Hey umm sorry for not getting back to you soon enough. anyway i wear a synthetic hair wig. its pretty comfy i dont really notice i have it on half the time.

<3 Hilary <3

Hi Karina (nice name!)
I have tried a few different types of wigs - my first was a synthetic that I hated (it itched, the hair matted and it looked so fake), then I got a human hair wig, which was better but still not great. Now I have my vacuum wig which has changed my life.
I am very open about my alopecia - pretty much everyone knows. And guess what, no one really cares! I am still the same person I was before I lost my hair and I am happy to say I have never felt discriminated against because of my hair. I get some strange looks when I go without my wig, but so what? People are curious about things they are not used to.
I know it's hard at the beginning, but hang in there, it does get better. Have you considered counseling at all?
K.

i'm not familiar with your condition. everything i found was written in spanish. what i do know is hair & skin is affected by your health. everything you take into your body comes out through your hair & skin. stress, illness, surgery...can have a negative impact. make sure you are eating well, sleeping, and getting exersise (walk, bike ride, etc.)being active releases endorphins that make you feel good-naturally. i don't like to take pills if i don't have to. i hope this helps. also, don't feel like you have to make everyone else happy before yourself- oprah says, "put yourself on the list." ;)

Awwwww thks :) that one is a lace front wig.

Hi! I assume you are asking me how I dealt with telling people about my hair loss? At first, I kept it to myself, but then I found it so much easier to just tell people. I wear a full wig and it's just fine. Truth is, if your are comfortable with yourself -- be it bald, in a wig, in a hat or scarf -- then other people will be comfortable as well. You have a lot more power over your situation than you think.

Hi Karina, thanks for your compliments on my dog. She's my sunshine. They are so good to have around. By the way, my name is Kelly (you are calling me Jenny on my profile). No worries, just wanted to let you know. :)

Currently, I am using tape to attach it. At first, it came with little combs, but my hair did not hold combs well, so it slid around too much. I also have a very nice headband that I sometimes hold it on with if I just need it for a little while. You can even get heavier adhesive to attach it - but I didn't want that. I like to be able to let my scalp breath.

Yes, when the lady said that I always look so cute wearing hats all the time. I told her I hate hats, I have alopecia, so I wear them to hide it. She said, "Oh My gosh, I had no idea. You hide it so well. You always look at people and think, hey, she's cute and has it all together. And little do you know... she's bald" I always tell people! Everyone I know, knows I have it. Even when I bring it up sometimes, people are like, "oh ya, I forgot you had it" I've had it since I was 5. My teacher go up in front of the whole class, and told all the students, "Jennifer, has alopecia. Its not something to make fun of her about. There is nothing wrong with her. She just looses hair." And NO ONE (except for my brother when he was being a little punk, lol) would really ever make fun of me, SO, I have never kept it a secret. Its no big deal to me, that people know. But, I feel ugly if it shows. I just hide it as best as I can, hats. But I hate the way I look in hats! lol

Yes, let's stay in touch! Not sure about having that much wisdom, I just have dealt with my Alopecia for 33 years now, so I've had all kinds of experiences. check out my profile. We went bald at a local water park for the National Bald Out day here in the States and I posted pics. Here's my regular email if you'd like to email me and not have to log in here: godzgirl@cox.net

sorry it took me so long to write I was on vacation :) I am not wearing a wig yet, going next week to get fitted for one. I am bald under my long long hair from the nape to the middle of my head. You? This has been a nightmare but, this site is great. Margaret

Hi Katrina!

hello, the best thing I ever did was buy hair. If it falls out I know it feels like the end of the world. But the sun will still rise. Every one deals with it different. For me buying hair and getting a good hair dresser makes a big difference. I don't even think about my hair loss very often.

So cheer up you are not alone.

cAT

si ahora estoy usando una peluca pero en el foto es mi pelo real

la peluca que yo tengo es comoda. creo que los pelucas normales no son comodas, especialmente en el verano, porque es demasiado caliente. pero no se si es comoda o no porque nunca compre una. tengo una peluca que se llama un lace wig, y creo que el nombre en espanol es una peluca sin gorra. esa peluca tiene tiras verticales de tela de encaje. uso pegamento especial en la tela de encaje para que la pecula se queda en mi cabeza. esa peluca se parece como su pelo natural tambien, y creo que es mejor de los pelucas normales

