EXPERIENCING HAIR LOSS

If you are experiencing hair loss, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. The cause for hair loss can vary widely by individual. Possible causes of hair loss can be heredity, stress, nutritional deficiency, hormonal changes, oral medications and certain skin conditions.

An article published by the American Academy of Dermatology (07/31/01) points out just how common hair loss is among women: "Hereditary hair loss, the most common form of hair loss, affects nearly 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States alone. Hair loss, especially in women, can have devastating effects on one’s self-esteem and self-image. Studies have shown that women 50 and under experiencing hair loss report feeling unattractive, embarrassed, and helpless."

Chemotherapy is also a common cause of hair loss. With some anti-cancer drugs, it is inevitable, however not all forms will cause hair loss. The amount of hair loss with chemotherapy may also vary by person and treatment. It is important for you to discuss with your doctor how your treatment will most likely affect you so that you can be prepared for it.

THE GOOD NEWS

The good news is that hair loss is much easier to deal with when you are aware of the options available to you. Technology has advanced in such a way that hair replacements (wigs and hairpieces) look and feel just like your own hair. Look of Love is dedicated to helping you determine the hair replacement option that best suits your needs, giving you the confidence to live your life to the fullest!

A SOLUTION THAT FITS YOU

Perhaps you have hair that is thinning out, or patchy hair loss? Have you thought about getting hair extensions, only to shy away from them because of the time and expense involved? High-quality demi-wigs, fall caps and clip-on extensions and hairpieces are now available, so you can add just the amount of hair you need, without the need for a full wig.

Maybe you have lost all of most of your hair. Did you know that some wigs are now made using a shear silk material (almost nylon stocking like) for the cap, with hairs that have been individually crocheted, mimicking the way that natural hair grows? Your own scalp shows right through, as if the hairs were growing right from your scalp.

Being able to see the many alternatives all on one web site is quite the experience. We have tried to make available to you a variety of products to suit varying degrees of hair loss. We have everything from basic inexpensive clip on pieces and wigs to innovative hair replacements with totally undetectable illusion-front hairlines made with 100% human hair. The result is the availability of products to suit every need and budget.

YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE

Many insurance companies will cover 80% or more of the cost of a wig if it is needed for medical reasons. If your insurance covers hair prosthesis, the first step will be to obtain a prescription for hair replacements from a physician. When you purchase your hair replacements, have the wig supplier write, "Hair prosthesis as prescribed by doctor" on a duplicate invoice or statement.

Submit your insurance claim with copies of the prescription and invoice. It is important to follow their submission procedures to get your claim approved and paid. It is important however to remember that some insurance companies (or some coverage plans) do not consider a hair replacement to be a medical treatment and may reject it. Be sure to check your coverage and exclusions. If in doubt, call your insurance company.

The purchase of a wig for a medical reason is tax deductible. Be sure to save all receipts from wig establishments.

PREPARING FOR CHEMOTHERAPY

If you are going to be starting chemotherapy treatments, we have some suggestions that may help the transition easier:

Hair loss usually starts after the 2nd treatment (depending on the type of medication used). This gives you several weeks before you will really need a wig. During this time it is advisable to seek advice from organizations such as Look Good-Feel Better chapters, where women can find support in dealing with hair loss issues related to chemotherapy.

Secondly, start looking for a hair replacement that you feel suits your individual needs and style. It is also a good time to measure your head. Why? If your head is exceptionally large or small, a custom wig may have to be made for you, and this can take a number of weeks.

You may want to consider one or more turbans (we carry them in terrycloth and polyester) for lounging around the house, to go out to run errands or when you simply don’t want to wear your wig. We also carry "Velcro bangs" which can be attached to the inside of the turban, offering a bit of hair to frame your face nicely.

When selecting your wig, be sure to look for what is called "tape tab material" inside of the wig (see illustration). When your hair loss reaches 50-60%, it will be time to cut off the remaining hair at the tape tab points. The tape tab areas inside the wig cap allow you to use pieces of double-faced tape which will hold the wig cap to your scalp, keeping it in place hour after hour, all day, and all night long. You can even brush and style your wig without any movement or sliding. This is a wonderful feature to have and only by experience can you appreciate the feature.

Once your treatment stops, it is important to know that your hair may take some time to grow back. During this time, you will probably prefer to continue wearing a wig until you are comfortable wearing your hair on it’s own. In many cases, this may take up to 10 - 12 months time, depending on how you want your hair to look before you no longer wear the wig.

During the time you use your hair replacement, you will be living in it day and night, seven days a week. Therefore, you may want to consider owning two of them so you can alternate, or have one cleaned and re-styled while wearing the other. This will keep you from ever having to go without a wig.

LOOK OF LOVE IS PLEASED TO SERVE YOU

We hope that the information that we have provided is helpful to you in deciding if hair replacements are right for you. We pride ourselves on helping every woman to look and feel her absolute best. If you have questions or would like assistance with selecting a wig or hairpiece, please feel free to call us at 800.526.7627 between the hours of 8am-6:30pm EST Monday through Friday and 9am-4pm EST on Saturday or e-mail us at info@lookoflove.com.