Most people get in touch only once their hair has already started to fall out. That's absolutely fine and we can help then too, but there are good reasons to reach out earlier – and they're more about practicalities than feelings.
Why it's easier beforehand
When we can see your own hair, we can match the colour, the length and the shape of your hairline. We see how your hair falls and where your parting sits. The result is a wig that looks like you – not just a wig that suits you.
Then there's a simple practical point: delivery times. A wig is ordered in, fitted and cut. That takes time, and that time is harder to find in the middle of treatment.
When during treatment hair usually falls out
It varies between treatments and between people, and your care team is the one who can tell you what applies to you. Feel free to ask at your first appointment – many people also receive their requisition (rekvisition, the Swedish region's referral for a wig) at that point.
What we can say is that people who contact us a few weeks in advance usually feel much calmer when it actually happens. By then, the wig is already at home.
Four things to decide
Human hair or synthetic. Human hair feels softer, can be styled and lasts longer, but needs more care. Heat-resistant synthetic hair keeps its shape on its own and is easier day to day. Many people choose synthetic the first time precisely because it's less work.
Length. A piece of advice we often give: choose something similar to what you have now. Enough is changing already.
Cap construction. If your scalp is sensitive during treatment, you need a soft inside and a construction that breathes. Let us know if you know your skin reacts easily.
Extras. Many people also want a turban or headwear for days at home when the head needs a break from the wig. It's not either-or. We go through what feels good against sensitive skin in our guide to headwear during cancer.
Requisition
The region covers the hair replacement as well as the fitting and cutting, up to a set amount per calendar year. The amount and any patient fee vary between regions. Bring your requisition to the consultation and we'll go through exactly what it covers in your case.
Good to know: the grant doesn't cover washing or repairs, and it's calculated per calendar year. The full process is described in Requisition step by step. You can see what applies where you live on the page for your region.
How it works with us
You start with a free consultation, either as a video call from home or in person in Uppsala or Stockholm. If you don't feel up to leaving the house, the video call works just as well.
In the salon you sit in a private space. You're welcome to bring a loved one, and you don't need to order anything on the day.
When the wig arrives, we book you in for fitting and cutting so that it sits right and is cut to suit your face. We also show you how to put it on yourself, and we take that walkthrough at whatever pace you need.
Read more
Our guide Wigs for alopecia or cancer treatment goes into more detail on how to choose a style and feel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I try on a wig before I've received my requisition?
Yes. The consultation is free and comes with no obligation, so many people come in first and sort out the requisition afterwards. We hold off on placing the actual order until the requisition is in place.
Does my own hair need to be shaved off?
No, that's not a requirement. Some people choose to when their hair starts falling out unevenly, so they don't have to experience it gradually, while others keep what's left. The wig works both with and without your own hair underneath.
Can I change wigs during treatment if it doesn't feel right?
It happens, and it's nothing unusual – needs change during treatment. Get in touch and we'll first look at whether it can be solved with fit, thinning or cutting, which is often enough. If it's a completely new wig, it depends on how much of the year's amount you have left.