Trichotillomania means pulling out your own hair, often without thinking about it in the moment. It's more common than most people realise, and it isn't something anyone chooses. We regularly meet clients with trichotillomania, and we never need to know more than you want to tell us.
What it usually looks like
Unlike most other forms of hair loss, the pattern is often uneven and concentrated in an area that's easy to reach – the parting, one side of the head, the hairline, sometimes the eyebrows or eyelashes. The hairs can be different lengths because new ones grow while others are pulled. The scalp may be sore or irritated at times.
Start with support, not with the hair
We are hairdressers, and we can help you with coverage and with how things look. The condition itself is something healthcare professionals can help you with, and there are treatments that work. Talk to your GP or health centre, a psychologist, or your school health service if you're at school. Many people wait a long time because it feels embarrassing to talk about. It doesn't have to be.
What works for coverage
Hair topper. A hairpiece that covers a defined area of the head while the rest of your own hair stays visible. It attaches with clips and comes off whenever you like. Because trichotillomania often affects a fairly specific area, this is frequently the solution that suits best.
Wig. If the area is larger, or you'd rather not have to think about it at all, a wig gives full coverage. All our wigs are glueless and are held in place with adjustable straps, so nothing is attached to the scalp. Some people tell us the wig also becomes a physical barrier that makes it easier to leave their hair alone – but it isn't a treatment, and it doesn't solve what lies behind it.
Mesh hair extensions. The mesh is attached without glue, tape or heat, and your own hair lies protected underneath. A good fit when the hair is thin over a larger area rather than in one patch.
Turban or scarf. Simple and comfortable, especially at home or during periods when the scalp needs a rest. Many people switch between a turban for everyday wear and a wig when they want hair.
Methods we advise against
Glue and tape directly on a scalp that is sore or has wounds is not suitable. The same goes for methods that pull firmly on individual hairs in an area that's already under strain. We always look at the scalp first and will tell you if we think something needs to heal before we do anything.
When the hair grows back
The hair follicles usually recover, and new hairs come through. During that time, a hair topper or wig is a way to avoid every mirror reminding you of it. We help you cut in and adjust as your own hair changes.
A requisition may be available
If your doctor considers the need to be medical, you may be able to get a requisition (rekvisition) from your Swedish region that covers all or part of the cost of a wig or hair replacement. The rules and amounts vary between regions. See what applies in your region.
You're welcome here
The consultation is free of charge and always takes place in a private room with the door closed, in Stockholm at Odenplan or in Uppsala on Skolgatan. You decide what you want to share. If you'd rather not come in, we can do it by video instead. Call +46 76 415 90 00 or book online.