Calling all wig wearers! Sos

[Wontgoquietly]

Hoping you lovely ladies of MN can offer me.some advice around lace fronted synthetic wigs.

I know this probably isn't the right board but hoping this will get more traffic here than on the beauty board.

I'm about to start chemo.and will.most certainly lose my hair, as such I've brought a number of synthetic wigs to cover my baldness.

Most are lace fronted which need to be glued down. (I have glue, tape and wig caps)

My question is, how long are they supposed to stay on for and how do you maintain them/keep them looking good.

Also can/do you sleep in them?

I'm thinking it's a bit of a faff to go to all the trouble of laying it down and cutting etc to remove and start over every day?

You tube has given me all the tools I need to fit them but cant fine any info on the above.

Thanking you in advance

Morning,

Unfortunately the best option for the wigs is to not sleep in them. Luckily you will only need to cut the lace front part once and then it will be a case of just glueing it every morning.
It should last all day/evening but I'd keep some glue on you just incase.
The reason I say don't sleep in them is because they will tangle and matt pretty quickly and sadly as they aren't real hair it can just end up being a nightmare. Even real hair wigs can be a pain!
You could probably get away with it on the odd occasion though.
Good luck with your chemo x

Sorry, missed your question about maintaining.
Brush regularly, especially after you take them off of an evening, although if it's a curly wig then you'll be fine to leave it and just try to make sure it hasn't tangled too much during the days weather.
Not sure where you'll be storing them but the best place is on mannequin heads however I get not everyone has that much room but ideally on pegs individually so that they can hang rather than lay flat.
Someone else may have some different/better advice x

Sorry to hear what you’re going through.

I wore wigs during lockdown due to vanity. I didn’t want to display how much grey hair I have (was at hairdressers on Monday to sort it).

I went for human hair with a lace front. After washing it after getting it out the box, once it had dried, I put it on and marked around the lace front, took it off and cut it so it matched my natural hairline. I then cut some wispy bit at the front to make it look more natural.

I never used glue, I only secured it with the inbuilt combs it came with to secure it. It managed to stay secure on windy days and when exercising.

I always took it off before going to bed and washed and conditioned it every 3 days.

Oh and good luck with the chemo x

I better order a big stock of glue remover then because that stuff doesnt want to come off with soap and water!!

I cant use the combs... there will.be nothing for them.to.grip too.

I'll look to buy some mannequin heads.

I have been on the look out for a real hair one but the price is extortionate!

Can anyone recommend and good and reasonably priced suppliers?

Thank you all

Maybe if you bought a wig cap, you could secure the combs to that? Many people use wig caps to protect their hair underneath.

I got my real human hair wig on Amazon, it was about £30 (ish?) I don’t recall it being that expensive. It wasn’t A list celeb quality but it did the job and looked natural enough. Not too thick, big and overly shiny.

I didn’t bother with a mannequin head. I just hung it up on a peg in the bathroom.

I've secured my lave front wigs wit Got2Be glued hairspray for months now and it's much easier than faffing with glue every day

I can't use glue, I prefer wig grip bands. I've used both silocone and velvet and prefer the velvet ones. These are the ones I use at the moment www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y4YGCDT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnetforu03-21
Look at simply wigs website for loads of advice and blogs from wig wearers.

Try www.websterwigs.com or www.lushwigs.com
They do some lovely lace fronts and not all overly expensive. Some are very brightly coloured but they do have ones that aren't.
I believe both these websites send wig caps with their wigs but they are both really helpful so if you contact them and explain then I'm sure they would help you as much as possible with fitting etc. X

Use Got2B spray - yellow can - to glue them down with. Much easier on the skin than most glues. It can also come off and be cleaned with water and soap. Brush them and store them well i.e. don't just chuck them on the floor to maintain them. A wig stand helps but it's not absolutely necessary. They can be slept in but try not to do that too often as they can matt and lose their shape. With heavy duty glue you can have them stay for up to a week but invest in some head scarfts and silk bonnets to give yourself a break.

All the best with the chemo!

Got2B glued for single day use would be perfect.

Human hair wigs are expensive. So far value for money wigs would be primer lace wigs. They’re based on China but shipping is speedy. Depending where you are in the U.K. and they have raving reviews. Their wigs need to be thinned out at the top, too much bulk at the top IMO.

