I'm an avid tennis player who is on the court four to five days a week. While i'm terrified of coming out to my tennis friends, i know this will be on step i'll have to take once i've been on HRT for a few months. However, my male pattern baldness, while not being extensive, is sufficient enough that i know i'll have to wear a wig the rest of my life. I'm ok with this. However, i'm not sure how to deal with playing tennis once i come out. Certainly, it doesn't make much sense to wear a wig as ai play, what with sweat and the possibility of it coming off while running down a ball. I would be wearing a tennis cap to cover my head, so some of my hair, on the back and sides of my head, would be visible. I'm not sure how to manage this situation. Grow my hair longer so i can create a pony tail from the back of my cap? Shave my head bald?

Inquiring minds would love to know how other women who play sports and wear wigs have dealt with this.

thanks,

Laura

Why not grow out what you have and wear a hairpiece designed for women instead of a full wig when not wearing your tennis cap?

These do seem to exist, and are probably more comfortable than a full wig, and probably are less noticeable than a men's short hair hairpiece. I've only worn the cheap Halloween variety wigs, I can't imagine wearing one day to day. Are the more expensive ones any more comfortable?

I may end up having to wear one eventually, I'm a bit thin at the crown...

Veronica Lynn's suggestion is good. These are wig-like pieces in which your own hair is matched, and your hair is combed through the hairpiece and mixed in with the new hair.  Some are attached to the scalp with a medical adhesive or wig tape.  These will definitely stay in place.

There are several 'hair replacement systems' out there that use a custom cap molded to your head, where the cap is bonded with medical adhesive again, and are professionally swapped out every 6-7 weeks.   While the cap is off the scalp is re-shaved, conditioned, and cleaned.

I've had good luck using wig tape, a double sided medical adhesive tape, to tack down more conventional wigs when in situations where I was worried about 'flipping my lid.'  That probably wouldn't be enough for a vigorous day of tennis, and definitely not for swimming.  The activity would damage many wigs.

My personal plan is to either go with a hair replacement system eventually, or if I stick with wigs, to just shave my own head completely and use a scarf when I don't have a wig.  There are lots of ciswomen who do this for medical reasons such as alopecia and chemotherapy hair loss.  While perhaps odd, it is a look the public is used to seeing.

Double sided tape does work pretty well. Especially if you have a cap on over it.

The big issue I would see if you went with a full wig might be the heat. They are relatively warm to wear and not run or do anything active(maybe I'm just being a baby).

I think either choice would work. However, if your mpb is a trigger you might not want to grow out just parts of it long.

It seems counter intuitive but if you are going with a wig, bald might be the best option. I got my hair cut pretty short yesterday. My wife knows my hair is a trigger asked if it was bad for me to get it cut. My reply was no, I'm getting rid of the terrible stuff(my hair started turning and thinning in high school- at 51 it is all silver which sounds cool but there is so little...I feel I look +20 years or more). Then my wig fits better too.

Good luck on your choices.

With warmth,

Joanna

Thank you for your responses. i'm still in a quandary, but at least i have time to think about it. My hair is fairly fine, similar to my mother and she began wearing wigs in her late thirties. Perhaps growing out my hair and supplementing it with extensions might be an answer. I suppose it might be best to go to a trans-friendly wig shop for their advice.

That, or i could just shave my head and play tennis with a hat.

Laura

Great minds think alike!  😄  I just had my remaining hair buzzed to 1/2" on top and less on the side. I run cooler under my other hair. 😀

I'm a skateboarder, in it for life. Couldn't quit if I wanted to. I too, wear a wig. I skate bowls and street, and everything in between. Here's what'cher gonna do. Get yourself a wig that suits you and looks good, and real, and blah blah blah. Grow out your hair in places where the wig might not cover, such as your temples and the nape of your neck. Keep the rest about an inch and a half long. You'll want that inch and a half or so to use bobby pins to keep your wig secured to your head. One by each temple and one on each side/back works really well for me. Always fasten your bobby pins curved side down, and with some experimentation, you can get them to fit seamlessly and invisibly in your wig.

I've been doing this for about three years now, and the only time I ever once had a problem, was one day when I didn't put in my bobby pins.

And for what it's worth, I have a badass Ziggy Stardust mullet underneath of my wig.  Sunglasses, because they make you cool.

I've visited the forums for women with hair loss for a long time and they seem to deal with this better than most TG people I've known. You can get hairpieces called "toppers" that cover only the top of the head and allow your side hair to hang normally. While they seem rather hard to find, there are some that have front lace for a hairline as well. I'm thinking of actually coming up with a custom made one for myself.

If your side and back hair is sparse, the best solution is a thing called a halo loop (also called other names). It's basically a loop of nylon thread with a hair weft or two extending along half of it. Placed over the top of the head and worked into the back hair it provides volume and doesn't even need clips if you have enough on top to hold it.

Having no hair at all can actually be advantageous in wig wearing. The most undetectable wig looks I've seen have been on hairless women who use tape or adhesive to fasten the entire wig top to their head, fitting right to the scalp. Some people actually wear special wigs that way designed for leaving on several days in a row, though most wig makers don't suggest daily sleeping in their wigs. You no doubt will have to try several options before you realize what works best for you in the long term. Brace up, because it can get expensive.

Quote from: Lyric on August 29, 2016, 10:14:12 AM
You can get hairpieces called "toppers" that cover only the top of the head and allow your side hair to hang normally. While they seem rather hard to find, there are some that have front lace for a hairline as well. I'm thinking of actually coming up with a custom made one for myself.

Oh, this sounds promising. thanks for sharing.

Laura