Are you a cancer survivor? You are in good company! There were 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States at last count.
There is a good chance that you have had to undergo chemotherapy in recent months. There are a lot of new types of chemotherapy that you could try, like hot chemotherapy. Unfortunately, chemotherapy causes a lot of issues, such as the loss of hair and a weakened immune system. This can create a lot of challenges and hurt your self-esteem.
If you want to live a healthy and happy life as a chemotherapy survivor, you should consider getting a wig. Hair is worth a lot, so you will want to consider investing in a good wig. You are going to need to make sure that you buy the right wig, as well as ensuring that it will be properly maintained to last.
You should be looking to care for your wig to ensure that you can prolong its life. We have some beneficial tips below to help you do just this as you are trying to deal with hair loss issues after chemotherapy.
1. Rotate Your Wigs
It’s advisable to have two wigs you can rotate for regular wear. This enables you to fully maintain both and have one to wear while the other is being brushed or washed. More importantly, distributing the wearing time between the two wigs will prolong its lifespan.
2. Protect Your Scalp
When you lace your wigs, it’s important to note that the lacing is much coarser than what you would find on clothing. This often lends itself to scalp irritation unless you protect yourself by dabbing scalp protector underneath the lacing. Doing so will prevent unnecessary movement and act as an anti-itch buffer zone.
3. Avoid Styling with Alcohol-Based Products
Alcohol-based hair styling products such as hair spray can lead to long-term wig damage. Due to the drying nature of alcohol and its ability to leave behind a residue, it’s essential to cleanse your wig every two weeks or so. Especially if you have a synthetic wig, never rub hair together to wash it as it will cause friction that turns into permanent frizz. Instead, gently apply the products in a stroking motion, and make sure to use a spray!
4. Only Use Wig Care Products
Never use products on your wig such as shampoo, conditioner or brushes that aren’t advertised as safe for wigs. Even if something claims to be mild or delicate, it can harm the integrity of your wig. Throwing caution to the wind will mean your wig becomes dull and loses its lustre.
5. Only Use Wig Brushes
Always and only use wig brushes! Avoid anything with nylon bristles, as they’re incredibly damaging.
6. Avoid Creating a Damaging Environment
Excessive amounts of hot or cold air, such as what you would get from blow dryers, can cause damage to your wig. However, it may feel tempting to use a blow dryer to dry your synthetic wig or try a curling iron, both of these appliances damage synthetic fibers. Natural hair wigs are a bit more forgiving when it comes to heat-based styling appliances. For the most part, you can use straighteners, curling irons, and hair dryers as long as they have a built-in heat sensor and allow you to use a lower heat setting.
7. Avoid Any Friction
Friction is the enemy of any wig, which is why you need to do what you can to avoid it. First, make sure you take off your wig when you choose to go to sleep. The friction you may experience from your pillow or movement at the nape of your neck can cause irreversible damage in the long run.
