Many women believe that all cancer-related hair loss is created equal, but it really depends on which drug you are taking.  The amount of time it takes for your hair to fall out and grow back in again really depends on the type of treatment you receive. 

Before you select a cancer hat, cancer wig, or chemotherapy scarf, learn more about what to expect from your cancer treatment.

Hair loss happens because chemotherapy drugs target any cell that rapidly grow and divide, whether they are healthy or not.  Because hair follicles are some of the fastest-growing cells in the human body (dividing every 23 to 72 hours), chemotherapy also destroys all hair cells.  However, depending on the duration of treatment and the type of drugs your oncologist prescribes, your hair loss may be dramatic or gradual.  Also, when chemotherapy is given in small weekly doses, hair loss can be minimized; as opposed to higher doses being administered every three to four weeks. 

• Adriamycin causes complete hair loss on the head within the first few weeks of treatment, and many women also lose hair on their lashes and brows.
• Methotrexate can cause hair to thin, but it will rarely cause complete hair loss.
• Taxol usually causes hair loss all over the body
• Cytoxan and 5-Fluorouracil may cause a lot of hair loss in some women, and very little in others.
• Radiation only causes hair loss on the part of the body being treated
• Hormonal treatments like Tamoxifen can cause hair to thin, but it will not lead to baldness

No matter which drug being used, there are dozens of remedies to make you feel better about your appearance during this time. 

Cancer hats are wonderful for women with thinning hair or hair that is just starting to grow back.  Chemotherapy scarves work well during periods of rapid hair loss, and cancer wigs give you complete coverage and style while during periods of more intense hair loss. 

Losing your hair due to chemotherapy treatments can be a traumatic event, especially for women; but even when hair begins to grow back its effects can still linger.  Many women find that the hair that grows in is not the same hair that they lost.  Not only is it often a different texture, it also grows in slowly and takes a while to become manageable.  So what does one do in the meantime? 

Once cancer treatments end, it usually takes at least two weeks for hair growth to begin, and it can be a month before hair begins to grow at its normal speed.  This means it could take anywhere from 3 to 6 months before hair is manageable enough to be styled. 

After interviewing dozens of women who lost their hair during cancer treatments, I’ve found that more and more women are opting for cancer headscarves during this period of time.  One reason for this is that a scarf can be worn in many different ways, and since they are a lot less expensive than wigs, most women can go out and buy several different styles and colors. 

When hair begins to grow back, women like to let a few wispy bangs peek through the scarf around their forehead or temples.  Until hair begins to gain some thickness, I always recommend that a turban pad is worn beneath a cancer scarf just to keep the crown from looking flat, but as hair begins to fill in, this may not be necessary.

Another way to supplement new hair growth is to wear a fashionable cancer hat.  These are available in virtually every style, but one that looks great when hair is growing back is this purple sequined beret.  Check out the complete selection of cancer hats and scarves and take advantage of great savings at ChemoSavvy.com.

If you are facing a future of cancer treatment, there are many ways to make yourself feel better about it.  Despite the fact that most cancer therapy results in hair loss, today there are sevarl options available to keep you looking your best.  In addition to the traditional chemotherapy wig, women can choose from a selection of fashionable cancer hats and other cancer headcovers for all seasons.

What are the essential purchases that cancer patients should consider?  Here is a list of what many women consider “must-haves”.

Sleep caps:

Don’t forget, much of the body’s heat can be lost through the head, even while sleeping.  That’s why it is important to invest in a sleep cap.  They not only make sleeping more comfortable; they also help contain any hair loss that occurs during the night. 

Cancer headscarves:

With so many headscarves and turban wraps to choose from, many women are opting to go this route instead of wearing a cancer wig.  They are especially convenient to wear when running errands or working around the house, and with so many colorful and stylish fabrics, there is one to fit every occasion. 

Turban pads:

Whether you are planning to wear a cancer headscarf or turban, a turban pad will give you that added “lift” on the crown that will make it look like you have a lot of hair underneath.  Many women pair a turban pad with simple bangs to complete the look. 

Of course, you will want to decide early on whether you will buy a collection of chemotherapy scarves or a natural-looking cancer wig. This will determine what type of accessories you will need.  No matter which one you choose, rest assured that this hair loss is only temporary, so there is no need to buy everything you see.  Most people find that they wear the same couple of cancer hats and headscarves almost daily, so spend some time choosing what looks best on you.

