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Breast cancer treatment often leads to changes in your physical appearance (such as hair loss or breast removal) that may change the way you view yourself. It is normal to feel loss, sadness, and/or stress. However, there are ways to work with these changes to feel more confident.
Even though this process can feel overwhelming, try and remember you are not alone and that it is okay to ask for help. Doctors are great resources to discuss specific questions and issues with. Social workers, support groups, survivors, and local resources are all great systems of support for dealing with changes in your appearance and self-image as well.
A quick note about hair loss and head covers
Even though hair loss is a common part of cancer treatment, it can still be difficult to deal with both physically and emotionally. Many patients who feel uncomfortable losing their hair will buy a wig, hat, or scarf to boost their self-confidence. Often, insurance companies will cover the cost of a wig. Most communities also have local wig resources to help find the right fit for you. There are many different styles of head covers so you can find the best options for yourself and your unique style. 

Chemotherapy can also cause you to lose your eyelashes and eyebrows. Some people find that special makeup techniques and false eyelashes make them feel more like themselves. 

Watch a video on how to tie a headscarf. 

Friends' Place

The compassionate staff at Friends' Place understands that you may experience temporary or permanent appearance changes following cancer care treatment, and will work with you through personalized consultations and fittings to help improve your quality of life. 
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For more information on beauty techniques for people with cancer, visit Dana-Farber’s Friends' Place webpage.  

External Resources

Wigs
  • ​Chemo Diva makes partial halo wigs to wear under your hats, caps, or scarves that can be made out of your own hair. 
  • Coils to Locs Wigs understands that regardless of hair texture, everyone deserves a wig that resembles their natural hair that they have lost during cancer treatment. They provide ethnically inspired wigs for people with medical hair loss. 
  • Verma Foundation provides free high-quality cap wigs to cancer patients who have lost their hair due to treatment. These cap wigs are made of 100% human hair and they are fashionable and totally customizable with a soft lining on the inside ​
Clothing
  • AnaOno embraces different breast shapes and surgery outcomes by producing bras designed for your unique needs. AnoOno sells bras, breast forms, underwear, loungewear, and other apparel to support those who are looking to feel comfortable in their body despite changes after cancer treatment. ​
  • Lady Grace Intimate Apparel creates customized post-surgical bras and breast forms for breast cancer survivors. They also sell compression hosiery and other garments to support recovery care and/or lymphedema. 
  • The Woman’s Personal Health Resource offers a comprehensive selection of mastectomy apparel, natural skincare products, and headwear. Their large selection makes it easier to view a variety of products to support your cancer journey in one place.
Green Beauty Products
  • ​​​Violets Are Blue is a line of skincare products that consist of naturally-derived ingredients.10% of the purchase price of all products fund skincare donations for cancer patients. 
You Can Do This!
Surviving Breast Cancer Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Style
by Elisha Daniels and Kelley Tuthill, ©2009

This is a book written by two women who have “been there, done that” with breast cancer. Elisha Daniels and Kelley Tuthill are seasoned survivors who know how breast cancer can strip you of your sense of self and control you have over your life. They rediscovered their style during treatment in what they call, “survival of the chicest!”.