I was balding at 23. None of the miracle solutions or medications helped and I had to wear a hat everywhere… until I discovered this method that gave me my hair back. Any man can do it too
Aged just 18 and on a boys’ holiday, Olly Hilton, from Leicestershire, was swimming in the sea when a friend first pointed out that his hair was receding.
Until that moment, he hadn’t realised he was thinning. But in the years that followed, he said his hairline began to ‘resemble the McDonald’s logo’ – and a large bald patch appeared on his crown.
Around 6.5 million men in the UK experience hair loss, with male pattern baldness accounting for 95 per cent of cases.
For many, it’s a minor inconvenience and seen as a normal part of ageing. But for others, like Olly, hair loss at such a young age can be devastating.
Now 23, and a journalist in Global’s newsroom, he says: ‘For the past four years, I haven’t gone anywhere without a hat because I was so self–conscious about being bald.
‘I avoided going to places where I wouldn’t be able to wear one; I even avoided formal events at university with my friends because I knew I would have to show my hair.
‘On the rare occasions I didn’t wear a hat, such as at work, people were always shocked when I told them how young I was. They thought I was about ten years older because of my hair.’
He tried everything from ‘hair–revitalising’ caffeine shampoos to rosemary oil and minoxidil spray – an over-the-counter drug that slows down hair loss in around half of cases – but saw no improvement.
Olly Hilton began to notice his receding hairline at the age of 18. He said his hairline began to ‘resemble the McDonald’s logo’
He tried everything from ‘hair-revitalising’ caffeine shampoos to rosemary oil and minoxidil spray – but saw no improvement
Even prescribed minoxidil tablets – seen as a more effective version of the spray – had little effect.
Like many young men losing their hair, he first pinned his hopes on a transplant. But a private clinic warned he’d likely need three £5,000 operations before he hit 30, each requiring weeks off work – a price and commitment he simply couldn’t afford.
Then, earlier this year, he found a solution: a £265 custom–made hairpiece.
Sometimes referred to as ‘the new toupee’, so-called hair systems are growing in popularity as a cheaper, non-surgical alternative to hair transplants.
Typically costing between £150 and £800, they are bonded to the scalp and styled to blend seamlessly with existing hair.
Salons across the UK now offer the treatment, which can deliver dramatic, natural-looking results. Each system is made from individually woven strands of human hair matched to the client’s natural colour and texture, attached to a thin base and secured to the scalp with adhesive.
The trend has gained traction on social media, where transformation videos regularly attract millions of views.
After seeing the results online, Olly booked a consultation at The Grooming Room in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, near his home.
In total, the initial fitting and hair system was priced at £465 – still a fraction of what a transplant would have cost.
Following a half-hour consultation in mid-February, his natural hair was colour-matched using sample pieces – including a peppering of grey strands to blend in with the sides of his hair.
Earlier this year, Olly found a solution: a £265 custom–made hairpiece. He’s pictured today, aged 23
By his early 20s, Olly’s hairline had receded significantly and a bald patch appeared on his crown
Olly is pictured at The Grooming Room in Ashby‑de‑la‑Zouch, where he had his hair shaved and the hair system fitted
In early April, he returned to have the system fitted and styled, which took around three hours.
‘Getting the hair system has changed my life,’ he said. ‘I haven’t worn a hat in two months, which is the biggest change for me.
‘I feel so much more confident and I’m experimenting with different hairstyles after years of wearing a hat every day.
‘People don’t realise it’s not my real hair unless I tell them – they just assume it’s mine.’
He added that teasing from friends has stopped entirely, while his family – initially sceptical due to the stigma around traditional toupees – have been overwhelmingly positive.
‘I’ve had nothing but compliments from those around me,’ he said.
Olly now returns to the salon every ten to 14 days for maintenance, which may stretch to every three weeks over time. Each appointment costs £40.
While the solution is far from cheap, it is a price he says he is ‘more than happy to pay’ for the boost in confidence.
He plans to continue using the system until at least his 30s, saying he would feel more comfortable going bald when more men his age are in the same position.
He remains open to a hair transplant in the future, when circumstances and finances allow.
Male pattern baldness is linked to genetics, meaning it runs in the family. Some may develop alopecia areata, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the scalp tissue, making hair fall out in patches. Stress can also trigger the problem.
Dr Aleksandar Godic, a dermatologist specialising in hair loss, said: ‘Hair loss can have a profound psychological impact, particularly in younger patients.
The hairpiece is colour‑matched to his natural hair – including a few greys – so those who aren’t in the know assume it’s his own hair
After years of hiding under hats, Olly is now experimenting with different hairstyles
I finally feel like myself again and I’m more than happy to pay for that confidence,’ says Olly
‘At 23, most people do not expect to be dealing with significant balding, and it can affect confidence, self-esteem and social interactions during an important stage of life.
‘The emotional burden is not necessarily linked to how much hair is lost, but to how individuals perceive the change. Some experience considerable distress, social anxiety and a loss of confidence even when the hair loss appears relatively mild.’
In the UK, millions of men take medications such as finasteride, another proven hair-loss medication, and minoxidil to slow or reverse balding.
Each year, thousands opt for transplants, which can cost upwards of £4,000. However, these are not always successful and may not be suitable for those with more advanced hair loss.
Dr Godic added: ‘Hair systems can be a reasonable option when medication is not effective or suitable, or when a transplant isn’t viable.
‘Modern systems have improved significantly in quality and realism, allowing people to achieve a natural appearance and immediate improvement in hair density.
‘If a hair system helps restore confidence and improve quality of life, that can be a very meaningful outcome.’
While Olly has faced some criticism online – with some suggesting he should simply embrace baldness – he insists the choice is personal.
‘Some men are happy being bald and some aren’t,’ he said. ‘For me, this hair system means I don’t have to hide under a hat any more. I finally feel like myself again and I’m more than happy to pay for that confidence.’
