My Freedom experience

Hi Everyone

I got my Freedom hair (10in, light brown) a month ago. I thought I'd update you all on my experience. I ordered the light implant but I think next time I might go for extra light as my hairdresser had to thin out quite a bit before it was easy for me to handle. At first I was going to wear it with no fringe (bangs) as it looks very natural. However, a few days ago I had a fringe cut in, simply because it suits my face better to have one. 

Before getting my Freedom, there were a couple of things I was worried about (knotting etc).

I have alopecia androgenica (diffuse) so I have to shave every day. After much experimentation, I found the Gilette Mach 3 to be the best and it takes me only a few minutes each morning. At first I was nervous of shaving but now it's quite therapeutic and super easy. 

Putting on the Freedom was a little tricky but I've realised that the best fit is achieved when I put it on, measure the distance from my temples and from my hairline with my fingers, and then tip my head back to feel where it rests at the back. Then I just adjust if needs be and it sticks on fantastically. If it does come a little loose, I go to the ladies room, remove it, wipe the inside to get rid of any sweat and pop it back on. Easy. Wearing it up is still a bit of a challenge but I'm trying out new things.

I wash once a week with a sulphur free shampoo and condition, and about midway through the week I spray with a little water to get any kinks out if I had it in a plait/up do.

It's really easy to take care of, never knots or mats in the back of my neck and I've even been on a roller coaster -- it stays on. I was quite worried and next time I might just go in a bandana to avoid the worry. I live in a windy city and I for the first time in a long time I'm more worried about my dress blowing up than my hair blowing off!

I am single now and only developed alopecia after my husband's death. I lost a lot of my hair to chemo when he was still alive and it never grew back. He was fine with it and always said I should shave my head and wear a wig full time -- an amazingly loving and supportive man. Although I'm comfortable with this, there is a part of me that worries about what anyone knew some day would think of it, or if they would want me, but I also know that I feel great with my Freedom hair and I wouldn't give it up to try and grow the few thin stands I have left.

I am wondering though, you ladies in a relationship/marriage, do you sleep with anything on your head? How do your partners feel about it?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by bbonbi on January 10, 2014 at 10:29am

Hi, I wear a bandanna to sleep in, and wear the knot in front. A bald head is cold at night! Married over 30 years, I lost my beautiful natural wavy hair after we'd been together about 6 years.  However, depending on the (occasional) romantic mood, I sometimes put my wig on.

I too wear a freedom wig and they're too expensive to sleep in.

Beth

Permalink Reply by Janine on January 10, 2014 at 11:35am

Thanks Beth. I sleep in a wool cap in the winter but in the hot summer I find it cooler to go without. I think I should try a cotton bandana.

Permalink Reply by reesespieces5678 on January 10, 2014 at 2:02pm

I AM SO GLAD YOU POSTED THIS. I feel we have a lot of simularities. I too have to shave my head because I still have about 20% of my hair growing. I've had alopecia for a long time since 6th grade, I am 25 now. Just got bad this past year. I decided to get the freedom wig. I havent received mine yet, should be here any day. I have worries about it, as I spent alot of money on it. I am glad you shared your story. It makes me feel more at ease. I am getting the 12-14 inch in dark brown. Right now I have bangs trimmed into my wig..but I am thinking of not having bangs for my freedom wig. Can you exercise/sweat in yours? I am huge on fitness and I like in California. I am worried about the heat. 

As for your question. I am in a relationship, and I told my bf about alopecia as soon as I felt mutual trust between us. About 5-6 months in. We are long distance, so I wasn't seeing him all the time. He had no idea and said my wigs looks so real. He is totally okay with my alopecia and bald head. In fact, he says I am cuter now with a shaved head. I think having alopecia has made us closer. He sees how strong I am for it.  I sleep with a bald head. If someone loves you they will accept you for who you are. Be proud.

Permalink Reply by Janine on January 11, 2014 at 1:29pm

Hi, I am so glad to hear your story too.It gives me hope that there are guys out there who would accept me as I am. I was also very nervous about my Freedom piece because they are pricy and shaving daily is a big commitment, but it has been so worth it! When I wore lace wigs the hair in the neck kept matting and knotting, and ended up poking out from underneath the top hair, making it look very wiggy. I was always afraid of it blowing off and even of people seeing the hair knotted into the lace. I had to comb it about every hour just to stop it from knotting into a massive mess. With the Freedom I wore it straight out the box the day I got it and it was awesome, although a bit too much hair for me. (see pic of me in the black and white dress, I'm with my sister here). From this pic you can see that it's quite possible to wear it without bangs, no-one can tell. I cut more layers in, added a few highlights (pic without a fringe, here the hair is thinned out a little, the layers are neatened up and there are a few sunkissed highlights). I wore it like that for two weeks but decided to cut in a fringe because it suited my face better. I normally run on a treadmill at home so I do that without anything on but I live in South Africa and it can become exceptionally hot here and I have never had a problem with the Freedom staying on. Sometimes if I feel the suction loosening (it never comes off but if there's too much moisture from sweating, I can sometimes feel the suction loosen here and there), I just pop to the ladies room, pop it off, wipe my head and the inside of the cap with some tissue paper and put it back on -- it's no problem and sits so firmly that after a whole day's wear it's still firmly on. I went to an amusement park and rode all the roller coasters in extreme heat and I was worried it would come off, so I tied a scarf around my head and neck, but the scarf came off while the Freedom stayed on! I comb it in the morning and not again until I take it off, like I would have done with my own hair, and it does not tangle excessively, and here I must say, I live in an extremely windy city. I know you will love your Freedom -- it's the best thing I've ever done! Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by momoftwoboys on January 10, 2014 at 8:28pm

Janine-

I lost my hair when I was 11 and I am now 34.  I have been married for 10 years.  I do have hair on my head, but it is very thin.  I usually sleep without a wig and my husband is fine with this.  When we first started dating, I definitely used to sleep with my wig on.  I slowly transitioned to not wearing it.  We had many conversations about it and it took me longer to feel comfortable than him.  (I have a great guy!)  I now have a Freedom Wig.  I am still waiting to get it styled, but I don't plan on sleeping in it.  If you feel more comfortable, I would get a synthetic wig to sleep in similar to the cut of your Freedom wig.

Also, I purchased  Skull and Face Electric Shaver Sold by Skull Shaver  on Amazon.  It works great. 

Best of luck to you!!!

Permalink Reply by Janine on January 11, 2014 at 1:33pm

Thanks so much. I actually like sleeping with nothing on my head, but it's just I suppose a bit of a worry. 

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