Any tips for buying wigs/chemo caps?

I like the headband
scarves called "Melanie" and "Juliette" available from www.headcovers.com. I bought a wig before chemo from a local wig store which I also found at headcovers (for 1/2 the price I found out after!) but of course, I needed to try it on and my insurance paid. I only wear my wig out to dinner or temple services. At work I wear scarves. I found that the headband scarves looked the best on me--the caps made me feel like my head was a bowling ball. I also bought a gel band which makes the wig a bit more comfortable. I found that the same place had great gel eyeliner which really stays on (my eyes watered a lot so my usual bare essentials makeup wasn't staying on at all).
I'm looking forward to the time I can donate my head coverings and have hair again. It fell out 17 days after my first chemo (9/24) and I've just had my last...so I am anxiously awaiting new growth. By the way, I lost hair all over, not just on my head. Losing nose hair meant that my nose was running a lot (along with my eyes), but I've enjoyed not having mustache and chin hair (I'm 58).
Good luck to you in your search.
Hugs,
JoAnn

Boppy_of_6 said:

Hello
I too always got headaches from wearing caps or scarves.I had a wig I got from TLC.com and one from ACS I had the scalp covers and my wigs were synthetic. I honestly found what I liked best for everyday wear were bandanas from WalMart for $1 each! They were cooler and more comfy to me. Nearly all my bald time was summer and it was to hot for the wigs except on special occasions. I did get to where I could wear caps without a headache too. God Bless
(((Hugs)))

Hi PinkPearl
Well, I have to say--I absolutely hated wearing the wigs. I got 2 (one I bought locally here in Scottsdale, the other was given to me at a chemo session by a rep from the Amer. Cancer Soc.) They felt like a helmet to me or that I was wearing a Halloween costume, so I really only wore then about 4 times total. I felt way more comfortable in headscarves. They are so pretty and so varied as to colors, materials, styles. Most of mine came from www.headcovers.com. They ranged in prices and many times had cute ones on sale. I also bought a couple of sleep caps (sort of a soft terry cap) for sleeping--my bald head got cold at night. They also came from www.headcovers.com.

Good luck in your search.

Hugs, Renee

MyTurnNow said:

Hi, PinkPearl. I did not
Hi, PinkPearl. I did not even bother buying a wig because I just couldn't get past how uncomfortable they were to me and I was just trying them on. I did buy headwraps from www.4women.com and I believe it was the TLC website. I also wore ballcaps and usually just went topless while I was at home. I'm glad that you are getting ready for this stage and please know that it is only temporary. Good luck!!

Scarves and hats
Hey, PinkPearl, I'm 63 and I think I looked fabulous in my scarves (maybe I didn't, but ignorance is bliss). My favorite were Beaubeaus (www.4women.com) and Titillating Turbans (www.titillatingturbans.com). Didn't have to fuss with either of these, they're both easy to wear and beautiful. Just plunk one on and go. I always have compliments when I wear them. Hats - got most of mine from www.headcovers.com. Wonderful selection and somehow with a hat or beanie, I feel like people didn't really know I was bald underneath. Again, maybe I'm only fooling myself, but this winter I'm wearing beanies (it's cold!) and so is everyone else I see out and about and I think I look just like them. I treated my headware as fashion accessories. I did not buy a wig.

Suzanne

Rague said:

I was 63 during Chemo
I had 2 wigs - both frosted - a long gypsy shag and a pixie. Here in winter the wind blows a lot and the shag was a cheaper one so when the wind blew it was obvious that it was a wig. The pixie (from Paula Young) didn't blow much being short but when it did it didn't look like a wig.

My suggestion is for a better synthetic wig. (Remember not to stick head close to heat while wearing.) Human hair have to cared for more and are harder especially if you have no experience with them. I had many wigs back in the 70's and was a hairdresser but going through Chemo there was no way I wanted the extra work that a human hair will take. Personally I don't like wig liners - never have.

I had a lot of scarfs - they are so easy to make. somehow the ones I bought just didn't suit me so I'd get a yard of neat looking material and make them. When going to be out for some time in bad weather I usually either wore a watch cap/stocking cap or a fleece Mamba Sok (again ones I made). At night I slept in a stocking cap.

