At iAremyhair we sell the best-quality wigs from the most reputable wig manufacturers in the world! We've hand selected each of our wigs for lightweight comfort, natural appearance and styling versatility, and they come in a variety of lengths and textures, along with a full range of natural colours. We sympathise with all cancer sufferers, whether our customers or not, and hope that by providing the following tips on buying a wig, we may in some small way help you regain your confidence in your appearance.

1. Wear your hair in a shorter style before you undergo chemotherapy.

A wig in a short hairstyle is much easier to maintain. With longer styles, as your hair begins to fall out, it can become tangled or matted, drawing unwanted attention to your illness. If you decide to buy a wig in a shorter style than you normally wear, try cutting your own hair short as soon as you know you will be going through chemotherapy, so that people get used to seeing you with shorter hair. This way, once you make the transition from your own hair to the wig, people will be less likely to notice.

2. Once your hair is cut exactly the way you want it, have your photo taken.

Have photos taken from the front and even from additional angles and profiles, so that when you have your wig made, customized and styled, the colour, density, length and style will match. This will help your wig look as much as possible like your own hair before you underwent chemotherapy.

3. As soon as you find out you will undergo chemotherapy, begin your search for a wig.

A custom-made wig generally takes 3-6 weeks to complete, so you must give your wig-maker time to produce it before your chemotherapy starts. Cancer patients usually begin losing hair within two weeks after the second session of chemotherapy. Even if you decide to buy a ready-made wig, give yourself ample time to find one that you are comfortable with.

4. Here are two ways to slow down hair loss.

Buy a satin pillowcase to sleep on. Cotton and polyester pillowcases create more friction as you roll in your sleep, causing your hair to fall out faster. Use a wide-toothed comb, begin at the ends of the hair and comb down gently. Slowly work your way towards the scalp. You are more likely to pull your hair out if you position the comb at the base of the hair shaft and try to comb through its length.

5. We recommend hand-made over machine-made wigs.

A hand-made wig will always fit better than a machine-made wig. Many stock wig companies claim that their wigs are "one size fits all". This is a myth. A wig should not feel too tight, nor should the cap come down over your ears in order to make it fit. A hand-made wig is also much lighter-weight and more comfortable to wear. Comfort is a key consideration because you will be wearing your wig for several months while your hair grows back. In addition, hand-made wigs are much easier to customise than machine-made ones. If you cannot afford a custom wig, a stock hand-made wig can be relatively easily customised to fit your head.

6. Try these tips for buying a customisable stock wig.

Don't buy a wig that is all one colour. A natural head of hair consists of many highlights and lowlights, which together make up your overall hair colour. For instance, your front hairline can be three to five shades lighter than the hair in the back of your head. Keep this in mind when colour matching a wig to your own hair colour.

Less hair is best. Most wigs have enough hair in them to make two natural-looking wigs. Make sure that the wig you choose has the same density of hair that your natural head of hair has.

Consider a wig with a lace front. This type of wig provides the most natural-looking hairline possible.

Consider having your wig customised to fit your head more closely. Pleats can be made in the cap of the wig in strategic areas for a snug fit.

Decide between human and synthetic hair for your wig. Your choice will be greatly influenced by how active your lifestyle is, what style of hair you have, etc. Although human hair feels more real to the touch, it has several drawbacks: it will lighten in colour within six months, it absorbs water, causing the knots to unravel and the hair to fall out over time, and as a result of these factors, it will be necessary to buy two wigs before your own hair has grown back. Talk with your wig designer to help you make an informed decision based on your lifestyle and budget.

7. Have tape tabs sewn into your wig.

The most secure way to attach your wig to your head is with double-sided tape. Elastic alone will often cause the wig to ride up on your head, sometimes without you noticing before someone else does. Special double-sided tape is available for wigs and hairpieces. Attach foundation tape to the wig base first, before applying doublesided tape to the foundation tape. This will prevent wear and tear to the wig with each daily replacing of the double-sided tape.

8. Using clips as a method of attachment.

Within 8-12 months, your hair will have grown back to an acceptable length, but before that, it may be long enough to switch from double-sided tape to comb clips. These clips are sewn into the base of the wig and hold the wig in place by clipping your existing hair. Be careful about the type of clip you use. Clips with a high arch are more likely to pull out your new hair.

9. Maintaining your wig.

Synthetic hair wigs should be washed with a special shampoo and conditioner designed for synthetic hair. Air dry at room temperature on a washing line or wig stand. Wait until completely dry before brushing or combing into your desired style. Avoid heated styling tools.

Wigs made from human hair should be washed with a mild shampoo and conditioner, rinsed, gently blotted dry, and then combed while damp using gentle downward strokes, working section by section from the bottom of the hair up to the crown. Allow to air dry naturally. Style with a hairdryer, warm heat or steam rollers or a curling iron on a low heat setting.

10. Consider donating your old wig.

Many people cannot afford to buy their own wig while undergoing chemotherapy. Once you no longer need yours, you may be able to help someone else by donating your wig to the Cancer Society.