BCO Blog: What to Wear When You Lose Your Hair

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Moderators Member Posts: 25,912

What to Wear When You Lose Your Hair

Gina de Givenchy, breast cancer survivor and headwear designer, shares her advice on selecting hats and scarves if you have treatment-related hair loss.

Read more from the Boost of Confidence Blog.

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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited July 2019

    It would be great if you gave the direct link, rather than forcing us to find it on the Boost of Confidence "blog."

    https://www.breastcancer.org/tips/confidence/head-coverings

    Here are some other thoughts for those just starting the process:

    1. Don't buy a lot before you know what works for you. You can order a lot of scarves, etc, online, only to have them either not fit or not flatter. Better to buy one or two things at a time to give yourself time to try them out. You also might find that a local thrift or consignment shop has lots of scarves you can try for minimal cost.

    2. Layers of beanies, pads, and scarves can be unbearably hot in the summer. Wrapping a 60" long shawl around your head a few times might seem like a really bad idea once you actually have it on.

    3. For casual wear, you might be most comfortable in a basic ball cap, bald underneath. Honestly, NO ONE else cares that you are bald.

    4. Another alternative to the ball cap is the bandana. Bandanas and other cotton squares are cheap and come in every color. You can fold it once across the diagonal and tie in back, or secure it with a hair scrunchie, like you would have wrapped around a ponytail.

    5. You might enjoy putting a little more attention on your makeup and earrings now, as people will focus more completely on your face as they speak with you.

    6. As the author says in the blog post, the hair loss is temporary. It might be a long reminder of a difficult time, but your hair will grow back.

  • hapa
    hapa Member Posts: 920
    edited July 2019

    I just want to reiterate that no one else cares that you're bald. The only comment I ever got about my lack of hair was "ooh, I like your beanie!" I don't think that lady even realized it was covering up my baldness.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2019

    Thank you both for posting!

    MountainMia -- that link was included in the OP; the title of the blog post is the link. Are you not able to see it? Let us know if not so we can see if there is a technical issue we need to address!

    Thanks!

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited July 2019

    image


    If I loose my hair again, I’m getting and wearing this. Too hot here for anything else, don’t want to get sunburned.

  • Arizonagirl
    Arizonagirl Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2021

    $40 for a simple head covering seems excessive for the average person. When I had breast cancer and chemo years ago, I lived in my soft, jersey beanie. Is there a cheaper alternative for a friend looking for one?

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2021

    I really liked thecotton bandanas when I wasn’t using wigs. They are cool, don’t slip on a bald head, come in hundreds of prints and colors not just the old blue paisley anymore - and they’re inexpensive.

  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited September 2021

    hell I sweetie I wore scarves inside but had brought wigs similar to my hair styles. My 2 wigs were streaked blonde wore to work stores but scarves or none around immediate family. After treatment I washed and donated them but my hair grew back pretty good. We were planning our 2nd marriages at diagnosis found the lump in shower. But Praise God for Inspiration now a 27yr Survivor.Positive thoughts and plenty of Hope Faith. My fiance now husband and family s I crucial to keeping me uplifted..Hang in there. IDC stage2 0/3 nodes 3 mo chemo before and after L mast then got married then7wks rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen.

  • ToutVaBien
    ToutVaBien Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2021

    How did you transition to work with either a wig or other head covering? I'm dreading it because I feel a wig would be too hot at times so I may alternate some days with a scarf.

  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited September 2021

    ToutVaBien, I always wore a scarf when out of the house, or sometimes just a ball cap. But one day while teaching I was way too warm, and I asked the students (adults) if anyone would care if I took off my hat. They said no, so I did. And after that, I rarely covered my bald head again.

    If your co-workers know you're in treatment, they will (hopefully) be sympathetic and want you to do whatever is needed to be comfortable. Sometimes humans are bald, and mostly the rest of the world doesn't care very much, after getting used to the idea. So I guess you just have to get to a point where you are okay with it. Good luck.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited September 2021

    I had a wig but it was too hot in Texas. I also has a "hats with hair" and that worked much better. 90% of the time I just wore Buffs.

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