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Posted 7/28/2005 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone wear a wig? I'm thinking about getting one before I go back to work and I'm agonizing about what color, style, etc. Silly, huh? And i don't want to pay too much in case I hate it.

I bought a cheapo one that feels like doll hair and tried it on and put it back in the box. Then I went to the American Cancer society and they loaned me one that looked a bit better but made me look older and it was itchy. lol (I guess i am hard to please, huh?)

So I found this place that sells hi-temp wigs (heat resistant to 350) that says they are "soft and silky to the touch" and I'm thinking about trying one of those. Has anyone ever tried one before? Is it really soft and silky?

Well, I could just wear my baseball cap or scarfs but hair might be more appropriate now and then.......but if I got itchy or sweaty I'd have to just take it off. Now that could be funny! At home I just go bald...it is growing on me (punny lol) and I love how fast it is to take a shower and get ready to go!! :-)

Beth
Posted 7/29/2005 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Beth, I have bought 3 wigs, hated the first but could not return it and paid a fortune for it. Buy locally, there are special places for these things. I bought 2 just alike and I love them. I have not had hair since January and do not expect to get hair any time soon. Insurance often pays for one wig so check this out first. Most places that sell breast prosthesis sell wigs also. Try on -- go for a style and then the color. Make sure the style and the color look good on you because you might be wearing it a while.

Good Luck,
JUJU
Posted 7/29/2005 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Beth, I went to a specialty wig place and the people were wonderful. They are also mastectomy fitters so they are very sensitive and had private booths, most wigs were around $100-$150. I bought a synthetic one tht was curly like my own. Problem is that I looked like a country western singer and I hated it. I learned that longer is not better, it does not flow or hang properly at the collar. I took it to a specialist and she actually cut some of the rows of elastic out to make it smaller for my little face. It was better but I was miserable. I went to another place (the one who cut my first one) and paid $500 for a nice one with gorgeous and natural color, with beautiful highlights. It was straighter and very cute, but not me. I felt better in it though. It was synthetic and natural blend, and was very easy to take care of. I washed it weekly and gave it a quick pick with the brush and that was all.

I learned afterwards that some wigs have a natural looking scalp for a part, which I wish I had. Mine was just a wad of hair at the part and to me, that made it scream wig. I was just so determined to look as normal as I could.

I donated the first one to a wig bank and took the tax deduction, and same with the second one eventually. To me, money was no object, it was so important to be comfortable.

Women who go natural or wear caps or scarves look wonderful, but I was too afraid to do it. Go with what feels right, and don;t worry about what the others will think. You are the most important one here!
Lori
Posted 7/29/2005 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Beth,
I have two wigs. They are both synthetic.I chose them because they are easy to care for, and I dont have to style them.Also, they are monofiliament so you can see your scalp on top.this also allows the scalp to breathe some.I have had people actually tell me how beautiful my hair is.Juju is right-definately try your style ,and color out first.You do not have to spend a fortune to find a decent wig.There are some decent ones for around 400.00.You can tell alot just by touching the wig too.
Best wishes,
Michelle
Posted 7/29/2005 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
My husband picked my wig.  He wanted me to be a blond, when my natural color is brownish (used to be strawberry blonde).  I had been coloring my own hair prior to this, so I'm not really sure what color it was.  LOL  The wig is human hair.  It did itch some, but not terribly.  I took it to my hair stylist who trimmed a little here and there.  Everyone thought it looked natural.  I actually had people think it was my own.  Then, when I stopped wearing it, some people remarked on how I had 'cut' my hair.  They were clueless!  A scarf or hat was not an option for me at work, so I had to get a wig, even though I didn't lose all my hair.  I ended up shaving it so the wig would be more comfortable and hoping it would come back thicker.  I had to get my driver's license picture taken with the wig, so it will be a reminder for quite some time.  Oh well....................
Posted 7/29/2005 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your suggestions!

I guess I better go somewhere else to try some on before buying online. I'll let you know what I decide. Making a new image for myself is kinda fun but scary. Do you know that you can buy wigs in purple and pink? Yikes.....not quite what I had in mind. lol

Beth
Posted 7/29/2005 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, they also have some with "roots" -- you know like your hair is dark, but colored red and it will have dark roots. Go for it, girl.

