Wig advice - Is anyone else considering getting a wig???

Hi, 

Hope you are doing ok, I can’t offer any advice but am interested in the answers. I’m a couple of cycles in and have lost what feels like about 50% of my hair, my husband says it’s not noticeable it feels much thinner to me and I have been wearing a hat in he sun. I have a wig appointment on Monday, I have been cold capping but again not sure if I should continue. The first time with thicker hair was ok, second time ok, felt a little harder to do but I am dreading the next one as a lot of hair has been lost since. But then that might save the remaining.  I know it’s thinner but don’t think you can tell if you didn’t see it before. 

TBH I am tempted to shave to take control but will hold out a little longer. 

We will rock this either way xxx

I got a wig, never used it in the end, but this is a personal choice. What I did get were some really thin soft caps from eBay, and I wear them mostly because I am cold. The wig I have is beautiful, got it on the NHS, but there just hasn't been a time when I felt like wearing it. 

There are some elegant head coverings out there, if you look online you will be able to find some that do not shout, "chemo hat!" but rather, "fashioable!" and would be a good alternative.

Hi Ovia, I got quite addicted to wig buying. They are quite cheap On a site called Shein (think they are overseas, takes about 2/3 weeks to receive, but they always turn up). I have lots of wigs and don’t have the confidence to wear them half the time even though they look nice. I prefer the hats with hair, they’re great to pull on for a quick run to the shops or dog walking. I’ve been hairless for about 8 weeks now and found it so hard to get used to, but now I’m happy just to go out with a black cotton beanie hat on, they’re quite fashionable so don’t really advertise the fact that you have chemo head! I find a wee bit of make up round the eyes and some lippy helps when wearing headgear. Wigs are ok for special occasions but I find them a bit warm and scratchy after a couple of hours, even my more expensive ones . You’ll find what’s right for you. Don’t forget to take advantage of your freebie on the NHS, they provide you with a good quality one! All the best good luck xxxx

Ovia80

Hi I’m 3 yr on from diagnosis ,my bio is on profile if you want to read .

It is all personal choice with hair loss and wigs so my experience is below 

I was told that with EC I would def lose hair very quickly ,I decided not to cold cap as didn’t want the extra faf and time on unit . 

After some thought I decided to take control have a pixie cut before chemo . Everyone including me decided should have done it years ago lol 

I had NHS wig appointment just after first CHEMO lots of fun trying different lengths colours etc but went for pixie same colour as mine as people would view it as new me not necessarily wig . This was covered by NHS voucher .

Hair was stubborn and stayed for 8 weeks kept cut very short by hairdresser I also wore bamboo beanies as it thinned . Decided to grade 2 shave just before last chemo . 
wig was comfortable worn with skull cap beneath it and looked so natural that nobody noticed . TBF hardly wore it only when I felt bald head would detract from whatever event I was attending  ie funeral and family party . 
Went into first lockdown bald came out in the July needing haircut . For me it has come  back thick and strong also same colour and I get it cut every 4/5 weeks to keep it short as that is what I prefer now .

Thinning after during chemo 

Wig fitting 

approx 7 month after end of chemo 

Good luck with the rest of your treatment 

Thanks for your reply;  I hadn’t even considered the cold cap getting harder as you lose hair.  Can I ask how much extra time having the cold cap adds to chemo??? I have heard cold cap helps with re growth,  so could be beneficial to continue even if you lose all your hair.

I have been advised to cut my hair beforehand,  but I’m not sure if I’ll regret it.  It’s so hard to know what to do xx 

Hi there thanks for reply,  my BCN hasn’t mentioned the NHS wig,  she seems to be encouraging me to try cold cap,  but because I’m having EC she’s told my I’ll likely lose a lot on my hair…I’ll have a look on eBay that’s a great idea thank you.  As it’s going to summer hopefully sunhats/caps will get me through it - And a wig gif special occasions 

Hi Mazz thank for your reply,  looked on SHEIN they actually have some fab turbans too, as well as wigs - so thank you that was a great shout.   Really helpful as reasonable prices  xx 

Thanks Margaret for your reply,  that’s very helpful and much appreciated.   You look fab btw.  I’ll read your bio,  I always find it really helpful hearing from people that have been through it xxx.  

I guess I need to try different things and find what I’m most comfortable with. Xxx 

Hi, 

Not sure if it got too much harder, first time was new experience, so maybe knew what was coming second time. The hair behind one ear is now very thin, the thought of cold cap almost directly on skin is daunting, however I could ask for some gauze as a slight barrier, it would still cool that area. the cap my unit has was on 30 mins before the EC infusion, during (about 30-45 mins) then for 90 mins after. I think it varies depending on the type of meds. It is worth a go. 

I might look into a soft beanie as recommended, I have got myself a couple of baseball caps because I’m a little conscious of the sun in my head when out and about. scarves can look great in my opinion but it’s learning to be confident with a new style. Part of me is concidering the chop as I have dark highlighted (also natural glitter) and I can’t get my roots done so got that horrible root regrowth band. Maybe going short will be invigorating, maybe it’s about taking control instead of being a victim to this situation. Time will tell. 

xx

Hi,

I have had 3 cycles of EC and 7 of Paclitaxel so far - I had my mid back length hair cut into a chin length bob and tried the cold cap on my first EC session. The cold cap was fine and I wore it for the first couple of hours but then I had a reaction to the second chemo infusion and had to remove the cap.  I decided not to carry on with it next time after that as I wasn’t sure if it would work anymore anyway.  I had lost about half my hair by the third EC cycle so I clippered my hair really short as I was fed up of the hair going everywhere and then didn’t loose anymore hair for about a month.  I lost a bit more a couple of weeks ago but it seems to have stopped again for now and I would say I have a third left but it’s very patchy so I shaved it all off completely.  The third I have is still growing though so I need to do it again now really - I just didn’t think it would keep growing! 

I got an NHS wig voucher from the hospital and added a little bit extra to the value as I got a wig a similar length to my original hair.  It came with a wig care kit - a special brush, wig stand, wig shampoo and hair spray.  I have only won it half a dozen times so far as although it is comfy I find it very warm as having hot flushes! I was advised to wash it every three weeks if I was wearing it every day by just swishing it in the sink in the shampoo and water mix and then rinse and leave on the wig stand to dry - the wig stand is just 4 wires rather than a solid head so the air can circulate.  I was also told I could wipe out the inside in between with a baby wipe or damp cloth. When I do wear it I just put it on and give it a smooth with the special brush but it just stays in the wavy style all by itself so is really easy.  It did slip upwards when I was wearing it a bit initially but I got a special headband from Amazon to wear underneath hold it in place which has been great.  I tried the wig on originally when I had my bob and have worn it with short and shaved hair so I assume I can do the same when my hair grows back. My wig fitting was amazing.  They asked me to send them a photo with my usual  hair in advance and when I got there they had found an almost identical wig for me to try with the same highlights and everything.  I also tried on some different styles and colours but ended up with the one most like my usual style.

Hope this helps,

Tis x