Traveling With Your Wig

 

 

The holidays are here. Holiday time means lots of traveling to visit friends and family. Flying with a wig has always taken a bit of working out with all the bag limits and restrictions, but we finally figured it out.

 

If you wear a wig on the plane, people are concerned about the clips setting off the alarm while walking through it.  The standard comb and two clips won’t set off the security alarm.     Many like to be comfortable while traveling. We had a client who wore a hat fall under a beanie so she would be more comfortable. TSA asked her to remove her hat. She did holding her hand over her head as she walked through the detector. She was mortified.  TSA is accommodating for situations like these.  You are not required to remove your wig for them in public.

 

Next, let’s talk about transporting the wig. You should not put your wig in your checked luggage. We have heard awful disasters of lost luggage, even missing wigs from luggage that has arrived. That loss is a big one; it means more than a financial loss. It can be devastating not to have the “hair” you were depending on once you get to your trip, and nothing can replace a wig that you love.

 

Travel boxes for wigs are available at wig shops; they are vertical rectangular cases with a base for a wig head. It would have to be taken on the plane as a carry on item which can be problematic. Make sure to double check the airline’s policies. If you are wearing the wig for medical reasons the wig box should not be considered extra luggage as it is related to your health.  A doctor’s note or the prescription is all you’ll need.  Remember to take it with you on the plane and don’t leave it behind. A good tip we suggest is to tie a personal item to the handle so you are sure not to forget it.

 

 

Next, we have lots of positive feedback about using a method of wrapping the wig which we demonstrated here. The good thing about wrapping the wig is that you’re able to put it on your carry-on and won’t need to travel with any additional luggage.

 

Once you arrive at your destination you will want to take your wig out of the wrapping and shake it out a bit. Store your wig in a safe place (never on a lamp!).

 

 

Wishing you safe and happy travels!