How to choose the best wig after chemo

 

At LolaSilk we realise that your first wig wig purchase after chemotherapy may be difficult. Some women have a really hard time with hair loss, likening it to losing a breast. Others go bald proudly and switch between hats, scarfs and bandanas to find a look they are comfortable with for the day. Wigs have always been a favourite option during this time and are available in a wide variety of styles, colours and materials to fit your pocket and your unique requirements.

People experience chemo differently and so too the hair loss that may happen during treatment. In general hair starts to fall out within the first three months after starting chemotherapy. It becomes noticeable one to two months later. The scalp too can become sensitive to combing, brushing and washing.

Most people start seeing regrowth of their hair around three months after completing treatment. Many stop wearing a wig a year after finishing chemo, but some will stay with their wig wearing up to five years and even longer after the final treatment.

 

This article is about how to choose the best wig when you have to undergo chemotherapy.

 

Prepare for the hair loss before it starts

 

Once you have decided to get a wig to help you cope with the hair loss, start exploring styles and colours you will feel comfortable with. Get your head around the look you want. Find a photo of yourself with a style that you enjoyed wearing. Save a lock of your hair to match the wig colour to the colour you had before treatment. You may want to go completely the opposite than before or even experiment with blues and multicoloured options and that too will be good to plan.

If you have longer hair you may want to wait until your hair starts thinning and then gradually go shorter. Once the hair starts falling out think about shaving your head. Use a men’s clipper set at zero (the guard taken off) for a very close shave.

 

Consider the best wig type

 

Finding the right wig can be overwhelming. If you have severe hair loss, you will want to a full wig that covers your entire headline. Partial wigs may be your best option when you experience hair thinning and need to cover parts of your head with a product that blend in with your natural hair colour. Hair toppers -– also known as a top piece or wiglet — are good for people who only have hair loss or thinning in one area of the head.

 

Synthetic or human hair wigs

 

Synthetic hair wigsare better options for short term wear and also easier on the budget. The wigs hold their style easier and longer and are often the lighter option and less prone to fizz on a hot day. They are easy to look after and have less need for styling. LolaSilk synthetic hair can last more than a year with proper care, especially if they are straight hair.

Human hair wigs feel and act like more like natural hair. You can colour, cut and style the wig like you did your own hair. They are more durable than synthetic wigs and can last more than two years with proper care. They are also generally more expensive and need more maintenance.

 

Cap construction

 

The wig cap forms the barrier between the scalp and the wig and ensures the wig stays in place. Only full wigs use wig caps. Lace front wigs have hair fibres that are sewn into the lace to emulate a natural looking hairline.

 

Style and colour

 

Find a picture of you on a good hair day, together with the lock of hair you kept before you did the shave, to show the salon or wig expert what you have in mind for style and colour. Or, you could be daring and go from a naturally black or brown crown to a shockingly blonde style. Whatever your choice, remember your hair will grow back and while it may have a different texture, thickness or colour for a short while, eventually your hair is likely to go back as it was before the chemo.