Cancer
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Cancer awareness
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer and are exploring or currently undergoing treatment that may lead to hair loss, the most important thing is to talk to your doctor. Make a list of all your fears and concerns and let your physician explain everything to you to your satisfaction. The more you know he better equipped you will be to face some hard decisions that will come.
Remember, not all forms of cancer treatment lead to hair loss and there are some techniques and methods that will help prevent and/or minimize potential hair loss.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment method which relies on anti-cancer medications to destroy cancer cells and works by directly attacking cancer cells and attempting to halt their growth. However, chemotherapy affects the growth of cancer cells as well as normal cells in your body and can often cause hair loss (or alopecia). Don’t worry. You are much stronger than perhaps even you know, and your normal cells will begin healing and regenerating almost immediately. So, in most cases, hair growth will return soon after your chemotherapy treatments.
Not all chemotherapy drugs will cause you to lose your hair and some will cause various degrees of hair loss. Again, it is important to talk to your doctor and get as much information regarding your treatment regiment as possible.
Radiation Therapy (or Radiotherapy)
Radiation Therapy is also a common form of cancer treatment which can cause hair loss, but this hair loss is usually localized to the specific area that is being treated. If you are undergoing or about to undergo radiotherapy, you may experience hair loss in the region of your treatment. However, similar to chemotherapy, this hair is highly likely to grow back after your treatments have ceased, though it may be thinner than it was previously.
Other forms of cancer treatment like biological and hormonal therapies are also known to cause hair loss, though it is much less severe and less common. Most patients undergoing these types of treatment have minimal hair loss or thinning and their hair often gets very dry and brittle.
Many cancer survivors who have been through rigorous therapy have found that a few preventative measures can help reduce the amount and/or expediency of hair loss. Some suggested tips include:
- Go ahead and cut your hair very short prior to beginning chemotherapy treatment. The shorter your hair is before starting treatment for your cancer, the less weight and constant pressure is constantly being applied to the roots. During your treatment, your hair may get brittle and stiff, and your roots may soften. Also, if you do begin experiencing hair loss, losing short strands of hair is less traumatic than large clumps of long locks falling out, and less noticeable.
- Cooling the scalp is a common technique following chemotherapy treatments that is designed to reduce the amount of chemotherapy drugs absorbed by the hair follicles by reducing the amount of blood flow to the scalp. You can use anything from a cool towel to a gel wrap purchased at a pharmacy. Unfortunately, these caps are only known to assist in hair retention for certain types of chemotherapy and other treatments. Remember to ask your doctor which types of solutions might work for you.
Medical Insurance
Many insurance companies provide either partial or full refunds for a "full cranial prosthesis" if it is requested due to alopecia, chemotherapy treatment, psoriasis, trichotillomania, or other medical conditions that were not pre-existing to the policy being established. However, as you no doubt no by now, dealing with insurance companies can be difficult so contact your as soon as possible.
Different insurance companies will have divergent policies regarding coverage for a cranial prosthesis and many will require a prescription from your doctor. You should visit with your doctor regarding a prosthesis and see if they have any advice from working with other patients in the past who shared your insurance provider.
Whatever insurance provider you use, be sure to contact them regarding your "cranial prosthesis" (do not say "wig" when talking to your provider) prior to purchasing a wig. Unfortunately, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover the costs of a cranial prosthesis at this time.
Regrettably, most wig retailers will not work with the insurance company on your behalf, so it is important for you to gather these facts on your own and make the best decisions for your needs.
Before You Buy
Before you begin browsing options for wigs, the most important thing you can do to prevent hair loss is to care for the hair you have. By caring for your hair in the gentlest way possible, you may be able to avoid or limit your hair loss.
Some suggested techniques include:
- Using a wide toothed brush or comb.
- Avoid using straightening irons or curling irons
- Use gentle shampoos and conditioners
- Wear a hair net while sleeping
- Limit using hair styling products and rely on a great cut instead
Most wigs fit much better when you have some hair to help clip to, and many will be more comfortable with a little natural hair between you and the fitted cap. So, don’t worry if your natural hair starts getting a little thin. This is just opportunity for style in disguise.
Kinds of Wigs
If you have decided that a wig is the right solution for you then congratulations on entering the fun and frisky hidden world of wig fashion. From Hollywood elite to barbershop Betty’s, wigs are the long-guarded secret of the most fashion-forward women in society. There are quite a few different types of wigs to suit each person’s need. So, which is the best type of wig for you?
