For 11-year-old Molly Milligan, getting ready to go to school every morning was once a huge challenge.

Since she began suffering from alopecia three years ago, she makes mum Claire Heaton check her hair every morning to look for new areas of hair loss, and cries at the thought of laughed at by the other children.

Her nightmare began when she found a bald area around the size of a 50 pence piece, which was diagnosed as alopecia by her GP.

By the time her dermatologist appointment came through several months later, the patch - nicknamed a 'smoothie' by Molly - had grown in size and numerous smaller ones had also started to appear.

Molly was devastated when the dermatologist told her she could well lose all of her hair. Steroid cream she was given to massage into her scalp irritated her skin, so she had to stop using it, but the hair loss continued.

The little girl became obsessed with massaging her hair to try and encourage re-growth and was left further upset when the loss of hair in her nose caused her nose to drip randomly and unexpectedly. She also started to lose eyelashes, and half an eyebrow, which came and went periodically.

At an utter loss as to what to do to help her daughter, Claire was introduced to Simone Thomas by a friend who had read about her a one of the UK's leading hair loss experts.

Claire contacted the salon, based in Westbourne, and made an appointment.

That day was the beginning of what has been an incredible transformation for Molly, who has just left Kings Park Primary School and will start at Avonbourne Academy in September.

"We learnt more about this condition in the few weeks we attended appointments at the salon than we did in years through the hospital," says Claire.

"They put us in touch with The Little Princess Trust who agreed to fund a unit for Molly. Simone Thomas helped fund the wig and regularly look at Molly's scalp through a nioscope to check for new hair growth, do regular scalp microdermabrasions and recommended Nioxin products. They treat Molly like a princess!"

The team at the salon even bought little Molly a new outfit to match a new unit she had fitted, and has recently provided her with some coloured clip-in hair pieces, so she can follow the dip-dyed hair trend her friends love.

"All this has helped give Molly her spark back," says Claire.

"The whole team there genuinely care for her and are willing to take this journey with us."

To Claire's delight, Molly has now stopped crying every day, although she is currently going through a stage of losing her eyelashes again and is nervous about what life at a new school will bring.

"Molly currently lives each day worrying what if and it really does upset her," says Claire.

"Her hair at the back has had some regrowth which is exciting but Molly is fully aware alopecia can come and go anytime so she still has that horrible fear lurking.

"But she is looking forward in a more positive way and I thank the salon for this. Alopecia will not ruin Molly's life it will be something that lives with her and not the other way around."

Now Claire and Molly are eager to help other children who may be suffering from alopecia and let them know there is support out there.

They recently arranged for Sue Hampton, the author of Waterhouse Girl - a book about a little girl growing up with alopecia -to visit Molly's school for the day to help the children with creative writing, whilst spreading awareness about alopecia in the school.

Claire and Molly are also actively fundraising for The Little Princess Trust who funded the cost of Molly's unit, as they want to give something back to help the next child.

  • Molly is keen to set up a local support group for young people alopecia. Anyone who can help should email Claire at boboswan@hotmail.co.uk
  • For more information about Simone Thomas, which is due to open a new hair loss clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire, due to increased demand, and help offered to those suffering from hair loss, visit simonethomas.com