Causing hair to fall out either in clumps or in patches, Alopecia is a Latin word meaning ‘baldness,’ and for many, it can be a life-changing condition.
Those who suffer from alopecia experience a loss of hair at a rate far faster than those whose hair falls out naturally, such as from age-related factors. Before the creation of realistic, comfortable, and stylish wigs, hats and scarves were typically worn to mask the loss of hair.
While being diagnosed with alopecia can make individuals feel isolated and alone, it is important to recognise that more than 6 million people in the U.S. currently experience this disorder. Fortunately, there are highly realistic and natural-looking wig options available today for those who want to always feel their best.
It’s worth remembering that every person’s condition is different, and your specific alopecia will undoubtedly determine which wig type is most suitable for you. However, this brief guide will get you started on your wig-wearing journey and hopefully bring you to a happier, more fulfilled, and more confident destination!
How to choose the right type of wig
Whether you buy your wig online or call into a local wig shop for some face-to-face guidance (which is strongly recommended), the next step, after determining your preferred style (and this is a personal choice), is to decide on the specific wig type or wig construction.
While opinions may differ as to which type of wig is best, below are four of the most common and popular ones:
1.Lace front
Incredibly natural-looking, these wigs are made with lace at the front, which helps to blend the natural hairline. They remain light and breathable at the back thanks to being wefted (wefts of hair sewn onto one another). More affordable than some other wig types, yet still as comfortable and natural-looking, lace-front wigs are a firm favourite of many who suffer from alopecia.
2.Open cap, capless, wefted wig cap, and so on
This type of wig has many different names and is usually constructed from synthetic hair, rather than natural hair. This is the most basic construction type for a wig and is generally recommended for use by people who have their hair but who may be unable to style it as they wish. As a result, this construction type is not considered ideal for anyone suffering from alopecia.
3.Silk top
Often said to be the wig construction type that looks even more natural than a lace front wig, silk top wigs have a silk closure at the top and come with knots that are completely hidden under a layer of lace. To create such a natural look, the hair is injected through the silk at the crown. The intricate way in which they are made makes them one of the costliest of all the wig construction types.
4.Full lace
A full-lace construction means that the entire base of this type of wig cap is made from lace. These are even more expensive than silk top wigs due to the amount of work and skill required to sew each strand of hair into the lace by hand. However, they offer many more styling options than other types of wig construction.
The best way to find the right wig construction for you is to call your local wig store and try a few on with guidance from their experts. For first-time wig wearers (whether you suffer from alopecia or not), an in-store trial session is highly recommended.