07 Baldness Cures and Consequences: B. Wigs
Description
This article is from the Self Improvement FAQ, by Loren Larsen llarsen@cs.clemson.edu with numerous contributions by others.
07 Baldness Cures and Consequences: B. Wigs
Hairpieces of various sizes, qualities, and shapes are rarely called
wigs by companies like Hair Club For Men, Hairmakers, etc., but
they're selling nothing other than wigs. They call their wigs
"systems" or "pieces." Pick the euphemism you prefer. They sew--with
a needle and thread--the hairpiece to your existing hair, which is
first prepared by making a braid in your own hair along the sides.
Other techniques involve attaching the piece to your braid by means of
clips. The clips allow you to remove the piece whenever you desire;
when the thing's sewn to your head, it's terribly difficult to get
off without assistance, but in most cases you wouldn't want to do that
anyway and so that doesn't create a problem.
Cost: From $700 to $1500 for an initial hairpiece plus about $60 every
5 weeks for a haircut and servicing. If you can afford it, you should
eventually get two pieces, so one can be worn while the other is
being repaired every few months. Normal monthly servicing-with-haircut
takes about an hour of concentrated effort from a specialized
hairstylist, who therefore deserves at least a $10 tip.
(a) Advantages. The truth is that a lot of people come out of these
salons looking fabulous! No one could deny it. The best shops--you
have to find them yourself by careful comparison--give you human
hair matched to your own color and texture. The results depend upon a
variety of factors that may not be totally within your control. Wigs
are (or should be) handcrafted items; the quality of such object
depends on the skill of the people who make them. Don't submit to
pressure sales tactics. You will need to return to the company
regularly for servicing. If you distrust them at the beginning, you
might be even unhappier with them later.
So it is possible to get a hairpiece that not only covers your
baldness but also makes you look great. You get used to having it on
after a few weeks; then it almost seems normal. Practically no one
will know you're wearing it, especially if you start before you really
need one, and if you return regularly to have your piece serviced.
Remember, most people don't think nearly as much about your appearance
as you do. That should be comforting.
(b) Disadvantages. A wig is a wig is a wig. It's not a part of you;
it's a prosthesis of sorts. You grow, but it doesn't. Your natural
hair replenishes itself. The hair on your piece will get old faster
than you do, fade, and even fall out. From time to time, therefore,
you will need to have your piece dyed professionally as part of your
monthly servicing and to have lost hairs replaced strand by strand,
or clump by clump ($25 or so). You should attend to these details
meticulously every few months. There's nothing worse than a balding
or faded wig!
In any case, if you meet someone who gets intimate and wants to stroke
your head, well, unless the person has a glove on, s/he'll probably
realize the stuff on your head is not exactly real. Most people who
keep their hands to themselves won't care or notice by visual measures
alone.
(c) Warnings. Before you accept your first hairpiece, make sure it's
of excellent quality. For example, the piece they first try to tie
onto you might not have been designed by a person who knew or cared
what s/he was doing, the hair might not match your own color or
texture very well, the piece might actually be an off-the-shelf model
they're selling you for a custom-made price, etc. Try to avoid
signing contracts that do not refund most of your money if you're not
completely satisfied. However, out of fairness, you should realize
that there is a reasonable cost involved in having a custom-made piece
designed for you in the first place. If you frivolously decide you
don't want to go through with the process after they've manufactured
your piece, the company can stand to lose several hundreds of
dollars--but certainly not the full price they're charging you. You
need to negotiate on this issue.
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