Elizabeth Steel, founder of Hairline International, ‘The Alopecia Patients’ Society, was a writer and television presenter when she started to lose her hair to the scalp condition Alopecia Areata. Within a few months she had lost 90 per cent of her hair. Her book on the experience was so successful that it has been re printed three times since it was first published, (“The Hair Loss Cure” by Elizabeth Steel (Harper Collins))

Says Elizabeth: “I was devastated when my hair fell out. I thought that I was the only freak in the world – the only young woman to go bald! In fact, I laughed when my hairdresser spotted the first tiny bald patch on my head.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I cried. “Only men go bald.’

“ But she was right and I was wrong. Very quickly I lost 90 per cent of my hair until from the front I looked totally bald – like a visitor from outer space!”

“I soon learned that I was not alone. Women wrote to me from all over the world. ‘You are not the only freak,’ they said. ‘It has happened to me.’

“ All over the world women were hiding in wigs and head-scarves, terrified that anyone would find out their secret, that underneath their disguise they looked like plucked chicken or even victims of Chernobyl.”

“ Although it is not physically painful and is certainly not life threatening, hair loss ruins lives. It causes depression, breaks up marriages and wrecks careers. Some patients turn to drink or drugs. Sadly, there are suicides.”

Because she saw so much suffering caused by hair loss, Elizabeth Steel set up Hairline International, the Alopecia Patients’ Society, as the essential support network for women who have lost, or are losing, their hair. Very soon, men with hair loss problem joined the organisation and also the parents of children with alopecia.

HAIRLINE HELPS…. In cases of patchy baldness, Alopecia Areata, and its related disorders Alopecia Totalis where all scalp hair is lost and Alopecia Universalis where all the hair on the body is lost, including that of the scalp.

In cases of thinning hair… Hairline also supports and supplies medical information to patients who have Alopecia Androgenetica, where the hair thins so that the scalp is clearly visible beneath one layer of very thin hair.
Hairline also helps in cases where the hair loss is self inflicted, as in patients who suffer Trichotillomania, the compulsion to pull out their hair themselves.

Hairline International has gained the support of many doctors, who have said:-“ A lay organisation for alopecia victims has long been needed. Anxiety and fear can be profound. Elizabeth Steel deserves enormous credit for attempting to fill this medical void.” Dr Rodney Dawber, MA, MB, Ch.B, FRCP. Consultant dermatologist, John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford, and clinical lecturer, Oxford University.

“ Patients can get together and learn the tricks of coping with hair loss. Hairline is a long overdue concept.” Dr David A. Fenton, M.B., FRCP. Consultant dermatologist, Hair and Nail Research Unit, St Thomas’ hospital. London.

HAIRLINE INTERNATIONAL is unique in this country and now has members all over the world.

HOW HAIRLINE CAN HELP HAIR LOSS PATIENTS: Hairline International can supply a personal assessment and analysis of the individual condition to the patients with all types of hair loss. For information and subscription rates send a stamped, self addressed envelope to Elizabeth Steel, Hairline International, Lyons Court, 1668. High Street, Knowle, West Midlands. B93 0LY.