Some cancer patients find that scarves, hats, and turbans are more comfortable to wear than a wig. (Many people find wigs somewhat itchy and uncomfortable, choosing to wear them only for social occasions or work, and not around the house or with family.) Some specialty stores and wig sellers, such as Hat & Hair and Headcovers Unlimited also offer hats, turbans, and hair bands that come with fringes of bangs or falls of hair attached in the front or back, a sort of a hybrid between a head covering and a wig. The American Cancer Society's "Look Good, Feel Better" campaign also has suggestions for types of scarves and turbans and new ways to tie them that are very flattering. And Just in Time specializes in very soft 100-percent cotton hats and head coverings that are soothing on irritated scalps.
Making sure someone going through chemotherapy has a variety of head coverings to choose from can increase his or her feeling of being in control. A man, for example, might want to have a couple of cold-weather hats or knit caps and another couple of hats for sun protection. A woman might prefer scarves and turbans in a variety of colors. Avoid slippery fabrics, though -- some, such as silk and polyester, tend to slide off a smooth scalp. Cotton and fabrics with a nubby weave or texture hold better. It might sound odd, but a shopping trip to find hats, scarves, and other head coverings can actually be a lot of fun, as well as a way to focus on the lighter side of cancer recovery.