Their hair is human hair and great quality. You can tell by the way it washes. It’s fluid like normal hair whereas vendors that claim is human hair but actually crap quality hair stiffens and matts when washed.

However there isn’t any body in place in this industry to vet them so wig suppliers get away with lying about what they are selling as far as I’m aware which can be an expensive mistake.

When it comes to human hair wigs, after about a month or first and second wash the coating of the hair comes away. So wig becomes drier and lodes flow as much and not as silky. So be prepared for this. You need to know how to look after your wigs.

There are a LOT of tutorials on YouTube and they are extremely helpful.

My advice to you is, don’t bleach the lace on the wig to match your scalp , it just ruins your wigs and it actually doesn’t melt to look like your scalp.

Don’t buy expensive make up to make the lace blend because it won’t work out how you see on the videos.

A wig is a wig. It will always look like a wig to you (you can fool others) and the imperfections or not naturalness you see can be helped but won’t completely blend.

I find a lot of YouTube videos show how well the lace ‘melts’ onto the head which means it blends so seamlessly. Actually the camera angle and lighting makes it look like that. I’ve never met a wig wearer that has been able to blend their lace successfully to their scalp in the way YouTubers do. I figured over the years it’s because there is an element of clicks = pay so exaggerating pays.

That being said the average person can’t tell.

Take the YouTube videos with a pinch of salt.

Expect to pay between £60-140 for a front lace wig. And up to thousands for a full lace wig.

But ball park for full lace i recommend no more than £200.

Difference between full lace and lace front

Full lace is a full head of lace (think soft delicate mesh) and each hair is hand tied to the wig all over the full head,

Lace front is only the front part (up to back of ear) is lace and hair is individually tied. The back looks like a traditional wig so has tracks. So a gust of wind will reveal that. Think about 5 lines of bunting with hair but inbetween the bunting there are gaps of 2cm.
However you can get a full lace lace front which means that under the tracks there is lace so you head isn’t exposed. No balding of head on show which I know can make people feel paranoid and upset.

I would recommend a full lace, lace front as a starting wig and see how you go.

Premier lace wigs *

m.premierlacewigs.com/

They usually have more options and masses of stock however lockdown has affected their supply.

Human hair lace is often more believable and better to work with than synthetic but it costs a hell of a lot more. Invest in some Olive oil sheen spray and again avoid glue if you can. You can even lay a wig with mousse. And also pluck the frontal or buy a pre-plucked one so it looks like a more natural hair line than just a semi-circle of hair all around the perimeter of your scalp!

One of the best things to do is dress the wig. So when I had to wear one I used to put sunglasses on the top of my head or a simple Alice band.

I actually had mine fitted at a shop recommended by the NHS. I have no idea if this is possible due to current regulations. They were without doubt skilled and caring.

I never slept in mine and don’t think it’s a good idea as it is really like wearing a hat all the time and would be too hot. I used a wig cap. Just sending best wishes as well.

I have loads and loads of wigs
Mine are extremely real looking -
I often buy a lot from America as even with customs charge It can sometimes be cheaper than the uk
The main thing I find is getting the colour to match your skin tone so for me that’s a T1b 30 or FS 4 /30/27
Straight wigs don’t suit me but curly ones look amazing
I would initially get a few cheap ones before you decide what colours / styles that you like then you can invest in a better one
There is a few FB pages with wig makers on them and they will make wigs to your specific colour blend
I would also take a few photos of your hair and should you start to lose your hair keep a bit of it as a decent wig maker will be able to make a wig to match your natrual hair colour

I also use wig hair bands to keep mine in place

If your synthetic wig looks a bit too 'shiny', a little bit of dry shampoo, well brushed out, takes the high gloss off. I always keep my wigs on mannequin heads, it keeps them in shape - the cap can distort if they're hung up. When I wash them, I put them over a tall hairspray can to dry so it lets air circulate. Good luck and best wishes!

AfroStyling wigs do a good selection of European style wigs and wigs for black / Afro hair

Thank you everyone for the great advice lots to go at. I have a selection of synthetic lace frontals already but have found that the longer ones tend to tangle easily which is why I was looking at human hair in its place.

