New to alopecia; need wig advice

Hi, I am a 48 yr old female and noticed a nickel sized spot 11 weeks ago. Since then I have consistently lost hair so that now about 50% is gone. I am seeing a derm and on a steroid lotion and Menoxidil, as well as getting the shots but the hair loss has not slowed. Tests found nothing physically wrong with me and there is no family history of AA. Is there anyone out there my age who this has happened to? I now wear a hair piece in public and am looking into a full wig as there's not much to hold the piece up with at this point. Does anyone have advise on the wig? One salon I went to said they would custom make me a lace front wig, color and cut it for me but I don't know if there is an ideal place to go for this. As I know NOTHING about any of this (even whether my hair will ever grow back) I am desperate for some advise.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on October 18, 2009 at 6:18am
Why do you choose synthetic over human hair?

I am going to a wig salon this week to try a bunch on and get an idea what will work for me. If this ends up being a permanent problem I will take your advise and in the future just order them myself. I am keeping notes! Thanks.

Stephanie
Permalink Reply by katkat on October 18, 2009 at 11:50pm
Hi--I have sooo been in the same spot as you....really stinks when your "anchor" hair gives out on you with your topper! Let's talk soon!
Permalink Reply by Stephanie on October 19, 2009 at 6:54am
Okay, so I have a "funny" story about this. Yesterday I was teaching my dance aerobics class with my headset on and halfway through a song the mic flew off my head. I was holding it and continuing to dance when my headband flew off (I use that as extra security to keep my piece on). All I could think of was that it would be my hair next and wouldn't everyone be surprised!!?? As luck would have it, my hair stayed on but it just reiterated that I need to get that wig ASAP.

:) Stephanie

PS: I love your hair in your picture.
Permalink Reply by Amy on August 28, 2010 at 2:03pm
KatKat- your hair is great (looks like what I used to have & want back)-- what is that? is that a topper? if so- what brand?
Permalink Reply by Karen on October 19, 2009 at 12:46am
Hi Stephanie! Good luck with your wig hunt! It's fun and wigs can become a fettish! I went to a store in Waterbury, CT that stocks wigs of all kinds from Yaffa to Raquel. Big Money wigs to very affordable wigs. Kind of lik a Nieman Marcus/PayLess for wigs! Tonkins Wigs. Kathy runs it and she is an absolute doll! I bought 1 wig from her but she's holding 2 that I recently ordered! Since then I've been checking out every avenue of wigs. There are a ton! My favorite for European hair has been a Shevy Wig, and Isabel Wig. My AA hasn't progressed enough for a vacum wig, but you never know so I have an appointment with Amy's Presence this week. I'll let you know. Her wigs are not vacum but you can swim and be incredible active in them. But I'll be honest, the $83 wig I bought at Tonkins stops my friends in their tracks! They love it! My friends that don't need wigs are planning to come with me to Tonkins this week so they can try some on!
I'd be interested in finding out about the name of the treatment you discussed too. I'm doing the injections and creams, lotions but they seem to only last 2 weeks before my hair starts to fall out again. Good Luck!
Permalink Reply by Stephanie on October 19, 2009 at 6:44am
Hi Karen,

Looks like I'll be making a road trip to Tonkins. So, you wear wigs that tape on? I do not know what the difference is between them and vacuum wigs but given my profession I need one that will stay put.

My original spot that showed up three months ago now has hair, brown like my natural color. I started the treatments one week after finding the spot. I don't know what is causing the re-growth. Is it possible that the condition is reversing or is it just because of the shots and medicine? I read that the growth cycle is 90 days so of course I am hoping that my hair is starting to "wake up". So far I have not read about this happening to anyone else on this site. Either way, other parts of my scalp are shedding daily so I am still getting prepared for the next step of a full wig.

I will find out more about the new treatment when I go back to my derm and let you know. My appointment is on November 3. I suppose I'll never know what worked if all my hair grows back because I am doing 4 things at the same time. He told me that his two patients who are on this new treatment are seeing really good results so I feel its worth a try. Please explain how your treatments only work for two weeks. How far between your shots do you wait, and how frequently do you use the medicine?

Please keep me updated as it sounds like you live close to me. I will google Amy's Presence this morning. Thanks for taking the time to write.

:) Stephanie
Permalink Reply by Supermom on October 19, 2009 at 6:33pm
Hi Stephanie,
Sounds like me a year and a half ago! I was 42 and found a spot at the back. I now have alopecia universalis and have no hair anywhere. But, its been an interesting experience. It goes from horrifying to accepting and finding what helps you the most

I bought my first wig for $300 to go to a university reunion. It was heavy and hot. Then a week later, my Mother and mother in law helped me to get an expensive custom human hair wig ($1500). I was very happy. It was light and real looking. I got permanent eyeliner and eyebrows when they jumped ship and I feel good. My husband LOVES my bald head! Its smooth and sexy.
Now though, I feel like I am going through the whole thing again. Spots on my wig are thinning, especially at the part and the company who sold it to me wants to send it to China for repair for six weeks. So I am looking for a wig to fill the gap. I bought a few synthetic ones but they where uncomfortable so I am waiting for a new light one to arrive.
If its good, I will pass the name on to you.

Good luck, tell me if you find a perfect one!
Permalink Reply by Stephanie on October 19, 2009 at 9:42pm
Hi there! It's hard to believe there aren't places closer than China to repair your wig. Is that part of the sale price?

It's nice to know you feel good about your situation now. My husband shaves his head and oddly enough I joked about the two of us laying in bed with our bald pates when I first discovered the spot. I am definitely not at the acceptance phase now but I no longer wake up feeling anxious. This site has helped enormously.

I will report back when I get my new wig. Do you take yours off every night?
Permalink Reply by Supermom on October 20, 2009 at 4:04pm
It was made in China so they send it to the same factory. Shipping is free but I pay by the hour for repair!
Yes, I take mine off and where a bandana in the evenings.

You sound like you are doing wonderful being where you are at right now. Hopefully yours will be short term. It has taken a while to get to the acceptance part and in a weird way I think I enjoy my challenge.

You have such a gorgeous face, you will look good in anything!Best of luck with the hunt.

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