Godiva's Secret Wigs Blog

FAQs

Will insurance cover the cost of my wigs for alopecia?

Many people could benefit with extra financial assistance when they purchase a wig for medical reasons. If you have health insurance, your provider may reimburse you for a portion or the total cost of your "Cranial Prosthesis" (the term when a wig is needed for medical hair loss.)  Follow the 5 steps below for possible "cranial prosthesis" reimbursement.    

5 Steps to Possible Wig Reimbursement From Your Insurance Company

1. Consult your insurance company’s benefits department to find out about reimbursements for a “cranial prosthesis.” (Do not use the word “wig” as your benefits allowance will drop.)

2. Obtain a prescription from your doctor for a “cranial prosthesis.” Be sure your diagnosis code is written on this Rx. Make a copy for your records.

3. When purchasing your wig(s), ask us for a separate Medical Sales Receipt (which includes our Tax ID #) confirming the purchase of your “cranial prosthesis.” When ordering online, in the comments section, write “Please include Medical Sales Receipt.” Make a copy for your records.

4. Send #2 and #3 (above) to your insurance company, following any guidelines they may have.

5. If entitled, your insurance company may reimburse you directly for the full amount, a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your purchased wig(s).

Note: Typically, HMOs do not reimburse for a cranial prosthesis. However, you can take a tax deduction on your annual tax return.

*If your insurance company denies your claim, we suggest that you send them a picture of yourself without hair and hand write a letter stating your need for a cranial prosthesis. Detail your emotional upset without hair and the benefits your cranial prosthesis provides, such as self confidence, which promotes your internal healing.

What is alopecia?

Alopecia is the main term given to the condition that is hair loss. However, there are several different types of alopecia that might affect people in varying ways. This is one of the reasons why there are no ultimate alopecia wigs. Wigs for alopecia come in different shapes and sizes in order to adequately cater for every alopecia patients needs. There are some types of alopecia that are more common than others. For instance there is Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Totalis, Alopecia Universalis, Androgenetic Alopecia, and Anagen Effluvium. Let's break all these big scientific names for hair loss down.  All of Godiva's Secret Wigs styles are perfect for those experiencing alopecia.

Alopecia areata is one of the most common types of alopecia, and it is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system is attacking perfectly healthy cells, in this case hair follicles. Normal alopecia areata results in patchy hair. Alopecia totalis is an advanced version of areata that results in complete loss of hair on the head. In its most extreme form, Alopecia areat leads to Alopecia universalis, which is complete loss of hair on your entire body.

Androgenetic Alopecia is commonly known as female or male pattern baldness. This is the type of hair loss that most people are well aware of and it is thought to be genetic in nature.

Anagen Effluvium is the type of alopecia that is typically onset by an exposure to toxic chemicals or hair loss from cancer treatment chemicals. This type of hair loss happens rapidly, but once the patient is no longer being exposed to said chemicals, hair growth normally resumes again. Alopecia can occur in many people, and it is nothing for you to feel shy about. The best thing that you can do for yourself is stay positive and keep feeling beautiful. If you are finding a hard time channeling your inner self confidence, our wigs for alopecia will make you confident in your beauty again.

How do I know if I need an alopecia wig?

Dealing with hair loss can be tricky and challenging for many people, mostly because they are entering unchartered waters. They are not sure how to deal with the, sometimes, drastic changes in appearance. Many people do not know how to put on alopecia wigs because they have never had to use one. It is important that you realize that this is normal and it happens to many people, it is nothing to be ashamed about, and you are not alone in this. Alopecia wigs may or may not be right for you, but it all depends on which stage of hair loss you are currently going through. There are roughly 5 stages of hair loss, and some of these stages might not call for the use of a wig. Unless you absolutely prefer to use one, which is great! Most alopecia cases tend to be about a level 5 hair loss, which is substantial or complete hair loss.

In these cases, a full wig is often used. Do keep in mind that there are several wig accessories and products that can be used in lieu of having a full alopecia wig, but full wigs are made specifically for substantial hair loss and they are made with scalp sensitivity in mind. Ultimately, deciding to wear a wig is a personal choice and it is one that you should decide on your own. In the meantime, we are here to help you out with whatever questions you may have and whatever hairpieces you want to try out. Our main goal is to make sure that you are always feeling your most beautiful.

How do I grow comfortable wearing my alopecia wig?

We understand that using a wig might be a big adjustment for many, but we assure you that in time you will grow to love your hair piece. In some cases, a client's hair will grow back but they will still continue to use wigs because of the comfort, variety and ease that it afforded them. It is important to give yourself time to adjust to the difference that wearing a wig brings, but above all it is important that you view this as a journey and that you try and enjoy every minute of it.

Hair Loss might be a hard pill to swallow but learning how to adjust by using wigs is a wonderful experience and one you should cherish. A wig is an extension of your personality and your will to keep moving on with your life, it should never be treated as a trivial extension or fashion accessory. Alopecia wigs are a part of you are just like your normal hair, so you should take immense pride in it.

In some instances it takes alopecia patients a while to get used to wearing wigs for alopecia. This might be because of scalp sensitivity or simply because they chose a wig that doesn't fit well for them. There are various additional accessories that can be used alongside alopecia wigs to ensure that they are serving you properly and comfortably. One such accessory is a wig cap. Wig caps are very popular among people who purchase wigs for alopecia. This is because alopecia can occur in many different forms and there is no set amount of hair loss for alopecia sufferers. The use of a wig cap alongside wigs for alopecia makes it much easier for the wig to fit your head, especially if you still have not suffered from total hair loss. In other instances it is best used with alopecia wigs to battle scalp sensitivity, but this does not work for everyone.

