Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is shocking, frightening and life altering. One simple sentence, “You have breast cancer,” packs a gut punch that instantly changes everything. In the blink of an eye, yesterday’s worries become inconsequential and priorities instantly change in monumental ways. Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are laser-focused on fighting for their lives. That doesn’t mean they lose their desire to be happy with what they see in the mirror.
Chemotherapy’s Ugly Side Effect: Hair Loss
One unfortunate side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss. Not all breast cancer patients will lose their hair, but many will. Hair loss usually begins a few weeks after treatment. Waking up to discover patches of hair on the pillow, losing handfuls in the shower — for a woman in the fight for her life, these shocking physical changes can be devastating. Even more devastating for many women? Facing the world robbed of their hair, which many view as their shield.
Wigs Restore Cancer Patients’ Beauty and Dignity
Many women consider their hair to be inextricably linked to their sense of femininity and beauty. The fact that the chemicals used to kill breast cancer cells often cause patients’ hair to fall out is a cruel irony. Fortunately, breast cancer patients do not have to fight their monumental fight without a beautiful head of hair.
Wigs empower women to reclaim their signature hairstyle – or a hairstyle they’ve always wanted but could never pull off. Whether they want to look like themselves again or look like a new and improved version of themselves, wigs are welcome bright spots in many women’s breast cancer journeys.
Not Your Grandma’s Wigs
Women who have never worn a wig may feel skeptical about the idea at first. Today’s wigs are far superior to the options available decades ago. The most natural wigs are made of human hair. Organizations like Pantene Beautiful Lengths collect donations of human hair specifically for the purpose of creating wigs and hairpieces for women who have lost their hair while battling cancer. The best synthetic wigs are also natural looking and are almost indistinguishable from real hair.
Battling breast cancer is emotionally and physically taxing. Outsiders looking in at breast cancer patients see their strength, courage and beauty. However, patients sometimes lose sight of these characteristics within themselves. A wig can give a breast cancer patient a reason to smile when she looks in the mirror. It’s a happy reminder that she need not be defined by her diagnosis – and that cancer need not claim her beauty.
Choosing the right wig or hair prosthesis can be challenging. We encourage you to contact us today and make an appointment to visit with a Genesis II hair loss specialist who will work one-on-one with you to address all your hair concerns. To schedule your free consultation call us today at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
Photo Credit: Komen Austin Via Flickr Creative Commons