JUJU
Posted 7/29/2005 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Beth, this is the third time for me wearing a wig. I found that when I tried on wigs that matched my style and color, they looked awful. I ended up with a shorter, lighter wig. I ended up getting a highlighted wig. It looks very natural. If your wigs are itchy, maybe you need a wig cap.
Posted 7/29/2005 1:28 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Beth! I also had 3 different wigs. One I got from the ACS. It was okay but made me look older than what I felt that I was. lol The 2nd one I got from a cancer hospital that "specialized" in wigs. roflmao The 3rd one my friend that is a beautician brought to me. It was the one that I wore (when I wore one) and no one knew that it wasn't my real hair. My suggestion would be to go to your beautician and ask him/her what type she suggests. Then, once you get the wig, take it back to your beautician for styling. There is also a thing called a "scalp cap" that you can wear underneath the wig to help w/ the itching. To have the insurance pay for the wig, you need to use the words "carnial prothesis" when completing the paperwork. Unreal, huh?! Remember, you can have fun picking out whatever style and color that you have always wanted. I have to be honest and tell you that I usually only wore the wig when it was necessary and as soon as I could, it came off, along w/ my prothesis. I hated both!

Hang in there.

Hugs..Deb

Posted 7/29/2005 1:52 PM (GMT 0)

Beth K.. I went to ACS and they gave me a wig it was short and curly and made me look like my older sister, which was ok but just not me... anyway my surgeon's nurse pract. suggested a beauty shop here in town. I went there and she was wonderful. She took her time and helped me figure out what wig to get she did that when I still had hair and tried to match my hair color. It ended up alittle darker but I love it and wear it all the time. Its straight and curls under at the ends. Its has different shades in it so looks natural, its a Raquel Welch one. one thing you need to look for is a wig that has a fine netting in it. see cause when I have it on its actually looks like I have a part in my hair and its so fine you can actually see my scalp under it  looks very natural. also not so hot and comfortable too. I wear a wig cap. the one I got from beauty shop was too tight so ACS gave me one. I paid just under $200 for my wig. She ordered it and then I went back to pick it up and she trimmed it just like you would regular hair to fit my face. She did a wonderful job. People all the time say they like my hair and when I tell them its a wig they don't believe me...I found out when I went to her that she only does wigs for women with cancer but it looks just like a regular shop so felt very natural to go there. Ask your onc nurse or surgeon nurse, or even receptionist at the onc and surgery places they see people all the time with cancer and seen tons of wigs I am sure. They can tell you where to go or ask some other person in your area where they got there nice wig. I can't say enough about where I got mine its wonderful. Good luck look at it as an adventure. Oh one thing she told me never use a blow dryer on the wig it will melt it. She took a very low temp special blow dryer on mine and used it while it was on my head to shape it to fit me too, looks great once she was done and permenant too... Good luck they have some really good wigs out there that really don't cost much just need to look around and ask questions k.. oh and before I lost all my hair I took a lock of hair and saved it so I can remember what color my hair was waiting to see it if grows back the same color now lol .....skeeter1

Posted 7/29/2005 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Beth,
I too was having a problem finding a wig to match my (dyed) color which is a kind of burgundy. I have not started chemo yet but am trying to be way ahead of the game. I went to a specialty shop that has different things for breast cancer patients. There is not much in the color I want. I found one that is kind of close to my haircut. I'm not crazy about it, but they have a stylist at this place that can cut and shape it. The wig will be a little longer than my hair now. I have only told a few select people at work about my cancer and want to keep it that way. My insurance will pay up to $350 for a wig. I figure once it's over with, I can donate it to the American cancer society. Which by the way, they have wigs too.
Posted 8/5/2005 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
I'm still looking for a wig that is me. : ) It seems that "me" is hard to find! LOL

Thanks to ALL for your posts...I love the answers and help in here.

HUGS!

Beth
Posted 8/5/2005 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
My brand is Rene of Paris. I found this brand at a specialty store called "For Ladies Only". They sell bras, brest prosthesis, hats, etc. Look for one of those stores.

JUJU

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