Written by Karen Dowsey — nurse, hair loss specialist and founder of Frankie Hair Toppers, Sydney
For over 37 years, I have lived with androgenetic alopecia — female pattern hair loss. I have tried the treatments, read every article I could find, and spent more time than I care to admit checking my reflection and reaching for the hairspray. I have also, eventually, found my way through to the other side of it.
If you are navigating hair loss right now — whether you are newly diagnosed, deep in the research rabbit hole, or simply exhausted from the emotional weight of it — I want you to know that this post is written for you. My hope is that something in my story saves you a little time, a little heartache, or simply makes you feel less alone.
A Little About Me
I am Karen, founder of Frankie Hair Toppers and a nurse working in mental health in Sydney — which means I understand, both personally and professionally, just how deeply our sense of self is tied to our wellbeing. Hair loss sits right at that intersection, and it is something I take seriously on every level.
Away from work, life is kept wonderfully grounded by two rescue dogs — Stevie, a cocker spaniel, and Libby, a cavoodle — both of whom are excellent company and very enthusiastic about walks. But that is enough about the rest of life. Let us talk about hair.
The Diagnosis: Androgenetic Alopecia
I have androgenetic alopecia, which is the clinical name for female pattern hair loss (FPHL). It began gradually — first a slow widening of my part line, then, years later, diffuse thinning across my crown. At the time, I had no idea what was happening or why.
Research has since shown that female pattern hair loss has a strong genetic predisposition, and that the inheritance can come from either parent — it is polygenic, meaning there is no single gene to point to and no single parent to blame. Looking back, I can see that my mother had almost identical hair loss to mine when she was in her mid-thirties. At the time, neither of us had words for it.
The Early Days — and the Consuming Weight of It
In the early stages, before Google existed, my research happened in the local library. I read everything I could find on alopecia, on medical causes, on nutrition, on hormones. I was convinced there must be a miracle cure somewhere — I just had not found it yet. It became all-consuming, occupying every waking thought and following me into sleep.
What I felt most acutely was that hair loss is a taker. It takes your self-esteem, your sense of identity, your willingness to be present in social situations. It makes you feel vulnerable in ways you never could have anticipated. I became an expert in the mirror check — scanning, adjusting, reaching for the hairspray to ensure nothing had shifted. If a strand strayed out of place, I would excuse myself and find the nearest bathroom.
Working now in mental health, I understand more clearly than ever the very real psychological toll that hair loss carries. The anxiety, the hypervigilance, the quiet withdrawal from life — these are not vanity. They are legitimate mental health impacts that deserve to be named and taken seriously. If hair loss is affecting your mood, your confidence, or your willingness to engage with the world around you, that matters. You are not being dramatic. You are being human.
I want to name that experience clearly, because I know so many women reading this will recognise it. It is exhausting. And it is far more common than the silence around it suggests.
The Treatments I Tried — and What Happened
Over the years I tried most of what is available. I worked my way through hair growth vitamins, topical treatments, and prescription medications, approaching each one with hope and leaving most of them behind.
Minoxidil — sold as Rogaine for women — was one of the first I tried. I found it messy, slow to dry, and it left my hair with a crunchy texture and feel that I could not get used to. I used it for a meaningful period but ultimately it was not something I could sustain comfortably day to day.
I also tried Minoxidil in combination with Spironolactone. Spironolactone can be prescribed for women with elevated androgen levels and works to slow the hair loss process, though it can take up to 12 months before results become visible. For me, the side effects were significant — disrupted periods, breast tenderness, and persistent dizziness. My body made it clear that this was not the path forward, and I ceased that medication.
A dermatologist at one point gave me a dual diagnosis — a genetic form of alopecia combined with a scalp fungal infection. I used Ketoconazole shampoo for several months, which resolved the infection effectively. Sadly, it had no impact on the androgenetic alopecia itself, which is entirely unrelated to fungal causes. If you do have a fungal scalp condition alongside hair loss, it is worth treating — but managing your expectations about what it will and will not address.
Eventually, I stopped chasing treatments. Not because I gave up, but because I finally accepted what was mine to accept. That process — of self-acceptance and self-love — took real work. It was not a moment. It was a long, quiet practice.
The Turning Point: Discovering Human Hair Toppers — and Then Letting Them Go
For a long time, I believed my only option was to wear a wig. I did not know that human hair toppers existed — those smaller, clip-in pieces designed specifically for women with crown or parting hair loss, rather than total coverage. That gap in knowledge cost me years.
When I eventually discovered hair toppers, I struggled to find one that looked and felt the way I needed it to. So I did what nurses tend to do when the existing solution is not good enough — I found a better one. I began designing my own: ultra-realistic, 100% Remy human hair toppers that were quick and easy to apply, completely natural-looking, and genuinely confidence-giving. The kind of piece that takes you from flat to yourself again in seconds.
But hair loss does not stand still, and neither did mine. As my alopecia progressed, there came a point where toppers were no longer the right solution for where I was. So I made a decision that surprised even me — I shaved my head.
What I found on the other side of that decision was something I had spent decades searching for: freedom. The rituals, the checking, the adjusting, the constant management — all of it fell away. I made peace with my reflection in a way I never had while trying to conceal it. I accepted myself, fully, and that acceptance changed everything.
Today I live comfortably with a shaved head, and on the days when I want to dress up, feel glamorous, or simply enjoy a different version of myself, I wear a wig. Not out of necessity, but out of choice. And that distinction — choosing rather than hiding — is everything.
Why Frankie Exists
Frankie Hair Toppers was born from this entire journey — not just the years of searching, but the eventual arrival at peace. The private consultations I offer in Sydney exist because I know exactly how overwhelming this road feels from the inside, and I wanted to create the kind of calm, honest, personalised support I wished I had had along the way.
Whatever stage you are at — early thinning, significant loss, considering a topper, curious about a wig, or simply wanting to talk it through with someone who truly gets it — there is no wrong place to start. Every woman deserves to feel like herself again, on her own terms.
A Note to You
If my story has resonated with you — even in part — I hope it has given you something useful to hold onto. Whether that is the reassurance that what you are feeling is valid, the knowledge that certain treatments carry real side effects worth weighing up, or simply the reminder that there is a way through this that looks and feels different for every woman.
You are welcome to explore the frequently asked questions about hair toppers on the Frankie website, or to reach out directly if you would like to talk through where you are in your own journey. Private consultations are available by appointment in Croydon Park, Sydney — and I would genuinely love to help.
I would also love to hear your story. You can reach me by email or over on Instagram. No question is too small, and no stage of hair loss is too early or too late to explore your options
If you're exploring hair loss solutions, you may also find these guides helpful:
What Is Androgenetic Alopecia? A Guide for Women in Australia
Understanding the most common cause of hair loss in women and how it progresses.
Will a Hair Topper Work for Me? A Realistic Guide for Women with Thinning Hair
A practical look at when hair toppers work best and when other options may be more suitable.
Lace Wigs vs Silk Top Wigs for Hair Loss in Sydney
Understanding the differences between two of the most common wig constructions.
Considering a Hair Topper or Wig?
Frankie Hair Toppers offers private one-on-one consultations in Croydon Park, Sydney for women navigating hair loss, thinning hair, or androgenetic alopecia. During your appointment you can explore natural-looking human hair toppers and wigs in a calm, discreet environment while discussing what might suit your stage of hair loss.
Learn more about private wig and hair topper consultations in Sydney.
