Losing your hair can feel like losing a part of yourself. After all, for many, especially black women, it’s more than just strands—it’s a piece of your identity, your confidence, and how you show up in the world. If you’re dealing with hair loss caused by a medical condition, it can be hard to find the right wig to suit your unique hair texture and curls since there are not many textured hair medical wig options out there. In this article, we’ll guide you through choosing the perfect medical wig for curls and coils, from understanding your options to finding one that feels natural and comfortable. Let's dive in.
What Is A Medical Wig?
Medical wigs are specially designed wigs for individuals experiencing hair loss due to medical conditions such as alopecia or cancer-related treatments. Because they are made specially for those with health conditions, these wigs focus on comfort and scalp sensitivity, offering a natural look that helps the wearer regain their confidence.
Types Of Medical Grade Wigs
Medical wigs can be made in a few different ways and can vary based on the type of material used at the base of the wig. Let's explore the four most common types.
1. Lace Medical Wigs
Lace medical wigs are crafted with a breathable, sheer lace base that sits comfortably on the scalp, allowing for excellent airflow while providing a very natural appearance. These types of wigs can be made as a full lace wig or a lace front wig, providing a natural-looking hairline.
2. Monofilament Medical Wigs
Monofilament wigs feature a soft mesh base where each strand of hair is hand-tied to mimic natural hair growth and give the illusion that hair is growing directly from the scalp. This type of wig offers full versatility and is extremely gentle on the scalp, making it the most popular medical wig for those with scalp sensitivity.
3. Polyurethane Skin Medical Wigs
Also known as “poly’’ or “skin” wigs, these wigs are crafted from a thin polyurethane material that looks like real skin. They create a realistic scalp look and make your wig look like it is growing directly from the scalp when it is parted and styled. Poly skin wigs are ideal for people with complete alopecia.
4. Silicone Skin Medical Wigs
Silicone wigs are designed with medical-grade silicone at the base. These are extremely secure, comfortable, and ideal for individuals with total baldness.
5. Combo Medical Wigs
Combo wigs combine one or two elements from different medical wigs to offer a natural, comfortable, and versatile look to the wearer. For example, you can have a monofilament or polyurethane base combined with a lace front for a seamless blend. However, most combo wigs are custom-made and designed according to the wearer’s preference.
What Is The Difference Between A Medical Wig And A Regular Wig?
Medical wigs are designed with comfort and sensitivity in mind, especially for women experiencing hair loss from conditions like cancer or alopecia, while regular wigs are usually made for fashion or styling. Unlike regular wigs, medical wigs use lightweight, breathable materials that offer a secure fit without irritation, and are crafted to look as natural as possible for prolonged wear. Meanwhile, regular wigs are made on a base of different fabrics like lace or with clips, without any focus on scalp sensitivity and long-term wear.
Medical Wigs For Black Women: Why Texture Matters
Since the main goal of medical wigs is to provide the wearer with a natural replacement for the hair that they have lost, wearing a wig that matches your natural texture is very important as a black woman. There are a lot of straight medical wigs on the market, but they may not truly feel like you since they are lacking your natural curls and coils. If you want a medical wig that looks seamless and natural, go for wigs with afro-textured curls that mimic your real hair.
Human Hair Wig Vs Synthetic Wigs For Chemo: Which Is Better?
Synthetic and human hair medical wigs are both great for anyone undergoing chemotherapy. However, if you want a more natural-looking wig that you can heat style or colour, it is best to go for human hair wigs for chemo. They last longer and offer more versatility.
When Should You Start Wearing A Wig During Cancer Treatment?
If you're wondering when to wear a wig for chemo, the answer is whenever you feel comfortable. Hair loss from chemo usually starts between 2-4 weeks after your treatment starts, so you can start wearing your wig at any point during those first few weeks. We recommend wearing your wig in the initial stage when the hair loss is still minimal, so that you can get more comfortable with wearing it before the more extreme stages begin.
3 Best Medical Wigs For Black Women
1. Coils To Locs
Coils to locs provide synthetic textured wigs for women who are suffering from all forms of hair loss.
2. Private Label Extensions
Private Label offers a diverse range of medical-grade wigs that are breathable and designed to give a natural look.
3. To All My Black Girls
To All My Black Girls is a UK-based hair extensions brand that offers a wide range of human hair extensions specifically designed for black women with curls and coils. If you want a medical-grade wig made from high-quality human hair, we can create a custom-made one for you. Just contact our specialists to get your custom wig.
Free Medical Wig Support For Black Women
It's no secret that black women often lack access to the proper support and resources they need to cope with hair loss during cancer treatment. To address this gap, we’ve teamed up with the Leanne Pero Foundation—a charity dedicated to empowering and supporting Black women living with cancer. Through this partnership, we donate one free wig every month to a woman in their community and extend a 50% discount to ten additional members, helping them regain confidence and comfort during their journey. A portion of the proceeds from every purchase you make from To All My Black Girls goes towards growing this partnership.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right medical wig during your treatment isn’t just about hair—it’s about feeling like yourself again. Whether you want an easy human hair wig you can throw on or you’d prefer to chat with us directly about a custom-made medical wig to suit your sensitive scalp needs, we’re here to help. Just grab some of our human hair lace wigs or message us on WhatsApp for a medical-grade wig designed just for you. No matter your preference, we’ll guide you through every step with care because you deserve comfort, confidence, and a style that truly feels like you.