Choosing and Buying a Wig

A woman’s hair really is her crowning glory and may be integral to her self-esteem. It’s not until you lose it that you know the extent to which your hair matters to the way you feel about and see yourself. People lose their hair for a variety of reasons including natural hair loss from aging, alopecia, illness and from treatments used to cure diseases like cancer-related chemotherapy. If your hair loss is severe you may not want to wear a hat, scarf or turban. Many women choose, instead to wear a wig to address their hair loss problems. The idea may not sound all that appealing at first and you may choose only to wear it on special occasions but once you see how it can improve your sense of self esteem you may decide to wear it every day. Either way, here are some general guidelines on how to buy a wig and improve the way you feel about your hair loss.

General Tips

* Start to shop for your wig long before you lose a lot of hair. This way you can match it to your natural color, texture, and style.

* Specialty shops for cancer patients are a good source of hairpieces. If you aren’t comfortable going to your local retailer, a sales associate may be able to come to your home to help you fit your new wig.

* The American Cancer Society’s “tlc” catalog is another source of wigs and hairpieces.

* If your hair loss is likely to be temporary consider borrowing one instead of buying it. Call your local American Cancer Society or enquire at the social work department at your hospital.

* If you need to buy a wig due to hair loss from cancer treatment, it is a tax-deductible expense and may be (at least) partially covered by your health insurance. Do check your policy and ask your doctor to write out a prescription for a “hair prosthesis.”

Call Your Hairstylist

When you make an appointment ask for some extra time. Tell your stylist that you have a new wig that you would like trimmed and styled to suit your face. Most hairstylists deal with women who have hair loss problems from time to time so you need not feel shy or embarrassed. Your stylist just may be the best friend you could have right now!

Give Yourself Options

Wigs may be a little uncomfortable so you might not want to wear it all day or even every day and a hairpiece sticking out underneath a cap is far more comfortable than the bulk of a wig. Many wig stores and cancer specialty shops stock a range of side pieces, bangs, ponytails, curls and other aids designed to be Velcroed into a hat.

Where to Buy a Wig

1. Ask your stylist, who probably deals with people who want to buy a wig more often than you think.

2. Call the American Cancer Society.

3. Ask your doctor for recommendations on wig retailers or salons
If you can’t afford to buy a wig call Cancer Care (800-813-HOPE) for assistance.

General Tips

Hair loss can be a sensitive subject, especially if you are losing yours through illness or chemotherapy. For this reason it is really important that you are comfortable with the store, stylist and staff when you buy a wig.

Telephone the store and ask about the privacy of fittings. If the store specializes in cancer patients ask about refitting (when you have lost more hair) and if they have a range of options – styles, color, type and price.

Find out if you can try on the wig or return it if you need to. (some state’s health regulations prohibit this).

It is possible to purchase wigs online these days but if you decide to go this route remember that there is no way of knowing what you’re really buying until it arrives. If you buy a wig over the Internet ask about return policies.

Choosing a Wig that Suits You

There are several options available: human hair or synthetic; short or long; custom- or machine-made; and a variety of prices (which can range from $40 to over $4,000). If you buy a wig buy the style you can afford and are most comfortable with.

Synthetic vs. Human Hair

Some women prefer wigs crafted from synthetic hair since it is easier to maintain and more affordable. In general, synthetic wigs have a style molded into them, but some can be reset into different styles. A wig that can be styled means you can change your look from time to time. On the down side you will have to restyle your hair each time you wash it. This type of wig also dries much faster than real hair, so it may be more convenient.

How real does it look? Synthetic wigs may look real (good quality ones often do), but they don’t really move or feel like the real thing. You also need to protect them from heat so you can’t use a curling iron or blow dryer (unless it is specially designed for hairpieces. Hot rollers may be used, but only at low settings. Never expose your synthetic hairpiece to the heat of an appliance like an oven as this will cause it to go frizzy. If you buy a wig like this you need to be ultra-careful and this may become irritating.

Wigs made from human hair look and feel more like your own hair. Unfortunately wigs made of human hair are very expensive ($1,000 and up) and very time consuming. They may be styled with conventional aids but we suggest taking them to a professional for washing and styling.

Wigs are made from three types of real hair namely Asian, Indonesian and European. The most common and affordable is Asian hair. It is also the heaviest and nothing like hair found on Western European women. Indonesian is a little finer mid-grade hair. European is the finest hair but also very difficult to come by so it’s fairly expensive. All the pieces are cleaned, stripped, dyed and/or permed, so you may not be able to tell the difference.

Wig Construction

This is probably the most important aspect to the way a wig looks. A good synthetic hairpiece is better than a badly made real one. Custom made, hand-made and machine-made wigs are available.

Machine-made hairpieces are the least expensive and most common kind, most people have seen this type of wig or wig. They can look quite real until they are pulled back or parted in the wrong place.

If you buy a wig and money is not an issue consider a hand-made one. These are very natural in appearance since individual strands are knotted on to a skullcap rather than wefts of hair being sewn together. You can part these wigs and style them with accessories since the vents can’t be revealed. Hair also falls and moves in a natural way.

Custom-made wigs are almost identical to real hair. They take a long time to make and may not be an option for cancer patients who need an immediate solution. Call the local chapter of the American Cancer Society to double-check that you are working with a reputable establishment.

Style

Before you buy a wig, decide if you want a natural look or experiment with a new style. With a few adjustments can make your wig look as natural as possible. A wig can’t duplicate the way hair blends into your skin without make up and other aids. Use curls, bangs or wisps of hair to cover the hairline and help your wig to look natural.

Color

Match your own hair color or try a new tint and color. Think about going a shade lighter if you are having treatments since it will offset any skin tone changes that result from chemotherapy. However, do try to stay within range of your natural shade or lighter.

Examine the wig outside in natural light. Study the color as well as the depth and tones for example high and low lights before you buy a wig.

Supplies You Might Need

You will need a form to store the wig on when you aren’t wearing it, a wire wig brush, hair nets, pins to hold the wig in place while brushing, low alcohol or wig hair spray, and special shampoo and conditioner.

When you buy a wig don’t be embarrassed by your hair loss. Many people lose their hair for a variety of reasons and your stylist and retailer won’t look askance at you if you ask for their help and guidance. They can be invaluable in helping you find the perfect wig, styling it and taking care of it in between. Buy a wig that looks as natural as possible even if it costs a bit more. Whether your hair loss is permanent or temporary, have some fun with your wig too. Change your style or color and create a new you!