Hair loss is imminent

Enigma52 · 2025-02-27T20:19:34+00:00

Hi On chemo and hair loss is relatively imminent ( 10-12 days time, maybe sooner) I just don't know what to wear on my head. The last time this happened, I had a wig, which was nice, but oh so itchy and heavy! I've tried on numerous hats, scarves and turbans, but none seen to suit. I work as a TA and need some kind of suitable headwear! I have asked my hairdresser if she could order some light weight wigs, so we will see what comes back. Anybody thoughts/ ideas gratefully appreciated.

Feliciacat · 27/02/2025 20:27

If you’ve tried on hats, scarves and turbans and none look right then maybe your head is not an ideal shape for hats. I don’t mean offence; my head is like this (very long from front to back) and I can’t wear hats or even headscarves as they accentuate my head shape.

I reckon the lightweight wigs are the best bet and maybe you can style them to go with different outfits or accessorise them with hairbands. I bet they’ll look good on you which is probably important when you’re going through a challenging time. What kind of colours have you gone for?

Good luck with your chemo journey; I wish you all the best.

123ZYX · 27/02/2025 20:30

You say "I work as a TA and need some kind of suitable headwear! " Is that because you would feel more comfortable or because you think that's what you should do?

Children can be surprisingly accepting. If someone explains Mrs X doesn't have hair because of <reason you're happy to share>, they might ask questions for a day or two, then it's just how you look.

If you feel more comfortable with a hat or wig, then absolutely do what you're comfortable with. I don't have recommendations, hopefully someone will be along soon to help.

Sending you lots of good thoughts for your treatment x

Feliciacat · 27/02/2025 20:32

Actually, that’s a really good suggestion above (if you’re comfortable with it). If you went natural then there’d be no messing about with hats or feeling itchy with wigs. How would you feel about not wearing a hat or wig?

Original poster

Enigma52 · 27/02/2025 20:34

Feliciacat · 27/02/2025 20:32

Actually, that’s a really good suggestion above (if you’re comfortable with it). If you went natural then there’d be no messing about with hats or feeling itchy with wigs. How would you feel about not wearing a hat or wig?

Yes, that's the thing, I would love to go " au natural" but I remember how I hated it last time around. It was cold and I had lost my brows and lashes too. It wasn't pleasant.

OP posts:

Original poster

Enigma52 · 27/02/2025 20:37

Feliciacat · 27/02/2025 20:27

If you’ve tried on hats, scarves and turbans and none look right then maybe your head is not an ideal shape for hats. I don’t mean offence; my head is like this (very long from front to back) and I can’t wear hats or even headscarves as they accentuate my head shape.

I reckon the lightweight wigs are the best bet and maybe you can style them to go with different outfits or accessorise them with hairbands. I bet they’ll look good on you which is probably important when you’re going through a challenging time. What kind of colours have you gone for?

Good luck with your chemo journey; I wish you all the best.

My natural hair colour is kind of dark chocolate brown. You could be right, my face shape just doesn't suit hats and scarves. Will see what the wigs come back looking like!

OP posts:

Original poster

Enigma52 · 27/02/2025 20:39

123ZYX · 27/02/2025 20:30

You say "I work as a TA and need some kind of suitable headwear! " Is that because you would feel more comfortable or because you think that's what you should do?

Children can be surprisingly accepting. If someone explains Mrs X doesn't have hair because of <reason you're happy to share>, they might ask questions for a day or two, then it's just how you look.

If you feel more comfortable with a hat or wig, then absolutely do what you're comfortable with. I don't have recommendations, hopefully someone will be along soon to help.

Sending you lots of good thoughts for your treatment x

It's more for my own confidence I guess. The kids are secondary age, 11-17, with additional needs. They are very accommodating. Will give it more thought when the time comes. Thanks.

OP posts:

Offredismysister · 27/02/2025 20:43

Look at Lilly’s hair on instagram or their website.
They are expensive but often have sales & offer 20% discount for people with certified hair loss.

Original poster

Enigma52 · 27/02/2025 20:44

Offredismysister · 27/02/2025 20:43

Look at Lilly’s hair on instagram or their website.
They are expensive but often have sales & offer 20% discount for people with certified hair loss.

Thanks, I will take a look now.

OP posts:

Feliciacat · 27/02/2025 20:44

Enigma52 · 27/02/2025 20:37

My natural hair colour is kind of dark chocolate brown. You could be right, my face shape just doesn't suit hats and scarves. Will see what the wigs come back looking like!

Show quote history

In my oafish way of saying it; I just meant maybe don’t waste your time trying on lots of hats and scarves. I am sure your face shape is lovely, it’s just that hats seem to require people to have heads like a mannequin!

Chocolate brown sounds pretty. Also, I saw what you said about wanting to cover your head for your own confidence and that makes loads of sense. You definitely need to put yourself and your feelings as a top priority xx

Original poster

Enigma52 · 27/02/2025 21:03

@Feliciacat that's it exactly. Mannequin heads! Who in real life, has one of those shaped heads??

I've got time yet, will get light weight wig hunting/ trying on! 😊

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doublec · 27/02/2025 21:04

Gosh OP, I've been where you are. No-one tells you how much one's hair falling out due to chemo actually hurts. It's like a constant halo of pain. Mine started falling out on day 10 (which one of the chemo nurses told me would be the case). I had so much hair, that after three days and three bags of hair, I still had loads left by which point, I had it shaved to a grade 1. The rest fell out over the course of the next fortnight, so by the second week of my second cycle of chemo, I was as bald as an egg.

A friend knitted me some bonnets, I went to a scarf tying class at Maggie's and even went to get a wig. I hated everything, I hated the feeling of anything on my head so wore nothing. Occasionally, I did wear a cashmere head band, but mostly, I wore nothing. I didn't care about the stares or looks I got. The thing is, people were incredibly kind to me as they realised what was up. I understand that working as a TA might make you more self-conscious of not having hair, but I think you'd be surprised how the kids will deal with it.

Because I wear glasses, I never noticed my eyebrows or eyelashes disappearing, the frames concealed it perfectly. On a positive note, not having hair, nor covering my head meant that I found it easier to deal with the many hot flushes!

Wishing you well for your treatment and recovery 💕💐

Sonolanona · 27/02/2025 23:40

Jon Renau wigs are really easy to wear
www.simplywigs.co.uk/
are great.. you can ring them and they are really helpful. I had one from them (not chemo, just regular a 'oops singed half my hair off' disaster) and it was very easy and light..and looked better than my own hair! Jon Renau do a super light version of many of their wigs.