Chemo Headwear FAQs
If you're here because you or someone you love is facing hair loss from chemotherapy, we're glad you found us. This page brings together the questions we're asked most often, from what to expect with hair loss to how sizing, ordering and delivery work when you shop with us. Have a read below, and if you can't find what you need, get in touch and we'll help however we can, or visit our Support page which contains lots of information on charities and organisations that offer advice and services you may find useful.
Will all my hair fall out during chemo?
Everyone responds differently to chemotherapy treatment. Some women retain their eyebrows and eyelashes, others dont - so there is unfortunately no set of rules. You could also lose all your body hair too - so you get a temporary reprieve from shaving and waxing (the silver lining to the cloud!).
If you lose your eyebrows or eyelashes, you might find your eyes water more frequently. This is because the dust particles or sweat that usually gets caught by eyebrows and eyelashes runs straight into your eye causing irritation. If you wear glasses, this can help as first line of defense, but you can also buy false eyelashes that are easy to apply, and we also stock waterproof long lasting eyebrow pencils to prevent smudging during the day.
You may also find your nasal hair falls out on chemotherapy treatment too. If this happens, your nose might run more than usual. To help prevent this, try lining the inside of each nostril with a little vaseline to catch any dust particles in the air.
How quickly will my hair fall out after my first chemotherapy treatment?
As a general rule, most chemotherapy drugs will cause hair loss after the second cycle. There are a few which cause hair loss after the first cycle, but we tend to find where this is the case, your oncology nurse will tell you. Hair loss doesn't happen all at once, its a gradual process and can take a few days.
Tips to help manage the process are: wear a soft chemo hat at night to catch hair as it sheds which makes it easier to clear in the morning, brush your hair with a soft brush to remove any mats, cut your hair shorter (if you have long hair) so its less distressing as it sheds, or consider shaving your head. If you decide to shave your head, use clippers and do not use a wet razor as this can cause skin abbrasions which could get infected.
Why does chemotherapy treatment cause hair loss?
There are 3 stages to the hair lifecycle; a growth phase, a resting phase and a shedding phase. At any one time, our hair folicles are in one of these stages, so we don't notice when hair falls out quite so much.
Chemotherapy treatment pushes our hair folicles all into the shedding phase, all at the same time. This causes the hair loss most people experience during chemo. Your hair will grow back after your treatment has completed, it usually takes 6 weeks for hair to start growing back, and it can grow back at a rate of 1.5cm every 4 weeks.
What is chemo curl?
Chemo curl occurs when your hair grows back curly after your chemotherapy treatment. As the hair starts to grow, it sometimes doesnt reach the surface of the skin in a straight line, curling around the folicle before it grows above the skin. This is what causes the curl.
It doesn't often last, as your hair grows, the weight in the length of each strand starts to straighten the curl out. Chemo curl doesn't happen to everyone.
How do I measure my head for a cancer hat/chemo headscarf?
Using a flexible tapemeasure (or if you dont have one, some string), take a measurement from approx 2cm above your eyebrows and around to the back of your head, skirting just above the top of your ears. This will give you a circumference which will be your head size.
If you are taking your measurement before hair loss, it will be slightly larger than when taken afterwards, but it will give you a good enough guide to work from. Most cancer hats and headscarves are either made of flexible material, or they feature an elasticated section at the back so they fit a broader range of head sizes.
What are the best chemo hats?
The best chemo hats to buy are soft, made from natural fabrics such as cotton, bamboo or cotton jersy, and easy to wear. Most people want something that does not require a lot of tying, so look for a design that quickly pulls on, or is already part-styled for you - especially if you have experienced breast surgery and your arm movement is limited.
What is the best material for a chemo hat?
Because chemotherapy treatment can make your skin sensitive, our advice is to opt for natural fabrics such as cotton, cotton jersey, bamboo or silk. Silk can make you feel a bit warm however. In winter, a warmer material such as wool is ideal, but make sure the hat is lined with a softer fabric such as cotton or bamboo, otherwise it can be itchy and uncomfortable against your skin.
We only use cotton, cotton jersey or bamboo in our products. The fabric is soft on sensitive skin and it is breathable.
How many chemo hats do I need?
We recommend starting with three chemo hats, or a mix of chemo hats and headscarves. This gives you one for night time and two options for the daytime so you have one you can wear while the other is in the wash. You can buy more than that, but we advise you start small so you have some ready to wear, and then grow your cancer hat wardrobe from there.
The item I want is out of stock. What can I do?
If any of our chemo hats are out of stock, we should be getting more in shortly, but if you are unsure and want to check when they will be in stock, please call or contact us via our online form and let us know which item you are interested in so we can give you a more accurate date for delivery.
Are your products unique?
