One of the things people don't always warn you about before treatment starts is just how cold your head gets at night once your hair has gone. Hair does a surprisingly good job of keeping the heat in while you sleep, and when it's gone, you can feel the difference very quickly — particularly in the small hours when the temperature drops.
Here are some of the simplest and most effective ways to stay warm and comfortable overnight during treatment.
Invest in a good sleep hat
A dedicated sleep hat is the single most useful thing you can own during treatment. You'll wear it more than anything else in your collection.
What to look for:
- 100% cotton jersey that's soft, breathable and kind to a sensitive scalp.
- A relaxed fit — nothing that pulls tight at 3am, when the last thing you want is to wake up and pull something off your head.
- A decent depth so it doesn't slip up and leave the back of your neck exposed.
Our Lucy hats, in soft cotton jersey, and our Molly beanies, in breathable bamboo, are cancer hats made with overnight comfort in mind. They have no rough seams or scratchy labels inside.
Other things that help
Sleep hats work best alongside a few other small measures:
- An electric blanket on a low setting is great for maintaining all-over warmth overnight (check manufacturer's instructions).
- A good hot water bottle with a soft cover tucked near your feet or against your lower back for targeted warmth.
- Layering a sleep hat under a soft headscarf if you're particularly cold, or as a base layer before adding a beanie during the day.
A word on colours
Sleep hats tend to get a lot of use, so it's worth having two or three in rotation — one in the wash, one ready to wear. Choose colours that make you smile and that work with your daywear, since sleep hats are just as comfortable around the house during the day as they are at night.
If you're looking for a gift for someone going through treatment, a sleep hat is always gratefully received and genuinely useful. Take a look at our sleep hats.
