A MOTHER who has had alopecia for more than 30 years says embracing her baldness has changed her life.

Linda Duncan was told the stresses of her job as a policewoman were behind the bald patches she found on the back of her head when she was just 22-years-old.

The mum-of-three, who lives in Colchester, witnessed rocket attacks as she worked in Northern Ireland during the Troubles in the Nineties.

Embarrassed about her appearance, Mrs Duncan initially used black permanent markers to disguise the hair loss appearing amid her lengthy brunette locks.

Gazette: Youngster - Mrs Duncan before her hair fell outYoungster - Mrs Duncan before her hair fell out (Image: Newsquest / Linda Duncan)

Her efforts were to be in vain, however, as a dermatologist delivered the damning diagnosis confirming she would go bald and also lose her eyebrows and eyelashes.

But, now aged 54, Mrs Duncan says braving taking her headscarf off when she participates in Parkrun has changed the way she views her condition for good.

“Over the summer it was just so hot, so on one run I decided to take my headscarf off and it instantly felt so much better,” the Slimming World consultant explained.

Gazette: Devastated - aged 23, Mrs Duncan headed to the US to deal with her conditionDevastated - aged 23, Mrs Duncan headed to the US to deal with her condition (Image: Newsquest / Linda Duncan)

“People were completely astonished I was bald and that I had the courage to come out and say ‘this is how it is’, but for me it’s no longer something to be ashamed of.”

The keen runner said she began covering up her condition with the use of a £6,000 wig imported from the US after having issues with the authenticity of those available in the UK.

It followed the “humiliation” of someone snatching her wig from her head on a nightclub dancefloor “for a joke”, leading her to run away from the venue.

Gazette: Confident - Linda Duncan in her wigConfident - Linda Duncan in her wig (Image: Newsquest / Linda Duncan)

“It was difficult which is why it’s such a relief now,” the member of Boxted Runners added.

“The doorbell rang last week and usually I’d be rushing about to find my wig before answering; it was incredible to open the door without it and just not care.

“I’ve slowly built up the courage and become more open about it.

“There were days I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror but now I’ve learnt to love myself.”