Surviving Cancer Series
Tips On Choosing and Wearing A Wig
By American Cancer Society www.tlcdirect.org
Sep 4, 2009 - 3:29:41 PM

M ost women who are faced with hair loss from chemotherapy or radiation treatment opt for at least one wig and alternate wearing the wig(s) with hats and scarves. Remember, when treatment ends, your hair is sure to grow back, although the texture and color mey not be exactly the same as it was before treatment.

Before Starting Treatment

• Take photos of your current hair style.
• Save a swatch from the top front of your head, where the hair is the lightest, in case you want to match your wig to your present color.
• Use natural light-outdoors or near a window-to decide whether a wig matches the swatch.
• Measure your head with your hair slicked down.
• Make sure your wig is adjustable; your head size may be up to a size smaller when you lose your hair.  

Putting on Your Wig

• If you wear glasses remove them.
• Holding the wig at the sides, with the woven label in the back, place it at the middle of your forehead and slide it on from front to back.
• Adjust the top front of the wig's cap so that it's about 1/4" past your natural hairline.
• The ear tabs should be even and slightly in front of your ears. Push the tabs towards your face to make the wig lie flat.

Styling Your Wig

• Before styling, always tuck all of the hair behind your ears. Bring forward only as much as you need to make the wig look natural.
• On shorter wigs, use a brush sparingly. Instead use your fingers and a special wig styling cream to create and hold a style.
• Before styling long straight wigs, always spray lightly with a wig conditioner and brush with a wig brush, starting with the ends first.

Treat Your Wig Like Your Own Hair

Scarfbands and headbands add a natural touch. Use hair accessories on your wig the same way you would on your own hair. No one will know you're wearing a wig!

Choosing a Color

• If you have black hair, choose darkest brown for a more natural look.
• Also, as we age, a lighter color is more flattering.
• If your a brunette and going grey, consider a lighter shade of brown, possibly with highlights, for a softer more natural look.
• White is very flattering too.

No More "Bad Hair Days!"

While the thought of losing one's hair may be frightening, many women enjoy trying styles and colors in a wig they would never have dared to try with their own hair. Some women buy more than one wig, and change wigs to suit their mood. Wigs always look good, and require almost no effort. There are no more bad hair days. In fact, quite a few women continue to wear their wigs long after their hair has grown back,  especially when they're in a hurry and don't have time to get their hair done.