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Baldiness

Gail Porter Talks Hair Loss

by Bald Man on May 24th, 2006

An upcoming BBC documentary, One Life - Gail Porter Laid Bare, explores the celebrity’s journey to acceptance. From the Scotsman:

A new TV documentary will be shown on the BBC later this month, which charts how she is coming to terms with her baldness.

After being advised by a top NHS dermatologist that the chance of complete hair recovery is very low, Gail said: “I think I look like a wee wrinkled old prune.”

The documentary is due to air on May 31st.

Tags: gail-porter, hair-loss, one-life---gail-porter-laid-bare

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Laura Bateman
May 31, 2006 at 5:48 pm

Just watched the programme on the BBC about Gail’s personal experience of hair loss. Always thought she was ok, but now feel a new-found admiration. I have personally experienced PND and know how devastating that on its own can be. Gail has experienced a far greater kick in the femininity and has emerged smiling, joking and laughing - and all the more attractive to all… What tremendous dignity and humility she has displayed! God bless you, Gail - you are beautiful and so very strong. History requires such strength in individuals, and you have done so much to dispel a “beauty myth”. You are gorgeous and so much more than any fake-haired, fake-tanned, false-nailed pseudo celeb. Thanks for giving a public face to an otherwise hidden side of womanhood. What tonight’s show demonstrated is that you really don’t need crap to hide behind, if you’re a good person - you’ll shine through. Keep on shining, baby - you’re beautiful. Thankyou. xxx
Rosemary
Jun 1, 2006 at 3:32 am

Hi, just wanted to say I watched the one life programme last night and thourougly enjoyed it. Well done Gail. I am an Alopecia sufferer as well the similarities is unreal although I didnt loose my brows I choose to wear a wig simply because I am not blessed with the good looks that you are. No doubt you will be inundated with mail after the programme but I would love to chat if at all possible. For now all the best Rosemary
L OAKLEY
Jun 2, 2006 at 11:28 am

My mom had alopecia for 4 years and was told that they didn’t know if her hair would grow back. She saw specialists, who knew of no explanations. After she finally got used to the idea of being bald, her hair started to come back in bits and dabs, fine baby hair and a different colour. Fou years and many wigs later, she had a full head of hair. Keep your chin up Gail.
Lisa
Bald Man
Jun 3, 2006 at 6:16 pm

Laura, Rosemary, & L,
Thanks for your comments. I hope I’ll be able to get a copy of the program for my own viewing in the not too distant future. Sounds like it was a winner.
Catrin
Jun 7, 2006 at 2:52 pm

Please pass this message on to Gail and any other alopecia suffers.

My daughter was 2 when we first noticed hair loss. Over a period of 18 months she lost all of her hair including eyebrows. Only half of one side of eyelashes remained. This was obviously very distressing and even more so when the doctors told us we should come to terms with the fact that she will probably be bald for the rest of her life!
I therefore decided to explore all avenues and, on recommendation of a cranial osteopath, sent virtually the last 3 strands of her hair for analysis at a Harley Street Clinic.
The result was that she had a viral overload and was given homoepathic supplements and put on a very strict diet. Within 3 weeks we noticed regrowth and now 1 year on she has a beautiful full head of hair.
I am positive that this cannot be coincidence and even if you donot believe in complimentary medicine please just have faith in the fact that even in someone with virtually total hair loss the possibility for regrowth remains.
I am aware that her hair may well fall out again but what we need is more people like Gail who are bringing this condition into the news and making people understand it more, rather than thinking they are on a course of chemotherapy.
Thank you Gail and please contact me if you need any further info, although I appreciate you must be inundated (but this really worked for my daughter). Regards
Bald Man
Jun 8, 2006 at 8:25 am

Catrin,
Thanks for sharing your daughter’s story. With such a supportive parent, I’d bet she’ll grow up just fine… even if her hair falls out again. (Here’s hoping it doesn’t.)
Cheryl Petrovich
Aug 20, 2006 at 10:54 am

Gail is a beautiful, sweet, sensitive, adorable woman and I wish her all the very best life has to offer. She has the grace and dignity to continue on even through adversity, which is a great inspiration to me.
Worried Mum
Oct 25, 2006 at 3:05 am

Catrin,

Are you able to supply details of the specialist you visited. I have been awake all night searching the web for clues and possible cures for my 17 year old daughter’s hair loss. She is at a very vulnerble age and I am terrified I may loose her.
kelly newman
Jan 27, 2007 at 6:55 am

I 21 years old and i went on my first hoilday to cyprus in July.When i noticed my hair was falling out.3 months later i lost all my hair but wasnt completely bald as all my new hair came through.At first i could not deal with it, every time i looked in the mirror i felt sick, till i found out more about it.I went to a tricologist and she was fantastic and 6 weeks later my hair is growing back much thicker and a darker colour.If gail wasnt around i wouldnt know what to do she is my star !!!!!!!
kelly newman
Jan 27, 2007 at 6:57 am

If anyone wanted to talk to me about it i would be happy to, My email is kellymarina@hotmail.co.uk
Debbie
Feb 15, 2007 at 1:18 pm

I am 47 years old and am also suffering from alopecia. Had two spots previously in my mid 30’s that grew back (lost part of an eyebrow at that time to that also came back). Since last January 2006, I have had a reoccurence and have lost much of the back portion of my hair, over and above my ears and thinning hair on my arms, legs, etc. I was going to dermatologist for cortisone injections, but got tired of being a pin-cushion with up to 75 injections on a single visit (also had dimples left in my scalp). I have decided to go much blonder (when the wind blows it might be less noticeable) and possibly get a hair-piece to cover the area lost in the back. I would love to talk to anyone that has this condition as I feel anxious and ashamed (always grab my hair when the wind blows). Could use a friendly chat with another sufferer.

THANK YOU AND ALREADY THIS FORUM HAS HELPED ME FEEL LESS ALONE IN MY CONDITION.
kelly newman
Feb 27, 2007 at 9:21 am

hi debbie just read your email.Dont start worring i was the same, i had blonde hair and i had so many patches you could see through it.I know how your feeling cause i was only 21 when it happened and it has changed me as a person too.I dont feel sick anymore when i look in the mirrow. email me if you want to i will chat to you about it .
jane welsh
Apr 22, 2008 at 2:23 am

hi kelly my son is only 6 and has just been told he hsa alopecia im in the dark at the moment and just dont know where to go or who to talk to.im trying to contact gail porter to see if she could do a visit to my sons school to try and make the other children understand as my son is very scared.he has beautiful black hair and is one of 7 children