Hi Karina,
You had asked me about wigs and wearing them long term in all seasons, I have some answers. I have been wearing a wig now for almost 2 years. My mom also has alopecia and has worn one for almost 15 years. Together we have some tips on wearing one year round. I usually pick a wig that is shorter and has some kind of texturize cut. Longer wigs or straight hair wigs are usually much hotter to wear all year round. During the summer I wear just a headband under my wig. We have found that 2in wide cotton flesh-colored headbands under the wig keep the wig from itching so bad around the edges and also helps keep it in place. During the colder months my head gets cold under my wig and it is hard to properly wear a winter hat with a wig on... so I wear a flesh color cotton cap and the headband underneath to give my scalp a little barrier from the wind. You can find these caps at most wig stores, in fact they sell them as a wear to help wigs be more comfortable. Unfortunately I can never wear them all by themselves because like I said the itchest parts are the edges of the wigs and these caps just dont' cover that much. That is why I wear the cap and the headband still. I hope this helps, it will make wearing a wig much more tolerable if you pick the right wig and the right piece underneath it.
As for telling others about my condition, I usually am very open about it if others ask. Many times I have people commenting on my hair style and I've noticed that confessing my secret to stranges who are just looking to make idle conversation can be a little too much for them. SO I usually just say I get my hair styled in a local town that I buy my wigs from. But other than that, if I get to know a person and or have to work with them, I usually find a way to let them know about my situation. It helps me feel free to be myself around them and it helps them get to know the real me. Good luck with everything. Hopefully your situation will turn around and you won't need any of my advice.

no, the people at my school don't hurt me, and its syntethic and very comfortable :) it cost maybe 2000 for one wig
Take care
Emmi

Hi Karina,
Hope you are well!
I have had AT for about 18 months now and have been wearing wigs for about 16 months. At the moment I wear Rene of Paris wig which are synthetic but look great and are very comfortable, even when the weather is hot or I am exercising.
I am in the process of having a Freedom wig made. This will be a custom fit vacuum wig made with human hair. i am very excited about it!!
I hope you are ok. Its sounds like you are having lots of differnet messages from different doctors and it is difficult to understand what is actully happen. My hair fell out through illness and never came back, unfortunatley.
Take care xxx

sorry it took me so long to respond to be honest i didnt tell people because i thought my hair would come back...my biggest advice is dont hide from it. i wish i would of been more open, easier said than done. i know people know, and this site has made me realize that im not alone! xoxo

Hi Karina, my name is Cindy and I am Samantha's mom. Your wrote a note on her page. I will have her respond shortly. I think it would be great practice for her to have a friend to write to in Spanish. She will be in 2nd grade and she only speaks and writes Spanish in class. She loves it ! Hope you are having a nice summer. Cindy

Hola Karina yo soy Samantha. yo termina 1 grado y comenzo 2 grado.Yo megusta webkinz.( I don't know how to do the accents on my computer). desde Samantha

Hi Karina,
My appologies for not getting back to you sooner.
I have found these wigs comfortable and secure for me in what I do. Some find them hot to wear, but I don't have any heat issues.
If you go to the Freedom web site below, they have contact information on there.

www.freedomwigs.co.nz

Hope this helps, let me know if there is anything else.
Cheryl :)

Hi girl how are you??????

Hi Karina,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Have a lovely day :)
Cheryl

Hello!!!!

and a HUGe APOLOGY for the totally delayed responce!!!
yES.. I wear wigs... have done so on and off since the age of 15 more or less.
Lately i have started the Rachel Welch wigs.. both synthetic and real hair...and love how natural they look...people dont realize it;s a wig...and basically...s ome closer friends of mine are totally astonished when i do tell them!!!

I hadn't heard of Telogen Effluvium before.... but i guess we are all more or less in the same boat!!
PROMISE to try and check in here on this site more often so as not to miss the comments!

hi Karina! :)
im sorry i didnt really have time to answer you before now, Ive been very busy this summer.
I dont know what kind of wig I wear but its an all natural hair wig. It was not comfortable at first but now, i live in it!:D
If im home, of course i will want to take it of at night when i sleep, but if im at a friends house, i actually FORGET that im wearing a wig hahaa. its kinda hard to believe but theses days, I dont mind my wig at all. I went on vacation for 2 weeks, and had my wig on ALL THE TIME except in the shower! Even at night. I have a few wigs, so i have 1 for the beach/pool, 1 to sleep and 1 ''pretty'' for all the time. I had another one, but i put it in a towel to dry, and by accident my brother put that towel in the laudry ( NEVER DO THAT) it is now destroyed! He felt REALLY bad, but i didnt make a big deal out of it, I didnt want him to feel bad haha!
how are you? do you wear a wig?

Hi Karina, no I am not wearing anything on my head. That pic is over a year old and I really need to update it. I am still losing hair and I just cannot get a grip on it. I appear to be ok on the outside but on the inside I am broken. I hope you are doing much better. You look beautiful in your pic!!

