A woman has revealed her incredible transformation following treatment from a hair loss specialist after almost 30 years of suffering with trichotillomania.

Kelly Clements visited The Hair Confidante in London after finding no affordable solution to the hair-pulling disorder that left her scalp thin and full of bald spots.

“I didn’t actually find out I had trichotillomania until my early 20s,” Kelly, aged 38, of Camberley, Surrey, recalls.

“I started pulling around the age of nine to 10 after experiencing problems within my childhood home, every time I felt anxious or other negative emotions.

“After a while it became an unconscious habit and I’d sit there every night pulling out my hair for up to two hours a time and wouldn’t notice until my arm either went dead or I’d find a bald patch somewhere on my scalp.”

Kelly first visited the doctors, relieved that her condition was something that others suffered with. She said: “They sent me for a mental health assessment after which I was told that I’d be invited back for 12 sessions of cognitive therapy and was put on a high dosage of antidepressants.

“Whilst I appreciated the support and assistance I felt like they didn’t understand me, my condition or triggers. It wasn’t enough to stop the pulling so I’d Google treatments and look for other techniques. I even tried hypnosis but found nothing that would break a 20-year habit.”

Afraid that there was no way to overcome her habit, it was through Googling that Kelly came across hair replacement systems, contacting a couple of salons for consultations and prices.

“The quotes were way overpriced, claiming that the NHS would fund the treatment in some cases – I later found that it’s extremely rare to get funding approved,” she said. “I carried on my search in the hopes of finding someone that wasn’t just out to make money, that’s when I found The Hair Confidante.

“From the initial consultation, we clicked. Emy Hassan knew all about the condition – way more than I did. She explained the whole process and advised the total costs involved. I could tell she genuinely wanted to help her clients, so I agreed to go ahead with the treatment there and then.”

At the clinic, Kelly had photos taken and a mould made of her head, the mould marking where the hair system would need to cover the areas that were her pull spots.

The system is part wig and part barrier to prevent hair-pulling.

“We decided on the style, length and hair colour as the system is completely bespoke,” she remembers, “A few weeks later I arrived for the fitting of my pre-made mesh headpiece. They coloured my hair so it blended perfectly and then the system was attached all by hand, piece by piece. Once the system was fully attached it was styled to blend in with my own hair.

“When they finished I sat there in tears. I felt a million dollars! I go back every four to six weeks for adjustments, as each system lasts around 18 months and up to two years. I’m now on my third system.”

The barrier the system creates means that Kelly can’t access her pull spots anymore – which she adds have become numb over the years, some areas with hair growing back.

She added: “If I hadn’t found The Hair Confidante I think I’d be bald by now.”