My experience with wigs due to alopecia areata | I'll share my true feelings about my anxieties, regrets, and relief

"What?! Wait a minute! I'm bald!"
My husband pointed this out to me on a night in October 2021.

After that, several circular hair loss patches measuring 2-3 cm appeared on the back of my head.
Eventually, I ended up with a large patch of hair about 5 centimeters in diameter.
I was worried because I didn't know the cause and my condition didn't improve even after going to the hospital.
I couldn't accept myself as someone without hair.

I was scared to go outside and meet people, but what saved me was
That was my first encounter with full wigs.
I was complimented on the wig I wore on the day of the interview.
A stranger came up to me and said, "That hair color is so beautiful!"
Casual conversations with children, friends, and pharmacists
It eased my mind little by little.

For those of you suffering from alopecia areata.

"Are wigs really okay?"
"Will people around me find out?"
Do you have such concerns?

Wigs are not something to be embarrassed about,
“It can be an ally in helping you regain your sense of self.

In this article, I will honestly share my experience of starting to wear wigs due to alopecia areata, both the good and the worries I faced.

Sudden onset of alopecia areata | The day I had multiple small patches of hair loss and a large patch measuring 5cm in diameter on the back of my head

From my husband on an autumn night in 2021
"What?! Wait a minute, he's bald!"
That was the beginning of it all.

At first I thought it was a joke, but when I looked in the mirror,
I had a huge, coin-sized bald spot on the back of my head.
Its size is about 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter.
It was as if only the hair had fallen out in a neat round shape.
I couldn't believe that this was actually happening in my head.

After a while, the hair loss area was not just one,
They kept increasing in number.
And then one day, Large hair loss of about 5 cm in diameter I realized that I was able to
I felt a shock that made my feet wobble.

"Why me?"
"I wonder what will happen from now on..."

I don't know the cause, but I'm scared of my hair falling out.
It felt like my chest was being tightly gripped.

When I talk to my friends,

"I had it too. It took me three months to get better, so you'll be fine too!"

So, I went to the hospital as a last resort.
I continued to use the medicine that was prescribed,
Even after a year or two, there are no signs of improvement.
The alopecia areata, which was originally about 2 cm in diameter,
It grows to a diameter of about 5 centimeters,
Every time the wind blows, tension runs through my body.
My distrust only grew, and I wondered, "Is the treatment at this hospital right?"

"What should I do?"
The answer is still not found,
My anxiety just kept growing.

It's hard to look in the mirror every day and check the areas where I have alopecia,
When you touch the bald area while drying your hair,
I felt like my heart was slipping away with me.

A word from my daughter that saved my heart | Wigs = fashion

The day after I discovered the hair loss, I started going to a dermatologist, but there was no noticeable effect.
Every time the wind blows, I worry, "Is my bald spot visible?"

My husband was also concerned and said, "If it bothers you, why not get a wig made at Aderans or Art Nature?" But...

The moment when the notion that wigs are just Showa-era wigs collapsed

A wig... A wig... As someone born in the Showa era, it took me some time to accept that I needed Aderans and Art Nature.

At that time, my eldest daughter (5 years old at the time) saw a wig on Rakuten Ichiba and said,

"Hey mom, I like this pink one. It's really cute and I think it suits me 💕"

I still remember the shock that ran through me at that moment.

Not a wig, but a toupee.

And wigs are not something to be embarrassed about,

For this girl, it's fashion.

These words really saved me✨️This is the wig I still wear today,
Whenever I suddenly find myself returning to my roots, I remember this interaction with my eldest daughter.

After hearing this comment, I became more positive about looking for wigs on Rakuten Market.

Deciding to use a full wig | My new chapter: enjoying changing my hairstyle like I change my clothes“

This is a photo of me in 2025, some time after I started wearing wigs due to my alopecia areata.

Nowadays, wigs are no longer considered special.
Just like clothes and bags, they have become a part of our daily lives, chosen according to our mood and plans.

