Aidan Fitzgerald

Living with Alopecia

Aidan Fitzgerald — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:11:55 +0000

Living with alopecia: ‘I’ve learnt what matters – your health, your children, your laughter’

From losing her parents young, to supporting her son as he fought leukaemia, Vicky Pigot has weathered more than most. Now, she says hair loss didn’t diminish her – it freed her.

When Vicky Pigot, a solicitor from Dublin, noticed a small, round, bald patch on her scalp during college, she didn’t think much of it. “They always grew back,” she says. “I’d get one or two little spots, rub a bit of product on them, and off they’d go again.” She had no concept that these small circles of alopecia would one day mirror the turmoil and struggles of her own life. Vicky’s 20s were marked by deep loss. She recalls: “My dad died of cancer in 1996, and my mum passed away three-and-a-half years later from complications of rheumatoid arthritis. They were both gone by the time I was 30.”

Having also watched her child fight cancer, survival was all that mattered. “I’d seen my little boy lose his hair through treatment,” she says. “So for me, it wasn’t tragic. It was just another thing.” When the last strands were gone, she felt something unexpected: freedom. “The next morning, I had a shower, and it was divine,” she says, smiling. “The water on my scalp, it was the most beautiful feeling. I thought,’Oh, this isn’t so bad.’” Today, Vicky wears a wig, styled and cut by stylist Aidan Fitzgerald. “They’re beautiful, you can get real or mixed hair, semi-permanent or removable,” she explains. She’s open about her experience. “A lot of women comment on my hair,” she says. “They say, ‘Your hair’s gorgeous,’ and I just smile and say, ‘Thank you.’ Nobody talks about alopecia. There’s still a bit of silence around it.”

But for Vicky, it’s no longer something to hide. “After everything – the losses, the recession, the divorce, the illness, the pandemic; I’ve learned what matters. Your health and your children and your laughter,” she says. “Hair grows, or it doesn’t. It’s just part of the story.”

Read the full Irish Independent article.

Sunday with Miriam – RTE Radio1

“I try to not let it define me” Vicky Pigot joined Sunday with Miriam and opened up about living with alopecia universalis. Watch the full interview feature on Facebook here.

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Aidan Fitzgerald Envirocom Awards 2013

Aidan Fitzgerald — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:15:18 +0000

Aidan Fitzgerald Hair Salon formerly used thousands of litres of water per week and devoted one full time staff member to running washing machines and dryers 8-10 hours per day to provide clean towels for their beauticians to use. Conversion to using a commercial laundry with the daily collection and delivery of 12-14 bags of towels to be washed and dried did not reduce their cost or solve their towel storage space problem.

After much research and discussion, the Salon switched to a paper fibre-based disposable towel made by an Irish Company using bleach free and eco-friendly processes. The towels are 100% recyclable, will biodegrade in 12 weeks if composted and most importantly, are incredibly hygienic, soft, and absorbent.

The Salon also replaced their hair washbasins with temperature-controlled water hoses that further saved on water and electricity usage. As ‘a result these two measures, the Salon has saved 230,000 litres of water per year.

To reduce electricity costs the Salon replaced all their lighting with LED low energy fittings. In their hair colouring department, large sections of the roof were removed, and Velux Windows installed to reduce electrical lighting and allow staff and clients to see true colour shades in natural full spectrum light. Combined these measures reduced energy costs by 46% (despite an increase of 20% in electricity tariffs).

Other benefits include more efficient use of staff time, less space needed for towels storage, more space available for beauticians to work in and a reduction in the number of towel deliveries to one per week.

Overall, the judges found that a lot of thought went into integrating the Salon’s key business needs and environmental outcomes which resulted in the business reducing its costs, enhancing its customer experience, and improving its environmental performance.

