Miss America wore locally made wig during the competition

TAMPA - In an industry where beauty enhancements like false eye lashes and plastic surgery are the norm, some were surprised to learn that the newest Miss America was wearing a wig.

Seventeen-year-old Teresa Scanlan of Nebraska, who was crowned Sunday night, has damaged hair.  So she opted to wear a wig made by Hair Therapy for Women, based in Tampa.

Bobbie Russell custom-made Scanlan's hair and was behind the scenes in Las Vegas Saturday night to style the wig.

“From the day I sat down in the studio, I looked into your eyes and I said you will be the next Miss America,” Russell said referring to Scanlan.

"To see her go that far was amazing,” she said.

Ever since a video of Scanlan having her wig put on hit Youtube, it has received tens of thousands of hits.

Some people consider wearing a wig an issue while others don’t. Twenty-five-year pageant veteran Valerie Morken says she understands both sides of the coin.

“Some girls feel that maybe it is not fair that she wore a wig. It is okay in a lot of pageants to wear extensions, or out veneers for your teeth. However, wearing a wig is somewhat of an enhancement, where do you draw the line?” Morken asked.

The pageant officials had no comment about the rules, but Scanlan was not the only one with hair enhancements.

“There was more than one wig going on at the pageant. It was not just us. Hair extensions were everywhere,” Russell said.

Ms. Delaware, who suffers from alopecia and lost her hair at 13, was also wearing a wig during the competition.

Russell believes the new Miss America is an inspiration to women who suffer from hair loss or damage.

A Youtube viewer seemed to agree with Russell's stance and responded to the Miss America's wig video with kind words.

"Thank you for posting. I have been struggling with alopecia. I have not tried wigs or anything because I did not want to spend the money and have a fake look. These wigs are gorgeous. If Ms. Delaware and Nebraska can do it so can I," said the viewer.