Frequently Asked Questions
Chemotherapy FAQ
Q: Will I lose my hair during chemotherapy?
A: Hair loss is a major concern for women when undergoing chemo therapy. We know that almost all women will lose some hair or all of their hair during treatment. Different drugs have different effects on each individual. Drugs such as Cytoxan usually cause only mild thinning. On the other end we know most women taking stronger drugs such as Adrimycin and Taxol usually result in complete hair loss. It is important to speak to your doctor about any hair related side effects before you begin treatment.
Q: At what point should I purchase a wig?
A: The best time to purchase a wig is right after your doctor prescribes your treatment. You will definitely want to purchase your wig at least one or two weeks before you start chemotherapy. It is also helpful to bring photos of how your hair has looked in the past.
Q: What are the benefits of human hair wigs?
A: Human hair is probably the most popular and most expensive type of wig but it is also the most versatile. Unlike synthetic, human hair can be custom colored to match your hair to the color you had before the hair loss. With human hair your style is very flexible and can simply be changed with the same styling tools you are used to using on your own hair. With human hair you are not limited during everyday activities the way you are with synthetic.
Q: What are the benefits of synthetic hair wigs?
A: Synthetic hair is great for women that want as little maintenance as possible or a less expensive alternative. Synthetic wigs hold their style much longer than human hair and are much easier to clean. With synthetic hair one usually has many more choices when it comes to color. Although there are many more choices with synthetic, sometimes it is hard to find a very close match. Most women who choose synthetic hair wigs end up settling for a color other than what they are used to. The color on synthetic wigs cannot be changed. One of the biggest drawbacks of synthetic hair is the inability to style the wig at home and the caution that must be used when cooking or opening a dishwasher.
Q: Is human hair hard to maintain?
A: There is a myth out there that human hair wigs are too difficult to maintain their style. It is not true at all. There s a bit more maintenance involved with the human hair compared to the synthetic. Most women didn’t have problem styling their hair before losing it to chemo and the biggest difference is styling it off of your head. Inmost cases it is actually easier. If you are used blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons and rollers before, you will have no problem maintaining the style of your wig.
Q: Is a full lace fashion wig a good choice for me?
A: No, it is probably one of the biggest mistakes women make when purchasing a human hair wig. Most of the full lace wigs and some of the lace front wigs made popular by celebrities are the most realistic product available, but these wigs require strong tapes and adhesives to attach them to the scalp. Most of these tapes and adhesives can cause severe irritation to the skin while the chemotherapy is in your system. Any specialist that tells you otherwise probably doesn’t have much experience working with medical patients. It is important to buy from a salon or store with knowledge and experience with medical patients.
Q: Should I choose a different color and style when I purchase my wig?
A: The side effects of chemotherapy, especially the hair loss, are hard enough to deal with. Most women find it hard to adjust to a new color or new style in every day life. Wearing a wig is also a very difficult transition to make on its own. Combining the stress of all of the above can be extremely overwhelming, even on the best of days. The best way to go about it is to recreate the style and color of your hair before treatment begins.
Q: How long will I have to wear my wig?
A: The amount of time you will be in your wig depends on the number of treatments you receive and your comfort level. Most women start losing hair 14 days after the first treatment. You will continue losing hair until about three weeks after your last treatment. On average most women wear their wig for about a year. If you are comfortable facing the world with a shorter style, your time in the wig can be cut in half. These days with technological advancements in hair pieces and hair extensions you could be out of your wig even sooner.
Q: Will my insurance cover my wig?
A: Many women fortunate enough to have exceptional coverage find that their insurance will cover a cranial prosthesis. This however is on a case by case basis. Different policies cover different things. Some companies will cover 100% some will only cover 20% and some will cover nothing. It is up to you to call your insurance provider to find out how much coverage, if any, you have for a cranial prosthesis. The key when calling is to refer to the wig as a cranial prosthesis. If you call about a wig 99% of the time you will be told no.