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Sunday Independent – I soon forgot I was wearing a hairpiece

Aidan Fitzgerald — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:41:29 +0000

He’s been bald for years, but Liam Collins wondered what he might look like with hair. One wig later, his own daughter walked past him on the street…

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Help for hair replacement costs

Aidan Fitzgerald — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:02:45 +0000

You may be able to get help with the cost of a hairpiece, wig or hair replacement.

You can get help to pay for these products through:

The HSE, if your hair loss was caused by your cancer treatment
You or your partner’s PRSI contributions (the government’s Treatment Benefit Scheme)
Your medical card, if you do not qualify for the Treatment Benefit Scheme
Your private health insurance – contact your insurer to check

TREATMENT BENEFIT SCHEME

There is a grant worth €500 to help you cover the cost of a hairpiece, wig or hair replacement if you have certain types of alopecia. This is through the government’s Treatment Benefit Scheme.

The types of alopecia the scheme covers include:

Alopecia areata – including alopecia totalis or universalis, diffuse alopecia areata, alopecia ophiasis
Primary scarring alopecias – also known as cicatricial alopecias
Frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris (scarring alopecia)
Alopecia caused by surgery or trauma, including burns

If you do not qualify for the Treatment Benefit Scheme you may be able to get a wig through your medical card.

MEDICAL CARD

Contact a supplier to make an appointment for a fitting.
Bring your letter or prescription and your medical card details to your fitting appointment.
The supplier can send your letter or prescription, invoice and medical card details to the HSE – or will tell you where to send them to.

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MATRIX Master Cutting with Industry Icon Aidan Fitzgerald

Aidan Fitzgerald — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 11:45:06 +0000

Matrix are proud to present a Master Cutting seminar with Aidan Fitzgerald in Sally Services, Red Cow on Monday 17th September – registration at 1.45 pm – Show ends 5.00 pm. The price of this course is €50 per person.

To book your place on this 3-hour seminar, please call Dermot McMahon on 087 6838308 or the Matrix academy on 01 6045913.

This look and learn course is designed to give the stylist an in depth learning experience on 3 on trend hair styles from one of Ireland’s leading Stylists, Aidan Fitzgerald. This course is suitable to all intermediate level stylists and upwards.

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We’re Hiring

Aidan Fitzgerald — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 13:12:05 +0000

Aidan Fitzgerald is currently recruiting for the following positions

Senior Stylist

We have a position for a Senior Stylist to join our dynamic team here. Applicants must have excellent cutting skills and also excellent dressing and finishing techniques. We offer fantastic career opportunities. Please contact Miriam at 01 2886479 or Karen on 087 2063112

3rd year & 4th year trainees

We also seek 3rd year & 4th year trainees with excellent blow drying skills for our award winning salon. Key requirements include:

Excellent communication skills
Professionalism
Excellent grooming and presentation
Confident and outgoing personality

We offer:

The opportunity to work for a prestigious 5 star salon
Excellent in house training as well as courses with International companies at home and abroad
Salary in line with Labour Court recommendations
Opportunity to take part in national and international competitions.

Please contact Miriam on 01 2886479 or Karen on 087 2063112

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Matrix National Conference in Ibiza

Aidan Fitzgerald — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 16:07:32 +0000

Matrix National Conference in Ibiza – SoColor Cult.

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IHF Hairdressing Championships 2018 in Croke Park Dublin

Aidan Fitzgerald — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 16:02:28 +0000

At the IHF Hairdressing Championships 2018 in Croke Park, Dublin – Stylist Vedran, Model Roisin and Aidan Fitzgerald

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L’Oréal Professionnel Hosted An Evening with Andrew Barton

Aidan Fitzgerald — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 15:59:00 +0000

Multi Award Winner and former British Hairdresser of the Year last night – An insight to his world of glamour, fashion and the success of running his Urban Retreat Salon in Harrods London for the past 15 years. A fabulous presentation. Aidan Fitzgerald – Andrew Barton and Senior Stylist Gio

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L’Oréal Colour Trophy

Aidan Fitzgerald — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 15:48:52 +0000

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