Wigs for Alopecia: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Choosing Natural-Looking Human Hair Wigs
Is an alopecia diagnosis causing you to feel lost or desperate for a solution?
Are you wondering if you’ll ever feel like yourself again?
As the leading brand in high-quality human hair wigs, including wigs for alopecia, Daniel Alain is on a mission to help women feel confident by providing wigs with a completely realistic look and the most comfortable fit for sensitive scalps. We understand that it’s important for anyone with medical hair loss to feel like themselves, and while you might not yet have arrived at that point, we can guarantee it is possible.
This article will explain everything you need to know about natural-looking human hair wigs, whether you’re suffering from early stages of hair thinning, patchy hair loss, or a more aggressive form of complete hair loss. Having this information will help you decide whether a wig is the right option for you.
What Does Hair Loss Look Like for Alopecia Patients?
Hair loss looks different for everyone and can affect adults and children at all stages of life. While some people notice small changes in their hair at first, others may experience more sudden or widespread hair loss.
One of the most common types of alopecia is alopecia areata, which typically shows up as patchy hair loss. You might notice small, round areas where hair has fallen out. For many people, it begins as partial hair loss and may come and go over time.
Alopecia totalis is total hair loss across the entire scalp. This can happen gradually or quite quickly, depending on the person. Some people start by experiencing thinning hair or bald patches before it progresses further.
Alopecia universalis is less common but involves total hair loss across the whole body. This form can feel particularly overwhelming, especially in the early stages.
Androgenic alopecia is the term used to describe male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. This is typically characterized by gradual hair thinning at the crown or around the bangs.
Other people may experience medical hair loss associated with certain medical treatments like undergoing chemotherapy, or autoimmune conditions which can also lead to more sudden or total hair loss.
No matter what kind of alopecia you have, it’s important to remember that there isn’t a single ‘normal’ experience. Alopecia can affect each person differently and understanding your options will help you find an effective solution that works for you.
Why Wigs for Hair Loss Can Be an Effective Solution
The decision of whether or not a wig becomes a part of your alopecia journey is entirely yours. Some people prefer the ease of wearing wigs or hair toppers to cover all or part of their head, while other people come to terms with their hair loss and the appearance of their natural hair and see no reason to cover it. Both options are fine - as is something in between.
We have many customers who put on their wig while out of the house, at work, running errands, or attending events but when they’re home or in a comfortable environment, they’re content to put the wig to one side. With their growing confidence, we find that most people learn to feel out what’s best for them over time.
Hair loss wigs are a practical, non-invasive solution compared to medical treatments currently available. We’ve heard so many stories from customers about painful PRP injections or steroid shots that ultimately turned out to be expensive and unsuccessful. A wig with a natural appearance and a comfortable fit, on the other hand, provides an instant, immediate transformation and no waiting for months to see results.
Depending on the wig type, they also provide endless styling options – human hair wigs can be styled just like your bio hair while synthetic wigs come pre styled and cannot be changed – so if styling your hair is something that you miss or feels impossible with your natural hair, a hairpiece can give you that sense of normalcy and help restore your confidence in daily life.
Common Types of Wigs for Alopecia: Full Wigs and Hair Toppers
When it comes to wigs for alopecia there are a few different wig types, and while it might seem overwhelming at first, understanding their different features and benefits will help you decide which is best for your hair loss needs.
Full wigs cover the entire scalp and can be worn by anyone with or without hair. Lace front wigs start at the front hairline, extend to the nape and have ear tabs for the perfect fit around the ears for the most natural fit. Full wigs typically come with clips or combs inside the cap to attach to any existing bio hair, and adjustable straps for a secure and comfortable fit, even for the most sensitive scalps.
If you have total hair loss, some full wigs have silicone patches inside the cap which will help the wig feel perfectly secure no matter what. We know plenty of women with complete hair loss who own this type of wig and they are able to live life to the fullest without worrying about their wig falling off their head, or shifting out of place during exercise, windy weather, or running around after small children.
The right wig will not hold you back from enjoying your life. Instead it will bring you confidence to live your life without the stress of worrying about your hair loss.
Hair toppers are partial hairpieces and usually provide coverage and volume at the top of the head. They clip into existing hair and must match your natural hair in color and hair length for the most seamless blend. Hair toppers come with a variety of different base sizes and they may be used to effectively cover partial hair loss. The best way to decide if a hair topper would work for your hair loss situation is to speak to a specialist who can advise you on the best options for your needs.
What Makes a Wig Look Natural?
Ultimately, the most natural-looking wig is the one that makes you feel like yourself, but there are some features and tips you should familiarize yourself with before making a significant investment decision.
