One the most challenging, scary, and sad realities of Breast Cancer is when a woman loses her hair following chemotherapy treatment. It’s the moment when she’ll feel like she’s loosing her femininity and must face this terrifying time publicly without having the armor of her much-trusted tresses.
Hair is called a woman’s “crowning glory”, and for good reason; it symbolizes her beauty, success, vitality, and sometimes her perceived social status.. Losing it can have a dramatically emotional impact on her self-esteem.
Many women feel that when they lose their hair, they’ve lost a large part of who they are.
We reached out to the wonderfully charming wig expert Maureen Mullen from the 50-year-old wig store, Wig-A-Do, located in New Jersey.
Mullen says she’s been working at the store almost as long as its opening in 1963, and she assures us that wigs have gotten significantly more real looking, lighter weight, and much more stylish since then–particularly synthetic wigs. Most insurance companies pay up to $500 for wig, others pay less, and some pay nothing at all–Medicare pays nothing.
Mullen also says she’s been saddened by the increase in the numbers of women coming into the store who’re suffering with breast cancer. “When I started it was almost always women in their 70′s. Today, the horrible disease spares no one. Women of all ages come in needing our help and I’m so glad I can help them smile just a little before they leave.”
According to Mullen, most women choose to go with wigs when they lose their hair mainly because it’s important to them to look “normal.” “They don’t want to scare their kids or have people they don’t know that well asking them lots of inappropriate questions.”
1. Get Your Wig BEFORE You Lose Your Hair
Mullen says this is very important because the tech can help you better choose the style that looks like your natural hair. And it can be a lot faster than if you come in without hair. You could also send in a photo, so the tech can pull a few wigs before you come in.
2. Synthetic Wigs Versus Human Hair
First off, human breathes better and is lighter, it MAY look a bit more natural, and it can be styled as you would your own hair. Synthetic wigs however, are totally wash and wear. Simply shampoo the wig with cold water and allow it to dry naturally over night–it’s a lot less work.
We also spoke with wig industry expert Linda Whitehurst. She’s the official Project Manager for the national program, Look Good, Feel Better foundation, a program dedicated to helping women with hair (wig, turban, and hat tutorials), skin care help during treatment, and scarf and style tips.
3. Buying Online Versus in a Wig Store
“Buying online should be a last resort. If you can find an expert to help fit the wig, it’s a much more natural look. It may appear to be cheaper, but it’s the difference between a polyester dress from Walmart and a polyester dress from Neiman Marcus. Also, a wig should include cutting and styling in the price. You shouldn’t have to expect any surprises out of the box,” Whitehurst says.
4. Wig Trends
French lace wigs are much-coveted because the lace netting around the face allows you to wear the wig off the face. It’s not a bangs or nothing situation. Also, Monofilament wigs allow a more natural look by parting and appearing to show a bit of scalp.
5. What About Wig Caps
Never nylon! Only wear cotton. (IF you really need a wig cap at all, which Whitehurst doesn’t think women really need.) Cotton is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
6. The Wig Line to Look for
Jon Renau–A California line that offers wigs for as little as $200, with some going up to $500.00.
As difficult as it is for many of us to imagine loosing our hair, or even having a “bad hair day.” For the women going through chemotherapy treatment it’s just one more indignity they have to suffer all while additionally fighting for their lives. Something for every woman to remember when our biggest complain is frizz, gray, or a bad cut.
Post a Comment