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This whole business with wigs is an absolute joke!
Hi all,
Does anyone else find the world of wigs to be overwhelmingly ridiculous and a complete mystery? And can anyone offer some words of clarity or advice?
I've had alopecia universalis for four years and have been researching wigs on and off since, and yet I still feel no wiser. Here's my experience with wigs (just scroll past this bit if you don't have time):
A friend made me a couple of wigs using cheap hair bought from the store and attached to a wig cap. I kind of liked them, but they only last a few weeks, are itchy and not really secure enough (a gust of wind reveals an unflattering hairline etc).
I bought a cheap £30 wig from a shop but again a gust of wind and you can see my scalp through the wefts, so I had to wear a hat with it to keep it down.
I bought a £70 'front lace wig' from a cheap wig shop. I took it to a hairdresser who specialises in wigs to get it cut and styled. They told me that lace front wigs are no good for people with absolutely no hair, that they're only good for people who want a change of hair style while going on a night out etc. They said I'll need to get a really decent wig (I think they recommended vacuum or something similar) for at least £200-£800. They advised the lace front wigs are basically rubbish/unreliable/don't look realistic etc.
But then I see people on this forum saying they wear lace front wigs... I don't understand!
I've been in touch with my local Freedom representative. Now from all the research I've done it seems this is the only option if you want a wig that will stay on, actually look good and realistic, allow you to do everything you normally would etc. But the representative for my area is not good at getting back to me. She told me two years ago that she would email me prices and never did. I contacted her again eight weeks ago and she said she would email me prices (which she said have since increased significantly), along with answers to a few queries, but I've heard nothing yet.
I don't know how I will afford a Freedom wig. I also don't know how people have got the money to waste spending £100/£200/£500 on wigs that turn out to be rubbish, and having to buy a new one every couple of months. You would think that by now, enough people would have experimented with buying wigs, that there would be a straight answer. Surely there's no reason for anyone to be buying rubbish wigs anymore. Wouldn't it be good to have a website dedicated to wig reviews, like the review system on shops like Amazon. I can't risk spending any money on a rubbish wig.
Basically, I want to be able to buy a wig knowing it's going to be good. I don't have hundreds of pounds or even £100 to spend on something that might not be good, and that will only last a couple of months.
Thank you anyone who reads this and much love x
I'm sorry for the long post, but if anyone can help I'd be really grateful, My question is "Is there another good wig apart from Freedom?" I don't want any messing about, I just want a wig I that's good.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by JustGrinAndHairIt on
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Wait, so the Freedom wigs are MORE expensive than the Folleas?? How much are we talking here? Would you mind sharing what you paid for each of your daughter's wigs? Or a range? Thank you! And thanks for your replies, they are very helpful. Especially the thing about heat, that is what concerns me most.
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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on
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If you have read my last posts you will see that there is a marked difference between a Freedom Medical prosthesis and all other wigs including Follea.
They are fully customised. In most cases you are measured for your wig with a medical scanner. You have choices and decisions to make around hair colour, Curl preference and length. All of these things create individual hair for individual needs.
Recently I looked at the pricing of Freedom in comparison to other wigs....including Follea...in some instances those wigs were more expensive than Freedom....so I would say it depends on what you want.
If you would like to find out the prices of Freedom Wigs you will need to contact the Independent Agent in your area. You will need to be prepared to discuss your particular needs around your hair so they can work out what you want and need. Cost will vary depending on your needs.
Stock wigs like Follea and other wigs that you are able to buy online and from salons ready made ...are just that 'stock'. They aren't customised and the pricing is worked out on mass. Freedom makes one off wigs for each individual. You have to work out which is a better choice for you.
Pricing comparisons....while they seem sensible really need to be thought through. The lady that started this post related her understanding that buying lots of cheaper wigs wasn't working for her well. So, she wanted information on what else was available. Do your investigations and you will come up with your own needs. It may be a Freedom Wig or it may not.
I won't be drawn into comparisons. People wear wigs for many different reasons. I'm not about to tell anybody that their choice is less than stella....it is their choice.
My choice is Freedom because it has given my daughter the ability to live her life without concern or worry. Comparisons...while seemingly helpful...tend to end in conjecture and some quite well hidden truths.
Rosy
Just to reiterate my other post to you. ALL WIGS are hotter than no hair or your own growing hair...no matter what wig salons and sellers say. The feedback I have received over the years is that conventional wigs, lace wigs, wefted wigs etc. do create a lot of insulation...sort of like putting layers of blankets on your head....the other problem is that after you have perspired in your wig it can become itchy and uncomfortable.....everybody is different. I don't know if everybody has had this type of experience. What I do know is that my daughter has never complained that her Freedom wig is hot or uncomfortable. That's my experience after her wearing them for 11 years.
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Try out hairdirect.com, its an online venture, where you supply your head size through various instruments an procedure they provide, its a great product and cheaper as no middleman is involved. it even has a replacement or return policy
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Permalink Reply by Dominique Cleopatra on
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Hair Direct is great! I don't find their Hollywood lace any hotter than my own hair was. They have beautiful hair and they stand by their product.
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well OP,
i had a good chuckle at the title. I TOTALLY understand your frustration with the wig business. When i first came to this forum - and actually hair growth forums, i thought certain members were ACTUALLY members.
Because i was so desperate to make my hair grow? Well, i went out and bought tons of hair growth treatments. Yes, thousands of dollars. Basically none of them worked, and over time, i began learning who the vendors/reps of certain companies were - ignored them, and keep my wallet in the car.. so i won't be so quick to hit the "buy" button without thinking of how far i have to go to get my credit card.
