Wig Question - 'real' vs synthetic

My mom has just undergone the 1st chemo session. And predictably, her hair started to drop off. I have earlier urged her to go get a wig but she kept delaying until New Year's eve where large chunk of hair started to fell.

I think for my mom, getting a wig must be a blow to her psychologically as she is really careful over her appearance (to quote her 'vain'). It is quite a sombre trip all the way to the shops recommended by the hospital. Fortunately, as the shops were all housed in the same building, I took my mum to visit my friend's shop (a jewelry shop - makes every woman's heart flutters) which happened to be in the same building  first to take my mom's mind off the wig shopping. And by chance, my friend's employee happened to   have ovarian cancer 5 years ago (stage 2 - but cannot be sure since the tumor burst). She turned up to be an expert on wigs. She offered to bring my mother around and the sombre shopping trip became quite an interesting one as she started to point out the pros and cons of all the wigs. Finally, we found some really nice wigs from Japan. The people at the shop were really professional and my mom got excited trying on all the wigs and finally found one she is really happy with. Hey, even I am tempted to get one myself as the hair pieces are really beautiful (though expensive >.<)

I have one question with regards to wigs - I have a feeling once my mom get into the spirit of different hair styles, she may choose to get more:

We were advised not to buy the ones with real human hair (though they are softer) because of hygiene factor. Even the shop people recommended my mom to get the synthetic ones (they are cheaper than the real hair wig) as they claimed that they were not suitable for patients undergoing chemotherapy - if the 'real hair' were not properly kept, they could get dirty and *shudders* could be a habitat for bacteria. I am rather confused by that since there are other people who told me that the 'real hair' wigs are the best wigs around as they are soft and would not irritate the scalp of patients undergoing chemotherapy. So which ones ones are better - synthetic or real hair?

[silver&gold]

Hi , I bought  a synthetic wig from china off of e-bay . I come from the uk and decent wigs are very expensive here . I couldn,t believe how natural looking it was and it was identicle to my real hair , the wigs are made from a fibre that looks exactly like real hair and you can adjust the size of the wig , they are easy to look after and there are many colours and styles . I ended up buying 3 and none of the wigs were over $15  +postage the reason that the cost is so low is the fact that there are a lot of sellars but the quality is excellent . I hope this has helped . Happy Newyear  love Angie xx

[vegas2cr]

Its funny because talk about vain... I thought I would be devasted losing my hair and bought a wig human hair when my hair started falling out.. looked like mine but I wound up with a bad case of shingles on my newly bald head and started wearing ball caps.. I have every imaginable ball cap from sports to dressy with glitter... when my scalp healed I hated the wig.. it was too hot and I have only worn it twice..  bottom line to wash it it looked like a lions mane... funny and you need to have it styled.  I think synthetic is the way to go...
PS Its not about the hair.... I now have about 1 inch worth back and if and when I lose it again I will go back to the ball hats...

[abrite1]

I had two synthetic wigs as well as a human hair wig which I received as a gift. I much preferred the synthetics wigs. They were affordable and easier to take care of. All I had to do was shake them, put them on and go...and they always looked great. Take care.

[PinkTissue]

Thanks for your 'insights'. I would advise my mum NOT to get 'real' hair wig. The thought of someone else's hair on my mum's head is just soooo yucky. And...they are really expensive.

[junamgen]

I've got several very nice synthetic one too, only weared once, since different silk scarve cover is most comfortable and stylish, especially in hot weather.

Jun

[nolabean]

My experience was so long ago, I don't remember if it was real or not. I am assuming since, I am not a person of means, it was probably inexpensive. Having said that, I never even had to wear it! Not knowing what to expect, I bought it before my first chemo dose. I thought I would wake up the next day (as if I was going to get any sleep:) and all of my hair would be on my pillow. Well, I got what was standard protocol at the time, cytoxan and carboplatin and never did lose a huge amount of my hair. The healthcare professionals kept telling me I would eventually lose it all, but I only lost about a third, just had a wide part and not thin enough to see my scalp. In addition to this difference for me, at least half of what I did lose did not grow back, after almost 18 years, I doubt that it will. I often joke, before cancer I was a thin person with fat hair, now I'm a fatter person with thinner hair. Go figure, guess I'm just weird.