I red your message and you really broke my heart. I really feel you. I 've been there.
1. Stop being afraid please!!! I know it's hard but please try. You only making it worst this way.
2. Now as soon as possible go at a very very good wig shop, try some wigs with natural hair , find one that is the same color with your hair (they will do then a haircut and hairstyle like the one that you have). You will be able to wear it with all your hair, with some hair or no hair at all. You will learn how to wear it, it's easy like wearing a hat. When you have hair it has clips to stay on. If you don't have any hair it stays on with adhesive tape (I have some hair but I decided to shave it until they grow all. So I use the adhesive tape that is more stable. I can even swim and dive without problem).
3. Put the stress away, try to be happy for nothing and for everything and whatever will be will be!
*One thing is certain you will be the same person and you will be very pretty, as you are now.

Yes Karina. Almost all the people that had to do with my every day life. I mean my relatives, my friends, my colleques e.t.c. I feel more relaxed this way and I have everyone's support.

I dont know what type of wig i have, its custom made with real hair, so im not quite sure lol :P
People dont discriminate me for wearing a wig since no one really knows except my friends and family.
And the other people who just found out, were more concerned if i had cancer or something, but i just had to explain to them that i didn't and that i am not sick or anything :)

I honestly do not know. What I can tell you is that our clients who have lost their hair due to the side effects of chemotherapy do regrow their hair. These wigs have a mesh base not a solid one which may or may not help with the regrowth. I wish I could give you a better answer.

Hi Karina! I know how you feel and Im sorry. Yes I am wearing a wig and after 3 months of wearing it I cans ay It is comftorable. It is a hand notted wig. The inside is almost like tights material. Not hot. Just like anything new it took time to get use to. How are you today? If you need more inf. just send me a message. Ill be more than happy to help. Hope your day is a good one.
Hugs,
Kim

Hi Karina!! If you still have hair have you considered a topper? I know with wigs you kind of haft to look around to see what feels more comftorable if that is the the route you choose to take. I see you are from Argentina.Do you speak spanish?
Im Puertican and speak spanish too.....

Hola Karina, Definitivamente se por el dolor que estas pasando. No es un camino facil de caminar pero con el favor de Dios lo podemos hacer. Que examenes medicos te han hecho. En mi caso mi hiero siempre esta muy bajo y apesar de que otras personas pueden tener el hierro bajo un un cabello normal no es asi en todos los caso y yo soy uno de ellos. Cuando te hacen la prueba de hierro o Iron levels el ferritn que es la medida en que el hierro se adhiere debe estar por encima de 40 para retener cabello y 70 para crecimiento seguin estudios. A mi me habia subido a 62 de 4 que era el numero en que me encontraron pero 2 meses luego me volvio a bajar a 30. Tu te has hecho el estudio de hierro?

Hello Karina!

Great to hear from you. And thank you for your kind words!! :) For years I've had bald spots...but so far I have been able to "hide" them with my hair- so I do not have any experience with wigs. I have looked into them- wondering if I need a back-up plan if the time comes my spots get to big to hide.... I think the vacuum wigs sound great! I like the idea that are so very secure! Of course they also cost a lot of $$$$! I know there are a lot of blogs on this site about wigs- have you checked those out? Also on wedmd.com there is lots of wig advice. Do you have any salon's near you that you could stop in for a consult? I would think to be able to see and touch them would be helpful!!! Good luck-

Hey Karina,
I don't attach my wig, it actually fits snugly enough that I dont think about it. It is comfortable (all of mine are). My longer one has the option of taping to hold it, but is not neccessary. Overall, not bad to wear all day. All the best. Keep smiling.
Jenn

Queria Karina,Yo esta muy bien en escuela.Yo estan aciendo tecnlojia esta ano.Yo sento con un nina de mi clase y dos ninos del el otro clase el nombres del los ninos so Andrew y el otro sellama joe.

My wig is from Wella collection, but Idon't remember the name.

Hey Karina,
hang in there...you will be alright. I think back to feb/march/april this year and I was a mess. Depressed, anxious, hated every second and now I;m here, stronger than I ever thought, head held high, confident and ready to take on the world again. We aren't sick which I am blessed for. We are agile, we have our health...we just need a little hair therapy...really that;s it. No one judges you for it. You will be great in the end. You have to embrace this crappy process and go through the emotions but it gets better and your smile will return...trust me...life's too good for us not to smile.

