I just wanted to let my readers know about a new site I just found for those suffering from Alopecia. It is a great community type site where you can meet and share information with others suffering from the condition. Find tips, find friends, find answers!
How do I wash the friggin thing!?!?!?
Synthetic
Human Hair
How often should my wig be washed and/or styled?
This is a really easy one… but really hard to do. Wash your wig AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!
Can I use a blow drier or curling iron on my wig?
Synthetic - No blow drier!! Excessive heat will melt or frizz the plastic in the fibers. Don’t do it!!!!
Human Hair - You can think of it like your own hair and style it as such!!!
While there are many potential causes for hair loss in women, only the 5 of the most common are listed in this article.
The majority of women with unexplained hair loss have been searching for a solution to their situation for months or years! First the visit their Primary Care Physicians, then the dermatologists, endocrinologists, gynecologists, nutritionists, frichnologists, and even psychologists - anyone who might provide the one clue which would reverse the problem!
Hereditary Hair Loss
This is the most common cause of hair loss where the hair is genetically programmed to gradually fall out. Occurring in 1 out of 5 women, the condition is also known as Female Pattern Hair Loss and it’s technical name is Androgenetic Alopecia. Hair loss usually occurs at menopause, although it can start at any age.
Stress
As is we needed another side effect of stress! It can trigger hair loss whether people are predestined to lose hair or not. When stress causes hair loss, its effects are not usually permanent. In women who do have hereditary hair loss stress can actually speed up the process. Examples of severe stress are: loss of a loved one, strenuous sports, training, severe illness or drastic weight loss.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones can also play a part in a women’s hair loss. When an unusually large hormonal change occurs, women may experience some noticeable thinning, but generally this fallout is not enough to cause total hair loss. Hormone imbalances can occur during or after pregnancy, menopause or discontinuation of birth control pills. Hair loss caused by fluctuating hormones is usually not permanent and generally hair will grow back within approximately 6-12 months, however in some people, this can lead to permanent hair loss.
Chemotherapy Drugs and Radiation Treatments
Chemotherapy drugs designed to seek out cancer cells also temporarily damage the hair follicles and will often result in total hair loss. Hair loss from chemotherapy treatments will start approximately 2-3 weeks after first dose of chemotherapy, but won’t result in total hair loss until 1-2 months have elapsed. Hair loss is reversible and will be back in about 3-4 months after the last chemotherapy dose. Hair on the head is most commonly affected. The scalp may become tender and hair that is still growing may become dull and dry.
While there are too many reasons for hair to fall out in both men and women, you have read some of the most common. A search for “hair loss” on Google will lead to many other possibilities not listed here.
Resources:
Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides wigs and hairpieces to underpriveledged children in Cnada and USA. The children are all suffering from hair loss due to many different medical conditions.
What I love about them is they are helping kids regain their self esteem by taking your donated hair and creating hair prosthetics that bring the biggest smile to their faces!!! With a new smile and boosted self-esteem, they are better able to tackle the world and make their dreams come true!!! Can you help!?!?!?
http://www.locksoflove.org/
http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2008/06/hair-style-with-mission.html
Synthetic Hair
In general, synthetic wigs may be the best choice if you have a limited budget, have little time or capacity to provide homecare and maintenance or if your hair loss is a temporary condition.
The major benefits are easy care, reasonable price, permanent color, easy styling and usually quick availability. Most synthetic wigs today are made with Kanekalon fiber that holds its shape and color. On the negative side, some synthetic wigs tend to be stiffer and less flowing then human hair. Constant rubbing on the collar or a blouse or exposure to heat causes the fiber to frizz. The base can be itchy (although rare) and synthetic hair cannot be colored or highlighted. The synthetic fiber used in wigs today has improved significantly over the past 10 years.
