Comfortable Head Wear during Chemo
Hair loss is a common side effect of chemo and/or radiation. I lost all my hair during chemotherapy.
There are many options available, such as wigs, caps or hats. I looked at wigs, but the ones I tried on didn't look right on me and were very scratchy. I wanted something comfortable and easy to clean.
- My choice: the Buff
Another cancer patient recommended the Buff to me. The Buff is a tube of cloth with no seams, so it is ideal for people with sensitive scalps (a side effect of some chemo drugs). Buffs are extremely comfortable to wear.
- How is the Buff worn?
For a head covering, the Buff can be worn as a cap, do rag, pirate or sahariane style. For instructions, go here.
I wore the Buff as a "do rag", then tucked in the loose end back into the Buff at the back of my head.
I liked the large variety of patterns and colors of the Buffs (examples below!). It was fun matching the Buff to what I was wearing that day. One note is that if the pattern is different on the two ends, you will have two different looks with one Buff!
- How to care for the Buff?
To clean it, I just throw it into the washer and dryer. I bought a total of 6 Buffs, so I could use one a day.
- How much does it cost?
The Buff is not cheap at about US $20+ each, but I felt it was a really good purchase that helped me get through being bald for a year. Another advantage of the Buff is you can use it even after your hair grows back. After chemo ended, I have a full head of hair and I still use the Buff as a night cap and as a scarf. I have used my Buffs constantly for the past 7 years, and they are still all in very good shape.
- Where can I buy Buffs?
Happy Buff Wearing!
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