Wearing Wigs for Long Term Use

[Vanora]

I'm thinking about going "part time" for days at a time and eventually full time. 

What are the options for wigs for longer term use?  What types of wigs are best?  Are there wigs that can be worn swimming and exercising?

Is there anyone here who is full time who, for reasons of male pattern baldness, have to wear a wig to pass?  What do you do?

[Bishounen]

I'm thinking about going "part time" for days at a time and eventually full time. 

What are the options for wigs for longer term use?  What types of wigs are best?  Are there wigs that can be worn swimming and exercising?

Is there anyone here who is full time who, for reasons of male pattern baldness, have to wear a wig to pass?  What do you do?

There are full hairpeaces nowadays that are basically glued on directly onto the head where the own hair naturally would grow.
These hair peaces are expensive, but they are extremely natural looking, sits very tightly and safely no matter how hard you pull, can be trimmed, washed, shampooed and used just as natural hair and worn 24/7.
However, they needs to be replaced every third week or so, as the natural hair underneath it grows underneath the glue, and not any least, dead skin cells that sloughs of, which makes it necessary to replace it to keep it in maximum shape.

[Vanora]

Thanks.  Are they comfortable or are they itchy and sweaty all the time?

[Bishounen]

Thanks.  Are they comfortable or are they itchy and sweaty all the time?

I don't know, actually, but everyone that have demonstrated them seems to have been happy with it.

However, I am attaching the following info on atleast one version of semi-permanent hairfillings; http://www.nuhair.net/hair_piece_glue.html
Atleast something.
Unfortunately I do not remember what all the types of hairpeaces for longer hair are called, but I am sure you could ask professionals working with hair replacement and such, for further info on the matter.

[Vanora]

Thanks!  Research continues

[Elainagirl59]

Hi,

I am also challenged with hair loss.  I transitioned 5 years ago and have worn hairpieces for the whole time.
I use a system similiar to what Bishounen described.  The system I am using has a heavier base so you don't
dispose of them every three weeks.  I have good hair growth on the sides and in the back, so I have grown
out that hair to shoulder length.  My hairpiece is just on top over the bald spot. I could have this piece bonded
which last about 3 weeks - the bond can be done a few different ways. 

I have been saving money and making the piece last longer by using a clip system --the front edge is attached to
my scalp with a double back tape and then there are 5 clips around the sides and back.  I take the hairpiece off
for sleeping and frequently wear hats or scarfs instead of my hairpiece.  The piece is more secure than a wig but
it could be pulled off, and I really don't feel that it would do well swimming. 

I used the bonding for the first 1.5 years that I was full-time and then decided to switch to the clips and tape.
I have been debating going back to the bond but it definitely is more expensive.  In my opinion, if I was into
swimming or sports that require a helmet, bonding would be the only choice. 

In my opinion one huge advantage of a system like this is that you are just covering a percent of your scalp.  So
it isn't near as hot as a wig.

I am sure there is a huge variation in prices and quality.

I hope this helps. 

Good luck,
Elaina

[Annah]

I'm thinking about going "part time" for days at a time and eventually full time. 

What are the options for wigs for longer term use?  What types of wigs are best?  Are there wigs that can be worn swimming and exercising?

Is there anyone here who is full time who, for reasons of male pattern baldness, have to wear a wig to pass?  What do you do?

you can get a real hair wig. They do not diminish in quality like the artificial ones. You don't have to spend a lot of money on them.

[Vanora]

I have been saving money and making the piece last longer by using a clip system --the front edge is attached to
my scalp with a double back tape and then there are 5 clips around the sides and back.  I take the hairpiece off
for sleeping and frequently wear hats or scarfs instead of my hairpiece.  The piece is more secure than a wig but
it could be pulled off, and I really don't feel that it would do well swimming. 

Thanks!  How are the clips attached?

[Dana_H]

I have Male Pattern Baldness across my forehead and crown so I use what is called an integration piece. It is a partial wig with a small cap that sits on the top of your head (where most balding occurs on me) and clips in place along the edges with 4 or 6 wig clips. The cap portion needs to be large enough for the wig clips to reach your hair. Around that cap is a span of material more like a mesh that also has hair attached. You use a hairpick to pull your own hair through the mesh, then comb the wig hair and your own hair together. (That's the "integration" part.) Ideally, you want to grow the length of your hair to be longer than the length of the integration piece. It also helps if the wig is a good color match to your own hair.

Wig clips (also called toupee clips) look like tiny combs that sew or glue into the underside of the wig and generally have a curve to them. When you push against the curve, the clip snaps open. You push the teeth of the clip into your hair, then squeeze the clip the other way (I just press it against my head) and it will snap shut, gripping your hair like a vise. Reverse the process to release the clips and remove the wig.

I don't swim, but if I did I would look into one of the glued wig options.

I prefer real hair wigs over synthetic hair because I can achieve a more natural look with natural hair, but some people do very well with synthetics. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good wig, but avoid the bargain basement ones if you can afford better; a $10 wig is probably going to look like it is a $10 wig.

One last thing, look for a wig that either has bangs or a "natural hairline". A "natural hairline" is a way of attaching the hair across the forehead to the wigcap (whether real or synthetic) so that the edge of the wigcap is concealed. Unless you look very closely, it looks like the wig is just hair growing out of your scalp. A wig without bangs that does not have a "natural hairline" might be easily clocked if the edge of the wigcap shows.

HTH

[Vanora]

I have Male Pattern Baldness across my forehead and crown so I use what is called an integration piece.

Thanks!  Where are good places to get these?  It sounds like it takes some skill to pic the right size etc.

[justmeinoz]

I have a couple of partial hairpieces that just cover the front and sides.  They are all human hair and I choose my hair colouring to match them.  If the cap is large enough and the clips are in the right place they stay on pretty well.  I can take my motorcycle helmet off after riding for a couple of hours and they haven't moved.
The prices varied, but they were under $300 Aussie.   A specialist wig shop can fit them properly.

[Dana_H]

Any good wig shop should have a variety of types of wigs, including integration pieces.  You may have to try several before you find the right one for you. The one I use is the "Front Line H" by Wig Pro and was designed with frontal hair loss in mind.  Do a Google Images search on "wig pro front line h" to see lots of pictures of it.  It runs anywhere from $180 to $250, depending where you buy it.  Other styles are available for different coverage needs.

If you are an online shopper like me, I do recommend looking for a local shop at least the first time you buy a wig in a particular style so you can get properly fitted and get a really good color match. Trial-and-error shopping can get expensive. Later, you can look online for deals on replacements as they wear out over time.

[Vanora]

Thanks all! That should get me started.