So, you’re already dealing with the negative side effects of cancer treatments and you’ve recently lost your hair. What more could you possibly have to worry about? Hopefully the search is over and you’ve finally found the perfect wig. (Read our post on choosing a wig.) But learning how to style that new hair may take more time than you thought. Although the majority of patient wigs arrive with a predisposed style, don’t worry if it doesn’t match your personality. You can fix it with the following simple tips.
Headcovers Unlimited suggests visiting a stylist or wig professional first, and letting them work closely with the hair to reshape and style your look. Many cancer survivors advocate the importance of having the wig styled in an intimate setting. One breast-cancer fighter explained, “[My stylist and I] joked and laughed. He told me about other cancer clients and their wig woes. I relaxed, grew more comfortable. Looking in the mirror and seeing myself bald became less difficult.” (Read more here). She added, “The intimacy of the hair stylist-client relationship is legendary; quadruple its intensity when the client is newly bald and the hair stylist is one of the few privy to that knowledge.” Finding a stylist or salon you trust is imperative to perfecting the look of your wig and growing more comfortable with styling techniques. It can also promote emotional healing.
If you’ve purchased a wig made from human hair, styling it at home is not that different from dealing with your previous locks. Human hair wigs can generally be blown dry, straightened, or curled as normal (although it’s important to check with the manufacturer or a stylist first). A cancer fighter from The Cancer Blog explains: “[My human hair wig] can be washed, dried, curled, styled, and cut. It looks so real that some people didn’t even know chemotherapy took my hair. It was the perfect disguise for me.” Nevertheless, it’s crucial to handle all wigs using the appropriate tools, including products (shampoo or conditioners), combs, and brushes designed specifically for wigs.
How do you style a wig made from synthetic materials? A recent article from Love to Know author Theresa Halvorsen explains the benefits of low-maintenance synthetic wigs: “They can be easier to maintain, hold a hair style longer, dry faster after washing and are cheaper than human hair wigs.” However, it’s extremely important to avoid any heated styling tools when dealing with synthetic fibers-you may melt or destroy the hair.
Overall, styling your new wig from home can be easier than you think. It just takes patience, practice and the proper tools…and you’ll be feeling great in no time!
*What is your favorite way to style your wig? Did you visit a stylist or prefer to learn techniques yourself? Please share!
Photo courtesy of Snap Village
