Hey all! I am new to this site but no stranger to Alopecia. I have had AA for about 17 or so years. It started as a small, quarter sized patch on the back of my head. My mom took me to the pediatrician (I was 12 or 13) and they had no idea what it was from so they did crazy things like scrape my scalp and send my skin off to some lab to be tested. Eventually I ended up at the dermatologist and was diagnosed. Over the years I've tried various different topical steroids and shampoos and stuff but in my opinion, those things never worked.

My AA went like this, lose a bunch, grow a bunch, lose more, grow a little, etc. I don't know if anyone else agrees but I felt like the cycle of my hair loss went along with the changes in the weather. I never really looked in to it. I guess it could have been coincidence. Anyway, my AA has changed a ton over the years. When I was a Junior in high school, it was awful! That was probably the time I came closest to needing a wig but eventually it grew back. Each time right after my first two children were born, I had very thick and long hair! It was kind of a nice change but it never lasted.

I'm 30 years old now and VERY comfortable in my own skin. Everyone in my "circle" knows about my AA and thanks to social media, everyone knows that I'm on the hunt for a wig. I had my third child six months ago and shortly before he was born, my AA started getting significantly worse. After all these years, I think it's finally time to take off the hair I have left. I'm actually pretty excited but I'm also CLUELESS!!! I had a consultation at a local wig shop today and the one I liked the most was a combination, 70% synthetic 30% human hair wig. Would anyone recommend that?

A little bit about me. I'm a busy mom of 3 small kids. I'm pretty much a plain Jane and right now I flat iron my hair every day and that's the look I'm going for. I don't feel like I could go from my boring flat hair (that I like) to hair that looks like Rachel from Friends. I don't feel like I HAVE to have something that stays on. I liked the human hair ones I tried today but if I flat iron it, won't it ruin the wig? I'm not totally concerned about cost but I would really like something I don't have to replace every few months. Any suggestions would help me tremendously! Thanks so much!!!

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I advise you to get a good quality synthetic wig this will not need to be stykes after washing it wi just dry back into the original style. The cost is affordable and it wi last you several months. Please look at the fantastic videos of how to measure your head, put wigs on, wash wigs, exercise in wigs and much more on www.wigsbypattispearls.com after watching Pattis videos I recommend you check out different wig hair styles on Pattis website and also on www.wigs.com and www.voguewigs.com if you want to then get advice in your choice please ask the great ladies at www.wigsupport.com this is a support group for ladies that wear wigs. They are experts and can give you info on how a specific wig actually behaves in real life.

These websites should give you enough info to let you make an informed choice and find an affordable wig that suits your busy life.

My personal recommendation is you look at synthetics in a price range of 100 to 250 dollars to get a quality natural looking wig that will last. Many online wig shops have very good deals in their sales so once you know what you want you might be able to pick a wig up at a bargain price.

Best if luck

Thanks so much!! I learned more from www.wigsbypattispearls.com in the last 20 minutes than I have in a few weeks of trying to find things on my own!

Patti is a real inspiration I am so pleased you checked out her site xx

Hi

It looks as if you have a good understanding of you and your needs around your alopecia.  I believe that is the first step of knowing what type of wig would suit you the best.

I personally like Freedom wigs, my daughter has worn them for many years and they have been an absolutely fabulous solution for her.  Pop into the site www.freedomwigs.com.

This is my daughter in one of her latest wigs...as you can see they look great.  They are also made for those with extreme hairloss or those willing to shave the hair they have.  They are secure in all life circumstances(swimming, roller coasters etc. etc.), even though the security doesn't seem to be a priority call for you (for many it is). 

They are also made with 100% unprocessed virgin human hair.  This type of hair is very different to processed human hair and in my opinion a very good option for those who need a wig for extensive wear.  If looked after well a Freedom Wig will last for many years (dependent on care).  

Hope this info helps and good luck with finding something that works well for you.

Rosy

Thanks Rosy! How do you go about getting them? A friend of mine told me to check out Freedom wigs and I agree, they appear to be the best there is. From what I have seen so far, I don't think anyone sells them where I live. The process of getting the wig takes some time, right? So do you recommend getting something synthetic as a temporary option until you get the Freedom Wig?

PS. Your daughter is beautiful : )

Also, I typically flat iron my hair everyday. That would be really bad if I go with this type of wig, huh? I'm sure I could get used to wavy hair but it's strange to think of myself with any other kind of hair.

Hi

Go to the Freedom Website...then to the 'contact us' page.  You will see all the Independent Agents worldwide listed there.  Find someone who is reasonably close to you.  Many IA's will travel.  I always think meeting halfway is a good option if the distance is enormous.  But sometimes you may find the IA travels to your area anyway. 

Yes, consultation and manufacturing your Freedom Wig does take a little time.  There is a lot to consider.  It is really important you talk with an IA, then you can see whether this option is going to be helpful.  Talking on the phone to them can also help you understand the process a little better and the timelines around what Freedom and the Independent agents do.

A interim wig may be helpful, I'm sorry I can't really offer any great advise around what may work best for you in the meantime.  I would talk to Aimee here as she has some great advise around well priced synthetic wigs. 

When ordering a Freedom wig there are many options to consider one of them is what curl preference you may like for your hair.  I think it may be worthwhile you getting the straightest hair possible if you like to have your hair straight and quite flat.  There is a lot to consider with a Freedom wig and even though straight hair is a great choice you may find after discussion that you would like hair that gave you a little more flexibility (like movement - which is reasonable straight, but can be left to have a natural very slight wave to it).  Things to decide.  I'll pop a picture up of Anna 'Fitzy' in her latest Freedom Wig... the curl preference on this one is straight.  I talked to Anna after she got this wig and she said it needed the very minimum of work on it to keep it straight....sometimes she doesn't even bother Flat ironing it and she is still able to achieve the look she loves.  Hope this helps. 

(Just a note ...too much flat ironing will dry out hair but if you use the products to go with the flat iron and do it softly and carefully there shouldn't be any undue issues, just don't over do it as even on growing hair, which is replaced regularly, damage can occur with overstyling). 

Good luck with everything.

Rosy

If you aren't totally concerned about cost, then I would say that you should look into the Freedom Wigs.  I have seen one in person, and they look amazing.  I wear wigs, but I choose to wear synthetic wigs.  I would rather have several synthetic wigs instead of 1 Freedom wig due to the cost.  I'd love to try a Freedom wig one day, but I'm not sure if I am ready for it.  I love the "plop & go" of synthetic wigs.  And, I love that I can change my look from day to day or month to month.  I like to try different styles and colors so in that way, synthetics work for me.  I would say to try to figure out what you want in a wig, and then decide which way is best for you.  Each of us has to figure out what works best for ourselves.  Good luck!  Keep us posted.

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