Children's morning arrival at school, school visits, parent-teacher meetings,
Lessons & tours, apartment board meetings,
This wig is perfect for a wide range of occasions, including weddings and outdoor activities.

By the time of this photo, wigs were no longer something special to me.
But the day I got my first full wig,
I remember feeling much more anxious than excited.
That was in March 2022.

---

In March 2022, I decided to
This is the first time I've purchased a full wig in bob style and long waves.

Ever since I gave birth to my first daughter, I've had short hair.
Before I knew it, I had been wearing the same hairstyle for over five years.
The moment you pick up a new style,
A strange mixture of embarrassment and happiness It has become.

"I wonder if it's okay for me to have a hairstyle like this..."
"Don't you think your bangs look unnatural?"
"I'm a little nervous... I wonder how they'll react."

I stood in front of the mirror and gently put on the wig.
There I found a side of myself that was unfamiliar, yet incredibly fresh and feminine.

In March 2022, the first wigs I bought were bob and long.

Open the wig that arrived
With a pounding heart,
I secretly tried on the wig in front of the mirror by myself.

I wonder... what does it look like...

"How is it? Isn't it strange?"
"It's embarrassing if people find out I'm wearing a wig."
That's what I thought,
The husband and children,

"Oh! It looks great🌸" "It looks great on you, Mom! It's so cute✨️"

She said that the color and texture were natural,
I felt relieved, thinking, "I didn't know wigs could be used so commonly."

My first wig. Hair that isn't my own.
It was a strange feeling that only I felt.

The words of my husband and children gave me encouragement,
I looked at my newly transformed self in the mirror again and again.
I found myself smiling.

Wig colors I tried

Here are the eight colors I've tried so far:
The wigs ranged in length from bob to long, and there were a variety of cut styles.

• "Almond x Shea Hazel"
• "Milky Mocha Brown Pudding"
• "Olive Pudding" *Sold out as of December 2025
• "Chocolate Brown x Coral Veil"
• "Brown Blue"
• "Greige Pudding"
• "Rose Gold"
• "Ash Brown"

The two wigs I recently added are:

My favorite "Olive Pudding" color wig,
I felt like I was wearing it too much and it was starting to get damaged.
New "Rose Gold" color for everyday use,
I added an "ash brown" wig for work✨️

"Rose gold" is an example of a coordination
A black dress and platform sneakers, or
Pair a tulle bustier over a long T-shirt
It suits any style, even chic casual. I'm wearing it a lot now (*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡

"Ash Brown" is for job interviews.
I chose this color because I thought, "First impressions (that others have of me) are important, so I want to use a color that looks sincere."

⇓This is the "Rose Gold" wig for everyday use.

It has a stylish feel, and makes you want to wear black sunglasses (lol)

⇓This is the "Tulle Bustier" / "Lacy Cami"

Bustiers come in a variety of styles, so choose the one you like best 😊
I also have the grey color lacy cami,
I guarantee you'll be cute💕

⇓This is the "Ash Brown" I use for work.

We are entering a phase where makeup and clothing can be transformed by changing hair color and hairstyle.

The clothes that suit you will change depending on your hair color and length.

I try out different colors and lengths,
I changed my makeup and clothes to match that image.
Eye shadow, blush, and mascara are also perfect.
I also used lip gloss properly.
I sprinkle glitter on my eye makeup (*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡
My heart is so excited✨️

There are some clothes that don't look good with short black hair.
I was able to wear it in a stylish way,
I started enjoying wigs more and more.

The hardships of wearing a wig due to alopecia areata: stares, comments from children, and the question of whether to tell them it's a wig

While the wig helped me to look forward little by little,
In my daily life, there were times when my heart ached.

For example, the sudden gaze of someone else.
Even though I know they don't mean any harm, just by making eye contact
There were days when I felt uneasy, wondering, "I wonder if they've noticed..."