Synthetic fiber is a by-product of the petroleum industry and is a special type of thermo plastic resin. The biggest advantage to synthetic fiber is that is has memory, meaning when washed it goes back to the style it was created in. You cannot apply any heat and it cannot hold any color (plastic repels, it doesn’t absorb) as it is not porous at all. Generally it is not flammable but will melt from heat. Special curling irons can be used to prevent melting. Steaming the synthetic fiber will remove the frizz, burns and will change the style and erase the memory of the fiber.
Steamers can make a straight wig curly and a curly wig straight. There are some high heat synthetic fibers however; they are far from being perfected. Synthetic fiber wigs are generally lighter than human hair wigs primarily because of the lightweight nature of the fiber used. Long synthetic fiber will tangle easier than human hair will. Human hair will fade and will react to humidity and other weather. Alternatively, the benefits of human hair are it will hold color and withstand heat.
Human Hair
The major benefit of human hair is that the hair can be colored and permed. Also, you can use a curling iron or electric rollers to curl the hair. Heat is not a problem with human hair as it is with synthetic. The human hair also lasts longer than synthetic hair, although the caps of both types of hair last the same (about a year). The drawbacks are that they need the same kind and amount care as growth hair, and are generally more expensive. In time, the wig might become a little thin up top of, but can usually be re-ventilated professionally (if it’s a hand-tied or monofilament).
Should I choose synthetic or a human hair wig?
When choosing a wig, consider first the length of time you will actually need a medical wig. Your hair will begin to grow back very soon after your treatment is completed. Some patients experience re-growth even before completing their chemotherapy. You will need a wig, for a few months at the most. Synthetic wigs offer great value through price, easy daily maintenance durability and appearance.
Synthetic wigs come with fiber memory, built-in wave or curl pattern that holds its style unless the wig is abused (with excess heat or combing while the wig is wet.) A properly maintained synthetic wig will look and wear well for the time you will need it. Synthetic wigs are made with small, light wefts that look like natural hair and they are much easier to style than real hair. You will be spoiled by the ease! Some synthetic wigs are made with a monofilament (transparent) top that looks exactly like your scalp with individual hairs that appear to be growing out of the scalp. The 100% hand-tied wigs look very natural. Always follow the wig maker’s instructions, and use only products made for synthetic hair.
Human hair wigs are more expensive than synthetic wigs and have to be shampooed, dried, styled and conditioned just like your natural hair. They may frizz on humid days and lose their style if they get wet.
Human hair wigs may be permed and colored but be sure to have a qualified stylist perform these services, as wig hair is extremely porous and easily damaged by chemical services.
Leilani Miller
www.medfordsalon.com
I thought I’d take a quick moment to let people know that a new type of wig was recently introduced that has features typical of only really expensive “Human Hair Wigs” that can cost upwards of $2,000 or more!!!
Revlon’s Lace-Front Wigs! What makes these wigs appealing to many people is the way the lace in the front makes it appear as though hair is growing right out of your head! You will see little “baby hairs”….. not an unnatural wig line…. it looks so natural and is nearly impossible to tell you aren’t growing your own hair! When you look in the mirror, you can’t even tell!
And the best part….. they don’t cost thousands of dollars!!!!
Check them out!
Scared to wash your wig????
Worried it will fall apart???
Frightened you won’t be able to style it again???
You shouldn’t be!!! Just follow these easy tips below, and your wig will be clean and shiny - just like when you bought it!
You should wash your human hair wig and synthetic wig every few weeks or when they lose their bounce and the hair starts to look and feel heavy, and loses its sheen. You’ll also notice that your wig’s style will not stay in as long and will lose its manageability when it is ready to be washed.
Note: Wigs that have elastic caps will stretch out if washed to often
The original style of your synthetic wig can be preserved if you wash and take care of it properly. Be sure to keep your wig away from heat and stream (such as opening oven and dishwasher doors, spas, etc.)
You can use any salon type of shampoo made for natural hair on human hair wigs. Be sure that after you wash the human hair wig, you always apply a moisturizing conditioner. Hair that is no longer attached to the body is not being nourished by natural oils, and therefore needs extra care to maintain pliability and silkiness. If the human hair wig begins to look “static-y” or fly away, you may need to use heat styling (in the form of a blow dryer of smoothing with a curling or straightening iron) to restore the shiny straight silky texture that it had when it was first purchased.
