FAQs

REASON FOR CONSIDERING WIGS

There are two basic reasons to consider owning wigs:

• Style Changes
• Hair Loss Replacement

If you are thinking about wigs or pieces for fun fashion style changes, the sky is the limit! You can go from short to long, from straight to curly, blond to redhead, and the only real rule will be "does it look good?" 

For the hair replacement wig, selecting a wig close to your own natural style is usually the most comfortable decision. Still you might want to think of your style as a general guide. For example, "my hair is short and curly, but let's look at this short lifting wedge which is the same general shape as my hair outline but fuller and not curly." That's a good idea. So you might not need this guidance if you are just choosing a wig just like your own hair style.
Remember, wigs do not come in excessively thinned styles. That is because fullness is one of the main reasons that people buy wigs. Fullness, body and shine in hair are universally symbolic of health and beauty. In fact the three attributes that univerasally convey beauty in women across civilizations and spanning generations are:

• healthy hair
• clean complexion
• body shape

Healthy hair is ranked first. So we at WigSalon realize how important hair is for women everywhere. We are "hair" to help our clients in any way we can. 

HEAD SIZES FOR WIGS

First of all, for hairpieces you don't have to worry about head sizes. Hairpiece sizing concerns itself with your hair length, body size and style preferences. But to own wigs you need to know something about your head size. Fortunately almost 19 out of 20 women can wear average head size wigs. That means your head size when measured is between 21" and 22½ you can wear average size wigs, which is most of the market anyway. If you are not sure that you have an average size head by looking, measure your head with a tape measure going around the forehead at the hairline, under the hair, behind the ears and around the nape of the neck. If this is too difficult to do by yourself, have someone help you.

Average fits most women - 21.5"- 22.5" (91% of wigs sold are average )

Petite fits most slightly smaller head sizes - 21" - 20"

Petite-Average fits a smaller average head size - 20.5" - 21.5"

Large-Average fits average and a tad larger than average - 22" - 23"

Large fits head sizes that measure 23" to 24"

Ultra-Petite or Child's - fits very small head sizes - 19.5" - 18"

 

HOW DO I WASH MY WIG?

Synthetic

1. Fill your sink basin with cool water.
2. Add a capful of synthetic wig shampoo and blend in. Never use regular shampoo on synthetic wigs! If the wig has picked up the odor of smoke or other strong odors, you may add a teaspoon of baking soda to your basin, and blend in.
3. Gently swish the wig or piece in the water for about 30 seconds to a minute until saturated. Gently scrub the front of the wig cap, where it meets the forehead until clean.
4. Leave the wig soak in the basin for about 15 minutes
5. Empty the basin of water and rinse the wig or piece in cool water. It is very important to use cool water on curly wigs, as warm water will over-relax the curls.
6. Gently squeeze out excess water. Do not rub or twist.
7. Spread the wig out on a thirsty towel and leave in a ventilated area to dry overnight. You should spray on a little leave-on wig conditioner, when you start the drying process.
8. When the wig is entirely dry, and not before, re-style the wig gently. We recommend a pick and not a brush. Shaking and fluffing by hand is your best starting point for styling. We offer good quality wig shampoo and conditioner for our customers. Do not use regular shampoo. It is too strong even for human hair wigs.

• Human Hair

1. Follow the same first seven steps as above using lukewarm water instead of cool, and the manufacturer's prescribed shampoo and conditioner for your human hair wig.
2. Wigs may be set in rollers if desired and placed under a dryer or left overnight to dry at your disgresssion. A hot curling iron may be used on human hair wigs. We offer human hair wig conditioner and shampoo for our customers.

 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY PIECE BE WASHED AND STYLED?

Wash your piece as little as possible. Think of it like a fine cashmere sweater. Picking up odors and "hat" stains on the cap at the forehead, are reasons to consider giving it a bath. Depending on the piece's environment, this will vary from every 12 wearings to every 25. Use your eyes and nose to determine this. But as you can see, you wash your piece very rarely. If you wear a wig every day, it's a good idea to have a back-up piece, so you won't be "down" for washings.

You mini-style your piece every time you wear it, but with your fingers and a pick and very gently. If knots have accumulated at the ends a straight or slightly wavy wig, pick apart the knots by starting near the end of the hair and working your way back to the top, using a little spray-on leave-on wig conditioner/detangler as you do.

CAN I USE BLOW DRYER OR CURLING IRON ON MY PIECE?

• Synthetic
  No blow drier. Excessive heat will melt or frizz the plastic in your Kanekalon fibers. Don't even think about it.
  
  Some recommend a lukewarm curling iron for resetting the curls in a curly piece. Here is a better method. 

