| Hair loss can be one of the most devastating side | | | | less maintenance then human hair, synthetic wigs |
| effects of cancer treatment. Certain types of | | | | offer a great alternative. The style is "baked in", so it |
| chemotherapy target rapid-growing cancer cells. Since | | | | stays in place, even when you wash it. Synthetic can |
| hair cells are the fastest growing cells in the body, | | | | be washed, brushed and combed, but cannot be |
| the chemotherapy drugs kill the hair cells as well, | | | | curled or flattened with heated tools or chemicals. |
| causing hair loss. | | | | Just like human hair, synthetic hair is available in |
| Wigs are the most popular choice for covering hair | | | | different qualities. Cheaper synthetic fibers are thick |
| loss. Many women, however, dread the idea of | | | | and plastic like - with an unnatural shine. Better quality |
| choosing a wig - picturing having to wear the hot, | | | | synthetics vary in denier (or thickness), so they look |
| itchy, unnatural appearing wigs of yesteryear. The | | | | and feel just like the real thing. |
| good news is, there wig-making technology has come | | | | Cap Construction |
| a long way in recent years - resulting in lighter, more | | | | Just as important as the type of hair is the type of |
| comfortable wigs that look completely natural. Most | | | | cap. Traditional caps are machine made. Open-wefted |
| chemotherapy patients choose to wear a wig that | | | | caps allow more airflow to the scalp. A monofilament |
| matches their own hair style and color. Of course, | | | | wig features individual hairs hand-sewn into a fine |
| there is nothing wrong with experimenting with a | | | | mesh base. This creates the appearance of hairs |
| new style or color if you desire. | | | | growing directly from the scalp - for a remarkably |
| Where to Get a Wig | | | | natural look. Hair can be parted and lay smoother - |
| It is easier to shop for your wig before you lose | | | | instead of a thicker, teased look associated with |
| your hair. Wigs are available from many different | | | | traditional wig. The best wigs are 100% hand-tied. |
| places. A store or salon that allows you to touch, | | | | The soft mesh base is smoother and more |
| feel, and try the wigs before you buy is always your | | | | comfortable than wefted wigs - eliminating |
| best option. If you do not have a local wig boutique, | | | | scratchiness and irritation. Hand-tied wigs are much |
| you might look in catalogs or online. If you cannot | | | | less dense - so they are lighter weight and more |
| afford a wig, many hospitals and the American | | | | natural. |
| Cancer Society often offer free boutiques where | | | | The Right Size |
| you can find donated wigs. | | | | Another important consideration is the size. It is best |
| Before visiting a wig boutique, you might want to call | | | | to have your head professionally measured. Wigs can |
| ahead of time and get some information - how many | | | | be custom ordered to your exact measurement - |
| wigs do they have in stock, are you allowed to try | | | | but this is not always the best option for |
| on the wigs, do they work with your insurance | | | | chemotherapy patients, as custom made wigs are |
| company, do they cut and style the wigs for you, so | | | | more expensive and take 6-8 weeks to produce. |
| you need an appointment, etc. | | | | Pre-made wigs are almost all made in an "Average |
| Human Hair or Synthetic | | | | Size", and will usually fit individuals measuring between |
| It is always best to educate yourself on the types | | | | "Petite Average" to "Average Large". If your head |
| of wigs available. Wigs can be made with human hair | | | | size is Petite or Large, you may have more problems |
| or synthetic fibers. Human hair wigs have the | | | | finding a wig. Unfortunately, there are only a limited |
| advantage of versatility - they can be colored, | | | | number of wigs made in these sizes. A professional |
| permed, curled with a curling iron or straightened with | | | | wig fitter can make alterations to a wig to make it |
| a flat iron. They also offer a soft, more natural | | | | fit. |
| movement and texture. Buying human hair can be | | | | Styling Your Wig |
| confusing. It is available in a wide variety of qualities | | | | Most wigs are not perfect out of a box - they need |
| and price ranges. Like many other things in life, with | | | | to be cut and styled to flatter your head. As a rule |
| wigs - you usually get what you pay for. Chinese hair | | | | of thumb, hair can always be removed, but can't be |
| is thick, straight and somewhat coarse. Indian hair is | | | | added. Bangs can be trimmed, and the wig can be |
| the most popular type of hair, softer and wavy. | | | | thinned, layered, or shortened. The technique of |
| European Hair has the finest, softest texture. | | | | cutting a wig is different than regular hair cutting, and |
| Decuticled hair has had the cuticle removed, to | | | | not all stylists are trained in wig cutting. Before you |
| prevent tangling. Remy hair still has the cuticle in | | | | choose someone to cut your wig, make sure they |
| place, but has been carefully collected so that the | | | | are experience wig stylists. |
| hair all runs the same direction. It is stronger than | | | | Once you have selected a good quality wig with the |
| decuticled hair. Human hair is generally sold by the | | | | features you desire, and have it fit, cut and styled, |
| inch, so longer wigs will be considerably more | | | | you will be amazed at how natural your wig looks. |
| expensive. Something else to keep in mind is that | | | | Make sure you learn the proper styling techniques |
| human hair will require some skill to style. Just like our | | | | and use wig care products formulated for the type |
| own hair, it needs to be styled and set regularly to | | | | of wig you have purchased to ensure the best |
| look its best. | | | | results. The right wig can be the key to coping with |
| Synthetic hair is by far the most popular option | | | | hair loss due to chemotherapy. |
| among chemotherapy patients. Less expensive and | | | | |