[Diana14]

Gosh Pink ....sounds like me, my mom is going to start chemo in a couple of weeks and she is a very well dressed  and groomed woman, I think the hair is going to devastate her.  I told her we should go looking for wigs "just in case" but she doesn't like talking about it. I don't know how to approch her about this issue, I hate for her hair to start falling out and we have no wig. Any advise?
Thanks and good luck....
ps. how soon after chemo did your mom's hair start falling out?  My mom will be getting Carbo/taxol every week

[PinkTissue]

My mom only has chemo  (also carbo.taxol) once every 3 weeks and her hair started to drop during the 2 weeks after the 1st chemo. Since your mother is having a weekly dose, it would be even faster (?) - but I am not the best person to ask. My father went through chemo every week last year - he retained every single strand of hair (although the nurses keep predicting hair loss) so I guess it is up to individual.

I have tried hinting. My mom ignored me. I hinted even louder, she kept ignoring me. She brought up the topic herself when her hair started to drop up in clumps. To prepare for this, I asked the hospital during her 1st chemo for a list of shops selling wigs for patients undergoing chemo. I have also checked with people who went through chemo for the 'best' wigs. These are the best source of info as chemo patients would need wigs suitable for their condition (i.e. bald hair, sensitive sclap).  I called up each shop and asked for the price range and working hours as you never know when your mom wanted a wig. The 'bomb' or the request to shop for a wig came on New Year's Eve night -- fortunately, I have already checked out the store and knew which ones were in operation on New Year's Day so it would not be a too tiring trip for her. There are some shops that are willing to send representatives to your house for a home fitting - which may be an option if your mom did not want to leave the house. In the mean time, get a hat/cap for her for a temporary stop-gap measure - but hiide it first so she would not associate the hat with the hair loss.

[Kimchi]

Once my hair started to fall off, I went and had the rest shaved (glad i did cause now hair growing back in even length)...I did not use a wig (too hot and humid where I live)..I used 100% cotton scarfs and got very creative !!! Got lots of compliments from women and men seem to find it attractive...

[Helmar]

I've not seen my natural hair for over 3 years, but I have a very nice wig that looks so much like my natural hair (colour and style) that even my friends don't know I've lost my hair. I'm pleased because I've never told my friends I have cancer...only my immediate family know. I started wearing my wig before I actually lost my hair, so it was an easy transition. I'm not a scarf or hat person.... like to dress up to go out, and my wig looks great. It would be nice to see my own hair again, but as soon as it starts to sprout.. :-)... my Oncol. doses me up ... and it's gone again. I've learned to live with how things are.. don't have much choice, and don't lament about the hair. It either grows or it doesn't... but I'm still here enjoying life, so I won't grizzle about a bit of hair. :-)
Wishing everyone well... and here's to our hair.... Hair today...gone tomorrow. *laugh*....
Hugs. to all...Helen...

[butterflytc]

our local Amer Cancer Society provides free wigs, and hats and other items for cancer patients, and I know my mom also went to them in another state (they also have the look good feel good program, which provides an evening of beauty...how to apply eyebrows, wigs and makeup) with free products from lots of companies.
     I also went to a website TLCdirect. org for lots of my items
hope it helps gl 2 your mom
P.S as it turned out I wore mostly bandanas and scarves during my treatments, as they were the most comfortable for me

[PinkTissue]

Some updates. My mom wore the wig today and she is really pleased with it. She is very open about her illness and everyone is really surprised that she is 'so sick'. She is showing off her wig to a number of people and all swear that the wig makes my mom looks younger. My mom's hair is black and she never dyes it. So I am really surprised that she has choosen a black wig with brown tinted highlights - gives her a kick that she has 'dyed' her hair.  She finds the wig very comfortable to wear so I would say it is worth every cent we paid for. I am afraid....very afriad....that she may get a purple or a red wig next!