My life-changing BEAUTY SAVIOUR

A small change in appearance can make a big difference to your confidence – as these women discovered

- KIM WILLIS

Paula Moore, 52, is woman&home’s fashion director. She lives in London with her husband Gary, 59, and their cockapoo Kafka.

At the age of 12 my eczema, which I've had since birth, caused hair loss on my scalp. Kids at school called me ‘cancer girl’, which really upset me. After consulting specialists, eliminating dairy and switching to natural hair products, after a few months my hair began to regrow and I was able to have extensions throughout my adult life.

In 2020, I read a feature in Woman's Own magazine supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month and realised I hadn't checked my breasts in a long time. I discovered a lump in my armpit and, that October, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Chemotherapy caused my hair to start falling out in clumps again but this time, I chose to shave it all off. It felt liberating to go bald on my own terms.

After treatment finished in November 2021, my hair grew back a bit, but within weeks started falling out again. Doctors couldn't tell me why. Menopause, stress, alopecia or Tamoxifen, the post-cancer medication I have to take for 10 years, could all be contributing factors. In fact, female pattern hair loss affects around 40% of women by the age of 50.

People told me I'd lost my hair during chemo so it shouldn't be a problem to lose it again, implying that I should be able to cope without making a fuss, but it affected me so much more this time and was a huge knock to my confidence. I didn't have cancer any more, I wasn't on chemo. My hair was symbolic, it made me feel like me, and without it, I felt like 'cancer girl' all over again when I just wanted to feel and look better.

I'd go for brunch with my girlfriends and they'd look so glamorous. I'd wear bright red lipstick to detract from my balding head, and knew I was lucky to be alive and shouldn't dwell on my hairstyle, but I was just pretending to be fine.