All.the videos I'd watched show fitting with glue and I had assumed once on they stayed on for a while. I had asked via comments but never got a response so thank you for clarifying

I will try the got to be glued spray in its place, I'm assuming that it'll be kinder on the skin and much less hassle to remove. I'll save the glue for very windy days

I've found Lush wigs to be great for a quick throw on fashion wig and Amazon have delivered all my lace fronted ones. I haven't customised them yet as my hairline is very low on my forehead so decided to wait until my own hair has gone.

Will certainly take a look at the other sites recommended.

Building up quite a collection, but I figure it's worth the investment as it will take tears to get my hair back to anywhere near the length it is now.

Hairloss is so difficult to deal with for us ladies, but I'm trying to turn it into a positive and getting lots of different styles and colours that I could never achieve with my super long dark brown mane.

Again thank you to everyone who has offered advice.

@BJHair

I have loads and loads of wigs Mine are extremely real looking - I often buy a lot from America as even with customs charge It can sometimes be cheaper than the uk The main thing I find is getting the colour to match your skin tone so for me that’s a T1b 30 or FS 4 /30/27 Straight wigs don’t suit me but curly ones look amazing I would initially get a few cheap ones before you decide what colours / styles that you like then you can invest in a better one There is a few FB pages with wig makers on them and they will make wigs to your specific colour blend I would also take a few photos of your hair and should you start to lose your hair keep a bit of it as a decent wig maker will be able to make a wig to match your natrual hair colour

I also use wig hair bands to keep mine in place

Please can you share your wigs suppliers ?

I’ve heard of Afro styling wigs.

I’m interested in the ones you buy from America.

I have two lace front wigs, synthetic ones. I have never glued them they just stayed in place! The only thing I found with the lace front is when washed according to the instructions the lace bit went hard and scratchy

• @Wontgoquietly*

What a brave post, well done for asking.

I went through mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapies. Good luck to you 😘. I just want to highlight a few things.

I had lost all my hair all over my body. Whilst it was great not to have to wax for a year, i was very surprised to find me very upset at loosing my hair because i am not a girly girl if you see what i mean.

I shaved my hair before they fell because I could see patches in my scalp and hair in my pillow which I needed to hoover. The sense of loss what so intense I decided to take matter in my own hands.

During the chemo and between the sessions my scalp was extremely sensitive: sore, cold and itchy. The only things that works were no wig at home as it felt like an excruciating pain on the edges of the wig and natural fibers

I recommend you invest in a real hair wig, a silk scarf and silk hat for sleeping ie. buy some silk tights, cut them to make a little hat. It keeps you warm and isnt itchy.
Get your friends / family / partner to give a beautiful scarf to wear around the house.
Wear your silk hat inderneath the wig when you ho out, it relieve the pain a bit.

For shampoos and cream use natural products with no scents.

Chemo isnt the time to buy cheap sorry. It is the time to buy sensibly and good quality - it doesnt have to be expensive it has to be good.

Also some like to use the ice cap during the chemos it slows the hair falling. I didnt because having my head cold gives me headaches.

Mind yourself. Be your best friend and let your love ones look after you. You dont have to be a hero - which you are - you have to prioritise you.

Do DM me if you need. Best wishes

@Bubblesgun thank you for all your wonderful advice.

I also think I will brave the shave when it becomes noticable. A cold cap isn't an option for me unfortunately as it effects the efficiency of my chemo protocol. I've been advised it's almost a certainty that It will go, along with all my body hair and a good chance my nails wont make it either.

Most alarmed about the nails if I'm being honest but it's all a small price to pay to ensure I can be here for my family.

My hair is currently around 24inchs long so way past my shoulders and bust and I'm assuming to get any type of length again after treatment is going to take around 2 years. Once I get a reasonable amount I will most likely have extensions added but until i get to that stage i will be using wigs.

I'm quite young still and cant bare the thought of being seen with no hair so I'm mentally in the place of "beauty is pain" as I feel I'll cope with the physical irritation better than they psychological pain of people seeing my hairloss iyswim.

I have a number of bamboo soft sleep caps on standby for when I'm alone.

Now beauty salons have reopened it may be an idea for me to try and book a consultation with a wig maker for a real hair option too. I will look into that over the next few days.

Hoping you are well after your treatment and thank you once again x