Wig & Hair Loss Information
• Prior To Your Hair Loss
• Should Your Hair Be Thinning During Course of Treatment?
• Full Hair Loss Treatment
• Caring For Your Scalp During Treatment
• Choosing A Wig
• Construction of Your Wig
• Cost of Today’s Wig
• Styling Your Wig
• Financial Assistance
• When You Have Completed Your Treatment
Prior to your Hair Loss
Depending on the type of treatment you are receiving, your hair you may either thin out during the course of your treatments or it may completely fall out.
Your oncology team will be able to inform you about the fate of your hair.
It is best to look for a wig prior to starting treatments while you still feel strong enough. This way your Hair Alternative Specialist will be able to match your present hairstyle, colour and texture as close as possible with a full hair prosthesis.
Should your hair be thinning during course of treatment?
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It is best to refrain from colouring your hair.
- Texture of your hair will change and may feel lifeless and brittle
- A hydrating shampoo and conditioner will help you hair feel less dry
- You may wish to cut your hair shorter than you usually wear it. This will give your thinning hair look thicker and the hair loss less noticeable.
- The short hair will not put stress on the already weak hair follicle
- If possible, avoid overusing your blow dryers, curling irons, hot rollers, hair sprays and any products with a alcohol base
- Use a satin-like pillowcase to minimize tugging your hair at the scalp
Full hair loss during treatment
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You may notice hair loss approx. 10 to 15 days from your first treatment.
- At first you may experience a very sensitive scalp
- Your hair will shed gradually
- This may be a good time to have a G.I. Jane buzz cut to at least an eighth of an inch.
- This will reduce the distress associated with watching clumps of hair falling and help your scalp feel less sensitive
Caring for your scalp during treatment
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You may experience your scalp becoming dry and sensitive
- Use a soothing lotion on your scalp to reduce dryness
- Eucalyptus or Astera (cooling agent) in your lotion or shampoo will help to reduce any sensitivity.
- Massaging your scalp will assist in exfoliating any dry skin and bring vascular circulation to your already stressed hair follicles.
- Caring for your scalp with help for you to get along with your wig for the sensitivity and itchiness from a dry scalp with be greatly reduced.
Choosing A Wig
Although nothing will ever make you feel as good as you do with your own hair, there is no reason why anyone has to know whether it is your own hair or a wig. There are many types of wigs on the market. Choose a wig that is similar to your own hair, that it is comfortable to wear and that it looks as natural as possible, easy to style and that it fits your budget.
- Bring a family member or friend for support and for an honest second opinion when choosing your wig
- Synthetic, blends and human hair have their own advantages and disadvantages – one is not any better than the other. It is what ever suits you best, works with your hair style, colour, texture and density and is within your budget.
- Do not feel pressured to buy a wig immediately. You should be able to try on a wig today and make your choice another day if you are just not sure.
- Wear the wig a bit in the shop to see if it is comfortable. Remember your hair may still be underneath and the final adjustments and styling hasn’t occurred as of yet
Construction of your wig
- Quality wigs are made of flexible capless construction with mesh lace designed for exceptional comfort and allowing plenty of air to circulate
- Wigs weigh as little as 2 ½ ounces allowing the wigs to be lighter and not so bushy
- Some styles have a mono-filament top where individual hair are hand-knotted strand by strand, makes it look like hair is growing out of your scalp giving it a very natural look.
- Today’s wigs offers most fashionable styles and up to date colour, low cost, ease of care and fast delivery often with in 2 to 5 days later.
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| Mono Crown Machine back | Fully Hand Tied | Fully machine made | ||
Cost of Today’s Wigs
- Cost of wigs will vary……..
- From the type of fibers purchased ( synthetic, blends or human hair)
- Quality of the fiber
- Construction of a wig ( from machine made, to hand-tied crown or hand-tied allover to custom)
- Services included ( such as buzz cut of clients hair, adjustments made on the wig and styling)
- Are you purchasing a wig from a trained Hair Solution Center, or from an open area department store or off the internet.
- Cost could range from $250.00 up to $1,500.00 and more.
Please note that wigs sales are final due to health reasons and cannot be returned. Please make sure you have chosen a wig that you will be comfortable and proud to wear during the duration of your hairloss.
Styling your Wig
- Styling a wig should be like styling your own hair
- Need to be careful not to use high heat or alcohol base products
- Majority of wigs needs fine tuning after purchase.
- It is essential to have your wig styled by a professional wig technician or a stylist with extensive training in the wig industry.
- Taking the extra time and effort styling your wig will fool people in thinking that it is your own natural hair.
- Don’t be afraid to be creative
Financial Assistance
- Loss of hair is considered by most company’s insurance policies a reimbursable expense ( like the loss of a limb requiring prosthesis as necessary part of the rehabilitation process.
- Check with your private medical insurance company to see if they would pay for a hair prosthesis devise. I f they do, find out how much they cover, this will give you can choose a wig that would be within your budget and the insurance.
- Obtain a prescription from you oncologist stating that you require a cranial hair prosthesis due to hair loss from Chemotherapy or Radiation.
- Bring the prescription with you when you visit the Hair Solution Center for your wig.
- The center will make a copy of the prescription and except you from the PST for the prosthesis
When you have completed your Treatment
One of the questions we get all the time is —— when will my hair grow back in?
- Depending on the type or duration of your cancer treatment, new hair will eventually start to appear.
- The growth rate of new hair is about a half an inch a month
- You may have a slightly different colour and textures
- Wait approx. 4 to 5 months before you can re-colour your hair or when you have approx. 1 ½ inch of hair
- Only colour your hair with no highlights. That is depositing colour.
- For perms or relaxers, you will need to wait for a year or so
- Remember your new hair is very delicate and you may still be on some form of medication that can alter the results of any chemical treatment.
- Your new hair may be different from hair that was lost due to the absence or alteration of pigments, that your hair may grow back a different colour and texture. Eventually, as the pigment cells return to normal, your hair should return to its original colour and texture.
Some women worry about the right time to take off their wig and wraps and go out wearing their new short hairstyle. Do what feels right to you. Sometimes, the advice of family and friends can be helpful but in the end you will know when the time is right
As an extension of yourself your wig should be a perfect blend of fashion, attitude, lifestyle, versatility and convenience. Like anything new, a wig takes getting used to. Give your wig a fair trial, and it will become as familiar as any other item in your wardrobe. Wear it with pride and elegance.