Weeeeiiiiirrrrrdddd.

I could have told you that a tight wig would hurt. And they leave red marks wherever a bump in the inside is. But mine never left a bald spot. But then again, I had no hair so I guess that is really different. I suggest you go to the local wig shop, taking the offending wig with you. They would have a much better idea of what happened.

I am guessing that if the hair was completely uprooted it could take some time to grow back. I am thinking of when a woman gets waxed, it takes some time for anything to grow back.

Sorry I was not much help but I really think the wigshop can help.

It sounds like you might have given yourself some pressure alopecia. You can also do this to the front of your hairline by wearing a super tight pony tail. (Given the socioeconomics of who wears this style around here, it is known by some as the white trash facelift.)

Your hair follicles also sometimes take a break. I don't think pressure alopecia is permanent unless you do this chronically.

My guess is that the wig/cap cut off your circulation in that spot and killed your hair follicles. I'm afraid that once a hair follicle dies, it doesn't come back. Don't ask me how I know :(

Shannon, did you eventually get used to wearing a wig? I can't imagine wearing something that tight on my head for any longer than I did that night - I'm assuming there are good ones that can be properly fitted to one's head, but you are so right about a tight wig being pure torture. I've been watching my stupid "bald spot" daily for signs of new growth, but nothing has started sprouting there yet. I know of a wig shop not far from my office; maybe I will stop in there with the "offender" in hand to see what they have to say.

Pal, pressure alopecia? I like that possibility better than the one kellyeng suggests! Aaack! Dead hair follicles? Could that happen in the span of 5 hours? Now I'm really worried. (And I won't ask how you know, but ... how do you know??? ;-))

Jen, you have a great head of hair,and I'm sure that it will grow back in that spot! I don't think that one night of wearing that tight wig would have permanent effects. I'm crossing my fingers and knocking on wood that your hair grows back.

Jen, your hair will grow back. It would take months or even years to kill a hair follical.

Go to the dermatolgist, wig makers know very little except how to style wigs. I promise you don't have alopecia. Hair has periods where it will fall out and then come back.

But, I understand your concern and fear. Go to the doctor and he/she will ease your mind.

.....Jane

Ditto what Jane said.

tina

Pressure or traction alopecia is not the same as alopecia areata or alopecia totalis. Those are genetic.

Pressure alopecia usually occurs from pressure placed on a certain part of the scalp during surgical procedures. Traction alopecia occurs from tight hairdos, extensions, braids, etc. pulling at the root/follicle of the hair.

I would imagine if there was transient ischemia to that part of the scalp from a tight wig band and cap for several hours it could have injured the hair follicles enough to produce an area of pressure alopecia.There was, after all, a period of several days of inflammation afterward. This should not be permanent, nor is it the same as the genetic conditions.

Newdawn, actually what I was implying is that they may have heard of this happening. I thought this might be helpful before seeing a dermatologist. I am not sure if you have had to use a wig but I can say that the shop I use has a full staff that is very knowledgable of how wigs affect people with and without hair. Plus, we customers are always chatting about stuff. I have learned a lot from other chemo patients just from going to the wig shop. It would be worth her asking there as a first step.

Auntjen- when I first tried the wigs I had hair. I had to wear that cap thing and it was horrible. I was so relieved to be bald and not have to wear one. The band on it was worse than the wig. My wig only came one size with adjustable straps. I cut off the straps because they made a huge mark on sides of my head and the wig fit without using them. I am really sick of wearing it. In the summer I had a scarf with fake bangs. I looked like a hippie, river chick which was great for camping. The summer heat with the wig was unbearable. Plus I get hotflashes. My hair is about 1.5". I figure by spring I will look like Maura Tierney from ER fame. Then I will burn my wig. Thanks for asking.

Shannon, I know you looked adorable in your hippie scarf! I've seen your photo and you are a beautiful woman - with or without hair. I cannot imagine wearing a wig while suffering hot flashes. When I was "flashing" regularly, the sweat just overwhelmed me ... the mere thought of wearing a wig during that time can almost make me have a hot flash right now. Ugh!

Compared to your ordeal and that of Stinky's sister, my little bald spot is absolutely nothing to worry about. I really hope I don't come across as sounding shallow. It's just such a strange thing to have had happen shortly after wearing the painful "Wig From Hell", and has really perplexed me. Thanks to all for the suggestions and info here. I'm going to do some more research into pressure and traction alopecia.

I was in a car accident when I was a kid and had trauma to my head which caused swelling and the result was dead hair follicles. It created a permanent bald spot right at the front of my head. It's not that big and my hair covered it so no big deal. Fast forward to just a couple of years ago and my genetic alopecia reared it's ugly head. So now I have a "comb over."

Going to a wig shop is a good idea. Those ladies are surprising knowledgeable about hair loss and can give great tips on how to deal with the bald spot - and they will do it for free! For example, a beautician will say that to make your hair look fuller you should color it a darker color. Well, that's all well and good for someone with a FULL HEAD of thin hair but not someone experiencing hair loss. When the scalp shows through, you need to have as little contrast as possible so lighter hair (that matches your scalp) is the way to go.

Here is a pic of my "daily" hair and below that is a pic of my "party" hair. I only wear it on occasion when I feel like giving my look a little oomph!

Yes, what Pal said.

Kelly, one would never know about that "comb-over"! You're absolutely adorable! I like your lovely party do, but think your daily do is even prettier. You just glow.
:-)

Kelly, it might just be the pictures, but I like the "real" you the best!

Kelly, I kind of remember you posting your age. I must be remembering it wrong because you look like you're no older than 30. You are so pretty.

I also like the "real" you, although you look very, very pretty in both!

Awww, you guys are too sweet. Marlene, you are doubly too sweet - I'm 41!

41??? You barely look 21! I mean it!

Kelly, I like you both ways. I think you look like Rachel Ray in the second picture.

Auntjen, make sure you aren't always touching your bald spot with your finger. It's easy to do when you aren't thinking about it or checking to see if it's still there, etc. That can keep a bald spot from growing in. (There is a name for this but I can't remember what it's called.)

I'd have to agree! Lovely gal you are!
(I just realized that's kinda Yoda-speak!)

Yeah....41?!...Not hardly!

From the Guy here,
Faron

Just had to dig this thread back up to report that my bald patch has indeed filled in and I'm no longer worried about my hair in the subject spot! Of course, I now have a little tuft that's only about 1-1/2 to 2" long and doesn't quite blend into the rest of my bangs, but I'm thankful that at least it is growing there.

I'm sure you were all waiting with bated breath to get an update. **chuckle-snort**

Welllll.....>>> "I" was waiting...

;-)

Faron