it's often linked to the menopause, so do ask to be taken seriously and ask about a referral. A GP can diagnose it, but there's no cure, which is why disguising it works better than trying to reverse it.

Then there were the wigs. Elaine bought them and said they somehow didn't feel like her, and we hear that in Clifton more than almost anything else. Wigs and toppers will disguise thinning hair, but they're often uncomfortable to wear, the colour never looks quite right, and the threat of one coming loose brings its own anxiety.

The Intralace System is integrated into the hair you still have through a fine, breathable mesh, so it isn't something you put on in the morning and take off at night. You can wash it and style it as you would your own. It's part of you 24 hours a day. Most of Elaine's friends have never worked it out.