Coping With Chemo: Handling Hair Loss

By:
Sharan Harper

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.

Synthetic wigs are preferred by some women because they cost less, require less maintenance, dry more quickly and maintain their set, though some are molded and cannot be restyled. Exposure to hot combs and curling irons can literally fry synthetic wigs, and mere exposure to heat can cause synthetic hair to frizz. Also, although the texture can range from course to silky, synthetic hair rarely feels natural. Rachel from CancerWigBoutique.com says the 50/50 wig is "for someone who doesn't want to spend a lot of money but wants a wig that has a natural flow and feels a little softer than synthetic hair."

The construction of a wig is as important to its appearance as the type of hair you choose, and there are three categories ‑- machine made, handmade and custom made. Machine-made wigs are more commonly available and are the least expensive. Tufts of hair are sewn together in rows, and those rows are then sewn into a cap. They generally look realistic as long as they are not pulled back into a ponytail, parted or altered from their original style. These wigs also have vents that allow air to circulate freely.

Handmade wigs have a more natural fall and flow. Strands of hair are knotted onto a skullcap rather than sewn in. These wigs can be parted or have the style changed. Custom-made wigs, which can cost several thousand dollars, are nearly indistinguishable from natural hair, and can take months to construct. If this is your choice, consult experts at the American Cancer Society to make sure that you choose a reputable maker. Here are some other tips:

• Purchase your wig while you still have hair, so that you can match the color and texture. You could also cut a lock of hair before treatments begin to have on hand if you need it.
• When you go wig shopping, take a friend, not only for moral support but to help you make the most flattering selection.
• A business that caters to cancer patients will be sensitive to your particular needs. Experts at CancerWigBoutique.com say the main issue for chemotherapy patients is a comfortable fit. Because they specialize in wigs for cancer patients, they can take a wig, fit it perfectly to the customer's head and return it with a soft silk bathing-cap lining within three business days.
• When you buy your wig, be sure to find out what other supplies are needed to maintain it, and purchase them at the same time. Also, find out if it's possible to bring the wig back for styling help.
• Give your head a rest sometimes. Scarves and other head wraps are attractive and comfortable. Babushkahs, available at HeadScarves.com, are ultrasoft and fashionable head scarves you can wear outside. You can also find hairpieces that attach to hats and wraps with Velcro. They give the impression of a full head of hair.
• There are organizations that lend and donate wigs to cancer patients who cannot afford them. Consult with the social worker or counselor at your health care facility.

For more information about hair loss from cancer treatments and services available, contact the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at 800-4-CANCER.