That's it - I'm officially Melisandre when she takes her necklace off.

[ChateauneufDuTwat]

An ancient, decrepit old crone whose body is falling apart .

Am almost 39. I've never had any problems with getting older (in fact have always looked a bit younger than my age) until the last few months when I've just seemed to spot nothing but issues with my appearance. A wrinkle here, a chin hair there. Nothing major and my confidence was high enough to suck it up.

My hair has always been pretty great and not something I've ever been neurotic about. Until just now when by sheer accident I've discovered I've got a fucking BALD SPOT on my crown 😳.

I have loads of hair and the rest of it is in good condition (naturally grey but I due it pastel purple/pink) but slap bang on my pate is a smooth patch of scalp the size of a 10p. 100% noticeable when my hair is down.

I might actually cry 😢

I have a history of hyperthyroidism/Graves Disease which has been in remission for a few years. My most recent blood tests at start of year showed normal thyroid without any medication.

Could it be thyroid? Low iron? Stress? The pill?

Is it worth going to GP or will they laugh at my vanity?

Has anyone else experienced this? I don't expect to be youthful and gorgeous any more but this is just a real kick in the teeth 😭.

I'm sorry you're feeling down OP. I'm 38 myself and the years are starting to show. Re the hair issue: could it be dye related? I've never dyed my hair so I don't know but could it be damage from repeatedly dying it?

39 really!! I was still looking and feeling great, all went down hill from 50

I was walking down the high street the other week when I spotted an old woman’s reflection in a shop window a cross between my mother and my auntie!! Then I realised f**k me!! That old woman’s me!!

Terra fairly certain it's isn't the dye as I use non-toxic semi-permanent stuff that has no harsh chemicals in. I also dilute it down with conditioner.

Am trying to talk some sense into myself. I am healthy and happy and have a great life, great kids, great DP. To be upset about something so superficial seems ridiculous. But I'm struggling.

I genuinely thought it would be about 10 years before I really started worrying about getting old ☹️.

spoiler alert for those that haven't yet watch all the series of GOT. Maybe get MNHQ to change the title as spoilers are annoying.

what's the spoiler, didn't we find that out a couple seasons ago. And it made me smile..

OP there's no harm getting it checked out ? It's not about vanity

And I'm 37 year old who cant accept growing old the past year (white hair, stamina etc). I listen to songs like 'we are young' and bawl.

Yes! Where did Melisandre get that necklace anyway? I need one.

My hair thins at times but not in patches. I think it’s a scalp thing as it goes away when I use Philip Kingsley scalp tonic. I’ve tried a billion things and that’s the only one that works for me.

However, I would get thee to a doctor and check it out!

I also listen to ‘we are young’ and bawl...

Tantric hardly a spoiler seeing as it happened in the S6 premiere, in 2016.

If anyone has waited that long to watch what is the most popular TV show in the world then I guess they should stay off the internet entirely for fear of spoilers 🙄.

Going to book a GP appointment tomorrow. Would weirdly rather it was caused by something medical than by my decrepitude.

The title is class, leave it.

Ok listen OP; are you

• supplementing your diet? With iron and zinc and any B vits?
• applying a decent skincare routine (face and body including a good buff once a week to get the blood circulating?
• getting enough sleep?

I’m a year younger than you and have changed from having permanent grey pallor and dry lips and skin always to having more plumpness and actual glow.

Someone more knowledgeable than me will be along to talk about the hair loss; I’m sure this could be temporary or maybe reversed/halted by taking a keratin supplement? But honestly, washing, cleansing, moisturising, eating more fresh stuff, and drinking more water have honestly made me look more alive.

Oh, and quitting the fags too

Love that song.

I've long since accepted that my days of turning heads and being a stone cold fox are gone and I'm genuinely ok with that. But this has made me realise that a lot of my self worth is still tied into how I look. Despite being a good, kind, smart generally nice person. And that makes me feel uncomfortable.

On a practical note, I can hide it by doing a half up thing or putting it in a bun. Guess that's how I'll be wearing my hair to work for the foreseeable!

She was about 200. You're ages off 😂

Take care

Op is it a round, smooth patch, maybe a bit pink and/or tingly? It may be a touch of alopecia areata, which may be treatable with steroids. It's very common apparently though no less distressing for it. My friend had it all over her head and her hair has grown back. I have a small patch myself and so far it's still bald but it's not in a very noticeable place so I try not to think about it.

thefirst yes it is round, pink and smooth. No tingling though.

Will ring GP this morning. I haven't felt quite 'right' in lots of other ways lately. Need to get checked over I think.

I'm the same - also 38 and when i wake up in the morning my face looks like a crumpled sheet! Literally takes all day for the creases to fall out and then i go to bed and do it all over again.

Hair is also a problem for me - castor oil will help to thicken a bit.

DD had this at 25 and went to her GP, it grew back almost immediately. Wasn't age related.
Top tip for ageing: hand cream and rubber gloves pay dividends. Hands will become a huge giveaway otherwise.

Will read about castor oil. Thanks.

Am also thinking about biotin supplements but worried they won't work in a targeted way on one small area? As I said the rest of my hair is fine.

Not bothered about my few face wrinkles. Have never smoked or sunbathed, have good genes and a good skincare routine. Almost all the women I work with (Inc younger ones) get regular Botox/fillers and I can say hand on heart I've never once been tempted to even consider it. To each their own and all but I don't find the results very attractive.

Wits that's heartening to read about your DD. Gives me hope that this isn't permanent.

Another one saying alopecia areata. Worth seeing your GP just to confirm. DH had several spots of it on his head and face last year during a particularly stressed out and run down time, he was devastated. Thankfully it's completely resolved now.