Christal Schanes began crafting custom wigs and hair products for the entertainment industry in 1998. She soon added medical wigs to her repertoire, but she never felt right charging for them. A custom wig is a large undertaking; each one includes 100,000 hand-tied hairs, takes 75-125 hours to make, and can cost around $5000. For women who are already facing the physical, emotional, and financial burden of a challenging medical condition, Christal dreamed of being able to provide medical wigs at no cost.
In 2016, Christal began teaching a Medical Wig-making Class at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She teamed up with Novant Health's Derrick L. Davis Cancer Center to build free custom wigs for patients suffering from cancer. In each class, approximately 12 students learn the art of custom wig building firsthand while serving people experiencing medically related hair loss. The class led to the creation of what was originally called MEDwig (now WIGwell, a sub-brand of CHRISTAline Studios).
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WIGwell custom wigs are built on sculpted blocks shaped to the exact measurements and curvature of clients' heads to ensure unsurpassed fit, grip, and comfort. Christal's proprietary technique and quality materials contribute to the breathability and comfort of each medical wig. This is especially important for those undergoing medical treatments that can increase skin and nerve sensitivity.
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The WIGwell program is funded in part through sales of CHRISTALine Hair Goods and Custom Wigs & Services. But the cost of time and materials is high, and the need is great. You can help! Sponsor a client or donate hair to be used in a WIGwell medical wigs, where discounts are provided to the patients facing challenging circumstances.
HEADS HELD HIGH
CHRISTALine Studios crafts innovative human-hair products for the entertainment industry, wig shops, salons, and individuals. As a social enterprise, CHRISTALine Studios devotes 20% of the proceeds from the sale of EVERY product to support the Studios’ WIGwell initiative, which provides high-quality, hand-tied custom wigs to those experiencing medically related hair loss. WIGwell enables people in challenging circumstances to retain dignity, confidence, and the freedom to tell their stories on their own terms.
Established by UNCSA professor and Emmy award-winning TV and film wig artist, Christal Schanes, CHRISTALine Studios offers professional quality custom and ready-to-wear hair products and services.
At CHRISTALine Studios, every hair is on mission to support women facing the fight of their lives. You can help the cause by making a purchase, sponsor a wig, or a hair donation today.
Donate Hair for a Medical Wig
We accept hair and wig donations! We supply temporary wigs to WIGwell initiative clients while their custom wigs are being built. These could be made from human hair or synthetic fibers. We accept healthy hair donations of any texture (including permed), color (including color-treated), or length. Even short hair can sometimes be used for baby hairs around the hairline and for short wigs. When in doubt, donate it! Our promise to you is that we will never use any donated hair for a wig built for profit.
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In order for your hair to be usable in a wig, it must be cut and preserved in a very particular manner. We have created printable instructions for you and/or your hair stylist to follow to ensure your donated hair can be used by WIGwell. Thanks for giving of yourself!
Sponsor a Medical Client's Wig Build
CHRISTALine Studios is a social enterprise. That means we don’t exist to serve the bottom line. Each product and service we offer helps support our WIGwell initiative’s mission: to provide high-quality, hand-tied custom wigs to women experiencing medically related hair loss—at little to no cost to them.
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The complete WIGwell experience (consultations, temporary wig and alterations, and free custom wig) costs $5000. With so many women out there facing the fight of their lives, we need your help to serve them! Please sponsor a client through WIGwell, and help women hold their heads high.
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Apply for a wig
If you or someone you love is experiencing or anticipating medically related hair loss, you may be eligible for a low-cost wig through the WIGwell initiative. Wigs are crafted in Winston-Salem, NC and require at least two VIRTUAL visits by the patient for proper fitting.
For more details about the WIGwell process, please see our FAQ page.