One question we receive fairly regularly is if a specialty wig can be made using a person’s own hair or the hair of a loved one. We totally understand why a person would be interested in the comfort a personalized wig created using their own hair would offer, especially when facing the prospect of temporary or long-term hair loss.
However, the answer to this question is a little more complicated than you might think. Instead of a simple Yes or No answer, let’s call this a “Yes, but…“
If you’re feeling confused, don’t worry. We’re here to share how having a wig made from your own hair is possible but there are pros and cons, as well as alternative options that may be a better fit in the long run.
How Much Time Does It Take to Have a Wig Custom-Made?
The timeframe for making a custom wig is between 8 to 12 weeks. While this may seem like an ultra hot minute to wait, keep in mind each wig is constructed by hand, requiring the person making your wig to tie individual hair strands to a lace wig cap.
While this may still seem like a viable option for those with long-term hair loss, people undergoing chemotherapy may find this timeframe to be insufficient. Depending on what your oncologist suggests, chemo treatments will generally last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. If your treatments will be closer to the 6 month mark, having a wig made may still be a feasible choice if all other aspects align. However, if your treatments will be closer to the 3 month mark, having a wig made may take too long. New hair growth may even be visible before the wig arrives.
How Much Does it Cost to Make a Wig from My Own Hair?
While some people believe that they will save money by making a wig from their own hair, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, the estimated cost to have a wig made from your hair is about $1600. This cost covers hand-making the wig including sizing a cap and individually tying each hair to the wig cap. Other incentives or services may be included depending on the organization you go through.
How Much Hair is Needed to Make a Wig?
While you may think a head full of your own hair would definitely be enough for a wig (I mean, it covers your own head!), you may be surprised to learn wigs actually require anywhere from 2 to 3 head’s worth of hair and must reach a total weight of approximately 300 grams to provide full coverage. Another factor to consider is the hair length. The hair must be at least 10 inches long to be made into a wig, however you should expect to lose about 2-3” due to the hand tying process.
Many custom wig makers can provide supplemental hair if you do fall a little short on the amount needed. Another option is to request hair donations from friends and loved ones. This is a wonderful solution, both for the caring folks donating and the recipient. Just keep in mind all hair donated must be a similar color and length to your own.
Is It Possible to Make a Wig Myself?
Yes, it is possible to make your own wig. While the idea of DIYing a wig from your own hair may sound amazing, the amount of cost and effort may not feel like much of a payoff in the end. As laid out in the above section, making a wig takes a ton of work and patience. Like any other craft, wig-making is a trade skill that takes lots of time to master.
Alternative Wig Options: Why You Should Buy a Wig Instead
While the idea of not having to completely part with your hair is fantastic, for some it’s just not a cost- or time-feasible option. The great thing is there are so many reasons ready made wigs are a better bargain than having a wig made. The benefits include:
- Cost - The price of treatment, medications, etc. can be a huge stressor for cancer patients. One positive to purchasing a ready-made wig is that synthetic wigs start as low as $100 and are still very reasonably priced. Human hair wigs or Remy Human Hair Wigs can cost around $1000, which is close to (or even lower than) the price you can expect to pay for a custom-made wig.
- Time - The turnaround time once an order is placed for a wig through an online wig retailer is generally about 7-10 business days with standard shipping (although faster shipping options are normally available).
- Quality - Wigs today are not the wigs of your Grandmother’s or even your Mother’s time. Synthetic wigs are designed to look and feel like real hair, with many people not being able to tell the difference between synthetic and human hair.
- Return Policy - Headcovers.com offers return options in case you find the color, style, or size of the wig is not to your liking. A hand-made wig will not warrant you this option.
- Customize Wigs - Ready-made wigs come in all styles and sizes. If you’re still not seeing exactly what you want, ready-made wigs can be customized by local stylists with experience cutting wigs. Click here to learn more about cutting wigs.
- Color Consultations - If your goal is to find something as close to your natural hair color as possible, a color consultation is exactly what you need. A color consultant can view a swatch of your hair or a picture and help you choose the best match in the style of your choice. Click here to learn more about wig color consultations.
We hope this information helps shed more light on our “Yes, but..” answer to having a custom wig made from your own hair. The real answer is always to do what’s right for you and your situation. Have you or a loved one had a custom wig made? Tell us about it in the comments section below!