My mom would not be able to wear a hat during the summer obviously heat would stay in and she would get too hot. She needs a wig, but that wig should, for lack of a better phrase, breathe.
So it doesn’t hold the heat in near the scalp.
Is there a wig that is like that? Or do all wigs effectively hold heat to the scalp?
Edit: I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. That's on me. I meant will a wig be more warm then normal hair?
Any covering on the head is going to hold heat to one degree or another. If she wants to minimize that, then something like a shemagh or a keffiyeh is likely her best bet (although a keffiyeh is considered menswear). They're both fairly light weaves, almost gauzy, and should allow air to circulate.
Hair in general is just hot, and the more you have, the hotter it is. If you've every gotten a crew cut or shaved your head in the summer, you'll know that the difference is stark.
Why does she need a wig or hat though? Is this a religious issue, where she's not allowed to show her own hair?
I can't say for certain that it will be hotter than regular hair, but it seems likely, because there's a 'cap' built into them that the hair is tied to. Many wigs are also made with synthetic materials that can absorb and retain more heat than human hair. He best bet is likely going to be finding someone that specializes in wigs made of human hair, and talking to them about it. Be warned that wigs made from human hair costs quite a bit more than fashion items; they can easily be several hundred dollars each.
I have a lot more freedom in this area because of my gender; it's socially acceptable for me to simply shave my head. If you mom doesn't like the appearance of patchy or thinning hair, would she consider that option?