getting a wig

poetrywife
poetrywife Member Posts: 6
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all. I will be starting my chemotherapy in a couple of weeks and I will be losing my hair. People have suggested that I look into getting a wig made. Does anyone have any information about places that make wigs?

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    Wigs...
    Get your wig BEFORE you lose your hair...I did, so they could see what my real hair looked like...I followed the advice of my hairdresser of 22 years...he said synthetic is the way to go..and he was right! A human hair wig has to be fixed just like your hair...and you may not feel up to "fixing" it every time you wear it...also he said to not get one that's all the same color...mine is dark brown, like my hair, but with some various shades of brown...mine also has a "scalp" sewn into the front...makes it look so very realistic....I paid $300.00 for it 3 years ago...and I'm back on chemo again, so "she's" back in service....Have your oncologist write a prescription for it and your insurance company may reimburse you...mine did....Check your phone book for wig places, better yet google it...

    Wishing you the very best and I pray chemo isn't to hard on you...please keep us updated, we care!
    Hugs, Nancy
  • Tutti
    Tutti Member Posts: 7
    #3
    Wig Shopping
    Hi,
    We seem to be on the same schedule. My chemo starts on July 30th and I am also wig shopping. I think I have read and looked at every wig site on the web. I have to agree with the synthetic vs human hair. My hairdresser also recommends this. I have read that Monofiliment (the way they put the hair into the cap) makes the wig look more like real hair.
    Wednesday is probably going to be my "fact finding" mission at a local wig store and then it's back to my hairdresser to make the final decission.
    I will post more as soon as I find what I am looking for.

    Hope this helps.......I wish you a good journey.

    Tutti
  • jbmccon24
    jbmccon24 Member Posts: 4
    #4
    MAJW said:

    Wigs...
    Get your wig BEFORE you lose your hair...I did, so they could see what my real hair looked like...I followed the advice of my hairdresser of 22 years...he said synthetic is the way to go..and he was right! A human hair wig has to be fixed just like your hair...and you may not feel up to "fixing" it every time you wear it...also he said to not get one that's all the same color...mine is dark brown, like my hair, but with some various shades of brown...mine also has a "scalp" sewn into the front...makes it look so very realistic....I paid $300.00 for it 3 years ago...and I'm back on chemo again, so "she's" back in service....Have your oncologist write a prescription for it and your insurance company may reimburse you...mine did....Check your phone book for wig places, better yet google it...

    Wishing you the very best and I pray chemo isn't to hard on you...please keep us updated, we care!
    Hugs, Nancy

    Wig shopping
    Definitely get your wig before you lose your hair.

    I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago and can recommend a wonderful shop. I have real human hair wig, and I have even had some long time chemo nurses that looked at me real funny and asked me why I hadn't lost my hair yet...I thought that said it all.

    I spent $1800 on the wig, I can wash it style it. It has the special mesh cap netting that makes your scalp look real. After they came up with the right hair color and length and ordered it, they cut and styled it to look like my hair. Because it's human hair it does need to be styled...when it's windy or rainy it's flat and I have bad hair days. I don't think you should order from the internet. My cap had to be cut and resewn to fit my head correctly, I really think you should take the time and see someone and make sure the hair is fitting right. Remember you are going to be wearing this for a while, and you want to be comfortable in it.

    I did not opt for the cheaper synthetic wigs because I do a lot of cooking and grilling and the wigs will melt in the heat. I could see myself doing that, and then having to get another wig.

    I also have two other "hat" wigs. These are cheap ($150) and have hair attached to a band that you wear around your head. Then you put your hat over the top. I walk every day and wear these with a Nike BB cap it's light and my head is not hot and sweaty...my kids actually think I look like the soccer mom when I wear it with my sunglasses.

