This is a review of the best wigs for cancer patients in 2023.
Hair loss from chemotherapy and radiation treatments can be unnerving to say the least. Having the option of wearing a wig can bring you confidence and make you feel beautiful while you experience your cancer treatments.
My name is Lauren, and I have lost a loved one to cancer and have also seen a few friends battle this terrible disease. While cancer is such an ugly and horrible disease, you don’t have to let the loss of your hair make you feel any less beautiful.
There are so many options for wigs that you can wear as a cancer patient, and even some that will look like it is your very own. That is why the Belaved Lace Frontal Bob Human Hair Wig is the best overall choice.
This wig is made with Brazilian virgin hair and comes in a light/medium brown color swiss lace. This makes it perfect for blending into your scalp and giving you a realistic look.
Don’t worry, there are many other choices that will work great and I will be sure to cover my top faves. I will go over my recommendations below with the scoop on the good and bad so that you can pick the best wig for you!
Quick Summary
- Best Overall: Belaved Lace Frontal Bob Human Hair Wig
- Best Wavy: Kalyss Ombre Blonde Synthetic Hair Wig
- Best Affordable: HAIRCUBE Long Layered Natural Wigs
- Best Short Wigs: Paula Young Short Versatile Layered Wig
4 Best Wigs for Cancer Patients – Our Top Picks
In this section, check out my top choices for the best wigs for cancer patients with a detailed review of each option below.
Belaved Lace Frontal Bob Human Hair Wig
- Key features: 13x4x1 T Part lace frontal, 150% density, natural colors
- Length: 8-14 inches
- Hair Quality: Brazilian virgin human hair
- Best for: Overall
This Belaved lace frontal bob wig is made with 100% unprocessed Brazilian virgin human hair that is silky and smooth. It has a pre-plucked hairline that offers a realistic look that looks like it is coming from your scalp.
You will absolutely love this pre-styled bob wig that comes with a middle part on its 13x4x1 inch T part lace frontal. The lengths go from 8 to 14 inches, which can stop at your chin and also your shoulders.
Feel free to finesse this wig and make it your own with heat styling tools like a curling iron or flat iron with temperatures up to 160C. You can get the perfect fit as this wig comes in medium cap size. It has two adjustable straps and 3 combs that will give you a secure fit.
This wig is 150% density and will give you a naturally full look that will resemble your natural hair’s thickness. You will feel good wearing this wig and it doesn’t itch your scalp like other wigs.
Unfortunately, this wig might be too thin for some people even though it’s at a standard density. If you want a fuller wig, then I recommend trying another wig.
Kalyss Ombre Blonde Synthetic Hair Wig
- Key features: Heat resistant, capless open weft, bangs
- Length: 26 inches
- Hair Quality: High temperature synthetic hair
- Best for: Wavy
This wig is constructed with 100% Japanese high temperature heat resistant synthetic fibers. They can be styled with heat styling tools up to 150C. Heat resistant synthetic fibers have physical properties, appearance, color, and textures that are highly similar to your natural hair.
You don’t have to worry about styling this wig because it comes pre-styled with light waves. There is also a side part and long side bangs that will give this wig some definition. The style will be maintained even after washing and requires minimal upkeep.
The wig has an ombre hair color that comes in blonde with dark brown roots. It is 26 inches and falls around a mid shoulder length. It’s great because you can wear it right out of the bag. It’s constructed on a capless open weft which makes it breathable while wearing it.
While this wig offers a nice feel and look, it can be a bit poofy to some. You can try to thin it out yourself if you like. If this is an issue for you, then I wouldn’t get this wig.
HAIRCUBE Long Layered Natural Wigs
- Key features: machine made, heat friendly fiber, tightly knit hairline
- Length: 20 inches
- Hair Quality: Japanese Kanekalon fiber
- Best for: Affordable
When it comes to having an affordable wig that looks natural, this wig doesn’t fail. It’s made with 100% Japanese Kanekalon fiber that can be curled or straightened. It is machine made and crafted with quality.
It has a tightly knit hairline that is naturally messy. The crown is a bit frizzy to allow for a more natural and free parting.
It comes in an average cap size that is capless. The lightweight cap is constructed with spaces between the wefts to allow for ventilation to keep your scalp cool while wearing it.
The adjustable pull straps are ½ an inch and sit at the back to adjust the cap freely and give you a secure fit while wearing your wig. Velvet lined ear tabs are constructed with a soft velvet material for additional comfort. They contain a wire that bends to conform to the shape of your temples.
This wig comes in natural hair colors and will make you feel confident while wearing it. The only downside to this wig is that the cap can be plainly visible and will be very large for small heads.
Paula Young Short Versatile Layered Wig
- Key features: WhisperLite fiber, multi tonal, pre-styled
- Length: Short
- Hair Quality: WhisperLite fiber
- Best for: Short
If you’re looking for a wig that was designed to be comfortable and natural looking, then the Paul Young wig is for you. This wig is made with WhisperLite fiber that is a fraction of the width of traditional wig fibers. This makes the wig feel lighter and comfortable enough for you to wear all day.
This wig offers a professional array of shades that include up to a dozen complementary tones that will give you depth and dimension. There are multi-tonal shades that give a beautiful gradient look of light at the top and darker towards the ends.
