Why a Wig can be Great for People with Alopecia

Maybe you’ve just gotten your Alopecia diagnosis, or maybe you’ve known for a while. Either way, you’re probably looking at the best options for your hair. Some people prefer to style their hair over bald spots and wear scarves, hats, extensions, or even wigs. While all of these options can be great, wigs can be one of the most versatile and easy ways to feel like yourself. Here we’ll examine all of the options, and talk a little bit about how to choose a wig, how to pay for a wig, and the care that goes into owning a wig.

Scarves, Extensions, and Hats

When people start losing their hair, they use many different methods to help themselves feel more normal. Scarves can be a great option because you can cover your head to whatever extent you’re comfortable. If you want to leave some of your hair poking out, you can do that. You can also tie scarves to cover your whole head if you’d like. There are also some really fun ways to tie scarves in a variety of ways.

Some people prefer to wear extensions. They feel like it’s a more socially acceptable way to hide thinning and bald spots. This will require you to see a hairdresser as it isn’t something one can do without training. Plus, they need to order the extensions. 

One of the easiest low-effort options is to just wear hats. Hats come in so many different styles and materials that there is something for everyone. Hats are also great because they can minimize sun exposure and keep your head warm too!

Wigs

While all of the above options can be great, we believe that a wig is the best option. Wigs can help you feel confident, give you a little more privacy as you assess your diagnosis (you’ll probably want to feel ready to talk about it before people ask), and they can help you feel more like yourself. You can also have so much fun with wigs. You can style them in different ways, try out colors you’ve never tried before, and if you don’t like something, you can always switch it out to match your mood or style for the day! 

No matter what option you choose, feeling like your best self is the most important thing. Here at the Virgin Hair Fantasy, we want to help you feel your best, and we want to help lay out all of the options and information when it comes to wigs. So, you’ll know exactly how to get one, how to prepare, and how to feel comfortable with the process.

How to Pick the Best Wig for You

You’ll want to consider a few things as you select your wig.

• Look at pictures of yourself and decide what hairstyle and length you love best.
• Decide which material you’d like your wig to be made from. Human hair is the most expensive, but the best quality wigs are made from human hair.
• Think about how you’d like for your wig to attach. You can get a glued wig or a glueless wig. If you have more questions about the pros and cons of glue vs. glueless, read our post here.
• Consider the color you’d like
• Contemplate getting more than one wig so you can easily transition between lengths, styles, and even colors!

Purchasing a Wig

Good quality wigs can be on the expensive side, but they are worth every penny. After all, you want something you’ll be wearing all the time to be comfortable and have the look you like. Here are a few ways you can purchase a wig.

Insurance

In case you didn’t know, some insurance plans will cover part or the entire cost of a wig if you have medical hair loss. So, this can be for Alopecia, hair loss due to cancer, hair loss because of chemo, hair loss due to stress, and for a few other reasons. You’ll need to take a few steps to get the wig paid for, however.

• Call your insurance company and see what’s covered, how much of the wig is covered, if they reimburse you for a wig purchase, and the terminology you need to have on a doctor’s note or prescription to qualify.
• Talk to your doctor, and have them write a prescription for the wig with the terminology quoted by your insurance company.
• Follow the process for purchasing your wig that was laid out by your insurance company.
• Make copies of all your documentation and receipts so you have copies on hand, and you can send copies to your insurance company.
• If your claim is denied, find out why so you can re-submit, or ask if your wig purchase is tax deductible.

Paying Out of Pocket

You might want a wig that isn’t covered by your insurance company, maybe your insurance doesn’t cover it, or you simply don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with them. You can always pay for your wig out of pocket, and get exactly what you want.

Charitable Organizations

There are charitable organizations out there that sometimes will help with the cost of a wig. You’ll have to find a local chapter and give them a call to see what they can do to help. This varies greatly by region and the organization. 

Wig Care and Life

You might have a few questions about wig care and quality since you want to make sure it fits with your lifestyle and budget. Here are a few details to keep in mind.

How long do wigs last?

Wigs only last for a semi-limited amount of time. So, it really depends on the wig you purchase. The better the quality of the wig as well as how well you take care of it will influence the longevity of your wig. Also, if you use multiple wigs, it’ll prolong the life of them since they all aren’t getting used all day every day.

How can I care for my wig?

If your wig is made from human hair, you’ll need to gently wash and dry the wig. You also might want to add a natural oil to keep it moist. When drying or styling your wig, you’ll want to use low heat. Synthetic wigs also require washing with special shampoo, and you’ll need to ask your wig provider how best to style them without damaging them.

No matter what material your wigs are made from, make sure you have a good storage spot for them so they are never left just lying around. You don’t want them to get stepped on, pulled apart, or have a pet mess them up.

If you decide that you’d like to get a wig, we’re here for you! Feel free to contact the Virgin Hair Fantasy through our website or by calling us at 1-855-280-4247. We specialize in glueless wigs that are made from 100% non-color treated human hair. We’d love to help you get your first (or tenth) wig!