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.

Many women start wearing their hair differently before they begin cancer treatment, so it won’t be such a huge transition when they begin to lose their hair.  If your hair is long, you might consider cutting it short before treatment begins, so it will be easier to start wearing chemotherapy scarves or headcovers during treatment.  Then, once hair begins to fall out, many cancer patients have their heads shaved and start wearing a cancer wig more frequently.  Typically, hair loss starts between 7 and 21 days after treatment begins, but most women grow their hair back completely six months after their last treatment.

If you plan to buy a wig, don’t rush out and buy an expensive natural wig.  Besides being very costly, natural wigs require a lot more upkeep than synthetic wigs, and synthetic wigs look and feel like natural hair.

Also, check your insurance policy to see if they will cover a portion of the cost for a “cranial prosthesis”, or wig, and make sure you check the return policy in case you change your mind about wearing it.

Buying a cancer wig can be a very tedious process, and it may take awhile to find the perfect wig, so start shopping early and give yourself enough time to find the right one.  The more you like the cancer wig you choose, the more likely you are to feel confident wearing it.