Have you been to one of the Look Good Feel Better classes? Definately worth going to. If you can go before eye brows leave, learning the points to use to make natural lookiing brows is easier. There are certain points that are very similar with all but slight differences due to different bone structure.

Susan

Websites!
Here are some websites that you might like to take a look at.

Sue

Heavenlyhats.org

Cancer.org

Headcovers.com

Hatsofftochemo.com



FranceLuxe.com Beautiful silk head wraps but expensive. If you are a woman or girl experiencing a loss or thinning of hair as a result of illness or treatment, they will send you a scarf in the pattern and color of your choosing. Free. Click on the "Good Wishes" logo in the upper right hand corner of the page for more information.

OrgSites.com Wiggs for Love is a organization in memory of Mary (Spagnoli) Cron who lost her battle with breast cancer. Her family and friends have formed Wigs for Love, enabling breast cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemo or radiation to receive a wig at no charge to them.

TheRainbowShop.com If you're looking for a headwrap with a tie dye look, this is good option. 100% cotton and several style options.

al-muminat.com Square cotton scarves. Small selection but good prices.

StarScarves.com 42"x42" square. Small selection good prices.

RadWrapz.com Solid color head wraps. only a hand full to choose from but cheap. Buy two, get one free.

CowboyWildRags.com Generous size, square, silk scarves. Like most silk fabric, they are moderately expensive.

Anokhiusa.com 100% cotton scarves and comes in several sizes. Decent prices for the 30"x30".

Everyone that got a scarf thru FranceLuxe.com absolutely loved them. They were beautiful and free.

TLC Direct
My wife had bought a bunch of different things. She ended up wearing two sleep caps from TLC Direct (this is the American Cancer Society's site). One was called the "Floral Embroidered Sleep Cap" and the other was a Terry Turban. Both were loose fitting. The terry turban was worn around the house most of the time.

Bob

joannstar said:

I like the headband
scarves called "Melanie" and "Juliette" available from www.headcovers.com. I bought a wig before chemo from a local wig store which I also found at headcovers (for 1/2 the price I found out after!) but of course, I needed to try it on and my insurance paid. I only wear my wig out to dinner or temple services. At work I wear scarves. I found that the headband scarves looked the best on me--the caps made me feel like my head was a bowling ball. I also bought a gel band which makes the wig a bit more comfortable. I found that the same place had great gel eyeliner which really stays on (my eyes watered a lot so my usual bare essentials makeup wasn't staying on at all).
I'm looking forward to the time I can donate my head coverings and have hair again. It fell out 17 days after my first chemo (9/24) and I've just had my last...so I am anxiously awaiting new growth. By the way, I lost hair all over, not just on my head. Losing nose hair meant that my nose was running a lot (along with my eyes), but I've enjoyed not having mustache and chin hair (I'm 58).
Good luck to you in your search.
Hugs,
JoAnn

TLC.com is part of the
TLC.com is part of the American Cancer Society. Looks like Ritzy and the others posted a lot of sites for you to take a look at.


Good luck and enjoy your rides in your husband's convertible.

Ritzy said:

Websites!
Here are some websites that you might like to take a look at.

Sue

Heavenlyhats.org

Cancer.org

Headcovers.com

Hatsofftochemo.com



FranceLuxe.com Beautiful silk head wraps but expensive. If you are a woman or girl experiencing a loss or thinning of hair as a result of illness or treatment, they will send you a scarf in the pattern and color of your choosing. Free. Click on the "Good Wishes" logo in the upper right hand corner of the page for more information.

OrgSites.com Wiggs for Love is a organization in memory of Mary (Spagnoli) Cron who lost her battle with breast cancer. Her family and friends have formed Wigs for Love, enabling breast cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemo or radiation to receive a wig at no charge to them.

TheRainbowShop.com If you're looking for a headwrap with a tie dye look, this is good option. 100% cotton and several style options.

al-muminat.com Square cotton scarves. Small selection but good prices.

StarScarves.com 42"x42" square. Small selection good prices.

