Will I Lose my Hair to Cancer Treatment?
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you may be concerned about hair loss during cancer treatment. Unfortunately, hair loss is a common side-effect of treatments like chemotherapy. For many people undergoing cancer treatments, wearing a wig is a practical and empowering solution to hair loss.
Hair Loss and Chemotherapy
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation attack fast-growing cancer cells. However, these treatments can also attack other fast-growing cells, like hair cells. This means that many people undergoing treatment for cancer will experience hair loss.
Typically, people begin to see hair thinning and hair shedding between 1 to 4 weeks after their first chemotherapy treatment. Hair may fall out during washing or brushing or you might notice hair on your pillow in the morning.
Some people will experience hair shedding, while others may only experience hair thinning where the hair looks and feels thinner in texture. Whether a person has hair shedding or thinning and how much hair they lose varies from person to person and also depends on the type of treatment and the dosage received.
When starting cancer treatments, most people cut their hair short, shave their heads, or buy a wig. This gives people a feeling of control over their hair loss. Fortunately, the hair will grow back. After treatment has finished, hair growth should return in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Wigs and Hair Loss
Many people cope with hair loss during cancer treatment by wearing a wig. It can provide a sense of normalcy and consistency, and it can also offer some privacy by preventing people from asking questions about your hair loss and cancer diagnosis.
Hair is closely tied to identity and personality. Hair loss can change the way you see yourself, so It is understandable to feel anxious, angry, sad, or vulnerable when experiencing hair loss. Wearing a wig can help you feel more like yourself and boost your confidence and self-esteem.
These days, wigs are incredibly natural looking. Most people won’t even know you’re wearing a wig unless you tell them.
Since hair loss is temporary, a synthetic wig is a more affordable option. However, human hair wigs, especially those with full lace, provide the most styling versatility and look and behave just like your natural hair.
Choosing to wear a wig gives you a lot of control over your look. You can choose a hair color, length, and style similar to your normal look, or you can choose to try something completely different. You also have the option to choose more than one wig so you can change up your hairstyle when you want.
Professional Wig Services in Philadelphia
Rosalind Stella’s Wig Boutique specializes in caring. We understand what it is like to experience hair loss. Some of our staff are even cancer survivors themselves. Our skilled stylists will help you select a wig, fit the wig, and teach you how to style and care for your wig. It’s our goal to make sure you leave feeling like a new person full of confidence.