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September is Alopecia Awareness Month - meet Chloe, whose story inspired this blog.
Chances are, you probably haven’t.
But I can guarantee at least one of the 400,000 people in the UK living with alopecia areata right now has. And one of them is Chloe - the wonderful woman who walks our dog when we’re away.
When we met up a few weeks ago, she started our chat with:
“I’m really sorry about my flaky head.”
And my mind went straight to two things:
1. Why on earth does she feel she needs to apologise?
2. How can I help her - not just with her skin, but with how she feels about her body?
That conversation lit a fire in me, and it’s why I’m sharing Chloe’s story during Alopecia Awareness Month.
Alopecia isn’t just “hair loss.” It’s a group of conditions that can look very different:
• Alopecia areata: an autoimmune condition (the body attacks its own follicles), often causing sudden patches or complete loss.
• Androgenetic alopecia: the “pattern baldness” type that affects millions of men and women in the UK.
• Telogen effluvium: stress, illness or postpartum hair shedding.
• Traction alopecia: hair lost from repeated tight hairstyles.
In total, around 15 million adults in the UK live with some form of hair loss. That’s nearly one in four of us — yet it’s rarely talked about.
Chloe is living with alopecia areata. She’s lost her hair, eyebrows, and lashes. Some days she told me she can’t even look at herself in the mirror. She’s left gym classes early because she couldn’t bear catching her reflection - saying, “I look like a thumb.”
Honestly, this floored me. Because I’ll be honest - I take my hair for granted. A quick wash, a messy bun, done. If it all disappeared tomorrow? I’d be devastated.
And then came the thing that made me ache the most:
She said she’d burnt her scalp over the summer because she hadn’t thought about SPF now she has no hair to protect her. Her words:
“Otherwise I would literally be clueless and still searching… or not. Just continuing to live with my flaky burnt scalp 🤣 xx”
That’s when I knew I could do something - however small.
So before we went on holiday, I left her a Miracle Light Oil and two tins of Light Cream. No strings, no expectation. Just a gift.
The messages she sent afterwards blew me away:
“The oil is great on my body, just not so much on my head (oily scalp to match my face!) but the cream – I am OBSESSED. So lemme know where I can get some of that goodness from … you got a customer for life here 🤪 xx”
And later…
“It’s so hard to come across a cream that is genuinely light! The oil on my skin has been fab too… but I am in love with the cream. Excited for the deodorant too! ❤️”
And my absolute favourite:
“If it wasn’t for this kind lady letting me try these products, I would never know. I wish you could see and feel through phones… but it actually is what it says on the tin. All natural. No residue. Just light.”
She even shared her routine online, showing her “after shower rituals” with Miracle Light Oil and Light Cream:
“Trying to take a bit more care of my skin — especially my scalp. Trying to slow down in small moments instead of being 100mph.”
That right there is what skincare should be about: small, grounding moments of care.
The frustrating truth? Alopecia doesn’t have a single neat cause.
• For alopecia areata, it’s autoimmune - the body mistakes follicles as enemies.
• Genetics play a part (around 1 in 5 with alopecia has a family history).
• Stress, illness, hormones, lifestyle (like smoking and poor sleep) can all make a difference.
And alopecia can flare up. Hair may regrow - in fact, up to 80% of people see some regrowth within a year - but it can fall out again without warning.
Dermatologists may offer steroid creams, light therapy, or new medicines like JAK inhibitors. Some people choose wigs, tattoos, or wraps to support their confidence.
But day to day, gentle care makes a huge difference:
• Moisturise, don’t strip - bare scalps get dry fast. Skip harsh foaming shampoos and synthetic fragrance.
• Protect from the sun - hats, wraps, or SPF for scalps are essential.
• Be gentle during regrowth - those first baby hairs are delicate. Use a gentle, natural, nourishing soap.
• Choose simplicity - natural, fragrance-free or essential oils only.
As Chloe put it:
“There’s no residue. No nothing. And it actually is what it says on the tin. Natural. Light. Just what I needed.”
Chloe’s story made me stop in my tracks.
We never know what our bodies have in store for us. But what we can do is show gratitude.
Look in the mirror and whisper: “You’ve got this girl.” Take a moment to moisturise your scalp. Step into the sun with protection. Choose products that nourish instead of irritate.
That’s what Alopecia Awareness Month is about for me. Awareness of the condition, yes - but also awareness of the incredible people living with it every single day.
If you or someone you love is facing alopecia, you’re not alone.
• Alopecia UK (https://www.alopecia.org.uk) - support, resources, and community
• NHS: Hair loss overview (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/) - treatments and medical advice
• Explore our Light Cream (https://shop.conchus.co.uk/collections/light-creams) - the one Chloe says she’s “obsessed” with
• Discover Miracle Light Oil (https://conchus.co.uk/products/miracle-light-oil) - for body, face, and scalp (if yours isn’t oily)
And support the rest of your body with kind, gentle, truly natural skincare for mind and body.
• 5* Reviewed Natural Deodorant (https://shop.conchus.co.uk/collections/natural-deo-cream) - effective and doesn't disrupt your hormones (aluminium free and phthalate free)
• Gentle Natural All Over Body Soap (https://shop.conchus.co.uk/collections/soap) - everyday bubbly cleansing for sensitive skin.
Because whether you’re living with alopecia or not, your skin deserves to be cared for - lightly, naturally, and with love.
Eco friendly, vegan, plastic free, non toxic cleaning products. Dermatologist tested & cruelty free. Get your exclusive SMOL starter bundle from CONCHUS!
