How To Choose The Right Head Covering And Fabric
Cancer is a Life Changing Event and losing your hair due to Chemotherapy can be the most challenging thing you could be facing with your cancer diagnoses. Many don’t know where to start when choosing a head covering. Here are a few things to consider when looking for a sleep cap, beanie, hat, turban, or a scarf.
- FULL COVERAGE: when shopping for a head covering, you should be aware of how much coverage this cap/hat will provide with the absence of your Bio hair. Choose a style that will provide good coverage around the entire hairline and into the nape.
- SOFT MATERIALS: for a sensitive, bald scalp comfort is definitely a must! Smooth, soft, and breathable fabrics will feel the most comfortable against your skin. Bamboo and Cotton are very good choices in material. They can be worn year-round.
- SEAMS OR FEW SEAMS: head coverings with few to no seams will be less bothersome to a sensitive scalp and will also be more comfortable to sleep in.
- VOLUME: designs that offer some kind of volume will give an illusion of hair underneath. Try tying a scarf around your cap for added dimension and volume or accessorize your cap with jewelry like broches, pins, or flowers on a clip. Be imaginative!
Lifestyle Considerations:
When deciding what type of cancer head covering is best for you, it is important to determine several factors:
- CLIMATE: In what climate, will you be wearing your headwear? This will determine which fabrics and weights of headwear to choose. Will you choose Summer Hats or Winter Hats? Some items, such as Cotton Hats and Bamboo Hats can be worn year round.
- LIFESTYLE: Do you primarily wear casual, business casual or dressier clothing? Where you will wear your headwear? Do you need a dressy hat for a special occasion? Are you looking for a casual cap, beanie, turban, or scarf to wear while running errands or going to treatments? Will you be wearing it outdoors? Knowing what you are going to feel comfortable in will empower you with more confidence.
Knowing when and where you plan to wear your headcover will help determine the type of headwear that is right for you. Most styles are usually available in several fabrics or color choices, so that you can find one that suits your needs.
A wig can help women with hair loss feel secure and confident. With so many styles and colors to choose from, it is even possible to find a wig that closely resembles your hairstyle prior to your hair loss. In our private consultation, we can help you with a step-by-step guide to buying the right style and color.
For those who cannot decide between a hat or a wig, we offer our “hats with hair” hairpieces. Halo’s are open on top, allowing your head to breathe while giving the look of having hair. Many women who are not fond of wigs find these hairpieces the ideal solution, as they are often more comfortable and low-maintenance than a traditional wig.
5 Must-Have Basic Headwear Items for Cancer Patients
- SLEEP CAP When you don’t have hair to cover your scalp, heat can be lost through the top of your head when you are sleeping. In other words: you’ll get cold. Finding a sleep cap that you can wear at night can prevent night chills and work to keep your head warm at night. Additionally, bare scalps can be sensitive and a sleep cap will help protect your skin while you toss and turn in your sleep. It is a good suggestion to start sleeping in your sleep cap a day or two before your hair is going to shed so in case your hair starts to shed during the night it will be contained to your cap.
- BASIC BEANIE OR TURBAN Beanies and turbans are ideal “everyday” head coverings. These can be thrown on quickly, and they’re perfect for wearing to chemotherapy treatments where you will want to be comfortable as sometimes your treatments can take a few hours. They can even be kept in a car, purse, or pocket for quick, unexpected trips. Our most basic coverings come in many colors, so you can easily find one that suits you. You’ll get the most from your money by purchasing a simple, comfy cap because they can be dressed up with accessories and they can also double as sleep caps.
- SUN PROTECTION HAT Cancer treatments can leave your skin extremely vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. Invest in a wide brimmed sun hat to help keep your scalp, face, and neck protected. Many of hats also have SPF built right into the fabric for even more protection.
- HAT LINER A hat liner made from soft, comfortable fabric like cotton or bamboo, is a great item to have on hand. Wearing a hat liner allows you to wear hat styles made from more abrasive materials without irritating the scalp. A hat liner can also be worn under any hat to give you full head coverage.
- SLIP-ON OR PRE-TIED SCARF These easy-to-use scarves are a wonderful every day or formal option for cancer patients. They slip right onto the head and give the look of an intricately tied scarf without all of the work. They’re lightweight and perfect to toss into a bag or keep in your car for times when you need something quick, easy, and pretty to put one. Their elegant design can be dressed up with little to more effort.
Desirable Fabric to Look For
- COTTON Cotton is a soft, durable, natural fiber. It is breathable, versatile and used in many different types of hats. We often use cotton as a liner in our hats that feature a shell in another type of fabric. Cotton hats are often the first headwear purchase that cancer patients make because the benefits of 100% cotton fabric are so well known.
- BAMBOO Bamboo is a lesser known natural fiber that cancer patients should become familiar with. It is exceptionally soft and silky in feel. It is also absorbent, pill resistent, durable and has natural antibacterial properties.
- FLEECE Fleece is warm, soft, and comfortable. It is easy wash and wear. Because of its warmth, it is best for cool weather. For those who are unfamiliar with the term “fleece” think of your softest sweatpants that you reach for on a cold day.
- TERRY CLOTH Terry cloth is a soft fabric that is most often used in turbans. It is absorbent and a great choice for home, spa, pool or beach. For those unfamiliar with fabric terms, think of traditional towel material.
- WOOL Wool is most often used in cool weather garments. It resists water and is made from natural, breathable fibers. It provides excellent warmth and insulation. For those who find wool hats to be abrasive, a soft night cap, such as a lace sleep cap can be worn underneath.
- BERBER, TWEED & CORDUROY These fabrics are most often used in cool weather hats due to fabric thickness. These fabrics provide warmth and a wonderful texture that brings a unique element to the hat design. Because some fabrics are abrasive, we line the inside of these hats for a comfortable fit.
- LYCRA The addition of Lycra in a fabric allows it to stretch. Lycra allows head coverings to conform to the head securely yet comfortably, returning to its normal shape after being stretched.