Hair Loss Solutions: Wigs

Wigs: A Safe and Total Non-Surgical Hair Replacement Method

Wigs are so sophisticated now that you can wear your hair up in a ponytail and away from your face. Bangs are no longer required to wear wigs.

Choosing a wig can be very overwhelming, especially if you're not feeling well. But you'll want to see the options available to cover up your hair loss in a way that's perfectly fitting for you. What type of hair? What color? What style? Will it fit? Will everyone know? What's a lace cap? Once you have the answers you'll feel a whole lot better about your choices and how you're going to look.

Which wig is for me?

• Do I want low maintenance?
  
• What is my budget?
  
• Do I need the wig quickly?
  
• Do I want to style it myself?
  
• Do I have any hair on my head I want to keep?
  
• Is my hair loss temporary or permanent?
  

5 steps to choose the wig that fits you best ...
 
1. Use a 'before' picture: The best way to get the most natural-looking wig is to bring a picture of you before your hair loss that shows your hair the way you like it to look and show it to your wig or hair loss treatment professional who will design and help you choose your wig. If you want a totally new look, then you don't need a picture.

2. Decide on pre-made or custom-made: The biggest obstacle to getting a custom-made wig is usually price -- these will be the highest quality, more expensive wigs. Also you will need access to an experienced hair loss wig shop or salon. And the entire process takes time -- usually six to eight weeks", says Diahna Husbands, owner of Diahna Lynn Hair Studio in Maryland, who custom-designs and creates wigs for her clients. For a stock wig, either through mail-order or from a shop, you will still need some cranial measurements. The most common measurement is the one for the cap, so measure around your hairline starting at the top of your forehead, follow around the hairline down to the nape then back up to the top. For a custom wig, the stylist will take many other measurements and probably make a mold, for the most natural result.

3. Choose a hair type: There are many hair types, explains Husbands, and you want to be able to choose the one that fits your lifestyle needs and budget.

• Virgin human hair
  
  • Pros: Highest quality, un-processed, longest lasting, can be slept in, can be styled like your own hair with hot tools.
    
  • Cons:  Most expensive running from $3,000 -- $5,000, longest creation time, highest maintenance and care.
    
• Processed human hair
  
  • Pros: Medium quality, called 'Remy' hair, minimally-processed to have the cuticle removed, best for temporary hair loss, can be styled, less expensive than virgin hair.
    
  • Cons:  Lasts only about 6 months, can tangle.
    
• Low-grade human hair
  
  • Pros: Very inexpensive, temporary, can be styled using low-heat tools.
    
  • Cons: Doesn't look or feel as 'natural,' doesn't last long, tangles easily.
    
• Synthetic
  
  • Pros: Minimal care, low maintenance, low cost.
    
  • Cons: Not the most natural looking, temporary, cannot be styled using hot tools, will melt.
    

4. Choose a hair texture: For human hair types, you'll need to choose a texture as close to your own natural hair or what you now desire.

• Chinese -- Dark, straight, thick, and shiny.
  
• Indian -- Dark, can have some wave, finer texture than Chinese.
  
• European -- Highest quality, any color, finer, more body, wave choices. Most expensive, most scarce. Jewish women choose this for religious reasons.
  
• Latin -- Costs less, widely available in different hair textures and types.
  

5. Choose a Cap: The cap is what the hair is attached to and it makes a difference in the way your scalp looks, how the wig fits into your lifestyle and whether or not you have any hair left on your head.

• Lace -- Highest quality and most natural looking. Choose lace if you don't have much hair left because you'll have more styling options, says Husbands. "You can wear hair back off your face and in a pony tail."
  
• Machine-made -- Traditional caps may not look as natural as the hand-tied or lace caps, but they are less expensive.
  
• Multidirectional -- Can be parted in any direction to look more natural, works with someone who still has hair they'd like to keep. Styling options are limited, not as natural-looking as lace.
  
• Thin skin -- Best for those that are very active or work out every day.
  
• Cap-less -- Open spaces between wefts or multidirectional wefts that can be worn permanently styles or teased.
  

"I'll work with whatever type of wig you bring me to cut and style it just for your face -- I would do anything I can to make you feel better!" -- Suki Duggan, owner of Donsuki Salon & Spa in New York City.

The Bottom Line On Wigs
 
The final step is the most important one. Once you get your wig, take it to your stylist for a fitting and styling. Have the wig trimmed, cut and thinned to look the best on your face. Be sure your stylist has cut wigs before because it is very different from cutting hair, so ask! "I'll work my magic with whatever type of cig to cut ans style it just for your face -- I would do anything I can make you feel more confident!" says Husbands.