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Written by Kaelie Piscitello
At age seventeen, my first summer with alopecia totalis was the most difficult because I felt like I could not go swimming at the beach without hair, even though I was roasting in the sand.
I was afraid to ruin the wig I just spent a lot of money on, and I didn’t want to be the only girl swimming without hair. It totally ruined my family vacation for me.
Luckily, as with everything, time taught me how to handle the New England summer heat. I’m sharing some of my top tips here in hopes that it will help someone else navigating their first summer without hair.
1. Invest in a “swim wig”
When I went to a wig salon and heard about swim wigs, I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. This post isn’t sponsored at all, but please know that mine has made a massive difference in my life.
I bought a lighter weight, bob-length wig that is specifically designed for swimming and working out. It is an absolute game changer because it allows me to go swimming, hit the gym, and go for a run in comfort.
An ideal “swim wig” has a lace cap that allows it to be more breathable. Furthermore, it should have less hair because the more hair you have in summer months, the more your wig will feel like a sweltering fur coat.
Having a light but stylish cool wig for the summer months can make a big difference for anyone looking to cover their head in these months.
2. Cooling wipes
When I moved to Taiwan, I immediately discovered the value in cooling wipes. I had never heard of them before moving to Asia, but wow were they incredible!
These wipes specially have a cool, minty affect on your skin and I used to step away into the restroom to wipe my head down with them when I got too hot in my wig outdoors.
3. Choose a Hat
It’s alright to want to go without a wig during a heatwave, and hats can provide a great alternative. Some wig shops even sell baseball caps that come with a ponytail attached, so it still looks like you have hair. The best part of these wigs is they’re cheap!
I also love wearing wide-brimmed sun hats at the beach. They always look adorable and feel breathable in the hot air.
4. Wear Sunscreen
This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s easy to forget that your scalp can burn too. Some people with alopecia choose to forgo their hair in the summer months, which is honestly the easiest way to keep your head cool.
However, our heads are no longer used to being out in the sun, making them more likely to get burned. Take care of your skin!
5. Apply Sunscreen Before Putting a Wig On
I can’t tell you the number of times I washed my wig one night just to get it covered in sunscreen on a hot day. What a pain! A weird alopecia perk is we can remove our hair before we apply sunscreen, and put it back on once it has dried in.
I highly recommend putting your hair somewhere safe so it stays clean longer!
6. Alcohol Wipes and Dry Shampoo Are Your Best Friends
Everyone knows that you shouldn’t wash human hair wigs everyday so they last longer. However, what do you do when it inevitably gets sweaty everyday in the summer?
I always gently wipe my wig cap down with alcohol wipes every night to reduce bacteria. If my hair is starting to stink a little bit, dry shampoo can do the trick to bring it back to a reasonable smell.
7. Dig Out Your Wig Stand
If you’re anything like me, you might sometimes get kind of lazy putting your hair back on wig stands. They take up a lot of room, after all.
However, in the summer, wig stands allow hair to air out properly. Open the window for a few minutes, let the hair take it in, and then close it so your wig breathes out.
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