    Good luck with whatever you do and if you need the name of the shop let me know!
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #5
    Ordered wigs
    www.paulayoung.com
    I ordered 2 wigs and they were perfect for me! My "real" hair was highlighted so I ordered what I thought looked close and I was totally amazed how well it matched! Very affordable!
    Fit great, had the scalp look. I loved them when I wore them. I did find however that I prefer my tee shirt turbans and head scarves over wearing wigs at all. I wear nothing at home. I was advised before I bought wigs by a bc sister that alot of people spend hundreds on wigs to never really wear them.. I would have been one of them! Just not a wig girl.
    Good luck
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #6
    I wear hats and scarves when
    I wear hats and scarves when out in public, and bald at home. If you ring my doorbell, you get to see my bald head.

    I have two wigs, I wore each of them one time. I found them uncomfortable, itchy, and hot.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #7
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    I wear hats and scarves when
    I wear hats and scarves when out in public, and bald at home. If you ring my doorbell, you get to see my bald head.

    I have two wigs, I wore each of them one time. I found them uncomfortable, itchy, and hot.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    I now have 5 wigs
    all synthetic. I have 2 of the same 2 styles and one that's different. It's been almost 2 years since I finished chemo and I will always need to wear a wig unless something miriculous happens. I still don't want to put out the $$ for a human hair wig and didn't even have a wig when I was on chemo. I have nothing but compliments now on my "hair" as well as inquiries about where I get my hair done. I can change styles as I change my mind. I first purchased a wig at a local wig shop. I've become more comfortable with online ordering (and returning), pretty much know what styles and colors work for me. I do think it's important to try on a wig if you've never worn one. Besides, it's always helpful if they need a little trim here and there.

    I'm visiting my daughter in Las Vegas right now and, like Linda, I'm running around with no wig right now. When it's 108 anything on your head is hot. Most of the time, I don't know I'm wearing any of my wigs.

    Good luck on your wig trek - I do suggest going to a wig shop. Synthetic wigs are very inexpensive and look great. They don't last forever, tho, but this is supposed to be a temporary situation.

    Suzanne
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #8
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    I wear hats and scarves when
    I wear hats and scarves when out in public, and bald at home. If you ring my doorbell, you get to see my bald head.

    I have two wigs, I wore each of them one time. I found them uncomfortable, itchy, and hot.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Oops double post
    My first double post. Maybe I'm lucky! I'm in Las Vegas. Are the casinos calling me?
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #9
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    I wear hats and scarves when
    I wear hats and scarves when out in public, and bald at home. If you ring my doorbell, you get to see my bald head.

    I have two wigs, I wore each of them one time. I found them uncomfortable, itchy, and hot.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    The TLC store, I think is
    The TLC store, I think is what it is called, on this site, the American Cancer Society, once again I think, has wigs too. I don't know about the pricing or anything. I would think your hair stylist would be the best place to start though since she knows your hair style and everything.


    Good luck!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #10
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    I wear hats and scarves when
    I wear hats and scarves when out in public, and bald at home. If you ring my doorbell, you get to see my bald head.

    I have two wigs, I wore each of them one time. I found them uncomfortable, itchy, and hot.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    The TLC store, I think is
    The TLC store, I think is what it is called, on this site, the American Cancer Society, once again I think, has wigs too. I don't know about the pricing or anything. I would think your hair stylist would be the best place to start though since she knows your hair style and everything.


    Good luck!
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #11
    DianeBC said:

    The TLC store, I think is
    The TLC store, I think is what it is called, on this site, the American Cancer Society, once again I think, has wigs too. I don't know about the pricing or anything. I would think your hair stylist would be the best place to start though since she knows your hair style and everything.


    Good luck!

    I didn't get a wig before I
    I didn't get a wig before I lost my hair. I had very thick hair and I wanted to get one that would fit my bald head. I just saved some of my hair when it started coming out for color comparison.

    Human hair wigs had no appeal--didn't want to have to deal with them just like regular hair. I've been happy with my 2 synthetics and have had a number of people ask who cuts my hair, etc. I bought one at a local store for a little over $100 and one online for about $45 (paulayoung.com) The one I got online has split ear tabs which is great with glasses--sun or regular.

    Angie

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