Camilla’s Story
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name’s Camilla and I’m 18 years old. I’m attending my last year of high school. After high school I’d like to study Political Science or Economics at University. I’m not really sure what I’d like to do in the future because I have so many projects in mind! I’m hoping to take up studying music again and sports which I had to stop because too busy with school.
When did you first start losing your hair?
I was only 5 when I first started losing my hair. It just happened so fast. In just a few days it was all gone. Slowly it all grew back but then it happened again in high school.
How did you initially cope with alopecia?
It took us all by surprise, my parents didn’t know anything about this condition and had to research its causes and possible treatments.
My teacher had even “prepared” my classmates by showing them some pictures of herself with no hair (she had undergone chemotherapy when she was younger) to help them understand that there is nothing wrong being without hair. It worked and, as a matter of fact, I have wonderful memories of my childhood.
When did you decide to get a wig? Was it hard to find?
It wasn’t easy but after a long and careful search my parents decided to contact an American Association that sent us a wig with long platinum hair, totally inappropriate for a 5 year old! After that, we were able to find a small wig shop near us where we bought a synthetic hair wig with bangs. We continued to buy more synthetic wigs from this shop.
Did you wear your wig everyday when you were a child?
Yes, I wore it everyday even if I preferred wearing a headscarf when I’d go out and play with my friends because I wasn’t comfortable with a wig on.
After a while your hair grew back but then you lost it all again…
I wore a wig up until I was 10, at that point my hair had completely grown back. Although I knew alopecia was unpredictable, I never thought that at 16 I would’ve lost all of my hair again. It wasn’t easy at first but then I moved on.
Did you decide to get a new wig at that point? Was it easier to find this time than before?
It wasn’t easy because several years had passed and we didn’t have a lot of experience with wigs. We went back to the shop we used to buy my wigs as a child but unfortunately, they didn’t have the right wigs for my age.
We found another wig shop that seemed to have what I needed but after a couple of months after having purchased a human hair wig it started to thin out. At that point we surfed the net and fell upon your site and immediately saw the many wigs you offer and discovered a whole new world.
Compared to wigs you’ve worn previously how would you describe our wigs?
I immediately fell in love with them because of the quality of the hair. You can actually feel and see the difference compared to my previous ones.
What difference have you noticed with these new wigs?
One of the main differences is that this wig has a tighter fit. Now that I’m used to wearing it I’ve become a bit pickier! When I first chose the wig, I chose it because it was very nice but only after wearing it I completely fell in love with it because it stayed fit making it possible for me to move around as I pleased..
With my previous wigs I’d always have to add double-sided tape to ensure it wouldn’t slip off and even then I didn’t feel free to do what I wanted without the thought of it falling off. I remember that on windy days I’d always joke around with my friends about it saying that sooner or later the wind would blow the wig off my head!
The wig you have now is a dominique, characterized by a very light-weight and breathable cap, the sensitive cap. If you compare it with the very first wigs you wore, what differences do you notice?
Dominique is made, without any doubt, with extremely high quality hair and its monofilament is very natural looking. Furthermore, because its smaller than others, it fits tighter and adheres better to my head without leaning against my ears as bigger caps of previous wigs did.
Our sensitive cap has been designed with non-slip silicone patches and the possibility to add double-sided tape when necessary especially for women who have a very active lifestyle and do a lot of sports. Do you use any double-sided tape?
I had to use tape with the previous wig I had purchased in the other wig shop because it didn’t have a firm hold and I was always afraid it would slip off. Now it’s a whole different story, I don’t need to add anything to my wig.
Camilla's Testimony
Natural hair wigs specifically designed for those women who suffer from alopecia
Do you wear your wig everyday, for example when you go to school or go out with friends?
Yes, I practically always use it. Except maybe at home where I prefer wearing a headscarf or just pulling up the hood on my sweatshirt. Wearing a wig doesn’t make me feel insecure, and I’ve never turned down a party or turned away from having fun just because I have a wig. What I do though, is decide which wig to wear depending on the occasion. If I have to go dancing in a crowded place or at a pool party then I wear my older wig while I prefer using my newer wig everyday or for special occasions.
Do you personally wash your wig? How do you care for your wig?
I wash my wig every two weeks with specific hair products such as PLUS 12. I brush it often during the day even when I wash it. I always keep a brush in my bag!
You look quite happy. Do you think that your positive attitude is due to the fact that you were a small child when you first started losing hair?
Definitely, I think it can be more shocking for an adult. Since I was so young when it first happened, it’s almost like having been born without hair. It obviously depends on each individual but if you’re 5 when you lose all of your hair this means that, a part from the initial shock, it becomes a part of who you are and you grow up accepting it.
Would you suggest wearing a wig to someone who suffers from alopecia? Do you think this could help a person accept their condition and the way they look more?
Yes, I would suggest wearing a wig but not because you need to accept yourself. A wig shouldn’t be used as a mask to hide yourself behind it, but rather as an accessory that you like and that allows you to change styles whenever you like or have hair you’ve always dreamed of. For example, I chose a color which was completely different from my hair and that I would’ve never thought would look nice on me! A wig should be worn knowing that you’re always that beautiful person with our without it and that you are not inferior to anybody else just because you have alopecia.
We admire your attitude because you don’t turn away from having fun in life nor turn down doing all the things other teenagers do at your age. Do think that, at this in your life, you could go on living without a wig?
I think it would be quite hard for me without my wig because I’m too used to wearing it! I can’t even imagine myself going out without it although sometimes I’ve forced myself to go out without just to remind myself that I shouldn’t care about what other people think.