Wearing a wig while training

[caarike]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here. I was hoping someone could give me some advise. I just had to buy a wig today due to sudden hair loss. I put it off for months but can't hide the baldness anymore.

Has anyone worn a wig while training? If so, does it stay or should I just "suck it up" and let the wig stay on the stand?

Thanks for any help!

[Carol]

Welcome to Martial Talk Caarike!

Sorry to hear that you have been having trouble with your hair.

A couple of things to keep in mind. If you are at a school where the students (or worse, the instructors) give you a hard time or treat you differently because of your alopecia......then you are at the WRONG SCHOOL!

It must be a tremendous challenge to deal with hair loss. Your wig may...or may not....fall off, get moved aside, get in the way (the hair, anyway). However, training with it on will markedly shorten its lifespan because of the swat that will be coming off your forehead. You may also find that you get dehydrated faster by having something as heavy as a wig on your head.

Personally, I would recommend explaining the situation to your instructor and consider tying a bandana around your head instead. See how you feel about the situation then consider training without one if you are comfortable. Be careful though...even a bandana can introduce a dehydration risk.

Bring plenty of water

[Kacey]

What Carol said!

Also, I will add that, if this was sudden, you should, even more than most people, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Alopecia can have many causes, some of them medical, and you want to ensure that whatever you're doing won't make it worse.

You might check around the site under "choosing a school" - that'll give you lots of tips on how to find the right school for you. Good luck to you!

[Lisa]

caarike,

Welcome to MartialTalk! I hope you enjoy yourself here.

You certainly pose an interesting and unique problem. I can only reiterate what Carol and Kacey have already said. (They are really smart, you should listen to them ) and I would just like to add that I commend you for still training, many people would not.

The only other solution I can think of, is that Under Armour makes a skull cap that will help with moisture transfer and help keep you cool. Do a search on hats at www.underarmour.com I think they retail for around $20

Hope that helps!

[shesulsa]

Ditto, ditto, ditto.

You'll be at an advantage, really, with no hair in training - won't get caught in anything, no one can grab it to control your head, etc.

Keep us posted, please, and welcome to MartialTalk!

[stephen]

This is an interesting question.

I, like the others, agree that if the other students or teacher would make you feel uncomfortable then it's not a good school.

It is also the case that hair can be a liability.

But, I do something that is a big no-no at many schools. I train with my wedding ring on. Why? I always have it on. Therefore if I want to train more realistically I need to be wearing it. It could cause me injury, but better to learn to avoid that in the dojo than on the street.

If you think you may be wearing the wig for the long term, you may want to consider wearing it in training.

The first time someone grabs your hair - you WILL have a distinct advantage for a second or two!

[Tez3]

I think that martial arts people are probably the most accepting of people I've found, going into a new place will always be nerve wracking under any circumstances but I've never been to a martial arts club yet and haven't been made to feel welcome. So take the good advice here and go for it! Beginners are usually so nervous (I'm not a beginner and I still get nervous!) about doing techniques and wondering if they can do the things they see others doing, whether you wear your wig or not they aren't too likely to take a huge amount of notice! More experienced people will be helping you with your training not making judgements on your appearance.
Good luck I'm sure you will enjoy it!

[tellner]

I understand that it can be different for women. If something can be gleaned from male experience maybe this will help.

We've trained with several people with shaved heads and one whose alopecia was total - no eyebrows, no lashes, etc. Sometimes they trained bare-headed, often with a sweatband. Others wore a cap. Head scarves don't seem to have worked very well. None wore wigs or toupees.

[caarike]

To Each and Everyone that took the time to help me.

THANK YOU THANK YOU

I went to sparring today with new confidence. I explained to the instructor and he said this is a non issue. After class, I spoke to the my Kyo Sah Nim and she said if anyone had a problem, they do not belong in this school.

So, I'm going to put the wig back on the shelf, cut the few hairs I have very short and keep training.

Truly, thank you all sooooo very much. You all have helped me more than you'll ever know.
Cheryl

[shesulsa]

Originally Posted by caarike

To Each and Everyone that took the time to help me.

THANK YOU THANK YOU

I went to sparring today with new confidence. I explained to the instructor and he said this is a non issue. After class, I spoke to the my Kyo Sah Nim and she said if anyone had a problem, they do not belong in this school.

So, I'm going to put the wig back on the shelf, cut the few hairs I have very short and keep training.

Truly, thank you all sooooo very much. You all have helped me more than you'll ever know.
Cheryl

Cheryl, yours was a unique question. Thank YOU for bringing this up - a little awareness goes a long way. Thanks for joining and I sure hope you stay!

[Kacey]

Originally Posted by caarike

To Each and Everyone that took the time to help me.

THANK YOU THANK YOU

I went to sparring today with new confidence. I explained to the instructor and he said this is a non issue. After class, I spoke to the my Kyo Sah Nim and she said if anyone had a problem, they do not belong in this school.

So, I'm going to put the wig back on the shelf, cut the few hairs I have very short and keep training.

Truly, thank you all sooooo very much. You all have helped me more than you'll ever know.
Cheryl

Sounds like you have a great instructor and a good school - enjoy, and thanks for letting us know how things are working out. Drop back in and keep us updated on how things are going for you.