How do I go about finding a wig or head covering?

Women tell us that losing their hair from chemotherapy can be the most stressful aspect of their treatment. They offer some suggestions to make this experience a little easier:

• Meet with the wig supplier/stylist while you still have a full head of hair so they can better understand your current hairstyle, color and approach to  grooming.
  
• Bring a friend who can be brutally honest about what looks good and natural on you. Better to have them be blunt up front, than to wear something that looks ridiculous.
  
• Some women find that shaving their head or getting a crewcut as the time approaches is more empowering and less traumatic than watching as clumps of hair fall out. Some women ask a girlfriend or partner to shave their head for them, to have the experience be more shared and intimate. Some families try to make an 'event' of shaving Mom's head, so that the children feel a part of things, and can see the humor amidst the sadness.
  
• Don’t let someone talk you into spending more than you are comfortable with or more than is necessary. You can buy a very attractive, easy to take care of, synthetic wig for around $200. There are some salons that will charge over $1,000 and insist you will ‘want’ a human hair wig that needs to be washed and styled frequently. This is not recommended.
• Your doctor can write you a 'prescription' for a 'cranial prosthesis' that you can submit to your insurance after purchasing a wig. Most insurance companies do not cover wigs, or only give you a small amount towards the purchase.
• You may want to knit your own "chemo cap", or let friends know that they can knit hats for you. Click here for a website that has several patterns.
  

We have surveyed our participants and they have said the following salons were kind, helpful and had a good selection. This is not a complete list of all salons in our area, and is not in any way a judgment of salons not listed.

ACCENTS OF HAIR BY VINCIE 25550 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood 216-831-8918 Advanced Hair Center 24800 Chagrin Blvd., #212 Beachwood 216-292-0224 www.advancedhaircenter.com Bob's Hair Center for Men                      21799 Lorain, Cleveland             440-331-8838 CHEMO SAVVY www.chemosavvy.com 888-599-3560 Complete Image                            1450 SOM Ctr. Rd. #3 Mayfield Hts. 440-461-4247 ELEGANT ESSENTIALS, Shellie Gregus. In home or in Medina studio 330/723-8880 EVE LOREN WIGS 252 Shoregate Mall , Willowick 440-944-7600 Gina Salon & Wigs                        17303 Detroit, Cleveland   216-226-6788 Hair Care Designers 5437 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland, 440-449-4420 HAIR COMPLIMENTS 14484 Pearl Rd., Strongsville 440-238-9779 Hair Options, Jennifer Weber           4568 Mayfield Rd., Ste #204, S. Euclid 216-382-5987 Hair Systems by Calabretta             5714 Pearl Rd., Parma       440-888-4540 HAIR THERE & EVERYWHERE 32801 Vine St, Willowick 440-943-3511

HAIRWAYS - Mi Young 28440 Chagrin, Woodmere Village 216-464-6322 Joey & Me                                                     576 N. Leavitt, Amherst              440-985-9447 Look of Elegence, Wigs by Peshi 3583 Bendemeer, Cleveland Hts. 216-321-9321 Lowry's                                        16650 Chagrin, Shaker Hts. 216-751-9447 Ms. Jade's Closet - contact Janet      1200 Melbourne, Cleveland 216-268-1672 www.msjadescloset.com NINO’S HAIR DESIGN 4950 Riverside Dr., Willoughby 216-261-2848 Paula Young www.paulayoung.com TLC (American Cancer Society catalog) Very reasonable prices for wigs and turbans 800-850-9445 Wig Fashions, Inc. by Stephanie 5466 Pearl Rd., Parma 440/886-0777 Wigs & More, Within your home Nancy Stepian 216-287-5053 Wigs & Things  - Debbie Carter   77 N. Miller Rd., Suite B Fairlawn 44333 330-864-5251 Wigs Fashioned by Lois                   5360 Broadview, Parma     216-741-3060 WIGS ON WHEELS : Dee Curry  330-865-0716              Akron Consultant 877-865-0716