How to Support a Loved One During Their Wig Buying Journey
Buying a wig can often be an emotional journey for the person going through it. As a supporter for your loved one, it can be hard to know how to offer support if you’ve never been in their position or if you’re unfamiliar with what’s going on. You may feel like you don’t know what to say or how you can offer more to the person going through hair loss beyond expressing, “I’m here for you.”
At Daniel Alain, we’ve helped thousands of women find themselves again with a new wig. Often, women bring their support team into the process. After talking with our customers, their family and friends, and our influencers, we’ve compiled some insight and tips on how you can support a loved one on their wig buying journey.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of empathetic, actionable steps you can take to show the person you care for that you are with them on this journey.
Step One: Make Space, But Don’t Pressure
Everyone has a unique hair loss story. Everyone’s comfort level with sharing their story varies considerably. Most likely, you know someone who is experiencing hair loss. Hair loss can be caused by a wide range of triggers and affects everyone in different ways.
If you know your loved one’s hair loss story, remind them that you’re always willing to listen when they need to emotionally process. When Jenn Brown experienced hair loss, Lori, her mother knew it was important to “Be a supportive and compassionate listener. As a family member or friend, you don’t have to have answers or give advice.”
Perhaps your loved one’s hair has just started falling out. They may not know what’s going on, feel overwhelmed, or scared. Offer them the space to share and process their emotions without pressuring them to open up.
Pressuring can create distance or enhance insecurity.
Conversely, dismissing their emotions is unhelpful. After Molly Tuttle lost her hair, her [husband] shared that downplaying the hair loss was not helpful. “Your impact is different than your intention, it doesn’t make them feel better, it just makes them feel more alone and misunderstood.”
If the person you love isn’t ready to share their emotions with you, continue to show up and be ready to listen. Continue to be invested in their journey. Help them research options. Encourage them to take big steps (like following through on appointments) that show them they are not alone; you’re there to support them in finding a solution that works best for their needs.
It’s important to keep in mind that finding a solution to hair loss can be a nonlinear path.
Many people often try various solutions before settling on buying a wig. And with every solution that fails and hope lost, it can feel like emotional devastation all over again. Wigs are often the last step in someone’s hair loss journey because they, unfortunately, carry a stigma. The person you love may experience grief and denial over losing their hair. Considering a wig may be a really difficult step for them to take. One may that come with a feeling of shame and defeat.
Step Two: Educate Yourself
Entering the world of wig buying can be emotionally overwhelming – even for those not experiencing hair loss. It can also be an information overload. From technical terms to different hair sources, the person you love may feel bombarded with information, trying to keep various terms straight while also trying to be mindful of their emotional or physical well-being.
One of the best ways to support a loved one on their wig buying journey is to educate yourself. Work with your loved one to find a solution. When Ashley Demshki started losing her hair, she looked to her mom for support. The advice her mother gave to family and friends of anyone considering a wig? “Do your homework.”
Hair loss can be an isolating experience. Since no one experiences hair loss quite the same, it can be incredibly difficult to process what’s going on, especially if there are other factors, such as health issues, at play. By educating yourself, you not only show your loved one that you care and want to be with them, but you will learn a lot as well. This can be particularly helpful when your loved one takes the step of going to a wig shop or booking a consultation.
Often, at wig shops, the business is set on selling the customer what’s in stock, rather than what’s best for the customer and their needs. Your loved one may be in a vulnerable position when they go to a wig shop for the first time. Some of our customers noted that when they went to a wig retailer, they felt “desperate” and were willing to take a solution that didn’t quite fit all their needs because they felt like they had no other choice.
Having someone who can help ask questions and set aside emotion can be welcome support during a time of feeling overwhelmed.
By arming yourself with information, you can help your loved one make a decision that’s best for them. You can step in and make sure they are not taken advantage of in this situation. If you’re not sure where to start with this, we have compiled a list of questions to ask at a wig consultation that can be useful.
Step Three: Offer Opinions Respectfully
Inevitably, the person you’re supporting will ask for an opinion. Be honest, but be kind. Be mindful of how you give your feedback. When Elyssa Joy experienced hair loss, her husband was extremely supportive during the process. He knew he had to cheer her on as she went through this emotional experience. He shared that “It’s important to give them honest feedback when they ask for it but to keep an unsolicited opinion out of the conversation.”
The person you love may be in a fragile state and being harsh or overly blunt about your opinion could do more harm than good.
While the person you love may ask for an opinion, keep in mind that the wig they choose should ultimately be their choice. You should be honest, but respectful of their opinion. If a color they pick doesn’t look good, gently suggest trying another color for comparison instead of insulting the choice.
At the end of the day, you want them to choose what makes them feel good and empowered, even if that option is different from your favorite one.
Go On the Wig Buying Journey Together
After reading this article, you should have a better idea of ways you can support the person you love as they move forward in their wig buying journey. Whether a spouse, sister, mother, extended family member, or best friend, no one should feel like they have to go through the process of hair loss and buying a wig alone. Having someone as a supportive and empathetic cheerleader can give someone experiencing hair loss the confidence to start wearing alternative hair.
Here at Daniel Alain, we have an array of educational resources to help introduce you and your loved one to the world of wig buying. From basic terminology to in-depth reviews, our Learning Center can help you become more acclimated to the world of wigs.
If you're wondering what to look for when preparing for a consultation or visiting a wig shop, check out ten questions you should ask to help you become more acquainted with important factors to consider when buying a wig.
Hair loss can be an isolating and intensely emotional journey. Taking these steps and putting in the effort will show the person you want to support that you are in their corner. They are not alone. They will be grateful that you did the work and showed up for them in a time of need.