Wigan woman's new business venture sparked by hair loss in health battle

The online firm sells items including enhancers and accessories as well as hair loss products.

Tracy has been battling an auto-immune disease for several years and has had periods of hair loss and regrowth but is now experiencing alopecia.

She hopes to create something positive out of this personal blow by setting up her firm and also by establishing links with hair salons, support groups and charities.

Tracy, 51, said: “I only set the business up at the end of June so it’s very new, but people are seeing it now.

“I have now set up my business not only to keep myself busy and focused, but also because I get such a sense of happiness and satisfaction from helping others.

“I believe my own experiences will help me to do this in such a way that I can be totally honest, empathetic and above all supportive to those that are going through what I have.

“The strange thing is that when I shared the business on Facebook a woman I went to school with contacted me and said she was going through exactly the same thing. I think it’s more common than people realise.”

Tracy spoke movingly of having to cope with the changes in her physical appearance and how the devastating realisation that her hair loss this year was more severe and probably longer-lasting than previously affected her.

Mum-of-three Tracy was diagnosed with alopecia areata after her hair began to fall out in large handfuls and found the condition exacerbated her existing auto-immune illness.

She said: “ Day after day I watched my hair disappearing down the drain (I now don’t even have eyelashes). Countless times I’ve cried, I’ve tantrumed, I’ve asked ‘Why Me?’ and I’ve been suicidal.

“Then one day, having just a few strands left, I asked my husband to shave the remaining wisps for me. I broke down as I watched them fall to the ground, but also felt strangely liberated.

“Hair loss has a terrible effect mentally. People react in different ways. Some even embrace their new look but for many it can be life changing and debilitating.

“For me it has been very hard to accept and I don’t think people realise the anxiety, the low self esteem, the lack of confidence associated with the condition.

“I have gone from a confident, outgoing, fun-loving person to someone who would rather hide myself away than socialise and meet up with friends. I have even felt a prisoner in my own home, refusing to answer the door for fear of being seen.

“I have been surprised at other people’s reactions, the way people stare or nudge, or point, or the tactless questions and comments.

“I now wear a semi-permanent weave, similar to hair extensions, and although this helps me to face every day, I still feel I am forced to scrutinise every decision I make.

“I think deeply about any social event, from restaurants to walks, holidays to shopping and gym sessions.

“I have to plan and prepare myself for every aspect of my life.”

Tracy founded the business after realising she had to try to make something good out of her new situation to avoid falling further into negative thinking about what had happened to her.

She also wants to link her hair business to alopecia support groups, cancer charities and salons as well as anywhere else she might be able to help other people struggling with hair loss.

She believes it is particularly important for those facing up to alopecia to be able to talk to people with similar experiences, especially when it comes to the psychological and mental health aspect of it.

Tracy said: “There are still times when I don’t feel like facing the world because of my insecurities and I still let myself get consumed in my negative feelings, but I have more positive days, and I know that the darker days will eventually disappear.

“I promise myself that I will no longer let it control me.

“I’ve no answers or miracle cures but I think it helps if someone understands what you are going through.

“I found the NHS could deal with my symptoms but medical professionals didn’t seem to address the mental side of it. That’s what is difficult for a lot of people.

“I think it’s particularly hard for a woman.

“It’s almost expected a man will go bald but when it’s a woman it’s horrible for her self-esteem.”

Tracy is drawing on her previous experiences running her own babywear firm to set up her new venture, though she has more recently taken on roles in education including being a high-level teaching assistant, teaching children about finance for a credit union and invigilating exams.

She is also being supported by her husband Jonathan, her daughters Rebecca and Anna and son Joseph.

To find out more about the business visit www.tracyannhair.co.uk