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Wigs and appliances in hair loss

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • only consultants are able to prescribe wigs - there no longer appear to be any Department of Health guidelines regarding the diseases and conditions for which wigs can be supplied

  • wigs may be acrylic or real-hair wigs

  • acrylic wigs
    • advantages include:
      • cheaper than real-hair wigs
      • do not require a wig-block
    • disadvantages include:
    • require replacement more often than real-hair wigs
      • may feel itchy and hot to wear
      • some acrylic wigs may appear 'false' and have an artificial sheen and be coarse to touch - note that now acrylic wigs are so good that few real-hair wigs are prescribed on the NHS

  • real hair wigs
    • advantages include:
      • better for long-term use (three to four years)
    • disadvantages include:
    • more expensive than acrylic wigs
      • it is necessary to purchase a wig-block for styling the wig
      • take longer to style than acrylic wigs

Note that with acrylic wigs the patient should be warned that they cannot use a hair dryer and that the wig must be kept away from naked flames and direct heat. Also only cold rollers can be used with acrylic wigs.

Manufacturer's instructions regarding the care of the wig should be consulted.

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