I've always purchased mine locally because an experienced fitter will know what color and style will fit your head and face the best. It is so difficult to tell color and fit when you go online and many sites do not accept returns.

She just ordered a couple of black turbans. One of them in fleece as it is getting cold here and one in cotton that she feels will work well. I will search for some nice scarves which as you say would probably be more comfortable. Thank you for your reply and helpful perspective.

Call your closest chapter of the American Cancer Society. Some chapters can refer you to a local fitter who will do a home visit.

There are many local organizations that will help with that-- in my area, we have an organization that was started by the husband of a breast cancer survivor. They not only provide wigs (low cost or free of charge), scarves, prosthetics and under garments, they also provide rides to chemo sessions, financial assistance and spa/makeover days after chemo and while hair is growing back. More importantly, they provide compassionate and knowledgeable information and support.

I was impressed by how our local organization went above and beyond to find her a wig to closely match her very dark (East Indian) hair. They also provided her with a number of products at no charge-- a chemo shawl, a comfort pillow for the car (I believe it was to protect the port site from the seatbelt?), lotions, etc. She was in tears when she told me how amazing they were and how much their compassion meant to her.

I believe she wore turbans and scarves at home-- but when she returned to the office in January (she was at home for the first, most intense round of chemo), she wore her wig. I believe it was late April when she had her last chemo session. She abandoned the wig in July-- her hair is still very short but she looks great!

One other thing I learned is that the chemo is very likely to turn her fingernails black. My friend's were also sore so I wouldn't recommend salon manicures but a couple of bottles of dark colored polish would be good to have around.

Best wishes to your friend.. she's lucky to have a friend like you to support her!

Only certain chemotherapies turn certain people's fingernails black or cause them to lose them. The ones I know do are the taxanes, Taxol and Taxotere. Other chemotherapies do not.

Your friend should also check her insurance--many insurance plans cover the cost of a wigs during chemotherapy (they call them hair prostheses) as well as breast prostheses and bras.

So many good suggestions. Thank you all so much.

I wore Paula Young wigs for a while, they are inexpensive (and they are always having sales) but look OK in my opinion. It really did not matter to me whether someone knew it was a wig. My immediate boss at the time had breast cancer and started wearing wigs during her treatments. To be supportive several of us nurses started wearing wigs to the office. It was actually a great time saver as the ones I bought came prestyled.

I'm sorry about the news of your friend's illness.

One of the major local hospitals in my city has wigs available, as well as other products for chemo patients, with volunteers who help with the selection and I think the service may even been free, or greatly discounted. I suggest she look into whether that service is provided where she receives treatment.

There are also salons here that give free haircuts before the hair falls out, and touch-ups as the hair grows back in. My late husband got a free buzz before he lost all his thick hair to chemo.

Buy a very inexpensive one first. I brought two and due to the weird feeling on bald head, ended ups say forgetaboutit. I either put a scarf, cap or most times just went bald. No biggie. I was alive!