1. Pin the wig or piece to a styrofoam head or "block" so you can work on it.
2. Select rollers of the proper size to reset your curls. Wire mesh rollers are best.
3. Wet the entire hairpiece with lukewarm water and set the curls. Use perm papers, which you can get at a beauty supply house to protect the ends of the hair. Use plenty of rollers with a little hair in each for best curly results. 
4. Take the pinned up piece to the sink basin. If you have a spray nozzle at your basin it is best to "spray" the hottest tap water on each set curl for about 3-4 seconds. This process relaxes the hair without damaging it like a curling iron. 
5. When you are done relaxing all the curls, immediately spray each curl, in approximately the same order as you "relaxed" them with icy cold tap water. You can also use a mist bottle, filled with some ice and water. This "freezes" the curl into a new semi-permanent curl pattern. 
6. Allow your hair to air dry overnight, and when dry, take down the rollers. Now you've reset your curls the most professional way possible. In the "old days" we used to do these services for our customers, for a charge. Today's wigs are so easy to care for that we recommend the above these procedures for home care. It saves money, mailing charges, and this is what we would do anyway.

• Human Hair
  Yes, a hot curling iron may be used on any human hair wig. The better method is to set them on rollers and use a hairdryer to set the curls.

 

USING YOUR FACE SHAPE TO CHOOSE WIGS STYLES THAT ARE MADE FOR YOU

This handy guide will help you choose wig styles like an expert! The first thing you must consider is FACE SHAPE. There are seven basic face shapes. Stand in front of a mirror and ask yourself which face shape is yours!

OVAL | ROUND | SQUARE | DIAMOND | HEART | PEAR | OBLONG

After you decide what face shape is truly yours, use what you learn below to eliminate styles that may not be ideal for you. Why does this work? Hair style is all about drawing the eye to your good points. OVAL is deemed to be ideal. Use hair/style to work the 6 other shapes more towards an oval, and you've got the big picture. Keep that in mind as you read through the face shapes. Soon, you will get the knack of it. When you see the beautiful results, you'll like being your own personal wig expert. Read on...

The OVAL Face Shape has MANY CHOICES

As its name implies, the OVAL Shaped Face is longer than wide, with a jaw that's narrower than the cheekbones. Because the oval shaped face has no dominant areas and is so proportional, the oval shaped face looks good with just about any hairstyle, length or texture.

AVOID WIDTH with the ROUND Shaped Face

The ROUND Shape Face is characterized by a wide hairline and fullness below the cheekbones. The client may be overweight and the neck may appear short. These faces look very good with a geometric or linear style, which breaks up the "round" appearance. ADD HEIGHT, when possible, and long, wispy side areas to make the cheeks look narrow. Comb hair close to the head on the side and at the neck.

AVOID STRAIGHT LINES with the SQUARE Shaped Face

The SQUARE Shape Face is characterized by a wide hairline and jaw. Square shaped faces need height or waves on top and narrowness at the sides, to break up the "squareness". Comb the hair off the forehead to add height to the face. CURLY or WAVY texture and wisps of hair around the face break the wide, straight lines common to the square face.

REDUCE WIDTH at THE SIDES with the DIAMOND Shaped Face

The DIAMOND Shape Face is characterized by a narrow chin and forehead with wide cheekbones. Diamond shaped faces need narrow sides and fullness at the chin. Bobs work very well for this shape. Avoid wearing height on top or volume on the sides. Use some fringe or bang to cover narrow forehead.

ADD VOLUME at THE CHIN with the HEART Shaped Face

The HEART Shape Face is characterized by a wide forehead and a narrower chin. Bring some hair onto the forehead to disguise its width. Keep hair close to the head at the eyes but make it slightly full around the jaw, and below and in front of the earlobes.

ADD VOLUME ABOVE the JAW LINE with the PEAR Shaped Face

The PEAR Shape Face is characterized by a small or narrow forehead and a rather large pouchy-appearing jawline. Comb hair to add width from the eye level through the crown of the head. Set and comb hair close to the head on the sides and at the nape.

ADD SOFTNESS to the OBLONG Shaped Face

The OBLONG Shape Face is characterized by a very long and narrow bone structure. The client who has an oblong facial shape often has a long, thin neck. Use a fringe or half-bang across the forehead by creating soft waves or curls in the crown and nape areas. This helps to create the illusion of an oval.

INSURANCE COVERAGE?

Wigs purchased in conjunction with many medical treatments are usually covered by your health insurance policy.

If a person requires a wig while or after receiving therapy for Alopecia or cancer, they are probably eligible to receive reimbursement from their health insurance plan.

Most insurance companies cover from 80% to 100% of your wig expenses.

Your emotional well-being is an important part of your medical recovery process. If you encounter resistance from your insurance company, a letter from your doctor, spelling out that he "prescribed" the prosthesis, not for cosmetic reasons, but as part of your recovery program, should suffice.

If you do not have insurance, most counties in the US have state social services departments which offer medical assistance for those who meet their financial guidelines.