We design all our chemotherapy headwear products in house and select fabrics from a wide range of suppliers here in the UK. All our chemo hats are manufactured in the UK by hand to high quality standards and our Lidia By Design hats are made in a dedicated atelier in Poland.
You should not find the same products as ours elsewhere although there are lots of websites selling sleep hats online. We do advise to be cautious when selecting the right chemo hat for your needs, some of the cheaper beanies are very tight and not very flattering so if you want to wear them during the day, you may feel a bit self conscious wearing a tight "skull cap" style offered by some competitor websites.
The Ordering Process
Do you have a brochure?
Because we are an online business, our chemo hats are best viewed online where you can view multiple images and angles of our products. However, we do have some printed material made available for hospitals, hospices and care centres for cancer patients to take away with them. Should you want to display our leaflets, please contact us and we will be happy to send a pack out to you.
How long does it take to process an order?
Ordering Process
- You can either place an order online or call us to place an order over the phone
- We usually dispatch orders within 1–3 business days.
- Standard UK postage charge is £3.95 and all orders are sent via 48hr tracked Royal Mail
Gifts
- If you would like to order an item as a gift, please add a message to your order during the checkout process.
- I am happy to remove the packing slip from the order and add a personalised note to the recipient
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship internationally, however there are a few countries we are unable to ship to due to political and economic instability. Where this is the case, we will make you aware asap.
- International shipments go through customs clearance and other import/export procedures.
- Total delivery time can range from 7–14 working days or longer if there are localised strikes etc.
- Duty is paid for all orders to the US, for all other locations, duty may be applied separately and you will be charged by your local courier
- International postage and packaging is £10
Do I have to place my order online?
We do not currently have a store, but you can visit our workshop in Brockenhurst, New Forest by appointment only. We also make visits to various Macmillan Centres and Hospitals around the country. If you would like to place an order for cancer hats or chemo head scarves over the phone, please call us on 01590 381 395 and we can process that for you.
Alternatively, pop into our studio in the New Forest but please note, visits are by appointment only because it is not open to the public every day. If you would like a video call to go through the range and see how each item can be worn, please get in touch to book a time that works for you.
Track Order
How can I check the status of my order?
Check Your Email
- Once you have placed your order, we will send you a confirmation email. If you cannot find this in your inbox, it may have been diverted to your spam folder or the email address you entered was incorrect.
- When we have despatched your order, we will send you a second email to let you know it is on its way
Tracking Numbers
- We track every order, if you would like the tracking information, please contact us at hello@chemotherapyheadwear.com and we will send you the tracking link.
Contact Customer Service
- If you can’t find information online or via email, reach out to our customer service.
- Provide your order number and email to get updates on your order.
Orders & Shipping
Can I modify or cancel my order after placing it?
Before the Order Is Processed
- If the order is still pending or not yet processed, most we can modify or cancel it for you.
- Please try to do this within a few hours after placing the order to ensure we catch it in time.
- Actions you can take may include:
- Changing the shipping address
- Adding or removing items
After the Order Is Processed
- Once the order is processed, packed, or shipped, modifications are not possible.
- You might be able to request a cancellation, but it may be treated as a return once delivered.
How to Cancel or Modify Your Order
- Check your confirmation email for a link.
- Contact customer service immediately with your order number and what you would like us to change for you—we can tell you what’s possible.
Payment & Store Credit
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal, making checkout fast and secure. All payments are encrypted to ensure a safe shopping experience and we do not store your card details.
If you would like to process your order over the phone, we will accept payment via credit card or debit card only.
Returns & Refunds
When will my refund be processed?
Once you have returned your chemo headwear, we will process your refund on the day we receive your chemo hat back, however some banking systems take a few days to clear the funds, so its best to wait 5 working days and then check your account to see if the money has been refunded. We will refund your order back into the account you used to pay for it.
What is your returns and refunds policy?
We want you to love your purchase! If you’re not completely satisfied, you can return your item within 14 days of receiving it to: Chemotherapy Headwear, 4 Forest Hall, Brockenhurst, SO42 7QQ. Simply ensure the product is unused, in its original condition and has only been tried on, not worn.
We do not provide returns labels or offer free return postage.
Once we receive your return, we’ll process your refund within 5-7 business days. Refunds will be credited back to your original payment method. For more details on how to start a return, visit our Returns page.
I have received the wrong item, what should I do?
Unfortunately as human beings, we sometimes make mistakes. Should you find that you have received the wrong item, please contact us immediately at hello@chemotherapyheadwear.com and we will ask you to return the incorrect product and we will replace it for you and reimburse the postage fees for the incorrect item.
Account Info
Do I need an account to place an order?
No, you can check out as a guest.
However, creating an account allows you to track orders, manage returns, save your shipping details, and access early notification of new items or discounts.
How do I update my account details?
You can update your name, email, password, or saved addresses by logging into your account dashboard.
All changes are saved immediately and used for your future orders.