Choosing the Right Wig: Some Tips for Cancer Patients

Wigs come in plenty of shapes and forms – pretty much any and all that are imaginable, in fact. We’ve been playing around with the notion of adding fake hair to our own hair (or lack thereof) for well over three hundred years, and throughout all of that period, wearing a wig has always been fashionable. When done right, that is.

The thing about wigs that puts many people off is that it’s fairly easy to go wrong and look ridiculous. Some cancer patients prefer to simply wear a scarf, or own their hair loss. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that: hair loss is a natural side effect of chemotherapy, as per Mayo Clinic and it occurs so commonly that we’re used to associating it with cancer in pop culture.

But if you’re uncomfortable with your new look, then a wig is a good alternative, inexpensive and easy-to-maintain choice. But not all wigs are created equal. Bad wigs are commonplace, and not difficult to spot. As per the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, wigs are either synthetic, natural, or a bit of both – but synthetic wigs require the least amount of care. But when you get a wig from the right manufacturer or retailer, not only will most people have a hard time spotting the difference between your new look and the real thing – you will look absolutely fabulous.

Preparing for Your Wig

You can either contact a wig professional/stylish or grab some measuring tape of your own and begin by measuring your head. Wigs rarely come tailored, but there are general sizes to keep in mind – specifically: Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. Some stores might offer their own size guide to help you choose. You’ll have to measure the following to know which size works best for you, as per Freeda.com:

Hairline circumference: From your back hairline to your front hairline, wrap the measuring tape around your entire head just over the ears. Front hairline to the nape: Start the tape in the middle of your front hairline, and pull it across the top and back of your head to your nape.Ear-to-ear over top: Measure your head as though you were wearing a hairband. Ear-to-ear across front hairline: Instead of measuring across the top, measure from one ear to the other across your front hairline/forehead.Temple-to-temple: Measure from temple-to-temple across the back of the head. Nape: Just as from temple-to-temple, but utilizing only your hairline on the nape.

You may not need all of these measurements depending on where you’re getting your wig from, but they’ll be particularly useful if you want a near-perfect fit.

Choosing a Cap Style

When choosing wigs for cancer patients, reputable retailers like Wigs US recommend a focus on the right cap style. While the cap is the least visible portion of the wig, it’s still one of the most important. Lace caps are the most expensive yet natural-looking – traditional wefts are most common. Budget and preference are what counts here.

Choosing the Wig

This is simply a matter of taste. If you don’t trust your own taste, asking help from a professional stylist might be a good idea so you can narrow down your selection of possible wigs down to a few styles that best compliment your face – but for the most part, whatever wig you do choose, the most important point is that you choose a quality wig from a reputable vendor.

I am Kea Jones a Content Curator, New York based columnist who love to write about various buzz and current affairs in business world. Besides that I am also writting reviews for various new local business houses, products and services.