Wigs for cancer patients
A cancer diagnosis can be a devastating blow, and the side effects of treatment such as hair loss can be psychologically and emotionally traumatic. By wearing a wig, cancer patients can restore their self-esteem and sense of self and, unlike old school wigs, modern-day wigs look so realistic they are virtually undetectable to the untrained eye.
Here at Big Wig Australia, we have one of the country’s largest selections of wigs, enabling you to find the perfect match to help you to look and feel like you again.
Whether you’re wanting to reinstate your original looking hair or try something new, we have something for everyone.
Deciding whether to wear a wig or not
Deciding whether to wear a Medical Wig or not is very much a personal choice. Many place great importance on their hair and associate it as a part of their physical identity, others want to wear one to save the looks or questions. If you’re contemplating the idea of a wig, here is some information to make the transition that much easier.
A wig should look realistic and as close to the real thing as possible. Inferior quality wigs can look very obviously fake, and this isn’t the look you want to achieve.
Before purchasing a wig, it’s a good idea to:
- Look around and do your research. There are hundreds of suppliers here in Australia, but not all are equal. The last thing you want to do is spend a considerable amount of money on something that looks tacky and is uncomfortable to wear for an extended period. Gather some inspiration for some of the styles you like before committing to a specific type of wig.
- Have your wig ready to go. Losing your hair can be distressing but, if you have your chosen wig ready to go once it starts to happen, it can help to make this phase a tiny bit easier.
- This is a big one but, cut your hair to a short length. This choice comes down to whether you feel comfortable doing this however, it can be less confronting when your hair starts to fall out if it’s short already. Other reasons to consider this are that it will be easier to wear your wig when your hair is shorter, and once your hair starts to grow back, it won’t take as long to get back to your pre-hair loss length allowing you to feel like you sooner.
What are wigs made from?
Most often wigs are either made from a synthetic material or 100% human hair. You can purchase some really high-quality synthetic wigs these days. Real human hair wigs tend to offer the most natural look, although they are normally higher in price too.
How much does a wig cost?
It depends which wig type you choose, but they can range from $100 or less right up to thousands of dollars. You may be able to get the cost of your wig covered through your health insurance company, if not partially. It’s a good idea to have a chat with your insurance provider before purchasing one just to see how much they’ll cover, if any and what steps you need to take for them to do so.
How to choose a wig
Here’s how to choose a wig that fits your head comfortably and looks good:
By measuring your head before purchasing a wig, you can ensure that it will fit your head comfortably, after all, you want to be able to wear it for as long or little time as you like without wanting to take it off because it’s irritating your scalp. Once you have your measurements, you can then work out your cap size by comparing them to the size chart on the wig information section.
During treatment, you may lose your glow. If your budget allows, it’s a good idea to get a wig in your original hair colour and one that’s slightly different, that way you can change your hair to suit.
Synthetic vs real human hair wig
Synthetic pros
They are affordable, and good quality versions can look and feel like the real thing
Synthetic cons
They can look cheap, make sure you only purchase a good quality type to avoid this
Real human hair pros
They look and feel real – because they are!
Real human hair cons
They are expensive and require more looking after than synthetic wigs
How to put on a wig correctly
The more you wear your wig, the more normal it will feel and the quicker it will be to place into position. Here’s how to put your wig on to get a great fit each time:
It’s recommended that you wear a wig cap underneath your wig. This will help to keep your wig in place during the day. Place your nylon or mesh wig cap over your head.
Adjust your wig using the adjuster at the back so it fits your head properly.
Place your wig on your head using both hands, leaning slightly forward. Position the front hairline to the top of your forehead and pull over your head. Adjust as necessary until it’s where it should be.
If you’re looking for a top-quality wig to wear during your treatment, Big Wig Australia can help! We have tonnes of options, and we’re confident we have something to suit! Check us out online.
