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To wig or not to wig

13 replies

Pugwash1 · 16/01/2020 21:04

I'm giving some serious consideration to getting a wig. Nothing outrageous. Just a better version of what I already have. Every haircut I've ever had has been a disaster leaving me with some anxiety about having my hair done, I have hypothyroidism and despite meds my hair it's now quite thin, I'm fed up with covering my grey hair and sick of styling it every morning only for it to look like pants about an hour later.
Has anyone experience of wigs who can advise on types they get on with that look natural, what type of caps are best and how to keep them from moving! All advice greatly received.

OP posts:
raspberrymolakoff · 16/01/2020 21:28

Several friends have said they're itchy and hot. To be fair they had hair loss from chemo which may have added to the discomfort. I think the general rule is spend as much as you can afford. My neighbour had an array in various colours and styles and looked great when she lost her hair from chemo.

Rachelfromfriends1 · 16/01/2020 21:47

Have you completely ruled out hair extensions?

Lots of my friends wear wigs, mainly to change colours and styles though. I don’t know any specific unfortunately. Lace front wigs/frontals seem really popular and are designed to look natural around the hairline. Especially if you leave out some of your natural hair.

I would recommend going to a very good salon and let them advise you to be honest. I also think black hair salons are more advanced at achieving natural results, check the #londonwigs on Instagram to see examples

8misskitty8 · 16/01/2020 22:41

Following as I’ve been seriously considering a wig too.

Since having thyroid cancer my hair has thinned and hardly grows. A year ago I had a keratin blow dry which fried my hair so I had to get a lot cut off. Plus family stress has led to a few bald bits.

I did think about extensions but part of my hair is only covering a bit of my ear so don’t think it’s long enough to do ?

Daveyn40 · 16/01/2020 23:24

I can’t advise about wigs but I have thin hair that is in pretty bad condition and very broken in parts - recently had a few tape hair extensions put in and the difference is amazing. No longer have to wash my hair every day and it looks really natural. May be worth exploring x

princessTiasmum · 17/01/2020 13:51

I have the same problem, but had lots of blood tests including thyroid, nd all came back normal
I am having a scalp biopsy next week, to see if there is anything else going on, as the dermatologist i see said it is Telogen Effluvium and will grow back, but no sign yet
It is very depressing i know,and i am wearing a hat every time i have to go out of the house

ilovecherries · 17/01/2020 21:02

I’m a long time wig wearer. I have the bits of hair I do have shaved every week, and I sometimes go bald, sometimes wear a wig, sometimes wear a hat. There is life after hair loss, I promise!

You don’t have to go super expensive to begin with, but you DO need a decently made wig, and not something you bought off Amazon for cosplay. Both Simply Wigs and Valentine wigs sell good brands. The latter has a 30% off sale till next week, if you sign up for emails. Both have good customer service. If you can get a GP to confirm your hair loss, you will also be able to get the VAT off.

Re cap styles - Lace fronts and monofilament tops give you the most natural hairline and parting, but I wouldn’t invest at that level till you know you will wear the thing. If you have a fringe, you don’t need a lace front anyway, and you can get away without a monofilament top if you buy a rooted colour. I don’t find my wigs itchy or uncomfortable. If you are a woman of colour, then there are many salon options, especially in big cities, but if you aren’t, you are unlikely to find anything that suits you there.

I don’t wear human hair at all - synthetics are much easier to care for and style. Re them moving - when I first started to wear wigs, I went through all the glue and clipping process, now I literally pop it on my head and it has never shifted, even when soaked or out in a gale. The important thing is to put them on properly - there is a knack, and you don’t put them on like a hat, from the back, but from the front.

I now have a vast selection of the things, and because of that, they last a long time. I wash them in ecover hand wash liquid every 5-7 wears. In questions, just ask - it’s a big move, but I found it transformational.

ilovecherries · 17/01/2020 21:06

If by any chance you are in Scotland, I couldn’t recommend Parouche in Glasgow highly enough. You make an appt and they have a private try-on room, and are endlessly patient. You do pay a premium there, but it’s worth it for your first wig.

Chihaha · 17/01/2020 21:12

I would get a real hair wig if you can afford it and get it cut at a hairdressers as they have far too much hair in them. They're far less obvious - especially in lighter colours.

Its hard to wear a wig with any hair underneath and as pp has said, they can be hot and itchy. Have you looked into any of the weave things that you can get for thinning hair?

I had no cancer when I wore my wig so no hair, as soon as it started coming back in the wig would slide about. But, when I wore it generally no one could tell it was a wig to the point it really confused people. When my hair was long enough to be passable a lot of people just thought I'd cut my hair.

Whatever you buy, i found putting hats on top of it even just in the house helped flatten it down. Serum was a lifesaver for the real hair one.

It's worth trying a cheap one from online just to see how you feel wearing it before you invest.

Maverick66 · 17/01/2020 22:54

I know someone with very fine hair who has opted for a weave.
She found a really good hairdresser that specialised in hair loss.
Her weave is made with real hair.
It costs approximately £1000.00 a year to maintain this includes a new weave once a year and various maintenance appointments through the year.

What I would say to you is give it some consideration.
If you start wearing a weave/wig there may be no going back as it could affect your own hair growth.

Personally I would search out a hairdresser with expertise in cutting and styling fine hair and go from there .

I wish you luck as I understand the unhappiness you are experiencing.

raspberrymolakoff · 18/01/2020 21:16

Funny how different hair growth is, such a image thing. I have had thyroid issues for many years and other auto-immune issues too. Several of my long term drugs warn about hair loss. Mine is as thick and curly as ever, would welcome something a little more controllable! Not a stealth boast, just an observation. On the other hand, however much thyroxine I take I still put on weight ridiculously easily so you wins and you loses in this life.

User129867588 · 18/05/2021 16:51

I know this is an old thread but does anyone know if I'm eligible for vat relief.
I'm in England . Was diagnosed with female pattern baldness ( androgenetic alopecia) by a dermatologist a few months ago 😔.
Thanks

princessTiasmum · 18/05/2021 23:22

Some wigmakers do knock vat off if you have a problem with thin hair
Simply wigs in Huddersfield do, they send you a form to fill in
I was going to get a topper from them and tried a couple but they didn't have the exact colour i wanted,i still haven't got one, but they are a very reputable company,and very nice if you ring them

User129867588 · 19/05/2021 07:34

Thanks. I know there is an excemption form but it just says alopecia which I guess can be interpreted as all forms of alopecia.

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