When and who should I tell about the wig?

People who don't interact with you that often won't notice if you're wearing a wig.
Also, even if you are noticed, you don't need to feel any psychological pressure.

The problem is that I'm afraid of what the people I interact with on a regular basis will think of me.

It's worrying, isn't it?

But, you know.

Someone you know,If for some reason,
Once they understand the reason why they need a wig,
It's unlikely that they'll be interested in hearing what you have to say.

If you're a sensible adult,
"That must have been tough."
"I see. But it suits you."
I think you will choose.

or,If you really want to avoid talking about the situation,
You can also choose to say nothing.
Because this is a very sensitive issue.

No one wants to lose their hair.

If I had normal hair, I might not have had to "search for a wig."

This is a pain that only those who have truly experienced it can understand.

The first time I put on a long wig, I was in the elevator.
I noticed an acquaintance from the same apartment building looking at me curiously, wondering, "Huh?"

Should I say it...or should I not say it...?

After much hesitation,"Talking about it will make me feel better psychologically."We decided that this was the case.

She said, "I developed alopecia areata due to stress, so I wear a wig."
We spoke early on.

Then, he was a very understanding person,
"...I see. But it suits you very well."
He replied, ``Yes.''

By confessing this to my friends,
It's now easier to talk to teachers at school and extracurricular activities.

What was even more painful were the words of the little children.
It is precisely because they are honest and straightforward that they can really strike a chord with you.

Children do not have the perspective that "this person may have a skin disease"

Every morning I walk to school holding hands with my children.

So, I changed my wig from the day before,
There are days when I wear a cap on my short hair without a wig,
My daughters' friends have noticed that my hairstyle is clearly different from the day before.

But everyone read the mood and didn't say anything. They're so kind.

However, it is also true that there are sometimes children who "cannot feel satisfied unless they say what they think."

"◯◯-chan's mom, is that a wig?"

And he says it in a very blunt way.

I wonder how we should respond, but it's too early.
A girl who is always friendly with my daughter told the child who made that comment

"Hey! That's rude!!"

He protected me and said that, which made me feel relieved.
I thought, "Thank you so much."

In the lower grades of elementary school, children are not aware that they are saying rude things.
It's a bit painful for us, but the person in question doesn't mean any harm.
That's why, when a friend tells them it's rude, they stop saying it.

And, "That's rude."
You have no obligation to teach the child.
That's something the child's parents should do.

However, since then, in order to feel good,
I made sure to tell them "just once."

"It's rude to ask, 'Is that a wig?'

Many people lose their hair due to illness.

So you should never say that."

Then, the children are so obedient that they stop saying anything. It's amazing.

If you still have something to say,
I would either contact them through the school or talk to the parents directly.
Even though they are children, don't you think it is still harassment in a way?

School teachers also incorporate it into their "life" and "moral" classes.
He will guide the children to understand.
(Fortunately, I don't need to do that right now.)

A rude child will be rude no matter what they do.
He would come into people's houses and say, "Open up! Toilet!"
(Again, it's someone's home.)
They just go to the bathroom and leave.
If a child doesn't understand after you talk to them once, leave them alone.
Either way, it's a relationship you don't need.

What Others Like Is Unchanging - The Trap of Status Quo Bias

If you look more beautiful with a wig,
Even if someone looks at you coldly or keeps a strange distance,

Please don't think, "Am I at fault? Am I crazy?"absolutelyDon't blame me.

The human brain has a tendency to dislike change (status quo bias).
When you see someone in front of you become more beautiful or regain their confidence,
From the anxiety of being left behind,
It makes you feel like your self-worth is being undermined.

Your change is not bad,
The other party couldn't keep up with the changes.only.

You can just shine as you are✨️

A real experience of living with a wig: ways to hide hair loss and everyday worries

In my case, the hair loss area is the back of my head.
It's a place you can't see, so when you wake up in the morning, check behind you in the bathroom mirror,
Even if you can't see it at the time, it's a shortcut, so you're always worried.

