Can You Have Hair Under a Wig?

We know experiencing hair loss can be extremely upsetting. It often leads to a loss of self-confidence and leaves many women feeling isolated and alone. Finding effective solutions to thinning hair can be costly, time-consuming, and, though we hate to say it, often ultimately unsuccessful for some people. 

Human hair wigs are an effective, beautiful, and instant way to deal with hair loss. If you are considering a human hair wig, chances are you have plenty of questions about how to wear a wig and even whether you need to shave your head or not. 

Luckily you’re in the right place! Here at Daniel Alain, we are passionate about answering customer questions, allaying fears, and putting your concerns to rest. We know that discovering human hair wigs can help women regain their confidence and feel beautiful again. We want to normalize wig-wearing, unveil the mysteries and do away with the outdated myths surrounding human hair wigs.

We’ve asked one of our wig-wearing besties, Barb Betts, to lift the lid on the most common questions she’s asked about wearing wigs. By sharing Barb’s experiences, we hope you’ll understand what it’s really like to wear wigs, instead of what you’ve heard from the unreliable rumor mill. When you know all the facts, we hope you’ll feel confident in making the right choice for you.

“Today I’m going to tell you exactly what’s under my wig. Remember, whatever decision you make will be right for you.”

Human hair wigs for hair loss

Barb has been wearing human hair wigs for almost two years after suffering hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia and an autoimmune disorder. Discovering her already thinning hair had developed bald patches sent her into panic mode, and Barb searched desperately for an effective treatment. She felt insecure and embarrassed and tried to hide her hair loss from others. 

“Looking back to that time, I think I began to lose my sense of self,” admits Barb.

With no reliable solution in sight, Barb considered wearing alternative hair and made an appointment for a consultation with the team at Daniel Alain. At first, she had her hopes pinned on a human hair topper, but during the consultation Barb was told her hair loss was too extensive for a topper to cover. She had to face the fact that if she wanted to wear hair, it would have to be a full wig.

“When my consultant shared with me the reality that toppers weren’t going to be a good option for me, I was devastated. I was crushed that my hair loss was worse than I had thought.”

It’s true that the idea of wearing a wig took some getting used to. Barb was aware of the myths surrounding human hair wigs, and at 40, she felt she was too young to wear one. But on the consultant’s advice, she tried one on and was finally taking the first steps on her wig-buying journey.

“I think if I were to do it all over again, I obviously wouldn't wait as long. I think I would have learned that wearing wigs is not a stigma. It can be your own journey. It can be your own experience,” says Barb.

These days Barb is an outspoken advocate for wearing wigs. She shares her daily wig-wearing on her social media page, talks openly about what it’s like to wear wigs, and answers all kinds of questions about her experience. 

One thing that everyone seems to be curious about is, what’s under her wig.

You can still have hair and wear a wig

Can you wear a wig and still have hair? Yes! In fact, Barb tucks her hair under her wig! Barb’s shoulder-length, curly dark brown hair pins neatly up to the top of her head, and you would never even know it was there. While some wig-wearers prefer to shave their heads, others, like Barb, prefer to keep their bio hair as is. 

Not ready to shave your head? That’s ok!

“I am not ready to shave my head,” explains Barb. “I am very happy that I can wear my bio hair comfortably underneath my pieces.”

If you have bio hair but are likely to experience a loss/regrowth cycle that often comes with alopecia or chemotherapy treatments, you should seek advice on making sure your wig will see you through all the stages of your journey. Bio hair will take up space under a wig. Losing your hair will leave extra room in the cap. Get accurately measured to find a cap that will fit you no matter your hair situation.

How to hide your hair under a wig

If you choose to keep your hair, you absolutely can tuck it up under a wig. Bio hair will add bulk under the wig cap, even if you don’t have much bio hair. At Daniel Alain, we recommend twisting your bio hair into a flat bun and pinning it in place with a few bobby pins.

“For me, I pull my hair back…and use little clips to clip it to the front of my head.”

“You’ll find your own way of putting up your bio hair,” says Barb. “You should do it however is comfortable for you and whatever works for you.”

An alternative to pinning your hair up under the wig, is to wear it loose around your shoulders, tucked behind your ears, and let your bio hair blend in with the wig. If you choose to do this, you’ll want to make sure your wig closely matches the color and length of your bio hair. If you get a great match, nobody will ever notice and it will look completely natural.

Do you have to shave your head to wear a wig?

“The most popular and common way to wear your hair underneath a wig is to shave your head. But it really comes down to personal choice,” says Barb.

Some people decide to take the plunge, go all in and shave their heads. There’s often a lot of emotion tied up with our hair. Experiencing a repeated cycle of continued hair loss day in and day out can be draining. Finding more and more strands in your hair brush or shower drain is often exhausting, overwhelming, and triggering. Some people prefer to deal with it by simply removing the problem altogether and shaving their heads. It’s not for everyone, but it can be very cathartic for some people. 

“Some people shave their head because of the emotional experience that happens when you brush your hair and you continue to see hair fall out,” explains Barb. “And for me, that still happens. However, knowing that I have a solution, it just doesn’t bother me anymore.”

Are you ready to explore human hair wigs for yourself?

If you’re new to wigs, there can be a lot of unknowns. You might be embarrassed to ask the difficult questions, especially if you don’t know what’s considered ‘normal’ when it comes to wearing hair. Reading articles and tips on how to buy your first wig is a great way to continue exploring the world of alternative hair.

We can assure you there is no ‘normal’. Only ‘what’s right for you.’ If you want to keep your hair and wear it pinned up under your wig, or loose at your shoulders, then do it! If you’d prefer to shave your head, that’s fine too.

If you have more questions about wig-wearing, we’re here to help. Our expert team of consultants has heard (and answered!) every conceivable question about human hair wigs. Booking a consultation is the easiest way to get your questions answered.