Naomi, a professional writer who radiates positivity, first noticed her hair loss seven years ago, just before turning 40. At the time, she and her husband were juggling the demands of a growing family, with two young children and another on the way, while also managing the pressures of opening a new restaurant and bar in Sydney and writing a cookbook. Amidst these challenges, Naomi was also supporting her eldest child, who is autistic, through some difficult times. “I’m fairly confident I was operating purely on cortisol,” Naomi recalls. “One night, I was doing my makeup in the Uber on the way to the restaurant awards, in a rush as usual, and looked in the mirror. That’s when I noticed half of my eyebrow was missing.”

As the hair loss progressed, a friend gently pointed out a patch on the back of her head. Naomi sought treatment, starting with scalp injections and topical creams, but both proved to be painful and ineffective. Eventually, the family made the decision to sell the restaurant and move to Fiji, where Naomi tried a new medication that initially showed some promise. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they were forced to return to Australia with no home, job, or financial stability. Naomi’s hair began to fall out once again, and by Christmas, she chose to shave it all off. “I felt a sense of relief with a cleanly shaved head,” she says and for the next four and a half years she lived without hair.

Throughout this period, Naomi made the personal choice not to wear wigs. “My kids were adamantly against it—they didn’t want me to look fake,” Naomi explains. “My eldest, especially, didn’t want me pretending to be someone I wasn’t.” Although Naomi had accepted her condition, it wasn’t always easy. “I really felt the cold with a bald head, and although my looks had never been a top priority for me, I was aware that I didn’t feel as attractive, and that others often perceived me to be sick or fragile, which really became the hardest part of it all to live with.” While Naomi, as a natural optimist, had developed a philosophical approach to her situation, she still felt the impact of how others, beyond her immediate family and close friends, treated her.

The turning point came in 2023 when Naomi came across a story about an actor from Neighbours who had found success with a new medication that wasn’t yet funded for people with alopecia. "It was too expensive, and not something that was going to be an option for us," Naomi says. “But it prompted me to revisit my dermatologist, who told me about a clinical trial for a new potential treatment for alopecia. The timing was perfect, and they were actively recruiting for the study.”

Naomi decided to join the trial, and within two weeks, she saw a change. "I was amazed when I started seeing hair growth—it looked like spider webs at first, but it was hair!" Naomi says with excitement. Though the new hair came in thinner than before, it brought with it a new sense of confidence and hope. "I had been told to expect it to come in white, but instead, it came back curly and with some of the red colour returning. It was a huge relief."

Naomi reflects on her experience with the clinical trial, saying, "The researchers at Momentum Clinical Research were incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and thorough. I built a strong rapport with the doctors and study nurses. Although there was some travel involved, they were always flexible with my schedule, and I truly felt supported and cared for throughout the entire process."

Beyond the physical changes, Naomi’s experience has been profoundly transformative in other ways. “I flew for the first time with hair and noticed something different going through the airport—no one came up to me thinking I had cancer,” she reflects. “I always felt fortunate that I was in a secure stage of my life with a loving family and support around me when my hair fell out. However, I struggled with the unsolicited advice and pity I received from strangers, which was the most confronting part of it all for me.”

Naomi’s journey is a poignant reminder of the impact that clinical trials can have. Participating in a clinical trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of medical treatments that could improve the lives of others while potentially benefiting your own health. “I feel so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the study,” Naomi shares. “I was resigned to being bald, but having my hair back is such a gift—even the pesky ones on my chin! I feel very lucky.”

At Momentum Clinical Research, we are always looking for individuals to join our community of participants. If you’re interested in learning more about clinical trials and how you can get involved, we encourage you to reach out. Our team will work with you to match you with the right study.

For over two decades, we have proudly partnered with thousands of individuals in New Zealand and Australia, striving to make clinical research more accessible and offering opportunities for people to contribute to impactful advancements in healthcare.