Wigs for Chemotherapy Patients

Caps for cancer hair loss

We saw in an earlier article that using wigs to cover up your hair loss during cancer is one of the ways you can make yourself feel better during this difficult time. However, for many people, wigs are not suitable either for reasons of taste, or for the simple fact that they are uncomfortable. Some people will find that wigs itch too much, and yet others might simply feel that they're too expensive. Using caps for cancer hair loss is an effective alternative to wigs and has it's own distinct look and advantages.

Benefits of using caps for cancer

Those choosing to use caps instead of wigs will find that they are simply more convenient and require far less maintenance compared to wigs. In many situations, you will find that caps confer the casual look that you are trying to achieve without drawing attention to yourself - which is usually the primary goal for those suffering from hair loss due to chemo.

Cancer caps are also cheaper and last for a longer time than wigs. As such, they are easily replaceable and changing caps to suit your mood can be an interesting experience to divert yourself with. 

Caps are also more suitable for home use instead of wigs as they are more casual and take less time to put on. One final benefit is that you can wear them while sleeping. This is handy especially when you feel uncomfortable sleeping with nothing covering your head or when your head feels cold due to lack of hair.

Considerations while choosing a cap

By far one of the most important issues determining which cap you will choose is how much of your head you want to show. Baseball caps are very casual and look great. Unfortunately they don't cover the entire head and you might not be at ease with a cap that doesn't conceal baldness. There are some caps that even come with a layer of hair underneath for a different look. However, you might just want to buy a wig instead of this and it won't solve the problem of being uncomfortable.

There are special caps that cover more of the head that usual specifically make for cancer patients and you might want to test these out. You will be able to shop online and buy them as they will not usually be available at regular stores.

If possible, find a cap that is made up of extremely soft material to reduce irritation to the sensitive scalp. This is important since if the material irritates you, you'll have to wear another layer underneath the cap like a scarf or a sleeping cap.

Ensure that you find a cap that will be appropriate in most situations. Some caps have a brim that may look out of place in areas that are shady or crowded such as a lift.

Alternatives to caps for cancer patients

There are many other solutions that make use of turbans and scarves and they are all slightly different, have their own styles and comfort levels. We will be covering them in later articles.

Using wigs for cancer patient hair loss

One of the most feared symptoms of cancer is hair loss. Undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment is not something that patients want known to the public, and being bald almost always raises the thought in people's mind.

Sometimes people embrace their loss of hair and come to accept it as well as people's reactions to it. However, not everyone can tolerate standing out from the crowd. Such people choose to use wigs for cancer patient hair loss. In addition to avoiding the glance of strangers, some people feel that the loss of their hair lowers their self confidence and affects their self image. Wearing a wig to cover their baldness is a natural response to the loss of their hair.

Different types of wigs to combat hair loss

There are many different wigs for cancer patient symptoms and the type of wig you choose greatly depends on the type of hair you had before your hair loss commenced. So it is important that you go to a wig specialist well before your hair actually starts to fall out. This will ensure that your wig specialist understands the type of hair had previously and will allow them to create a new wig that will be tailored for your specific hair type.

If you have trouble finding a wig specialist, ask the hospital where you're getting your chemotherapy. They will probably have tie ups with specialists who will help you with the process, and perhaps offer you a discount as well!

There are many different wigs to suit everyone's budget. Obviously you should get the best wig that you are willing to pay for since you're going to rely heavily on it for over a year or so. Most wigs aren't designed to last that long when worn continuously. In addition, wigs are generally meant for woman who already have some hair, not those who are bald. So you need to consider these factors before buying one. For example, ensure that the underside of the wig doesn't itch when you place it for long periods against your scalp.

Experts suggest that you get a wig that has a color lighter than your own. The reason is wig hair has a higher density than regular hair and so might appear darker. So to offset this, find one that is mildly lighter.

On the flip side, you might want to use this as an opportunity to go wild and try something new! Chemotherapy can really depress you and it's nice to have something fun to do while you're undergoing treatment. Many cancer patients will tell you that it's important to keep your morale up through this difficult time and adding an unusual experimental hair color to your life can really spice up your mood.

There are many tips while wearing wigs that we can cover in later articles. Watch this space for more info and advice on how to handle chemotherapy in a positive manner.

Confused about the differences between choosing a human versus synthetic hair wig?  There are advantages and disadvantages for both human hair wigs and synthetic wigs. This article is a quick summary of the major difference in these two types of wigs.

When selecting a wig, you want it to look natural, fit properly and be comfortable. To this end wig makers have devised innovative and diverse manufacturing techniques to make wigs.