One of the most common questions we hear at Enhanced Hair is: "When should I get my wig?" It's a question that carries so much more weight than just logistics—it represents a deeply personal decision during an already overwhelming time. After 28+ years of supporting Canadian women through their hair loss journey, we've learned that timing can make all the difference in how comfortable and confident you feel throughout chemotherapy treatment.
The truth is, there's no single "right" answer for everyone. However, understanding the factors that influence timing—from hair loss patterns to emotional readiness—can help you make the best decision for your unique situation. Let's walk through everything you need to know about when to get your chemotherapy wig in Canada.
Why Timing Matters: The Hair Loss Timeline During Chemotherapy
Hair loss from chemotherapy doesn't happen overnight. Understanding the typical timeline helps you plan ahead without rushing into decisions you're not ready for.
Most cancer patients begin experiencing hair loss between 10-21 days after their first chemotherapy treatment, though this varies depending on the specific drugs in your protocol. Some chemotherapy regimens cause rapid, dramatic shedding, while others lead to gradual thinning over several weeks. Your oncologist can provide specific information about what to expect with your particular treatment plan.
The shedding process itself typically lasts 1-2 weeks once it begins. During this time, you'll notice increasing amounts of hair on your pillow, in the shower drain, and when you run your hands through your hair. For many women, this transitional period is emotionally challenging—which is exactly why having a plan in place beforehand can provide tremendous peace of mind.
Hair loss from chemotherapy is usually temporary. Most women see regrowth beginning 3-6 months after treatment ends, though the texture and sometimes even the colour may be different initially. Knowing this doesn't make the loss any easier, but it does provide hope for what's ahead.
The Ideal Time: Before Your First Treatment
In our experience, most women benefit from selecting their medical wig before they begin chemotherapy treatments. Here's why this timing often works best:
You can match your current hair: When you still have your natural hair, it's much easier to select a wig that matches your existing colour, texture, and style. This makes the transition feel more natural and helps you maintain your recognizable appearance if that's important to you. Our wig specialists can hold swatches up to your hair to find the closest match, ensuring you feel like yourself throughout treatment.
Less stress when you need it most: The first few weeks of chemotherapy treatment involve adjusting to new medications, managing side effects, and attending frequent medical appointments. Having your wig already selected, fitted, and ready to wear eliminates one major task from an already full plate. You'll have the energy to explore options, ask questions, and make thoughtful decisions.
Time to adjust emotionally: Getting your wig before hair loss begins gives you time to try it on, get comfortable wearing it, and make any necessary adjustments while you're not dealing with the emotional impact of active shedding. Some women find it helpful to wear their new wig for short periods before they need it full-time, building confidence gradually.
Insurance and funding timelines: If you're planning to use insurance coverage or apply for financial assistance programs, starting the process early ensures you're not waiting for approvals while experiencing hair loss. Many insurance claims require documentation from your oncologist, which takes time to obtain.
That said, we understand that many women receive their cancer diagnosis and begin treatment quickly, leaving little time for advance planning. If that's your situation, please know that it's never too late to find the right solution.
What If You're Not Ready? Waiting Until Hair Loss Begins
Some women prefer to wait until they're actually experiencing hair loss before getting their wig. This is completely valid, and there are situations where it makes perfect sense.
You might choose to wait if you're not certain whether your specific chemotherapy protocol will cause hair loss. While most chemotherapy drugs do affect hair follicles, some regimens cause minimal hair loss or only thinning rather than complete loss. Your oncologist can help you understand the likelihood based on your treatment plan.
Some women need to see and feel the hair loss beginning before they're emotionally ready to take the step of getting a wig. There's no shame in this—everyone processes their cancer journey differently. What matters is that you honour your own timeline and feelings.
If you're considering alternative options first—such as scarves, hats, or going without hair coverage—you might wait to see how you feel once hair loss occurs. Many women discover that their preferences change once they're in the moment, and that's perfectly okay.
The key if you choose to wait is having a plan for quick action when you're ready. Know where you'll go, what your options are, and how to access services quickly. At Enhanced Hair, we offer virtual consultations that can be scheduled within days, ensuring you're never left waiting when you need support.
