About to start chemo Need a WIG?

Question

Anyone have good ideas or advice on where to get a great wig? I am about to start chemo, I am 40 yo female with long hair. Sort of freaking out.

Answer 1

First of all check with the American Cancer society. Then check online with various wig companies. And usually a cancer center has catalogs lying there that has turbans and various headcoverings in them. I used turbans and big hats along with my wig. Also check with Sally's beauty Supply stores if there is one in your area. I wish you luck as I am in remission from the apl form of aml leukemia

Answer 2

My oncologist was zero help on this.  He wasn't even very sympathetic.  So I pretty much went exploring on my own.  I searched the web, looked in catalogs, but I would advise you if you have a stylist / salon that does your hair, talk to them first. The salon where I get my hair cut helped me pick out a wig, ordered several to try, and then GAVE the one I chose to me -- and it was not a cheap wig. They also offered to help style it for free. That's key; you need to take the wig and get it styled. It probably won't look good out of the box (most wigs have much more hair than is necessary and need to be thinned if nothing else). No guarantees you will run into the same generosity, but I think if you talk to your local stylist or salon you'll find they have experience and can probably help you pick out something. I personally think that was better than going through a catalog.

My chemo was supposed to cause total hair loss, but I was in the small minority that only had thinning, so I never had a chance to use my wig. Assuming I make it one more year in remission and my cancer has a very low chance of coming back, I plan to donate mine since I never used it.

Answer 3

The American Cancer Society may be able to help. You should contact your local chapter. You can also check out Tender Loving Care catalog which is a not for profit organization service of the American Cancer Society. They offer low cost products for hair loss such as wigs, hats, scarves, and kerchiefs.

Tender Loving Care

http://www.tlcdirect.org/

Look Good, Feel Better - offers resources and shopping tips for hair loss products for cancer patients

http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/...

Answer 4

I found a catalog of chemo hats and wigs at my oncologist's office.  There are also several web sites that make them available.

Just do a seach for chemo wigs/hats.  I found that wigs were very uncomfortable and ended up alternating between soft hats and scarves.

I was quite surprised how sensitive a bald scalp is.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

Answer 5

You can check http://www.tlcdirect.org  

I got bandanas in different colors and designs and a few turbins for the cooler weather and evenings.  Definitely plan for something to wear at night because your head will get chilly.  I did get a wig from TLC as well but only wore it once.  I didn't like wearing a wig.  My suggestion would be to not buy a really expensive wig until you know you'll be comfortable wearing one.  

You can contact your local Cancer Society.  Most will give a voucher for a discount on wigs if your insurance doesnt cover it.  They also offer a free workshop called Look Good Feel Better where they'll give you makeup tips for eyebrow and eyelash loss.  And you'll get a bag full of makeup and skin products.

A few weeks before I started chemo last summer I cut my hair short.  Right before my first treatment I shaved my head down to stubble.  Right after my first treatment, I shaved my head bald.  It seemed easier for me to do it gradually and I didn't want to wait until my hair fell out on it's own.

I wish you the very best and hang in there!