Note: If you get a hair stray build up (your wig will start to get a powdery look to it) use sudsy ammonia to get it out. You can use ½ cup of ammonia to 1½ quarts of cold water, and let it soak for 10 minutes. (Follow washing and conditioning instructions) If the wig dries and still has that powdery look to it, wash it again the same way. Always use a good wig conditioner after washing because the ammonia will tend to dry out the fibers.
For spray on Wig Conditioner
Once the wig is thoroughly rinsed with cold water, hold the nape (back base) of the wig and shake it a couple of times. The shaking separates the fibers and allows you to spray the conditioner into the base of the fibers. Spray evenly and lightly throughout the wig, ten to fifteen sprays into the wig. Gently squeeze out excess, but DO NOT RINSE! Towel blot your wig.
Note: Some wig wearers swear by soaking their wigs in liquid fabric softener mixed with wig conditioner to make them extra silky. A caution though - some fabric softeners have a lot of perfume which may be an allergen and irritate your scalp.
Drying time depends on length and thickness of your wig
You can let the wig dry overnight on a wig stand or…
Lay your wig on a towel hair side up or turn the wig inside out if it has any curl or wave just to keep the curl nice and fresh (Although you won’t lose the curl if you don’t do it this way).
Note: If you place the wig outside in the sunshine, it should dry in less than one hour. If you place your wig inside, you can count on overnight to dry. DO NOT PUT YOUR WIG ON A STYROFAOM HEAD TO DRY! The wig will have a tendency to stretch when wet.
After your wig has dried, shake it our gently and proceed to brush with your wig brush or fingers. Put on, touch it up a little, and you are GOOD TO GO!
You may want to use the Jon Renau Wig Deodorizer and rid your wigs of unpleasant orders such as smoke and food smells. Spray dry on inside and outside lightly and allow to dry.
Leilani Miller
www.medfordsalon.com
Sometimes when going through Chemotherapy, a side-effect of losing your hair is an itchy head…. no fun for anybody! Try the steps below to relieve the itch pronto!
Mixing baking soda and lukewarm water into a paste about the thickness of brownie mix. You want the mixture thick enough so that it will not run when you apply it to a head.
Spread the mixture on the head (with or without hair) and leave on the head approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse off with lukewarm water.
You may apply this to your head several times a day. It feels especially good to a head right before going to bed at night.
Heads tend to stop itching and/or being sore a day or two after hair is gone following Chemotherapy treatments. Hang in there!
Brushing from the “ends up” (under the back of the wig) each time the wig is worn, which helps prevent tangles in your wig.
Trim the ends of your wig or hairpiece a tiny bit if they become frizzy. Remember to keep your wig clean with regular shampooing with your wig shampoo.
Wig detangler spray by Jon Renau’s made specifically for wigs works very well removing the tangles of synthetic wigs. Detangler is especially formulated for daily use; however I suggest using detangler two to three times per week as needed. Detangler is a must for fibers longer than shoulder length. Use a light spray on fibers, which are tangled or feel dry and brittle. Spray lightly on the inside and the outside, being careful not to spray on the inside hairline. Long straight fiber should be sprayed and using a wide to medium width comb — combing downward in short and gentle strokes. Long curly fibers should be crunched and curled around the finger. Never use a detangler after washing and conditioning. Wait a few days and then proceed with the detangler.
Static Guard fabric spray You will want to spray very lightly and not to close to the wig hair.
Try a TEFLON curling iron to remove the frizz from the nape of your wig. First test a piece of the hair from underneath the wig- where it won’t show if the fiber becomes frizzed- and be sure your TEFLON curling iron is on the LOW setting. If your result is smooth, pull the curling iron through the ends of the frizzed section of the wig a few times. This should help with the frizzed ends.