At home, I accidentally tried to pick up something that had fallen to the ground.
When I squatted down, my daughter said, "Mom, I can see your bald spot."
I was once told this, and I was so scared that I had to bow outside.
It has become difficult for me to pick up things.
But I'm grateful that my daughter was able to explain this to me.
If it weren't for my daughter's love, I wouldn't want to be seen in public.
Because there is a possibility that the hair removal area may be seen.)

However, there are days when wearing a wig every day is not the best idea.
When I was wondering what to do, I saw some stylish women wearing them on the street.
The cap caught my eye 🧢✨️

On days when you don't wear a wig, wear a cap for style.

"This is so great (it can be hidden and is cute) 💕" she said, and bought it immediately.
Take a look around your city.
Regardless of the season, many women wear caps as a fashion statement.

Knitted materials are super cute in winter!
The logo mark adds to the cuteness and lifts your spirits!

When wearing a cute nonwoven mask, only your eyes are exposed,
Her facial expression is enhanced by mascara and glitter makeup,
If you don't have a mask, it's also good to pair it with brown, gray, or black sunglasses💕

What about when you go to the hairdresser? What about wigs? Should you tell them?

When you start wearing a wig, one thing that you may find surprisingly troubling is the ``hair salon issue.''
"What if they see me?" "Should I take off my wig or leave it on?"
I myself was full of anxiety at first.

So, I was nervous the first time I went to the hair salon after finding out I was going to have hair removal.

First of all, other people will see you without hair,
I felt embarrassed, but I acted like nothing had happened.
This is because there is a complex mix of feelings involved, such as wanting the situation to be ignored.

However, this is a hairdresser who deals with many customers on a daily basis,
"That must have been difficult... Ah, it's here. I understand."
Please respond in a way that doesn't burden us emotionally.
Please rest assured.

Hairdressers often take care of customers who are sick or undergoing treatment,
We have extensive experience in treating people with hair loss.
There's absolutely no need to feel embarrassed.

The other person is also a professional, so I want to be able to cover that part well.
They will also provide hair styling.

When you go to the hair salon, should you wear a wig or not?

At first, I was very unsure whether to wear the wig or not.
But now I feel that "either is fine as long as it makes me feel at ease."

When I go to the hair salon, I sometimes wear a wig.
Sometimes I don't wear them and just wear a cap.

The cap definitely covers the bald spot on the back of my head,
I thought it would look less out of place as part of fashion.

If you are wearing a wig,
When should I remove the wig?
This anxiety is always there,
When choosing a hair salon"Does it put your mind at ease?" を
I hope you will take good care of it.

I have been to several beauty salons and have noticed that

👉 The small salon with only four seats makes it easy to consult with the stylists.
I currently go to a salon run by a married couple.
You both know that I have alopecia areata,
You can safely remove your wig. Large salons have a lot of customers,
I'm worried about people's gazes and it makes me feel uneasy.

👉 If you choose a salon where you can reserve a private room, you can feel even more secure.
If the salon has a private room, you can keep an eye on your children.
It also gives you peace of mind knowing that no one else can see you.

That is what it means.

When I go to the hair salon, I usually take off my wig and put on a cap,
On the day I wore the wig, I brought a Ziploc bag with me.
I carefully store it in a bag before using it.

If the wind is strong after the treatment and you feel like your mind is wavering,
I have a wig in my bagThis leads to a sense of security.

You can put on a cap immediately after your treatment at the beauty salon.
You can also change your wig in the restroom of a nearby supermarket or convenience store.

How to search for private rooms at HOTPEPPER Beauty

The explanation is illustrated below, so please refer to it if you like.

Step 1) Open the "Hot Pepper Beauty" website.
Click "Find a hair salon by area."