Hair type
Wigs for women with hair loss are either made from human hair or synthetic hair. Synthetic wigs are a budget-friendly option, made with man-made fibers that are chemically engineered to look and move like a real head of hair. Although synthetic hair has come a long way in the last few years, these wigs don’t last very long (a few months at most) and are prone to pilling and matting over time. The hair also tends to look unnaturally shiny, especially in sunlight. Heat resistant synthetic wigs can be styled gently with hot tools, but these wigs usually have a fixed style that cannot be changed.
Human hair wigs are made from natural hair that has been sold or donated. These days, most human hair wigs are made with hair originating from Asia or India. This hair type is beautiful, strong, and coarse. Less common are wigs made from European hair which is much finer and softer than Asian or Indian hair. This hair type is extremely rare and very difficult to source in large quantities. At Daniel Alain, we sell human hair wigs and toppers made exclusively from European human hair. When you’re choosing a wig, you usually get the most natural look with a hair texture that matches your bio hair.
Human hair wigs can be cut, colored, and styled to suit your personal style and what feels most natural to you. You cannot typically cut or customize or style a synthetic piece.
Women often worry that a human hair wig (or human hair topper) will require more maintenance or be concerned that washing an expensive wig will damage it. It’s true that the lace around the hairline on a human hair wig is very delicate and should be treated with care, but proper care and maintenance is not complicated. In fact, washing a human hair wig is much like washing your own hair, but easier and more convenient because it’s not attached to you. Just wash it with shampoo in the kitchen sink! As for drying? Just place it to dry on a wig stand overnight - nothing complicated or overly technical, we promise!
Cap Construction
Human hair wigs can be machine-wefted or hand tied. Machine-wefted wigs are faster to make and mass-produced. Hand tied wigs are handmade by skilled workers and are considered high quality options because the hair is able to move just like natural hair on your head and can be parted in any direction. Machine-wefted wigs usually feel a little lighter with more breathable caps, but aren’t suitable for high ponytail styles or updos in case the wefts show.
A great fitting cap should feel secure but not tight on your head. We always recommend getting measured by a professional and finding a cap size that fits you perfectly. Many low-quality wigs come in a simple small, medium, large size range. At Daniel Alain, we believe that’s not enough to accommodate most people, and offer caps from size XXXS to XL, with custom sizes also being an option. We even make wigs for children!
Some caps are designed with a lace top, which means you can see the lace along the part line on very close inspection. Other wig caps are designed with a scalp-like appearance which actually looks like the hair is growing from the scalp.
Real Experiences: What Women with Alopecia Say About Wearing Wigs
Daniel Alain customer Sally, started with gradual thinning which later progressed to more significant alopecia-related hair loss. She sought a lace front, natural-looking wig for hair loss, to restore her confidence and make her feel more like herself.
“I was initially a little concerned about my staying on, specifically in the wind. But I am happy to report that I had no issues. I even took my wig on our honeymoon to Italy. I was able to wear it boating, kayaking, and on planes, trains, and automobiles!”
Bobbie had a more sudden experience with alopecia universalis where she lost all her hair in just a few short months. After a disappointing experience with an expensive first purchase, she finally found Daniel Alain and chose a Style lace front wig.
“Looking back, I wish someone had told me how important it is to work with a reputable company. My first wig was expensive, and I thought that meant it would be great quality, but the hair started falling out so quickly, and I was so disappointed I didn’t even want to wear it. It felt like I’d wasted so much money. When I finally found Daniel Alain, it was completely different. I could read real reviews, see other women’s transformations, and actually understand what I was investing in. That made all the difference for me.”
Mirna has alopecia areata and after hiding her hair loss for as long as she could, decided to leap into wearing wigs. After struggling to feel like herself in her first purchase, Mirna quickly realized that finding the right fit is the best place to start. After that, everything else falls into place.
“I think a lot of people get distracted by pictures of wigs they see online. They go to blogs or Instagram and see a photo of a wig and they buy it, thinking that how a wig looks is the most important thing. But if they’re uncomfortable to wear they won’t look good on you…. The best wigs start with a good fit. Taking accurate measurements is everything.”
How to Feel Confident Choosing the Right Wig for Alopecia
If you’re looking for a wig for medical hair loss it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the options.
It’s okay if you’re not completely familiar with the benefits of a lace front or how exactly the adjustable straps work in the beginning. Most women don’t know these things unless they’ve had to learn them too.
It’s okay to go at your own pace, ask questions, follow people on instagram for tips and tricks, and to do your own research. Hair loss is distressing enough, looking for the right hairpiece shouldn’t be.
We recommend chatting with a consultant who can support you through the process of choosing the perfect style for you. A professional can help you find the right fit, perfect length, and a renewed feeling of confidence, all in one wig. They may even be able to show you how to obtain partial payment through your insurance company.
