Hair loss can be 1 of the most devastating side effects of cancer treatment. Certain forms of chemotherapy target speedy-expanding cancer cells. Given that hair cells are the fastest increasing cells in the physique, the chemotherapy drugs kill the hair cells as properly, causing hair loss.
Wigs are the most well known option for covering hair loss. Numerous females, on the other hand, dread the thought of choosing a wig – picturing obtaining to put on the hot, itchy, unnatural appearing wigs of yesteryear. The good news is, there wig-producing technology has come a long way in current years – resulting in lighter, a lot more comfortable wigs that look completely all-natural. Most chemotherapy individuals choose to wear a wig that matches their own hair style and colour. Of course, there is practically nothing wrong with experimenting with a new style or colour if you need.
Exactly where to Get a Wig
It is much easier to shop for your wig before you lose your hair. Wigs are accessible from numerous different areas. A store or salon that makes it possible for you to touch, really feel, and attempt the wigs ahead of you acquire is usually your very best option. If you do not have a neighborhood wig boutique, you may possibly look in catalogs or online. If you can not afford a wig, many hospitals and the American Cancer Society often offer you totally free boutiques exactly where you can discover donated wigs.
Just before visiting a wig boutique, you could possibly want to call ahead of time and get some data – how quite a few wigs do they have in stock, are you permitted to try on the wigs, do they function with your insurance firm, do they reduce and style the wigs for you, so you need to have an appointment, and so on.
Human Hair or Synthetic
It is generally best to educate yourself on the kinds of wigs readily available. Wigs can be made with human hair or synthetic fibers. Human hair wigs have the benefit of versatility – they can be colored, permed, curled with a curling iron or straightened with a flat iron. They also offer a soft, extra natural movement and texture. Obtaining human hair can be confusing. It is offered in a wide selection of qualities and value ranges. Like lots of other issues in life, with wigs – you typically get what you spend for. Chinese hair is thick, straight and somewhat coarse. Indian hair is the most common sort of hair, softer and wavy. European Hair has the finest, softest texture. Decuticled hair has had the cuticle removed, to avoid tangling. Remy hair nonetheless has the cuticle in spot, but has been cautiously collected so that the hair all runs the exact same direction. It is stronger than decuticled hair. Human hair is generally sold by the inch, so longer wigs will be considerably more expensive. A thing else to retain in thoughts is that human hair will call for some ability to style. Just like our personal hair, it requires to be styled and set regularly to look its very best.
Synthetic hair is by far the most common option amongst chemotherapy sufferers. Significantly less high priced and significantly less upkeep then human hair, synthetic wigs give a great option. The style is “baked in”, so it stays in spot, even when you wash it. Synthetic can be washed, brushed and combed, but can’t be curled or flattened with heated tools or chemical substances. Just like human hair, synthetic hair is offered in unique qualities. Cheaper synthetic fibers are thick and plastic like – with an unnatural shine. Far better high quality synthetics vary in denier (or thickness), so they appear and really feel just like the real thing.
Cap Building
Just as essential as the form of hair is the sort of cap. Full Lace Human Hair Wigs are machine created. Open-wefted caps enable much more airflow to the scalp. A monofilament wig attributes individual hairs hand-sewn into a fine mesh base. This creates the appearance of hairs growing directly from the scalp – for a remarkably all-natural appear. Hair can be parted and lay smoother – rather of a thicker, teased appear linked with traditional wig. The greatest wigs are 100% hand-tied. The soft mesh base is smoother and additional comfortable than wefted wigs – eliminating scratchiness and irritation. Hand-tied wigs are considerably significantly less dense – so they are lighter weight and extra all-natural.
The Ideal Size
One more essential consideration is the size. It is finest to have your head professionally measured. Wigs can be custom ordered to your precise measurement – but this is not generally the best selection for chemotherapy patients, as custom created wigs are more high priced and take six-8 weeks to generate. Pre-made wigs are nearly all made in an “Typical Size”, and will usually match folks measuring involving “Petite Typical” to “Average Significant”. If your head size is Petite or Huge, you may well have additional difficulties locating a wig. Unfortunately, there are only a restricted number of wigs created in these sizes. A professional wig fitter can make alterations to a wig to make it match.