Hats, Turbans, Scarves, and Other Headcoverings
Scarves & Pretied Scarves
Scarves and pretied scarves are comfortable, easy looks that are not expensive. If you’re the creative type, you’ll find that scarves can be tied in many creative ways. Scarves can also be tied over a base such as the 3-seam turbans/cloches. Pretied scarves have elastic in the back with ties for a tighter fit.
Turbans, Snoods & 3 Seam Cloches
Turbans and 3-seam cloches are another comfortable, affordable alternative to wigs. 3-seam Cloches and turbans surround your entire head. Snoods hang down in the back and give the illusion of hair. Unlike scarves, turbans, 3-seam cloches, and snoods don't need tying or adjusting-you just pull them on. They also can be used to keep your head warm. Add Velcro bangs for a different look.
Hats
ChicHairOptions.com offers an extensive selection of comfortable hats which you coverage as well as style. From cotton knits to velvets, we have hats to suit you needs and style. Don’t be afraid to experiment with adding pins, flowers and scarves to a hat to create your own unique look.
Makeup
If you lose your eyebrows and eyelashes, you may want to use makeup to restore balance to your features. For permanent alopecia, you may want to look into having your eyebrows tattooed. WARNING! Permanent tattooing (Micropigmentation) over your eyelid or brow area can contain metal-like molecules that may react within a magnetic field, making it difficult to get an MRI scan in the future. Consult your physician before doing this type of procedure. (http://www.yourplasticsurgeryguide.com/other-procedures/micropigmentation.htm is a good place to start for checking out adverse reactions.)
Here are some tips:
- Find a “Look Good, Feel Better” session through your local American Cancer Society. They will teach you make up tips to cope with the changes that occur with chemotherapy.
- Practice your technique, trying out shapes you like, in front of your mirror.
- Feather in strokes along your brow with slightly different colored eyebrow shadow and a stiff angled brush to get a more natural look.
- Try using cake eyeliner (you add water) and a thin brush for the lack of eyelashes. Cake eyeliner tends to stay on better than eyeliner pencil. It’s hard to find but worth the effort. I found a brand a Nordstrom and then found one at Sephora with both black and brown in the same container. It takes some practice but it’s worth it. Now, I don’t use anything else.
- If you really miss eyelashes, try false ones. You can go very subtle or get great big batting ones like Nicole Richie. Just make sure you’re not allergic to the glue.
- Chemotherapy can cause changes to your skin tone. Be sure to alter your foundation, shading, lipstick, and eye makeup to complement your skin tone..
Many beauty salons have a makeup expert on staff, and sell cosmetics that you can buy to create the same look. You can also go to the makeup counter in any department store for a free session with a stylist. We like MAC and Bobbie Brown.
Coping With Hairloss Article
© Marlin Bressi
One of te most difficult things for a woman to accept is the fact that she is losing her hair. For many women, hairloss isn't just a physical problem, but an emotional one as well. Women are raised with the belief that hair is a mark of identification; a symbol of their feminity. It establishes an identity. For instance, we usually refer to a woman who's name is unknown as "the blonde woman at work", or "the redhead from the supermarket", or "the curly-haired girl down the street". It is instinctive for people to identify other people by their hair more than almost any other physical trait. We seldom identify others by their show size, ear placement, or tongue length. It is the hair that identifies the woman, and a woman who has lost her hair feels as if she has lost an important part of herself.
Society treats male baldness much differently than it treats the same problem in regards to women. It is accepted, and oftentimes even expected for a man of middle-age to experience a receding hairline or a thinning spot. On some men it even looks good, lending them an air of distinguishability and maturity. A balding man also has the option of shaving off what remains of his hair, it has even become quite fashionable to do so. But women have far less options. Yet they do have options.
Wigs and hairpieces are the obvious solution. Millions of women in this country face moderate to extreme hairloss, and a good percentage of them select this option. The technology and craftmanship of making customized hairpieces has evolved greatly throughout the past few years. Some of the higher-end ones are practically impossible to detect, even at a close distance. Human-hair hairpieces can be quite expensive, often exceeding one thousand dollars. Lesser quality pieces can be made from yak hair, horsehair, and synthetic fiber. Even the quality of human-hair wigs and hairpieces vary greatly. European hair is the best of the best, but its rarity makes it quite costly and it is very rare to find European hair in longer lengths. Indian or Italian hair is mid-range in both price and quality. It ranges from wavy to curly and can be easily permed, straightened, and colored. Chinese hair is at the bottom of the quality scale, yet it still surpasses the quality of non-human hair wigs. Chinese hair is used because it is inexpensive, plentiful, and its thickness allows it to be subjected to alot of chemical processes in order to change its color and texture.
If you still have a fair amount of hair that is shoulder-length, you can consider hair extensions. Extensions add length and thickness, but they can only be placed below the occipital area of the head; in other words, it is not recommended or desirous to place extensions on the crown of the head or along the hairline.
Minoxidil can also be used to slow down or even stop the progression of hair loss. The downside is that you can expect to pay around fifty dollars a month for the drug, and once you are on it you can't stop taking it. If you do, the hair that you re-grew or prevented from falling out will be lost. And another consideration is the possibility of side effects.
There are many temporary solutions available as well. These range from thickening shampoos to topical solutions that will increase blood circulation to the scalp. Bad circulation is one of the many factors that affect hairloss. One must also consider heredity, diet, stress, and any medications. Medications such as blood thinners, heart medication, thyroid medication, and hormones can also affect hair density. It is normal to experience thinning as our bodies age, but any sudden hairloss can signal a medical condition, such as alopecia. A dermatologist is recommended to help diagnose and treat these conditions.
There are salons out there specializing in hair replacement. They may be hard to find, but for women who face hairloss it is worth the search. The staff is usually trained in all the current techniques and procedures and can guide you step-by-step as to how you can treat the problem with a solution that suits you best, whether it be a hairpiece, extensions, or even just a change in style. Hair replacement salons differ from your regular salons in many ways. The stylists are working in a highly-specialized field and are the best at what they do. They usually have private consultation and styling rooms to provide you with comfort and privacy. Hairloss is a delicate subject, and the last thing you want to do is discuss your situation in a crowded salon with complete strangers.
There are options out there, the key is to find the one that suits you best.
