Chemotherapy and Hair Loss: Finding the Right Wig for You
Chemotherapy and Hair Loss: Finding the Right Wig for You
There are no right words to describe the devastating effects a person experiences when finding out about a cancer diagnosis. It’s complicated, unfair, scary and turns your life upside down. If treatment involves chemotherapy, aside from all else the experience of losing your hair is frightening. The complex process of dealing with this new world often involves purchasing a wig with very little time to do so. We’ve walked many people through this difficult process and compiled a list of their feedback. These tips helped them and we hope they make your experience better too.
Start sooner rather than later
Start the process of looking for a wig before you lose your hair. The wig will take getting used to and may need tweaking. It’s best to have as much time as possible so that you can feel completely comfortable with the cut, color and thickness of the wig. There may be little things you’ll want to tweak that will make big differences in your comfort and you’ll want to have the time to get that done.Buy from a full service showroom
Buying a wig from a salon where it can be dyed, cut and altered all in one place will give you a more peaceful shopping experience. Many times you’ll buy the wig in one place, cut it elsewhere and then back to tweak or alter. That kind of bad and forth can be unnecessarily stressful, it also means that there won’t be one person who will oversee the process from start to finish. Purchase from a showroom that can guide you from the entire process from start to finish.Buy from a company that has experience with cancer patients
People wear wigs for all kinds of reasons. Some wear them for accessories, for theater, for religious reasons and so many others. People purchasing wigs for medical reasons have their own experiences and challenges that will need different support than other wig wearers. Find a distributer who can assist with all aspects of the experience.Understand the care involved
You’ll want to leave with a basic understanding on how to care for your wig, as well as some basics techniques in case you get caught in the rain, or want to swim or exercise in your wig. Work with someone who is patient and helpful.Come prepared to your appointment
Write down a list of questions and preferences before your appointment. Bring pictures that show styles you like. Discuss your lifestyle to make sure you are getting a wig that will facilitate the transition.Work with a company with generous policies
A company that works with cancer patients understands that they may need to come back for alterations or modifications after wearing the wig for a while. They will understand that you might need to come back for a fitting once you lose your hair. A company that offers strong support will make this difficult situation more bearable. Your new wig should be beautiful and natural looking and make you feel confident. We’ve found that many continue wearing their wig even after the treatments are over. If you no longer need the wig donating it to someone in need is a beautiful way to represent leaving the treatments behind and looking forward to the future.