Preparing for Your Wig Consultation: What to Bring and Consider
Whether you book your consultation before treatment begins or after hair loss starts, being prepared helps you make the most of your appointment.
Bring photos of your hair: If you've already experienced some hair loss, bring photos showing your hair at its fullest. These help your wig specialist understand your natural hair characteristics—texture, wave pattern, density, and styling preferences. Even if you want to try something completely different, having a baseline helps guide the conversation.
Wear your typical makeup and clothing style: Your wig needs to complement your overall aesthetic. Coming to your consultation dressed as you normally would—rather than in post-treatment casual wear—helps ensure the wig matches your lifestyle and personal style.
Consider your lifestyle needs: Think about your daily activities and what you need your wig to do. Do you exercise regularly? Work in a professional environment? Spend lots of time outdoors? Prefer low-maintenance styling? These factors influence which synthetic or human hair wigs will work best for your situation.
Bring a support person if helpful: Many women appreciate having a trusted friend or family member with them for emotional support and an outside opinion. However, some prefer this to be a private experience. There's no right answer—do what feels comfortable for you.
Prepare your questions: Write down anything you're wondering about—from care and maintenance to styling options, insurance coverage, and what to expect during the fitting process. No question is too small or insignificant.
Special Considerations for Different Situations
If you're experiencing rapid hair loss: Some chemotherapy protocols cause very rapid shedding that begins earlier than the typical 2-3 week timeline. If your oncology team has warned you to expect this, we recommend scheduling your wig consultation immediately after your diagnosis, ideally before your first treatment. This ensures you have your wig in hand before rapid shedding begins.
If you're having gradual thinning: Not all chemotherapy causes complete hair loss. Some women experience significant thinning that creates patchy or see-through areas without total baldness. In these cases, you might consider hair toppers as an alternative to full wigs. These can be fitted at any point during the thinning process.
If you have very short hair or an undercut: Women with pixie cuts, buzz cuts, or undercut styles sometimes wonder whether they should let their hair grow before getting a wig. Generally, this isn't necessary. Wigs are designed to fit comfortably over very short hair, and waiting for growth just delays having your solution ready when you need it.
If you're considering a preventive buzz cut: Some women choose to cut their hair very short or shave their head proactively before shedding begins, finding this gives them a sense of control during an uncontrollable situation. If you're considering this, we recommend getting your wig first, then doing the cut. This ensures perfect colour matching and lets you transition directly into your wig without a difficult in-between period.
If you want multiple options: There's no rule that says you can only have one wig. Many women invest in a primary wig that closely matches their natural hair, plus a fun alternative style for variety. If budget allows, getting multiple options provides flexibility and the freedom to express different sides of yourself throughout treatment.
Taking the Next Step: Your Path Forward
Ultimately, the "right" time to get your chemotherapy wig is the time that feels right for you. Some women need to take action immediately to feel prepared. Others need time to process their diagnosis before adding another task to their plate. Both approaches are valid.
What we encourage is this: even if you're not ready to purchase a wig right now, consider scheduling an initial consultation. This no-pressure conversation helps you understand your options, ask questions, and know what's available when you are ready. Many women find that simply having information reduces anxiety, even if they don't move forward immediately.
At Enhanced Hair, we've supported thousands of Canadian women through this journey over our 28+ years in business. We understand that this isn't just about hair—it's about maintaining your sense of self during a profoundly challenging time. Our team is here to support you wherever you are in your journey, whether that's two weeks before your first treatment or two months into chemotherapy.
We offer complimentary consultations both in our studio and virtually across Canada. During these private, compassionate sessions, we'll discuss your specific situation, show you options tailored to your needs and preferences, and provide honest guidance about timing based on your treatment protocol.
You don't have to navigate this alone, and you don't have to have all the answers right now. Reach out to our team whenever you're ready—whether that's today or months from now. We'll be here with the expertise, options, and support you need to move forward with confidence.
Because while we can't control your diagnosis or treatment timeline, we can help ensure that when it comes to hair loss solutions, you're prepared, informed, and empowered to make the choices that are right for you.