Same thing with the wigs. Last year alone? I finally had to throw out OVER 25 - yes 25 wigs. I bought into this VERY expensive lace front wig. I won't say which company because it doesn't matter at this point, and of course, i don't want to hear a rep's reply about "I'm sorry that didn't work for you, but i can attest..." + huge paragraphs of rhetoric.. just STOP.. it's irritating..
The main objective on my part was trying to find a wig that "looked as natural" as possible. Well, because there are so many cancer survivors, alopecia sufferers out there, or just people that have a well-trained eye for wigs, you can't "fool" anyone. They'll say how great your hair looks to your face, but when you're back is turned, they just know, they just don't want to hurt our feelings.
I happened to have on one of my top of the line lace fronts on at work, while working on a patient. She gave me a hug, and her bracelet got caught in my wig. While trying to disengage herself, she said: "Oh my gawd, my bracelet's caught in your hair - well, at least it's not YOUR HAIR." and she turned bright red, ad we both laughed. She then apologized, before she left, but what she said was a relief.
She's a cancer survivor. We began talking about wigs before this incident, and obviously, she became comfortable enough around me to say it. Before she would say: "I love your hair".. but little did i realize that she was on to me. I had never told her. Later, i found out that many of my co-workers knew? They just didn't care. Especially the guys.
That's when i just said: "Okay, let's stop trying to find the "Holy Grail" of wigs. I mean, really." Whatever you put on your head - someone's going to know at some point.
I'm not saying that you should walk out of your house looking as if you had basically put a mop on your head. But if you're investing in wig? Make sure it's just something you're comfortable with, not trying to pass for "one of them" (the one's with a natural head of hair).. to me? it's like chasing the proverbial carrot.
Since then, i've come to grips with why i wear wigs:
Basically, not to hide my hair, nor try to "look natural", but protect what i do have, while growing it out.
I also wear wigs so that i won't scare away the masses with my patchy bald spots when i'm out in public.:)
What I'm saying? it's okay, if people know it's a wig. Just don't empty your wallet trying to convince them, otherwise.
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Hi Daneh. I've had total hair loss for 13 years and I get your frustration. I spent 8 years buying my wigs from a wig shop only to later learn I could get the exact same wig online for 1/2 the price. It's terrible that people take advantage of people in our situation. That type of lace front wig I wore for 10 years and I feel like it was very natural looking. I ordered it from lori's wigsite(wigsite.com) and it was called Impressions- Tricia. It was light, comfortable, and fooled some good friends and even a couple of doctors who commented on my hair growing back. For about $600 it lasted about 9-12 months. My only gripe with this wig was that I felt like the hair was a little course and dry, so I would wear it in a ponytail a lot. With good conditioning the hair did not tangle, it just wasn't as fine and silky as I was used to. Then on a whim, I started ordering lace fronts from a company in China, and I like those even more for about $350. Message me if you want any additional information. I've found that it's cheaper to go right to the supplier and don't deal with wig shops. The downside is that you have to find someone to cut and style the wig, but I found a regular salon that will do that for me. So for a few hundred dollars you absolutely can get something nice and natural looking. It's just trial and error on finding out where to trust. I don't know why people told you not to buy lace front. I've tried the wigs with full thin skin or thin skin around the edges and I found that hot, and slippery when I sweat. I much prefer a lace front, although is does require tape to hold it on. Message me if you want any more advice on lace front.
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Re
For about $600 it lasted about 9-12 months. My only gripe with this wig was that I felt like the hair was a little course and dry, so I would wear it in a ponytail a lot
Did you think about bumping up to their EHH version. More expensive($1,200-$1,500 but less than a Follea) but lasts longer and not with that dry feeling you get with the Tricia. Also, quite a few people on Wigsupport seem to have good luck with the processed EHH wigs from Milano, that come with a cap called "silicone closed wefted as in this description.. An 18 inch wig is about $1,000.
Silicone Closed Wefted (HM) - NEW
The silicone closed wefted cap offers a comfortable silicone in key area around the cap to prevent the wig from slipping. It allows the wig wearer the ultimate comfort and security without the use of clips, combs, glues and tapes. This cap is ideal for women suffering from any type of full hair loss.
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Permalink Reply by Sue T on
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I buy Custom made European hair wigs from Cooper Wigs China in Swiss lace with a thin skin perimeter. That cost around $450 (depending on length, density and complexity of colour). They are sold as Virgin hair but they cant be as they are coloured. The hair is pretty good though and I expect the wigs to last around a year ( when the hair begins to deteriorate and become dry it gets relegated to house wear only).
The quality of the hair isn't as good as the freedom wig but you will have to consider just how many cheaper wigs you can buy for the price of one freedom wig. (and you are likely to need two so that you are not without hair when you send the wig away for servicing and repair). The wigs are very convincing and if you have very little hair in the thin skin areas they will grip your head without the need for adhesive or tape
I have posted a couple of pictures that I sent to another member who was considering purchasing one of the wigs to give you an idea of what they're like
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Permalink Reply by Dani on
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Thanks Rose that's really interesting. After a few years of research I'm finally going for a Freedom! But it's good to know about the others you mentioned, as I will be shopping around for a spare wig in case I ever need to send the Freedom one back for maintenance. I'll check out Follea and Gemtress.
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okay....
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