For some women, the thought of wearing a chemotherapy hat or cancer wig might be scarier than the starting cancer treatments. The truth is, most people think very little about hair loss until they are going through it.  When faced with the prospect of hair loss due to chemotherapy, patients often ask if anything can be done to prevent it, but unfortunately there is nothing that can stop hair loss with certain chemo drugs. 

The total amount of hair loss will depend on the dose of radiation and chemotherapy and how it is administered.  If you are only receiving radiation treatments on other parts of the body and no chemotherapy, you should not expect the hair on your scalp to fall out, but most people with cancer do receive some form of chemotherapy.

Here are some things you can do prepare for eventual hair loss:

• Use a mild shampoo and conditioner. This will keep you from needing to pull your hair as much when combing, and may slow down hair loss somewhat.
• Once hair starts falling out, consider getting a shorter haircut.  It will be much easier to manage a short hair cut when you start to wear a cancer wig.
• Before going to bed at night, put on a hair net or turban cap to collect any loose hairs.  There is nothing worse than collecting lost hair from your pillow when you wake up in the morning.
• To reduce inflammation of the scalp once hair loss begins, use a soft brush and avoid pulling on the hair shaft. 
• Use a hair dryer only on the lowest setting to prevent dryness, and consider wearing sunscreen on your scalp or a hat to keep your scalp from getting sunburned. This will also help your cancer wig feel more comfortable.

Before you know it, your hair will begin to grow back. But remember, your new hair will be more fragile.  Until your hair regains its usual strength, keep styling to a minimum and avoid wide tooth combs, vigorous brushing and curlers.

When faced with the prospect of the temporary hair loss caused by chemotherapy, many women have a hard time feeling confident about their looks.  Even after purchasing a cancer wig or scarf, the prospect of going out in public and feeling “normal” is daunting.  Your choice of chemotherapy wig or scarf may be a decision you labor over for weeks, but eventually every woman finds one that suits their personal style.  One would expect that after this decision is made, women would feel relieved; but when it comes time to wear your wig for the first time a whole other set of questions crop up.

If you are facing rapid hair loss due to chemotherapy treatments, it may be difficult to see anything positive in the situation.  After all, a woman’s hair is her “crowning glory”, and the thought of wearing a headscarf or chemotherapy wig may not sit well with you.  These tips will help you look at your cancer wig in a more positive light.  You may even be delighted with the compliments you receive.

Choosing a color for your chemotherapy wig should be quite simple.  Just stay as close as possible to your natural color; this probably isn’t the time to start experimenting with dramatic new shades, but you might want to try a slight change in color without subjecting yourself to an expensive salon color treatment.

Here are some tips to ensure your chemotherapy wig looks its best:

When faced with hair loss due to chemotherapy or radiation treatments, many women choose to buy at least one wig, even if they plan on wearing cancer scarves or hats most of the time.  Even though your hair is certain to grow back after treatment, it may not be the same color or texture as it was before.

Most women spend so much time looking for the perfect scarf fabric or stylish hat that they forget one very important thing. When choosing a cancer hat or cancer scarf, you will need to look for one with a little added bulk on the crown.

Once a woman loses a significant amount of hair, some hats and scarves will feel too bulky.  This is because most women are accustomed to having the added height of a full head of hair.  Some women are disappointed when they try on cancer scarves and hats, because they think their head looks too flat. This is especially true if you have a small forehead to begin with.

Before you select a cancer hat or collection of hats, it is important to know what you want.  The following are some basic guidelines to help you choose the right cancer headwear, keeping in mind your personal style and wardrobe.

Going through cancer treatment is stressful enough, but when you start losing your hair it can become even more traumatic.  No matter how prepared you think you are for this eventuality, it is still can be very difficult – especially for women.

In the past, when women lost their hair due to chemotherapy, the only option was to go out and buy a wig.  But today’s women are getting more creative, and wigs are no longer the only option.

Before you go out and buy just any cancer hat, here is a collection of advice from other women who have experienced hair loss.

There are many symptoms and side effects to cancer treatment that can affect your body and self-image, but none are more devastating to women than hair loss.  But despite feeling weak, different, less energetic than usual, and working through the uncertainty of your illness, many women find themselves looking for a way to feel good about the way the look.  If you are looking for a cancer headwear that will look fashionable without calling too much attention to your condition, then your ideal cancer headcover may be a scarf.  More and more women are opting for a selection of chemotherapy scarves, rather than wearing a wig, because they are much easier to wear and allow for a more personalized expression of their individual style.