If there are any additional symptoms that you have with your alopecia, you want to make sure that you consult your dermatologist or a wig specialist to see if they have any advice and pointers for which wig you should choose. Like we said, it is important to feel confident and beautiful in your new wig. This can be achieved by also making sure that your alopecia wig is the right fit for you.

How do I know which alopecia wig is right for me?

When it comes to choosing the right wigs for alopecia, it all boils down to taking a few measurements, trying some alopecia wigs on and making sure that you feel confident and beautiful with your new headpiece. Chances are you will need an average size wig. This size wig fits a head with a circumference of 21 ½ to 22 ½ inches, which almost 95% of women fall into. If your head is more petite, then our petite wigs are sure to be the perfect fit, ideal for an 18 to 21 inch circumference. On the other side of the spectrum, our large wigs will fit a 23-inch circumference.

To take the measurement for your new alopecia wig, all you need is some flexible measuring tape. If you don't have that type of measuring tape, string, or even a shoelace will suffice. Place one end of the tape measure, string, etc., on the center of your forehead at the hairline. Take the loose side behind your ear, and then extend it to the nape of your neck. Take the remaining length back behind your other ear and then close the circle by touching this piece to the end being held on your forehead. Hold the point they meet on the long end of the cord between your fingers. That number is the circumference of your head. If you are using a flexible measuring tape, you will know the exact number. In the case of a string, hold your length taut, and then hold it up to a ruler or measuring device to get the measurement.

Which alopecia wigs are best for first timers?

There is no universal answer to determine which wig is best for a first time wearer because there are several factors that come together to see which of the wigs for alopecia will work for the person suffering from hair loss. When you make your first alopecia wig purchase we will be here to help you. One of the most important factors to look at when it comes to choosing your first alopecia wig is the type of hair loss that you are suffering from. In some cases, the hair loss is not substantial enough to warrant the use of full alopecia wigs. It is best to see what stage of hair loss you are going through and then make the decision to see what type of wig you would like to get. In addition to this, the style of the wig is another major factor that will help you choose which wig is best for you.

As a first time wig wearer, you should ideally start out with alopecia wigs that closely resemble your own hair and work your way up from there. However, you can also look at this as an opportunity to branch out of your comfort zone and try on some wigs to see if different looks work for you. It is important that you try on some wigs for alopecia before you make your final decision on alopecia wigs.

How do I take care of my alopecia wig?

Taking care of alopecia wigs is one of the most important aspects of making sure that your wig is always looking clean and beautiful. Whenever your wig is clean and fresh, it will leave you feeling much more confident with your wig and at ease with hair loss. There are quite a few steps that go into cleaning your wig and properly maintaining it. Most of these steps remain the same across the board no matter what type of wig you are cleaning.

Basic cleaning procedures should be conducted approximately after every 10 to 15 times you wear your wig. The buildup of sweat and grime is the main concerns so use your best discretion to determine when to wash. The more your days involves sweating, the more you should think about washing.

When you want to wash your wig fill your sink or water basin with COLD water. It is very important that the water is cold, as this will help your wig last longer. For the best results, you should use one cap full of Godiva's Secret "Keep It Clean" shampoo. Then you can put your wig in the water and begin to move the piece around. Make sure that you are doing this gently, moving it slowly and needing the wig. Only wash the wig for a minute or less. Then remove the wig and rinse under COLD water.

To increase the life of your wig even more, used a high quality conditioner like Godiva's Secret "Keep It Sleek" conditioner. After the shampoo has been washed out take one cap full of conditioner and gingerly massage the the "Keep It Sleek" solution into the wig. Once the wig is coated with the conditioner, add a cup of water to the dry basin, and run the wig through the water, turning it over in the water. This will distribute the the conditioner more evenly throughout the wig. Use COLD water to rinse out the conditioner, and then give the wig 3 solid shakes. After that hand your wig up to air dry on something like a wig hanger.

Hair loss and wig tips for coping with alopecia

Learning how to cope with hair loss can be rather difficult, but much like choosing wigs for alopecia, everybody has a different experience. There are those who easily adjust to losing their hair, but some take it much harder and it takes a while for them to regain the confidence and self-love that they once had. It is important for you to look at this as an experience and a possibility rather than just a loss. Wigs for alopecia help you feel empowered and we can guarantee that your alopecia wigs will become your best friend. The key to feeling good on the inside even when you are battling hair loss is to look amazing on the outside and this is why we offer wigs for alopecia - to help you continue to feel strong and beautiful.

One of the best pieces of advice for preparing yourself to deal with hair loss, is that you should try and get your wig before you lose all your hair. In some cases, this is easier said than done, simply because your hair doesn't always give a warning when it is about to leave your for a little while. If you happen to notice that you might be having symptoms of hair loss, get it checked out as soon as possible. Choosing a wig before you suffer total hair loss gives you the luxury of being prepared, and this alone can change your outlook on the entire process of hair loss.

When your hair begins to fall out, it is most often the case that your hair follicles are feeling super sensitive, so this might lead to your scalp being in pain from wearing a wig or it might become increasingly irritated due to this sensitivity. One of the best ways to combat this is to use our cotton wig caps that will help your scalp feel great with a wig on even if it your scalp has been sensitive.