I was very fortunate in that my favorite wig was extremely close to the hairstyle I had had so that most people didn't realize that I was wearing a wig unless I told them. I often said that it was the hair I always wanted as it was a bit thicker than my own hair and styled easier than mine. My last chemo was the end of Jan. and now in early Dec. I can look in the mirror and think that I'm beginning to look like myself again. I have had my hair cut, colored and styled which has helped me immensely. The only problem that seemed to have occurred is that I developed a sort of cradle cap on my scalp that my hairdresser said was because of the wearing of the wig even though I scrubbed my scalp whenever I showered which was frequently. It has resolved with a detox shampoo and scrubbing. Other than that the wig was a wonderful thing to have but hopefully, I will never need to wear it again.

I was told today that I could use the Dignicap during my chemo sessions and that the estimate is a 70% chance of losing 50% or less of my hair with my type of chemo.The problem is the cosf: $3,000. Most insurance won’t cover it and I don’t qualify for subsidies. I don’t know what choice to make. I have a lot of unpaid medical bills. If I do this and still lose all my hair, I’ll be devastated. Has anyone else been through this decision?

I am also getting fitted for a wig on Tuesday. I am still considering the cold cap for the reason you mentioned...it will be over a year before my natural hair is back to its current length (that's if it starts growing right away). I've always believed my hair was one of my best physical attributes. I am a professor, so I am always presenting to either a class or a big group. I want to feel confident, not insecure. I spend close to $200/month on my hair, so that's $1200 I won't spend in the next year. I just don't know what to do.

Has anyone tried any of the online wig stores? Interested in feedback. Thank yo

I am finishing my first part of my treatment, I am doing AC&T. I am using a cold cap and so far, I am just shedding and thinning. Of course, there was one area on the back of my hair where it was knotted and I putting the hair out of my head and my hair does cover that area.

my question, going into the taxol part. will the shedding stop and hair start growing back?

hello yes my wig was very close to my style also it was streaked with same color also I gave it away to cancer suite once my hair grew back in. I had my Bff who was a hair stylist cut my hair down very close before the rest started coming out in clumps still was extremely difficult. But thank God I am now a 25yr Survivor this yr. Hope with daily got me thru. Hang in there. msphil idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast then got married was planning when diagnosed then 7wks rads and 5 5yrs on Tamoxifen.

Fracking, thanks so much for the update on ACS wigs. What a great and generous resource! I'm still pre-treatment (surgery this week, rads and chemo to be decided afterwards) but am learning what is possible for my year. This is very helpful.

Thanks Fracking! I have yet to find a wig that is similar to my hair anywhere. I think I would rather use hats then show up with a totally obvious wig. But I probably should have one at least for work

One week out from 1st chemo treatment. I have purchased a few pre-tied scarves so when it starts to come out I can shave it and have something to cover it. Not ruling out a wig, but with a hot Carolina summer and my natural tendency for my head to sweat, decided to wait for now. Anyone have any advice on good but not too pricey head coverings? So far I've purchased some from Amazon. Any info/tips would be welcome. Thank you.

Abbidoodle- I'm in NC and I know what you mean. Luckily NC is a little less humid than GA, where I used to live. I've gotten headcovers beanies and headbands. TLC (Google TLC and hats) also has some. On Amazon you can find some. Search for beanies and hats for cancer patients

Thanks for all if your replies. It's funny how the hair thing has been what I've been so focused on until last night and today (a week after 1st treatment) when I started having throbbing shooting pains in my lower back, sternum and headache, due to the Nulasta. I was told to take the Claritin for 5 days after therapy. I had no pain at that time, but due to the steroids now easing off, the pain has started. So today the hair is the least of my worries. I've taken Claritin, but if it is helping, I sure can't tell. Wish docs/ nurses don't put time frames on the symptoms, as my symptoms haven't showed up when predicted. Now I know that the most common side effects have their own time period and not to have expectations of when something might happen. This experience truly is about taking one day at a time!

I read about the cooling caps and saw there were some women who kept all of their hair. But I also read there is some rare and very small chance of getting scalp cancer if it is protected by ice during chemo treatment. I had a migraine IceKap that I used occasionally, throughout my chemo treatment, and a bit beyond it while the chemo was still in my body. I was fearful of damage so I only wore it for a few minutes each time I decided to put it on for each day of chemo.

I also turned on the cold water at the end of showering to push the blood away from my scalp. My oncologist had told me, for treatment for my numbness (neuropathy) in my hands to use cold water after washing in warm to push the blood away (hence, chemo), so I used the same logic for my head. The neuropathy in my hands is still there, but I'm starting to feel a difference now. It is slowly dissipating.

I also bought natural shampoo and conditioner with biotin.

I was taking a B-complex with biotin as well.

And, I was trying to focus on foods that enrich hair growth and health.

After chemo, I started using a 6-week hair growth treatment I purchased at my salon. I checked with my oncologist first. I ran any new chemical or supplement past him first. I still do.

I did not lose all of my hair. I have no idea why, but maybe what I did above helped. I had 3 patches that fell out and some thinning, but a lot did stay put. I had gone to the salon when it began to fall out and my stylist convinced me not to shave it all off, but to start with a short haircut style, like a pixie, which I did. I was so glad I did after all because I did not lose it all. Long hair is heavier and will fall out easier, I think. I was careful as others have stated in gently washing and handling it. Since it was cut short, I didn't have to worry about drying it. It dried in minutes!

My stylist also suggested I get a wig with bangs due to eyebrow loss. Another good tip. I did not lose all of my eyebrows or all of my eyelashes either. I had to bring my wig into the salon to trim the bangs a bit, too. It was odd. He put it on a mannequin and then I kept trying it on. It was hard for him to work on it when it was on my head.

I always wore scarves to the hospital (I just thought they might be more sanitary versus a wig - I was really paranoid about germs) - and it did not interfere with my port infusions. But, I did buy a cute wig and had been wearing it every day when I left the house otherwise (until today). I tried to match my hair color and went with a classic style that wouldn't change the way I looked too much with bangs for my eyebrows as mentioned above. I went to a local shop to buy it because I was clueless and the lady who owned the small shop helped me a lot in deciding which one and in the care of the wig. It took me a while to get used to.

In fact, today is the day I decided to stop wearing it. It is summer time and my hair has grown in enough where the patches were, and I am feeling more comfortable.

Like others have mentioned, check with the American Cancer Society or other charitable organizations. You can find wig outlets in your local area through some of those websites. Some state that they cater to or only to cancer patients. Your hospital or breast clinic resource center should have some for loan or know where you can do that, or where you can buy wigs with discounts. My shop specialized in cancer patients which made me more comfortable to visit. They were very nice and understood privacy issues. The owner had gone though breast cancer treatment so she knew the ins and outs of wearing a wig.

I bought a wig band to try to help the wig stay put at first, but in the end the band bothered me too much, so I went with hair pins as I still had some hair underneath to pin it to. I found some long curved ones online that fit the shape of my head.

As I was told, have fun with the wig! Just choose one you feel comfortable and confident in.

holga - I'd start a new thread with the title something like "free wig never worn" in the Chemo section,