Wigs come in a variety of pricing, synthetic vs. natural hair, styling options, and even accessories or add-on pieces. Just remember your cancer or illness is not what defines you. You’re in control of your life and you can have whatever kind of lifestyle you want. At the end of the day, your choice in wigs should suit that lifestyle and fit your personal needs.
Human Hair Wigs
People often associate Human Hair wigs with being higher in quality and more desirable for daily use. However, this may or may not be the best fit for you. Human hair wigs will be softer to the touch and feel more natural, because… they’re real hair! Human Hair wigs are terrific for day-to-day use, can be styled much like your natural hair (although we recommend getting a professional stylist to do this for you), and can even be dyed or highlighted.
However, Human Hair wigs are typically much more expensive than synthetic wigs, tending to be priced in the range of hundreds to thousands of dollars. Also, as you would expect from a natural hair product, Human Hair wigs require a higher degree of maintenance than synthetic ones. Be prepared to care for your wig even more than you do for your natural hair. They require styling, washing, and treating with specialty Human Hair wig products. Even so, these sheik hairpieces are sure to have you looking like royalty in no time.
Synthetic Wigs
Synthetic wigs are a wonderful option for many women experiencing hair loss from cancer treatments or other conditions as there is a wide selection of styles, colors, pricing, and availability. Often inexpensive, synthetic wigs are your chance to reinvent yourself on a daily basis if you so choose. From classic styles to hand-crafted monofilament wigs, there is a wide selection from which to choose.
Monofilament Wigs
Unlike typical wigs which rely on a fabric "cap" to hold the hair or fibers of the wig, Monofilament wigs are designed using a thin monofilament weave which is light-weight and almost entirely transparent.
Perfect for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or women suffering from significant hair loss, a Monofilament wig offers the most natural and realistic look as each hair is hand-sewn into the monofilament mesh and the semi-transparent material allows for the wig to show off your scalp with natural parts in your hair style. In other words, a Monofilament wig is almost indiscernible from natural hair to even the most curious onlooker.
Offered in both Human Hair and synthetic styles, Monofilament wigs tend to be more expensive than typical wigs of either type due to their hand-crafted nature. However, Monofilament wigs are the perfect solution if you have little to no hair, sensitive skin, or are looking for a luxurious and undetectable wig that will "breathe" more like your natural hair.
Custom Wigs
As with anything, you can always get a custom wig made by a specialty wig manufacturer. You can even have a wig made for you out of your own hair! However, be prepared to pay a premium for this type of service.
Custom wigs can take from 8 weeks to six months to manufacture and typically require a deposit of a thousand dollars or more. These wigs usually start around a few thousand dollars in price and can reach into the tens of thousands depending on the length and type of hair requested.
Accessories and Alternatives
You may not want to wear a wig every single day. Daily wig use can be time consuming and can put considerable wear on your wig. While most wigs are designed to last a long time, daily use does put a strain on the wig’s manufacturing. So, when you’re ready for a day off without the need to hassle with one of you wigs, what do you do?
Well, thankfully there is no shortage of options! Turbans, caps, and wraps are popular "downtime" options for women suffering from hair loss due to cancer treatment or other conditions. Also, there are many tricky options like baseball caps with fake ponytails and headband wigs. These quick options can provide you with a hassle-free alternative hair solution that is easy to quickly apply and remove.
Reach Out
As you go through this part of your life and look into treatment options for your cancer and lifestyle options during/post treatment, the most important resource you have is your friends and family. From emotional support to advice and confidence, you know that your friends and family are an invaluable part of your journey.
This is absolutely no less true when it comes to picking out your perfect wig. You need opinions, advice, and people who aren’t afraid to tell you "that looks silly, dear; maybe a different one?" Contact all of your friends who have worn wigs in the past or who know people who did and get as much advice and counsel as you can.
We also encourage you to take your time browsing through different wigs that you might like and then Send a Link to Your Friends so they can offer their opinions. Feedback from those people who we trust the most is always a good thing.
Also, take a moment to read testimonials written by other women who have ordered a product in which you are interested. Check out forums and blogs to see which products people have really enjoyed and which ones are nightmares. Our staff has done our best to offer only the best products we can find, but do your own research to find what is right for you.
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