When Finishing Touches got in touch with Alopecia UK to say they were using their 2022 Star Awards as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds, we were thrilled. Alopecia UK is a small national charity working to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia and we rely on fundraising to continue the work we do.

Alopecia UK’s three aims are Support, Awareness and Research.

Support, to ensure that those who are struggling with the emotional impact of hair loss have a place to turn to for information, advice and support.

We are champions of peer support, recognising just how valuable it can be to be in touch with others who have gone through the same experience. Whilst alopecia is not life-threatening, it is life changing. It can really help get emotional support and practical advice, about things like wigs and micropigmentation, from those who have lived experience of hair loss.

Alopecia UK provides several different ways for those with alopecia to connect with others. We have a network of local support groups across the UK, as well as online meetings and popular private Facebook groups. Our website provides a vast wealth of information about all things alopecia-related and is a great place to signpost clients with alopecia to. Our popular Big Weekend event provides a supportive atmosphere for those attending.

Awareness, to educate the general public and health professionals about alopecia and its psychological impact. This helps those with alopecia to feel understood, supported and goes some way to reduce the stigma that remains around hair loss. We raise awareness of alopecia in a variety of ways including, attending conferences, supporting media opportunities and facilitating national events.

Research, to provide hope and confidence to people with alopecia by funding research into its causes, with the aim of finding treatments, and ultimately, a cure. We have a Research Committee who lead on delivering our Research Strategy. We provide funding for research projects and support researchers to find participants for their research studies.

The charity is run by a small team, most of whom have personal experience of alopecia. We understand the importance of the work of Finishing Touches and the students and technicians they train. Many people with alopecia tell us how losing their eyebrows and eyelashes was the worst part of their hair loss journey. Whilst losing scalp hair is upsetting, it is the loss of facial hair that many often attribute to a loss of identity. Some people describe no longer recognising the face staring back at them in the mirror. Our Operations Manager Amy has previously written a blog about the importance of those ‘Two Lines on a Face’.

We know just how valuable the work of Finishing Touches is and how important it is that those with alopecia are seen by skilled technicians that understand the impact of alopecia on their clients and appreciates just how scary it can be to embark on treatments. Alopecia UK is delighted to have been chosen as a charity to benefit from FTG’s Star Awards and we wish all those taking part in the competition the best of luck. We hope those taking part will be happy to signpost their alopecia clients to Alopecia UK in the future.