We all have approximately 100,000 hairs in our scalp. Most people normally lose 50 to100 hairs a day. On the days when hair is washed, people can lose up to 250 strands.

This is by far one of our most popular questions. Your hair will begin to grow back approximately 3 weeks after your last treatment. You must remember just because you had your last chemo doesn’t mean you are done. You still have to get through the side effects, like your first treatment. Some women may not lose their hair, or may lose very little hair, and it may begin re-growing sooner. When your hair starts to grow back, it will probably be slightly different from the hair you lost, but the difference is usually temporary. Your new hair might have a different texture or colour. It might be curlier than it was before, or it could be gray until the cells that control the pigment in your hair begin functioning again. Eventually, your hair usually goes back to the way it used to be after the effect of chemotherapy on the hair follicle wears off which may surprise you if you have been dying and perming or straightening your hair for years. You may not recognize your own hair in its natural state.

There are drugs on the market that have been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to treat hair loss in women. However the cause of the hair loss, the extent of the hair loss (treatment is usually less effective for extensive hair loss) and how each individual responds will determine how effective the medication is.

Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Corticosteroids
Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp)

Synthetic Wigs are less expensive and easier to maintain during your treatment as they require less daily styling. They can also be warmer if they are longer in length. Human Hair Wigs offer you the freedom to style and restyle them as often as you wish. They may have a cooler, more natural feel.

Provincial plans (including Alberta Aids to Daily Living) do not cover wigs; however many extended health care plans do. Check with your individual insurer regarding whether or not wigs are covered. A prescription will be required and you may obtain one from your oncologist or doctor. For prescription purposes a wig will be referred to as a “cranial prosthetic” or “hair prosthesis”. The prescription should be dated prior to the date of purchase of your wig. If you do not have an extended health care plan you may claim your wig as a “health expense” on your income tax and receive a refund for a portion of the cost of your wig. Women who are receiving government assistance may qualify for programs that will pay for their wigs. Check with your individual provincial and/or municipal governments.

When we first opened Compassionate Beauty, it seemed that everyone was storing their wigs on those white Styrofoam heads. I couldn’t imagine a more disturbing site than a dead head with no eyes in my bathroom. We did some research and found that it actually isn’t good to store your wig on the heads. The wigs would shrink and mould to the shape and size of the Styrofoam head. So, every time you put it on, it would have to relearn your head shape; not a comfortable process. And, after wearing your wig all day, it would have picked up the odours of the day – perfume, environmental smells, etc. – and putting the wig on the solid form wouldn’t allow it to air out. We suggest that you store your wig on a bottle of champagne or your favourite bottle of wine.