Learning to live with Trichotillomania, Naheed’s Interview.
Trichotillomania (often shortened to Trich) is a condition involving a recurrent urge to pull out hair, which can lead to noticeable hair loss. Hair pulling may affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes or other areas of the body.
Our clients often tell us that they believe stress, anxiety and depression have been both a cause and effect of Trichotillomania.
Many of you will have read 24-year-old Naheed’s amazing story on our website. If not, you can read it here. And Naheed’s inspiring story of living with Trichotillomania has struck a chord with many women.
Naheed’s original client story on the Hair Solved website shares part of her experience.
We wanted to give readers a fuller insight into her journey, so we are sharing the complete interview here, with Naheed’s permission.
About Naheed’s story and interview
Naheed shared her experience with Hair Solved after living with Trichotillomania from her teenage years. This interview focuses on her personal experience of hair loss, finding a hair replacement solution and how wearing an Enhancer System has affected her confidence and everyday life.
Trichotillomania is a recognised condition and anyone concerned about hair pulling or hair loss should speak to an appropriate healthcare professional.
How long have you been a Hair Solved client?
It’s been over two years now.
Before you went to Hair Solved did you try any other solutions or systems for your hair loss condition?
Naheed before her Enhancer System, showing areas of hair loss associated with trichotillomania.
No not really. I tried loads of different organic shampoos, but nothing was working.
How did you find Hair Solved?
I was just looking around and doing my own internet research. That’s when I came across Hair Solved. I phoned up and spoke to a lovely lady called Laura.
She asked me if I’d like to come in for a consultation to see what they could do for me.
When did you first develop Trichotillomania (often shortened to Trich)?
I’d probably say when I was 15 or 16. At first, I thought it was just a phase I was going through, but I kept doing it more and more. After a couple of months, I decided to go and see the doctor.
Was it a shock when you first started pulling?
Yes, it was a shock because I knew it wasn’t normal. I was really embarrassed. I knew there was something wrong with me, but I didn’t want to admit it. I just thought ‘leave it, it’s fine, it will get better’, but it didn’t.
At that time, did you realise it was a genuine condition?
No. I had no clue. At the time I was going through other things in my life – depression and anxiety. I couldn’t stop pulling my hair and I just kept doing it and doing it. I was stuck in a cycle.
It may sound odd, but when the doctor told me that it was an actual condition, I felt relieved. At least I knew what it was. I remember thinking, ‘Right, I am not weird. I am going to have to find a way to manage it and deal with it’.
Hair Solved's Manchester salon team working on Naheed's bespoke Enhancer System.
Was Trichotillomania affecting your day-to-day life?
Yes, absolutely. I was so embarrassed to go out. I used to wear scarves and headbands to cover my head. It started when I was 16 and I was at college, but I used to miss a lot of my classes and social things too. I ended up getting really depressed.
Did you feel there was anyone else you could talk to like friends or family or was it just too much of a taboo subject?
It was a taboo subject. I didn’t even want to touch on the subject with anyone. I just used to hide it with scarves and headbands.
There is a lot of stigma around this type of female hair loss. I think people are more understanding of something like Alopecia, because it’s hair loss that people can’t do anything about. But when you talk about pulling out your own hair… that’s something completely different.
Did people react differently to you when you lost your hair?
I tried my best to hide it, but my family did eventually find out and I remember them being very shocked. They just couldn’t understand what was wrong with me. They were forcing me to go to the doctor, but at that point I wasn’t ready to go.
Naheed's completed Enhancer System.
How does it make you feel now that you have your hair system?
I feel like a different person. I just feel much more confident going out and I am always in work now, I never really miss a day unless I am really ill.
The other day I went into work with my hair all tied up in a bun and I got so many compliments.
Has wearing a hair system helped you manage hair pulling?
The pulling isn’t as bad as before.
Obviously having the system on means I can’t get to my head and my hair underneath.
I know that the Trich isn’t going to go away forever and there will be times when I still do it, but I don’t do it as much because of the system.
Has your Enhancer System helped to build your confidence back up again?
Definitely towards my family. They were the only people who knew about it. Nobody outside my house ever really knew because I was that embarrassed and I used to hide it.
Ever since I have had my hair system on it has been like a confidence boost. When I first had my system put on, my family were completely shocked. They just didn’t know what to say at first, apart from “Wow!”.
One lady said that her new hair system had “changed her life”. Can you identify with this?
When I first had my system put on, I actually cried in front of the stylist. I had felt so down for such a long time and suddenly I had a new confidence. Everything just changed from that day. It really is a life changer.
Obviously, it has helped with the depression and the anxiety, so it has really impacted positively on my mental health.
Salon Director Natalie making final adjustments to Naheed's Enhancer System.
What do you like about the system?
The system feels so natural and elegant. It’s like a part of my life now and I’m very happy with it. I can wash it like normal hair, style it, wear it how I want to. I can just tie it up in a bun and off I go.
It’s just like having real hair and it’s so unique which is why I also love it!
Are there things you do now that you didn’t do before?
I do go to the gym on and off and I just feel so much more confident doing it. I could never do that before.
Finally, what would you say about your experience at a Hair Solved salon?
I always have the best experience at the salon. I am confident there is no stigma, and I can just be me.
The staff love to have a chat, which creates a really relaxing atmosphere.
I always have the best experience at the salon. I am confident there is no stigma, and I can just be me.
This article has been written by Hair Solved based on an interview with our Hair Solved client, Naheed.
About Hair Solved
Hair Solved provides bespoke hair replacement solutions for women experiencing hair loss, including the Enhancer System and Enhancer Flexi. Our salon teams work with clients to create personalised hair solutions based on their individual circumstances and preferences. Read more About Us here.
About Trichotillomania and hair loss
Trichotillomania can result in areas of hair loss where hair has repeatedly been pulled. The appearance of the hair loss can vary considerably from person to person.
Hair replacement systems can provide a cosmetic option for people experiencing visible hair loss. At Hair Solved, the Enhancer System is a bespoke mesh-integrated hair system designed to create the appearance of natural-looking hair while allowing the wearer to style their hair in different ways.
A hair replacement system does not treat or cure Trichotillomania itself although many of our clients do tell us it can act as a barrier to pulling. For people experiencing ongoing or distressing hair pulling, appropriate medical support is advisable.
We hope you find Naheed’s interview as inspiring as we did and do feel free to share using the social icons below, especially with anyone who is struggling to cope with hair loss. We also want to thank Naheed again for sharing her story and this wonderfully honest interview.
If you would like to learn more about Trichotillomania, hair loss and the hair replacement options available through Hair Solved, visit our Trichotillomania Explained page.
If you are experiencing hair loss associated with Trichotillomania and would like to understand whether an Enhancer System could be suitable for you, you can also contact Hair Solved to arrange a consultation.