First, open the Hot Pepper Beauty homepage.
Located near the center of the screen "Search for a hair salon by area" Clicking this will display a map and take you to a screen where you can select your region.

Here you can select the area you want to go to.

Step 2) After specifying the area, click "Add Condition" on the right side of the screen.

On the screen after selecting an area, Add a condition A button will appear.
Click this button to narrow down the salon's features. Specific conditions A list of will open.

Conditions such as "small salon with less than 4 seats" and "parking available" will be displayed.
To find a salon you can visit with peace of mind,
Please check the necessary conditions.

Click on "Add Preferences" below
More detailed conditions will be displayed.

Step 3) Click "Add specific conditions" and check the detailed conditions.

If you want to see more detailed conditions, they will be displayed under the specific conditions.
Add specific conditions Click

This will display more detailed information.

• Private rooms available
• Many female staff members
• Kids space available
• Reservations only
  ...and so on, which can be useful in finding an environment that reduces your anxiety.

We especially recommend those with private rooms, as this makes it easier to put on and take off wigs and receive advice.

I hope you find a salon where you can feel safe ✨️✨️

The moment I started wearing a wig and began a life of praise

The day I wore an olive pudding colored bob wig to work,
I still can't forget it.

Looking in the mirror in the morning
"It's okay. It's beautiful. It suits you." I thought, but at the same time,

“"I wonder if they'll find out..."”
“"Won't that seem weird..."”
I also felt a sense of uneasiness in my chest.

The day when women from different departments told me, "Your hair color is amazing!"

Before getting into the elevator from the cafeteria at work,
The first woman I met told me

"Your hair color is so beautiful. What did you order at the hair salon?"

He called out to me, saying,

Involuntarily in my mind
(They haven't noticed... No, in fact, they're praising me...!)
I was surprised, but I hesitated whether to tell the truth or not, but I whispered

"I have alopecia areata, and it's actually a wig."

I told him, and he seemed surprised.

"Wow! So natural! So beautiful!"

As you can imagine, I was incredibly relieved when he said that.

The depths of my chest feel soft and warm,
“"Wig = something to hide"
“Maybe it's something that makes me shine.

It's also an anniversary that made me feel that way.

When I told her about Rakuten wigs, she bought one right away.“

On another day, in addition to the usual members at the cafeteria,
I was having dinner with a new acquaintance,
She complimented me on the beautiful color of my hair.

As usual

"I have alopecia areata... I'm wearing a wig. I found one on Rakuten Ichiba.
I love using it."

I talked about this.

She then said, "That color is amazing!" and took out her smartphone.
Looking for the products of the store I told you about,

"Yours, this one? I'll buy it too. In fact, I just ordered it (lol)."

He showed me the screen. Amazing initiative!

Not Aderans or Art Nature,
Rakuten Market solves our problems,
There are plenty of products that will help you move forward

A wig is a tool that gives you new charm

Until now,
"I don't want people to know about my hair problems."
"Does it look strange?"
I had only negative feelings like that,

Since I started wearing wigs and getting compliments,
It was as if the color of the world had changed.

From the days when I was afraid of other people's gazes,
“Towards ”the person who deserves praise.”

Rather than a "wig to hide"
You can now choose a wig that makes you look more attractive.

Just one word
"It suits you."
But I don't know how much it saved my heart.

If you are feeling even a little bit anxious or confused right now...

I want you to remember.

“"You can be better than you think"” That's what I mean.

💰 Why is it so hard to understand the wig prices at major salons?

When considering a wig,
"How much will it cost in the end?"
There are many people who are worried about this.

actually,
Ladies Art Nature (including JUSME one) and Aderans
Wigs from major manufacturers do not clearly state their pricesMost of the time.

The reason is,

Because everything is treated as "made to order."

As stated on the official page:
Because each person's hair length, volume, style, and specifications are different,
We cannot offer a fixed price to our customersThis is how it works.

