How much hair did you lose before you shaved or got a wig? Just wondering when I should give in!

Thanks, Veronica

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Hi Veronica,

I began wearing a wig about a month ago. I still have a hair on my head, but it has gotten thinner and because my hair is dark, my part looks much larger and for me personally, I couldn't take looking in the mirror any more.  I didn't want to be in any pictures with my children and became very insecure.  I have 2 wigs now.  I found out I over paid for my 1st one.  I am still getting used to them.  I like them, but I feel like I have good days and bad days with them.  The first day wearing it out is the hardest.  I have not decided to shave my head yet.  I'm still not too sure what to do with my hair yet other than to buy thick headbands that cover the back of my head.  I think it is up to each individual.  I will say overall, that I feel better with a wig now than without.  It is still a process of grieving for me.  I know it will get better.  There are a lot of people on here that know a lot about wigs so I've been reading a lot and talking to some other women.  It never hurts to go try on some wigs with a friend.  Have a few drinks and have fun with it.  You don't have to buy right away, but at least you can get an idea of what it's like.   It helps with that curiosity factor and you will know if you want to wait or go for it.  Best of luck :)  I would love to hear about it if you go :)

Julie

Thanks Jay Jay, that is very sweet. I have been thinking of doing just that. I need to decide in the next month if I will wear a wig for my wedding or if I can still manage extentions with tape. I am terrified that I will look like I'm wearing a wig in all the pictures. I'll let you know how it goes!

I wouldn't wait with your wedding coming up in the next couple of months. You're going to need time to get used to having the wig on your hair/head and figuring out how you're going to keep it secure with the weight of your veil and tiara. You want to make sure that the wig stays in place in case somebody steps on your veil, that it won't go crooked on you in your pictures, etc. When I got married and had my hair and makeup session before the day, I told the stylist that I had AA and needed her to be as discreet as possible. (Nobody except my husband knew about my condition, not even my closest friends who were in my bridal party.)  She did my hair first before any of the bridal party got there, then did my bridesmaids after they got there, and we all got our makeup done at the same time. Even though it's not attached to our heads, it still takes a good two weeks for a hairstyle to settle so the sooner you get into the wig, the better. HTH!

Alo-mom is also a wonderful resource on here for real-wigs.  She's been to China to tour factories.

Sometimes I feel like people are just selling things so I could not tell if she was one of them.

I kinda felt that way too, but I also like the info she had.  I know what you mean though.  I think right now I am too trusting because I am so new to this and insecure.  I agree with the advice that Dollhead provided as well.  Definitely give yourself some time before your wedding to try some on and get a feeling for the wigs.  

Finding a wig that works for you is apt to be a process, so I think it is better to start looking at wigs before you think you really need one. I waited (because I really couldn't wrap my head around being a wig wearer--and surely my hair would grow back!), and found myself wishing I had wig shopped sooner because I was without any presentable hair. Shaving is another matter and entirely a personal decision. I sometimes get the impression that folks think they have to shave if their hair is falling out, but of course they don't. I shaved when I had only some sad, sorry strands left and it seemed the best way to clean up my "hair style," but recently I have opted to let my weird, thin hair be, because it does kind of cover my head, even if my scalp is visible all over, and looks less jarring than total baldness.

Thank you for sharing, that is a very personal choice. I'm so glad to have this community! I am still in that - it will grow back! - stage. I had my first round of cortizone shots and nothing has happened...

I am scheduled for my second round of cortisone on Monday. I had more hair loss since the first round. How many months do you do this before you figure it won't work. I need to quit looking at the loss in a mirror. I am thankful my loss i.e. Where it is all underneath.

I started wearing wigs when most of the hair on the back of my head disappeared.  At first, I would wear the wig over my hair.  However, after you wear a wig for a few weeks, you realize that it is easier to wear a wig when you buzz or shave the remaining real hair.  The wigs fit better when they are not sitting on top of real hair.  In addition, at least for men, you don't have to worry about the sideburns on a wig being in the exact same spot as your real sideburns.  

I felt more comfortable buzzing my remaining hair after I had a few wigs in my collection.  it was comforting to know that if a wig became damaged, I had another one.  Now, I have six wigs in my collection that I rotate out on a weekly basis so they last longer.

Shaving is a really hard decision and one not to be taken lightly.  I think I shaved my head once I knew my hair was no longer wearable (even wearing a hat as the wispy pieces of hair had fallen out).  I also shaved when I was done waiting for the hair to either fall out or grow back.  I gave the shaver to my hubby to do the shave and had my kids involved and made it a family matter.  It was tough but so relieving.  I felt both a rock bottom and like I had taken control.  But as I tell my clients, shaving ones head is taking control of the uncontrollable and moving forward.  It is not easy, so take your time to decide.  Either way, know that you are beautiful with or without your hair.  

I feel I am in the same boat as you Veronicasteele.  I am in denial that I will lose all of my hair.  I guess it's because it has taken me almost 3 years to get to this point of numerous bald patches and very thin hair.  Unlike others, mine was a very slow process in which I never saw much hair shed....it's like it would just wake up and find more patches and every month it just gets thinner and thinner. I, too, want to make sure I don't wake up one day and find that I cannot "hide" my patches or do anything with my hair.  

I keep saying I need to get a wig "just in case" and I'm not quite sure I want to take a huge leap or not with the expense. 

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