In March 2020, 22-year-old Nicole Mowat from Rosehearty experienced a life-changing moment when clumps of hair began falling out in the shower. Just four weeks later, she was completely bald, diagnosed with alopecia totalis — a rare and severe form of hair loss that causes total scalp baldness.
“I was terrified,” Nicole recalls, reflecting on the sudden transformation. Unlike alopecia areata, which affects about one in 1,000 people in the UK, alopecia totalis is less common and more difficult to treat, with no known cause or cure. Doctors gave her only a 12% chance of hair regrowth.
The diagnosis, arriving during the isolating Covid-19 lockdown, left Nicole struggling with her identity and confidence. She withdrew from social life, overwhelmed by the loss of her long brown hair, which had been an important part of her self-image.
“I felt very manly,” she admits. “You always see yourself through your appearance — it’s what people notice first.”
Nicole’s first step toward recovery came from sharing her journey on Facebook. Her weekly updates about hair loss drew an outpouring of support, revealing that alopecia is more common than she realized. She even gave a presentation on alopecia at her workplace in Fraserburgh, sparking important conversations.
Wigs provided crucial support during this time. Through the NHS, Nicole receives four synthetic wigs a year. “They aren’t perfect — you can’t curl or style them much — but they give you confidence to go out,” she says.
The birth of her daughter Ella in 2021 became another turning point. “She’s never known me any different,” Nicole says. “She’s even tried on my wigs — for her, it’s normal.” Motherhood gave Nicole renewed purpose and pushed her to confront lingering insecurities.
Nicole describes losing her hair as a grieving process, akin to a loss or death. She cycled through denial, anger, and sadness before reaching acceptance. Despite some brief hair regrowth triggered by scalp injections, the hair loss persisted, challenging her hope.
“Under the microscope, the follicles are there but dead,” Nicole explains. “It’s heartbreaking when you get your hopes up and then lose it again.”
Today, Nicole sees her journey as a source of quiet strength. She recently completed the 18-mile Aberdeen Kiltwalk, raising over £700 for Alopecia UK, driven by a desire to help others facing similar struggles.
Looking ahead, she plans to launch a support group in Aberdeenshire for people affected by hair loss. “It can feel so isolating at first,” she says. “I want people to know they’re not alone.”
Nicole’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and hope — a reminder that true confidence comes from within, beyond appearance and hair.
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