So to find out the price
"Just come and talk to us" The process is as follows.

Now, let's take a look at the price.

🔍 What is the actual price range?

"How much do wigs from major manufacturers cost?"
I think many people feel this anxiety.

I actually compared a few official websites.
"How much do wigs from major manufacturers cost?"
I hope it helps with your questions 🌸

Ladies Aderans

Aderans is one of the largest manufacturers in Japan, so while the quality is very high, the prices tend to be high as well.
➡ A single wig will almost certainly cost over 100,000 yen.Masu.

Ladies Art Nature(JUSME one, etc.)

➡ Because it is completely custom-made,
The specific price will not be known until you visit the store.It is not possible.

I was also scared of this "unclear price" so I started by trying out commercially available wigs.

If you buy a commercially available wig, you can try it out for yourself at a reasonable price.
(They are available for around 3,000 yen.)
The psychological hurdle is also significantly lowered.
I think it's a gentle option that makes it easy to take a new step.

"The day I helped a stranger woman out of her troubles" in the shopping district“

On the day of the autumn Halloween event, our family of four went to the shopping district.
The children were participating in an event to find Halloween characters.
They were delighted to find characters hidden among the pillars and signs in the shopping district.

Suddenly, I noticed a store with wigs on display.
The children

"Ah! Mommy's with me!"

And ran towards the store.

When I was looking at the colors and styles of wigs with my children,
The older woman thought I was a salesperson,
The woman quietly took off her hat and
Pointing to the wigs on display in the store,
In a voice that only I could hear,

"How do I use this? I have thin hair, will this do anything?"

He said, ``I'm sorry.''

I am not a store clerk. However, in that store where there are only male clerks,
"This person is looking for a wig."
For some reason, I felt it would be better not to pass the baton.

I looked at the woman, who was about my mother's age,
I wanted to do whatever I could to help.

"You lift this up with both hands and put it on from the front like this.
There are many different hair colors, but this color is not too dark,
It's not too bright and has a calming feel, so it suits you very well."

I explained this to him and asked him to check it in a nearby mirror.

The woman then removed the wig she had just tried on,
Just go straight to the register 🥹.

My husband, who was watching the whole thing from a little distance away, said one thing.

"...I'm not a store clerk, but it sold."

And 😊.

I haven't seen that woman since that day.
But it was an unforgettable experience for me.

It was moving to witness someone who needed something find something they needed.

It's difficult to talk honestly about your worries.
I felt her pain as if it were my own.

She told me her troubles,
He actually took off his hat and tried on the wig.
By taking action, she was able to come across the product she needed.

I thought, "I hope you like it and use it."

What I want to say to those of you who have the same problem

There may be days when a random word can move you.

But your life is not constrained by anyone else's gaze.

Even if you have alopecia areata,
Even if you choose a wig,
Whatever hairstyle you choose,
It's all up to you.

"I want to go out with this hair."
"This color suits my mood today."
And so,“"You can choose your hair just like you choose your clothes"”That's why.

Wigs aren't just for hiding things,
It will lighten your daily life a little and even gently change the way you see the world.

You are free to update your life as you wish.

I hope your heart heals.
I hope you can be light and free.

And one last thing.
You are already attractive just the way you are.

Afterword

That day, it was my husband who first noticed my alopecia areata.
From that moment on, I think my life was gently supported.

"I think the full-time job is taking a toll on you and you're stressed out.
It's okay to quit your job. You don't have to force yourself to continue.

When I heard that, I was shocked and almost in tears.
More than income, more than life,
I was saved by having someone by my side who put my mind and body first.

The words from that day still support me today.
And I hope this article can ease your heart a little.

P.S. I also posted it on Instagram.

The music is "Hide and Seek" by AliA.

View this post on Instagram

🌿✨️Have a nice day✨️🌿

ここまで読んでくださってありがとうございます🌸

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　UTA.🌿✨️