After coming to terms with a diagnosis of cancer, the next challenge for many women is coping with the hair loss that can come as a result of the treatment. Before you begin worrying, however, talk with your doctor about the specifics of your treatment plan ‑- there are therapies that do not result in hair loss. Still, it's good to be prepared. According to the National Cancer Institute, hair loss from chemotherapy is common and can occur on all parts of the body, including face, arms and legs, underarms and pubic area, as well as the head. The hair usually grows back after the treatments are over, though some women report that it grew back in a different color or texture.

Slowing Hair Loss Hair loss from chemo treatments won't always begin immediately, and may start a few weeks after the first treatment, or even later. Using a mild shampoo and a very soft brush and avoiding high temperatures when drying your hair can offer relief and stem some of the loss. If you have long hair, cutting it may help because heavier locks fall out faster. An added benefit of a shorter cut is that the hair loss is less noticeable.

Finding a Wig Until your hair grows back, finding the right wig will be just the ticket for enhancing your appearance and elevating your spirits. Wigs are made of human hair, synthetic hair or a combination of both known as a 50/50 wig. Wigs made of one hundred percent human hair are the most durable, but they're expensive, averaging around $1,000. They feel natural and can be washed, cut, styled and colored just like your own hair, but the care and maintenance of a human-hair wig is far more time consuming than that of a synthetic one.