Friday, January 23, 2015

A Guide To Chemotherapy Headwear

By Kristen Baird


Chemotherapy treatments are difficult for many patients, although a lot of patients agree the most troublesome part is the side effects. Hair loss is one particularly bad effect. The hair eventually regrows after treatments have stopped, but what do you do in the meantime? Although some patients choose to leave their balding or bald heads proudly uncovered, some people prefer not to advertise their illness. Head coverings provide a way to cover the hair loss while also providing protection against the weather elements and harmful ultraviolet rays. There are a variety of chemotherapy headwear options available.

One type of head cover is the scarf. Scarves are designed to be lightweight and have multiple sizes to suit different head sizes. The pattern and color options are nearly endless. There are also scarves available that are already tied for patients who do not want to have to worry about tying their scarves. Fabrics include cotton, wool, and blends. Ideally, silk should be avoided because it tends to slide around on the head.

Hats are also common and available in a variety of types. Baseball caps are popular, but some people prefer other kinds. Women, for example, may want a more decorative or feminine look. You can choose from Fedoras, Berets, and brim style hats. Softer fabric options include turbans and beanies.

If hats and scarves are not what you are looking for, maybe a wig will be the perfect covering for you. They are available in such a large selection of styles, lengths, and colors. This is often the common choice for many women because they can choose a wig that best matches their original hair and appearance or they can play around with styles to see what they might like to try when their hair grows back. Synthetic or human hair varieties are available.

Regardless of which type of head covering you are after, there are a few things to consider when you are trying to choose. First, there is a difference between coverings for people with hair and ones for people without hair. They are sized differently and most regular coverings do not conceal the hairline. Additionally, they may not be designed with comfort and sensitivity in mind. For patients experiencing hair loss or who have already experienced hair loss, the type of covering should be sized to consider the lack of hair.

Consider your daily lifestyle, along with the lifestyle you will have during your treatment period. The pieces you choose should fit your activities. You should also think about your wardrobe and what would match it well. The pieces you choose should look right to you and not feel forced or unnatural. Consider pieces that give the appearance of hair underneath or that accentuate your natural head shape.

Pieces should be a blend of functional and dressy. You should choose pieces that fit active days when you are getting treatments or running errands, and separate coverings for those dressy occasions. You can also choose pieces that are more colorful or have a pattern to offset the outfits in your wardrobe that are solid colored.

Chemo and hair loss do not mean you need to resign yourself to staying indoors or to be ashamed and uncomfortable with your appearance. The right head cover can help with this. You gain some new accessories and the ability to carry on with as much of a normal life as possible.




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