Self image and wigs during chemo

@kezmusc so good to hear! I am booked into a chair that does allow cold caps just incase i change my mind!

@Pinkcloverss,

Yes it does add time, but it has been proven it does not interfere with the effectiveness of chemo.  Yes, it is also variable in the results dependent on a few factors but I figured it was worth the shot and time.  It worked brilliantly.  Do what's best for you.
xoxoxo

I tried the cold caps but they didn't work well enough to keep going - I lost a strip of hair from ear to ear so combover not possible.  I wouldn't worry too much about it limiting chemo effectiveness but it does add a lot of time on to the length of time you have to sit there.  I ended up clipping my hair so that it wasn't falling out everywhere and used beanies and scarves most of the time when I was out and about (mostly winter when I was having treatment).  I would not rush out and buy a wig as you may find that you rarely wear it.  I only wore one when I wanted to fly under the radar, and honestly, once your hair grows back, you'll probably never want to look wear it again.  If you put a general location on your profile, someone may be able to tell you if there's a wig library near you.  There is one at the RAH in Adelaide that costs $25 for hire as long as you need it with one right of exchange.

Hi @Pinkcloverss my oncologist said my hair would fall out at Day 16 after my first chemo. I cut my hair from shoulder length hair to pixie cut before chemo started and on Day 16 as said my hair started to fall out! I went and got a 1 shave all over. I never did the wig thing but got henna tattoos instead and LOVED them!! 

I really enjoyed wigs when I was having chemo in winter but could not tolerate them in summer. It seems I have the right shaped head for bald, (I guess we see that all the time with men) so that helped ease the challenge of marching about hairless. Which I did. I channeled my inner Bikie if I didn't want anyone to comment, and when I was feeling more benign total strangers would tell me I looked amazing. Go figure
I bought a couple of good quality wigs in 2006, but my tastes had changed in 2016 so I went nuts on cheap eBay sites. I donated them all to the local wig library, which might be worth checking out if you are interested in changing your look. Try on something totally different then buy a cheap version of anything that rings your bell. Mxx.

@kezmusc yes cold cap was offered. Apparently 50% keep some of their hair but it does extend chemo time by another 2.5 hours. Worried it may interfere with chemo effectiveness so have opted not to go with it

Hi @Pinkcloverss  I had the number one cut before chemo started.  I couldn't face the coming out in clumps part.   I know everyone is different but I just didn't really like anything on my scalp. ( I would wear scarves or a sun hat only if I had to )  But generally went bald most the time.  Have a wardrobe of scarves and hats which were given to me by concerned friends.  I also found that even though I had super short hair  after the first chemo my hair hurt. ( sounds strange I know )
Good luck with everything.  I didn't go the cold cap route as I had to travel a bit and didn't want to add extra time to my chemo day.   All the best.  

Hey @Pinkcloverss,

Are you able to try the cold cap where you are going?

My mum wears wigs now after she had a major skin graft on her scalp due to skin cancer. I don't know which state you live in but mum gets hers from Creative Wigs in Melbourne. They have synthetic as well as real hair. Mum uses the synthetic ones.  They are also on line but it's good to get it fitted properly. 

I didn't shave my head - like many people, my scalp was quite tender for a couple of weeks before my hair started falling out, and I didn't fancy shaving at all. No 3 clippers for me, very short so that the fallout was limited. I wore a sleep cap so I could just shake the accumulated short hairs into the bathroom sink in the morning! I wore a wig - had two - and found a good quality synthetic wig easy to look after (wash, condition, shake and put on a stand to dry, no need to style), easy to wear and no problem, apart from forgetting that when they advise against opening a hot oven with it on, they mean it! Lucky I had two, frizzed the front. Worth getting a fitting, my wig was a fraction loose when my hair fell out but a couple of stitches by the fitter fixed all. I let them out when my hair started growing back. Best wishes.