RadWrapz.com Solid color head wraps. only a hand full to choose from but cheap. Buy two, get one free.

CowboyWildRags.com Generous size, square, silk scarves. Like most silk fabric, they are moderately expensive.

Anokhiusa.com 100% cotton scarves and comes in several sizes. Decent prices for the 30"x30".

Everyone that got a scarf thru FranceLuxe.com absolutely loved them. They were beautiful and free.

Hair scarves
www.jemimajackman.com has some very fashionable options for hair scarves and headbands.

Christina2000 said:

Hair scarves
Hair scarves are my favourites, very comfortable.

Christina

I'm wearing my hats and scarves from TLC
Hi, I'm going through chemo right now and like you I got everything prepared in advance. I like my hats and scarves from TLC. I also have a few from headcovers.com. I do have several wigs, but honestly I like the hats and scarves better so I just wear them. I have a sleeping cap from TLC, but mostly I just wear my terry cloth turban to sleep in. Also, be sure to use the johnson's baby shampoo on your head daily. My hairdresser said to use it even after all of your hair has fallen out. I also use conditioner and can tell on the days that I skip it because my head itches terribly. Good luck with chemo

RozHopkins said:

wigs/hats
I am bare headed during day. www.headcovers.com were very good for sleep caps and hats. Also got caps for the gym which are super comfy for during day in the home if cold. However, all my female friends prefer me in a www.dormadesign.com hats which come in suede or linen and I matched them all up with lovely narrow scarves. All the scarves can be used later, the hats I will prob donate as I see so many ladies wearing very basic hats out and about when you can have a nice look for very little expense. Surprised also that I bought two hats that covered the head well from T G Max for around eleven dollars each. Hope this has helped.

Last Jan when I was
Last Jan when I was diagnosed I was 43 with a 12yr daughter and an 8.5 son.

Insurance referred me to a wig shop. The staff was amazing and so were the customers- both cancer patients and ladies who just like to wear wigs.

Trying on wigs with hair is kinda weird, too tight. The gals assured me it would fit better once my hair was gone. They were right. Mine only came in one size and had tightening straps inside. I just cut them off because they made a dent in my head. I got a synthetic and am happy with it.

My hair started coming out on the 10th day after first chemo (I had chemo infused every 3wks). My part started to become more noticable and each day more and more came out and it just started getting thin. When I ran my fingers through my hair my fingers were covered in hair. I could take a clump at the root and pull it out easily but mostly it came out as if it was just thinning out.

It was spring so I wore caps because I thought it would be a good transition for people to see me wearing hats and such with my hair pulled back. It also allowed my real hair to be forgotten. So when I started wearing my wig everyone thought I had got my hair done. You won't believe how many friends came up to me and asked where I got it done.

Within two more weeks there were hairs all over my car. When I took off my hat it was all inside. I looked in the mirror one morning and no longer saw me. I saw something from a zombie movie. I did not want my kids to have any memory of their mom looking like that. So I put on my wig and my daughter and I went to the shop. The lovely gal shaved all but about 1/4inch. Said it was better that way. About half of that fell out and I had just a bit of fuzz left.

I did get the felt type sleep caps. I got a really pretty colored scarf that has elastic in the back so the tie stays in place. I ended up getting fake bangs to wear with the scarf and actually use it with a snow beenie. When summer came it was too hot for the wig so the scarf was nicer. I only put scarf or wig on if my kid's friends came over or I had to go somewhere.

My last treatment was 7/12/10. I noticed stubble mid Sept. It seems like it took forever to get to 1" but it is now about 2" of med dark brown. My normal color is dirty blonde so this is weird.

I took Feb-Nov off from work last year. I am running into people at work who have not seen me in a year and they all tell me I look great, love the new hairstyle. EVERYONE thinks this is my new hair all grown back.

Anyhoo, you are so funny to say that scarves and hats look cuter on younger gals because I think they look better on "older" gals.

Oh, just remembered. I lost almost all my lashes but never noticed since mine were thin to begin with. I think they are halfway grown back. My eyebrows got about 50% thinner and have pretty much stayed that way. I use a little brow color to make them stand out a bit.

Sorry this is so long.