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Best wig for my daughter?
Hi- My daughter is 7 and has alopecia areata. She has lost almost all of her hair since Dec. She has a few strands left in the back. She also has what I think is some regrowth on the top- lots of white hairs. She expressed interest in a wig the other night. I would be happy to get her a vacuum wig but I am concerned about the comments that it is too hot and that the hairs she has regrowing will interfere with the suction. I still think we would want to see if regrowth occurs instead of shaving anything. Then I was interested in the gripper. Does this stay on well and is it itchy? Thanks for any help!!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on
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Hi
Your daughters age seems to me to be a very normal time for her to start wanting to wear a hairpiece. In my experience this age group with alopecia begin to understand that they are different and a hairpiece seems to be an answer that can give them a little annonminity. The want to hide the condition is very real for this age group and I think it is always important to explain that a hairpiece (any sort) will not change the fact that she has alopecia, what it will do is give her the choice on how to present herself publicly (with or without hair).
My daughter has worn a Freedom wig since she was 12 through bouts of regrowth and loss. (she has grown her hair 3 time and lost it 4 in the last 7 years). The choice to wear her hairpiece has always been a personal one for her, one in which I support her and work to get the most comfortable, lifelike hairpiece possible. Freedom has worked for us. I live in Auckland NZ - where the summers are hot and humid. She has never complained about the heat in the 7 years of wearing them (and I have asked her regularly if this is a problem). All hairpieces are hotter than your daughter's growing hair or the choice to wear no hair at all, but in my experience (which is worldwide) I have found that Freedom works for people.
This is a choice that you both must be comfortable with and I wish you luck investigating all alternatives.
I'm afraid I don't have any knowledge about the gripper but I'm sure someone will be along soon to give you the information you need.
Take care and good luck working out what will help your daughter.
Rosy
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Permalink Reply by E Ski on
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I haven't had a problem with a wig being itchy besides when I'm laying down at night. I've just used regular synthetic wigs the past 2 years and have recently found the Tru 2 Life ones are great because they don't frizz (especially when exposed to heat or general wear) like other synthetic wigs because you can use a hair straightener to get out the kinks. I do feel that wigs can get hot but I've worn them at the beach for hours or during physical activity and I have dealt just fine. I never shaved my hair because like your daughter I had some hair and I didn't want to give it up. I also found it best to make transitions from different wigs/hairstyles during school breaks so it looks more natural... almost all people I encounter don't even really know about my condition unless I tell them. Also you may find it helps to cut the hair and thin it out as a lot of them have too much hair to appear natural.
Good luck with everything and send your daughter my best!
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Permalink Reply by Cindy on
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Robyn, have you contacted the hair club for kids? They give 3 free hair replacements a year. My at the time 7 yr old wore them for a year and found it comfortable. She currently has regrowth, but we would use them again if needed. www.hairclub.com
You may want to consider contacting them to see if she would like to wear a wig and it won't cost you a dime to figure out if she likes or dislikes wearing a wig.
cindy
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Permalink Reply by Dielle on
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I personally find the Renee of Paris wigs very comfortable since I have a smaller head and they are a daily wig so she can sleep more comfortably at night because speaking from past experience wigs that you have to wear overnight can get itchy from sweating and are uncomfortable. The amore human hair wigs are reallly nice! I would also suggest you get human hair over synthetic because they look more real and if the hair gets in your eyes it doesn't feel like the your being stabbed with a pin like it does with synthetic and you can style it more. I strongly suggest though that you go with a daily wig because it gives you a lot more freedom to wear a wig or not in any given situation especially since she is so young and because it would make it a lot easier for you to take care of it. My dermatologist also said that daily wigs are healthier for the scalp because when you take it off your scalp gets to breathe. I haven't ever tried a Gripper wig but I would say its definitely worth a try. I have heard great things about Follea and in the end finding the right wig is a big trial and error situation because everyone has a different idea about whats comfortable. Personally I can't stand anything touching the base of my ear because it makes it hurt so thats always a consideration when i choose a wig. Most wigs are going to be slightly itchy especially when you sweat because of the cap materials not being as soft as your skin and for the most part no wig is more or less itch than another except for the badly made cheap material ones. If you have any questions let me know! Best luck to your daughter : )
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Permalink Reply by Carmen West on
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Hi Robyn,
I notices that you requested info on human hair eyebrows. I just recently found this web site www.headcovers.com. I have a client that wears these eyebrows. I think that they are around $40.
I am a hairstylist and wouk with a lot of people with alopecia. From my experience with vacuum pieces is that the children wearing the piece have to have them enlarged about every year until age 12. You may want to have her try another piece to make sure she will be wearing it and not in the toy box. ( so to speak) Carmen West you can call me at 850-712-3369 to get the email address of the client I am refering to.
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Thank you so much for all of your comments! So helpful! I also wanted to ask if anyone has received a wig from the Children with hair loss organization? If so how do you like it? They are a great organization that gives free hair to kids each year until they are 21! Thank you!
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Robyn, last I heard Children with Hair loss had no money. My daughter was put on a waiting list and we never heard back from them. But, my understanding is that they have different wig shops that they work with that will provide the service and they pay for it. Hopefully, they would have one within your distance. You should contact them because there situation may have changed. You should also look into Wigs for Kids. I don't know much about them, but they give free wigs as well.
Cindy
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Hi everyone again- I am in need of some more advice. So the other day my daughter asked for a wig. But since then everytime I talk about it she gets very upset (and I don't talk about it alot). Now when I tell her she needs to get measured she says she doesn't want one. There is a place around me that is willing to come to my house to show her some things. Do I have them come even if it is still difficult for me to talk to her about it or do I just wait until she says again she wants one. I am almost afraid that she will be really upset if I mention they are coming. I don't think that is the right thing to do then- having them come- but I know she asked for something so I want to do all I can to help her. I don't care if she gets one or not but she is not comfortable going out around people she doesn't know. Any advice would be great! Thank you!
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Hi Robyn
I know this is difficult but ultimately you need to help your daughter with the decisions around her alopecia. In my mind she is a little young to be doing this with out your strong positive input. Of course she is upset now - she has just lost her hair and is now unable to present herself as she use to. I would think that both you and your daughter are grieving this loss. It's not easy and my heart goes out to you both. Don't be afraid of upsetting your daughter further - there is no further - she is already upset and lost and from what you are saying, she is also withdrawing from her normal life. Talk to her Robyn, talk through the tears and pain this condition brings. Tell her how sad it is that this has happened, also tell her that you are there with her and you will both find answers that will help her deal with this condition. You can't make it go away but my goodness you can love her and make this a little easier with your adult input. You can't really get this wrong - I can already see how much you care and love her, trust yourself to be able to help her through the years and months ahead.
Don't let her withdraw - that is not an option, she needs you as you need her. Find a way to help.
Rosy
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call the Hair club for men 1888-773-1320 was told by another parent their child got real hair wig for free....i went to website just now and that's what it states. go to www.hairclub.com click on about us tab, then click on hair club for kids....you'll see the rest there. Hope i helped
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