You can tousle the waves with this pre-styled wig that is precisely tapered at the sides to frame your face. There are wispy layers throughout to enhance your look and to make you feel younger. This wig is constructed with the finest quality so that you don’t have to worry about frizz or your wig falling flat.
Although this wig is comfortable, it may run a bit small and will not be for everyone. You can check with the seller to see what your options are or try another wig.
Guide to Buying Wigs for Cancer Patients
Take the following factors into consideration when you are screening out the best wigs for cancer patients.
Human vs. Synthetic Hair
Choosing which type of hair you want for your wigs really comes down to cost and maintenance. The option to style and color the hair will also be a key factor when you decide on how and when you will wear your wigs.
Human hair will give you the most natural look and will be great for styling and coloring the hair if you choose. Synthetic hair comes pre-styled for you and will require less maintenance than human hair. The only drawback is that you can’t dye synthetic hair or style it differently.
There are heat resistant fibers available with synthetic hair options that allow you to use heat styling tools just as you would human hair. Consider how often you would like to style your wig and if changing up your look is important to you or not.
Styling
Styling your wigs comes down to whether you want to style it yourself or have it pre-styled for you. You can get pre-styled synthetic wigs and different textures of human hair that have an original style to them as well.
Styling products and tools work great on wigs, and can offer additional styling options for you to try. Make sure that you are washing your wigs of any product residue within 1 to 2 weeks, especially if you are using any styling gels and holding sprays.
After washing your wigs, they should return to their original state and style if they are synthetic or a certain human hair texture. You can always check with the seller about products to use or avoid.
Here is a great video about choosing a wig for cancer patients by Boston’s WCVB TV Channel 5 reporter Kelley Tuthill, a breast cancer survivor.
Maintenance Tips
Here are some great tips to extend the lifespan of the wigs and keep them at tip-top conditions. We have written a detailed article about how to take care of your wig, do check it out!
Washing the Wig Regularly
Whether using human hair or synthetic wigs, washing your wigs with appropriate hair care products is always the most critical step for keeping them nice, shiny, and clean.
We have written several articles about washing different types of wigs, simply pick the one suits your needs the most!
- How to wash a human hair wig
- How to wash a curly wig
- How to wash a wig without wig shampoo
- How to wash a lace front wig
Making Use of Wig Stands & Wig Heads
It’s one thing to have a wig, but it’s another thing to store it. Having a wig stand or using a wig head is the best place to keep your wigs, so they stay in the best shape possible.
Storing a wig that you plan on wearing often, or daily, should be kept nicely on a wig stand and not in a plastic bag or box. The wig stand allows the wig to keep its shape and style without the fear of the wig getting flat.
Wig stands are also great for drying your wigs after you wash them. You can also style the wig on the wig stand if you plan on curling or straightening it.
FAQs
Here are some common questions that you should know when it comes to wearing wigs for cancer patients.
What do you wear under a chemo wig?
Most cancer patients will wear a wig cap under a chemo wig,
The lining of the wig can irritate the scalp, so it may be helpful to wear a thin, cotton wig liner underneath. These are usually available from wig suppliers. They can sometimes make a wig move around more, so you may need to experiment to find out what works best for you.
Can you get a free wig if you have cancer?
Yes, most cancer centers, non-profit organizations, and even some wig sellers do provide free wigs for cancer patients, here are some examples: American Cancer Society, Wigs & Wishes, Wigs for Kids, Ebeauty
How do I care for my wig?
Since your wig will be worn often, or perhaps daily, you need to consider maintenance options with special products or styling tools. Whether you purchase a human hair wig or synthetic, it is important to wash your wigs every two weeks. If you’re using hair sprays or styling creams, consider washing it weekly.
Wig shampoos are very popular for synthetic wigs because they tend to be milder and provide a gentle cleanse for washing your wigs. You should always detangle your wigs while they are wet with a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush. Let your wigs air dry when you are done.
You should store your wigs on a wig stand or mannequin head for the best care. You can also let your wig air dry on a wig stand if you have one.
How do I fit my wig to my head?
Getting the best fit out of your wigs can entail several things and will be dependent on each person. Obviously, if you have a shaved head, then you will resort to using the adjustable straps and maybe the use of wearing a wig cap underneath your wig.
Adjustable straps are great for tailoring the wig to your head size and shape without the need to use additional tapes or glues. However, if you are interested in long-term wear, tapes and glues should be considered.
Most wigs will also come with combs attached that help with securing the wig to your head and giving a comfortable fit. Combs will work for those with short hair around 1-2 inches.
How much should I spend on a wig?
Wigs can cost you anywhere from $20 to over a thousand dollars. The higher the price usually means, the higher the quality, but you don’t have to spend a lot to look like a lot.
Human hair wigs are usually more expensive because of their longevity and durability compared to synthetic wigs. However, there are some high-quality synthetic wigs that can hold a pretty hefty price tag too.
It’s always good to assume your budget and go for a wig that you can afford. Maintenance is key when it comes to caring for wigs at any price point and should be considered before you open your wallet.
My Verdict
Using wigs for your hair loss because of your cancer can make you feel confident and beautiful. It’s even better when it looks natural. Until your hair can grow back, having the option of wearing wigs will give you the versatility to wear your hair any way you like.
My top pick would have to be Belaved Lace Frontal Bob Human Hair Wig because of its excellent human hair quality and durability, and its realistic and natural look.