A beautician who has alopecia has opened up about what it's like to live with the condition on a new dating show.
Chloe, 29, is almost entirely bald and, as a result, wears a wig when she's out in public.
The 29-year-old Australian, who lives in the UK, appears in the new series of TLC show 'Too Ugly For Love?'
"Having alopecia makes me feel less female, less attractive, less desirable. It has shattered my confidence," Chloe says on the show.
Chloe
Chloe noticed her hair was beginning to thin when she was just 14 years old. A few years later, her hair loss rapidly increased and she was eventually diagnosed with alopecia areata.
According to the NHS, alopecia areata is caused by a problem with the immune system and tends to cause patches of baldness on the scalp.
The condition is estimated to affect one or two people in every 1,000 in the UK and is more common among people with other autoimmune conditions, such as an overactive thyroid, diabetes or Down's syndrome.
"It's the first thing I think about and the last thing I think about every day," Chloe says.
Chloe wearing a wig
While Chloe has never found it difficult to find a first date, she says that developing relationships has been a different story.
"I've been on two dates with someone, I've been on four dates with someone... whenever I've told them [about my condition] I've never heard from them again.
"Everyone hides something, some girls wear inches of makeup to cover up imperfections. And I wear a wig to cover mine."
During the show she goes on two dates, the first with psychologist Ian and the second with music producer Ben.
Although she fails to find 'The One' on the show, both of the men seem impressed by their date.
"She's beautiful, she's intelligent, but there was just something missing," Ben says.
Let's hope the experience gives Chloe a much-needed confidence boost.
Too Ugly For Love? airs on TLC at 9pm on Wednesdays from 13 January
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Teenager With Alopecia Embraces Her New Life With Different Wigs