Hi Karina!
I wear wigs all the time, and I work out at the gym every other day. I find that taping the front (and sides if nescessary) is all I need to do to make sure I'm secure.
LeslieAnn

Hey Karina,
I have the shorter wig that I wear out most often as it is lighter and a bit cooler. No tape...nothing. It is the regular wig brown mesh and stays put...even in the strongest winds. For running and exercise I just wear a buff (like a bandana)...all is good. The longer one in my profile picture doesn't need to be taped either, although it could if need be. Very secure. I had all your questions and insecurities too. Once you get your hairpiece you will realize how secure they are. Have a good one and keep smiling.
Jenn

Hi Karina, Sam wore a wig from the hair club for men for a year. Her first wig was an Amy Gibson wig. They are beautiful. One of the more popular wigs is the freedom wig. They are stunning. I would google freedom wigs in Argentina and see what you find. Sam did everything in them. She also liked to wear headbands with hair sewn into them. www.hatswithhair.com. Good luck!
Cindy

hola karina yo soy de argentina, vi tus comentarios , contame si has mejorado, a mi tambien me diagnostcaron efluvio talogeno

Te cuento yo tenia el pelo largo por la sintura y muchisimo, me quedo el 30% del pelo y muy fino y hace un año y medio que la caida no para definitivamente , el pelo que se me cae ahora es muy finito, por lo cual no se si va a poder mejorar la calidad, tome de todo para el pelo , me hice mesoterapia , algo ayudo pero lo que perdi no lo recupere, no sabes la angustia que me trae esto.....me corte el pelo corto porque largo ya no tenia forma........a veces digo me rapo la cabeza para no ver mas un pelo hasta que pare efiitivamente y lo que me quede me quede! pero no lo puedo hacer por el laburo trabajo en una oficina......

Mira, voy a esperar un poco y tengo pensado decir que tengo alopecia Areata y que tengo agujeros en la cabeza y tener que usar una peluca.....es la unica opcion por el trabajo....vos viste la cantidad de gente que vive asi en este foro hace años y se la ve feliz.....y bueno a partir de que aceptemos la condicion de que en vez de cancer u otra enfermedad tenemos alopecia quizas podremos sentirno mejor y pensar quelagente nos quiere igual, el problema nuestro que no tenemos alopecia areata es difusa y lo perdemos de a poco..... la gente que tiene cancer como hace se pone una peluca poca gente se ve por la calle pelada....vos sos profesora de ingles , das clases en tu casa o en instituto?? wenla foto se ve muy bien tu cabello....tenes facebook te paso mi contacto por facebook veronica vitale, tengo 101 amigos casi todos padecen alopecia ,e mpece a buscar y contacte para ver susu fotos y como conviven con el tema! bss

Hi Karina,
Sorry it took me while to get back,was out of town.
I have several wigs.
They do itch too.
I just try not to think about it.
I bought mine off the internet.
Paula Young.com
They are not expensive either.
I would love to try the vaccum one but I have seen their prices and I can't afford it.
So I just look on different websites.
I have also bought from The Wig Company.
Also Beauty Trends too.
So look around.
I have had good luck with Paula young.
And their return policy is great too.
Kinda takes awhile to get it back once you return but the postage is paid to send it back,right from your house.
I have a hard time with the color.
They have those color rings you can buy but I have to try it on first to see what it looks like.
Good luck let me know what you think:)

hi. I wear Freedom wigs made in New Zealand which are vaccuum wigs with real hair, I have AU. They are great wigs, very comfortable and look completely real. You can also do anything with a vaccuum wig, gym excerise even swimming in them. Let me know if you want more info or you can go to their website www,freedomwigs.co.nz

Hi Karina, Sam typically wore her wig from 8-6 during the week. When she was not in school or going somewhere special she did not wear her wig, but wore one of the hats with hair I mentioned. When the weather was warmer she did not wear the wig much, only to school and right off it came when she got home. Cindy

Hi Karina,
I usually wear my wigs for at least 8 hrs.
But as soon as I get home from work I take it off.
I was shopping today and found some little beanie cap I am trying to email the maker and see if she can make them for adults.
I will let you know if she does they are really comfortable.
Made out of cotton.
Here is her website if you would like to see.
Littlemissbowtique.com
Pretty reasonable too.
I will keep you posted about it.
Thanks:)

hahaaa sure, :D i dont mind questions :)
Yes i wear my wig Everyday ALL THE TIME, at sleepovers, camping,anytime!
and yes it is very secure,
i put double side tape on the edges of the wig and it sticks to my head.
It doesnt stop me from doing anything! :D
i skidoo, wakeboard, water ski, swim, go on rollercoasters, bike, crosscontry run,and alot more!:D
And the best thinng about other sports is that it requires a healmet :P Like Horseback riding ( i go every weekend), skiing, snowboarding,....

hello Karina :) thank you <3

i wouldn't put wig and comfy in the same sentence, haha. especially not in the beginning. when i got my first wig it wasn't very comfortable but you just start to get used to it. i've been wearing wigs for about 8 yrs so i'm definitely used to it by now but it takes a while.

:D xoxoxoxo ~ Essence