Our hair has many functions and protecting our head and scalp from environmental cold is one of those functions. If you are suffering from hair loss, you may find it particularly hard to keep warm during the colder months, so having a comfortable chemo hat to help keep your head warm and cosy is especially important in autumn and winter.
Hair helps our bodies thermoregulate
Winter is possibly the most challenging time, if you’re going through hair loss. It’s cold – really cold without an insulating layer of hair. We thermoregulate through our heads and the presence of hair tends to reduce heat loss from the skin. Without the protection of hair, your head can become cold and when your head gets cold, it can cause your entire body to feel cold, as the blood vessels in your head constrict to conserve heat.
Wearing a hat can help to preserve body heat
By wearing a warm hat, you create a barrier that traps heat close to your body, preventing it from escaping into the cold winter air. Covering your head will not only keep your head warm, it will also help your body to maintain a stable core temperature, ensuring that you stay warm and toasty through the colder months.
Keep warm without overheating
You can wrap up warm to step outside and face the cold, but once you step back indoors you can quickly overheat with the central heating. If you're concerned about moving from indoors to outdoors throughout the day and not overheating, consider layering with a lighter weight hat, which may sound odd if you’re trying to stay warm, but it will help to avoid over-heating and will help you maintain a regular temperature.
Layering hats
Layering a base cap or bandana scarf underneath, will enable you to take your outdoor hat off and remain covered when you get inside. Plus if you have a favourite hat that you want to wear and lining it isn’t an option, you can try layering it over a simple beanie ‘liner’ hat.
What is the best fabric for winter cancer hats?
You’ll want to ensure that the hat is made from a material that provides both warmth and breathability. Look for hats that are insulated to keep the heat in but also have moisture-wicking properties to prevent sweat from accumulating on your scalp.
Woollen winter cancer hats
Wool - and woollen fabrics like tweed and flannel - is an excellent insulator. It regulates heat and repels the cold by trapping in tiny pockets. Wool also offers the added benefit of protecting you against the rain. Rain droplets bead and run off fluffy wool and if water does soak though, wool can absorb a third of its weight in moisture before feeling soggy. Similarly wool will absorb your sweat, enabling your skin to regulate your body temperature.
However, it's important to note that wool can become itchy or scratchy on a sensitive scalp, so look for a woollen hat that is lined to prevent direct contact with your scalp. Not only will a lined hat prevent any irritation, they are also arguably warmer than an unlined hat.
If you have an unlined woollen hat that you want to wear, you can always layer a lightweight cotton beanie underneath as suggested above.
We have some gorgeous woollen hats in the Cancer Headwear section of the CancerPal MarketPlace:
Cashmere winter cancer hats
Cashmere is another natural material that is excellent for keeping warm. Cashmere is a natural, breathable material. Its extra fine weave makes it especially good at insulating - even when it's freezing. Plus cashmere will add a touch of luxe to your winter wardrobe, if you're wanting to treat yourself.
The Lucy Cashmere Chemo Turban is made from luxurious cashmere material in a variety of colours and will add a touch of luxury to your chemotherapy headwear.
Velvet winter cancer hats
Velvet is a great winter fabric. Not only is it thick, soft and very warm - it's also stylish and is ideal for different occasions, formal and everyday wear.
The Brooklyn Chemo Hat is made from soft velour, is available in amethyst, forest green and mink and makes a lovely, affordable winter chemo hat
Bamboo winter cancer hats
Bamboo might not be the first material you think of if you're looking to keep warm, but bamboo is an incredibly versatile material that will see you thought the warmer summer months and into the colder winter months. Bamboo fabric has thermoregulatory properties meaning it will help keep you cool when the weather gets hot and also keep you warm in winter. This is due to the cross sectional fibres in bamboo which help keep heat in on colder days, ensuring bamboo is warmer than cotton when the temperature drops.
We have lots of bamboo chemo hats in the Cancer Headwear section of the CancerPal MarketPlace.
Silk winter cancer hats
Silk is a fabric that is often associated with warm weather, but it is also suitable for winter wear. Silk is an excellent insulator and provides warmth while also being soft to the touch, making it an excellent base layer for sensitive scalps.
The Alice Silk Pattern Easy-Tie Chemo Headscarf is made from 100% silk jaquard with a beautiful choice of patterns
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Faux Fur winter cancer hats
Synthetic fur is a great material to keep you warm in winter. The tiny hairs keep rain (and snow) near the surface of the hat and help to insulate too. Add a touch of glamour and warmth to your hat with a faux fur lining.
Our Knitted Faux Fur Lined Casual Winter Hat is a best seller and is great value for money.
Fleece winter cancer hats
Fleece is a synthetic fabric that is popular for its warmth and softness. Fleece is lightweight, breathable and quick-drying. It will keep your head warm without itching or sweating because of the ventilation of the fabric. Fleece is also easy to care for and can be machine washed.
Fabrics that aren't as warm for winter cancer hats
Although it is a natural material, cotton wouldn't be our first choice for a winter hat material. Cotton doesn't insulate or wick moisture well increasing your chance of being wet and cold.
Whilst we wouldn't recommend purchasing a new cotton hat to keep you warm during the winter, if you already own a cotton chemo hat, you could try layering it as suggested above to provide added insulation and warmth.
Avoid synthetic fibres if you're exercising
Polyester is a synthetic fibre that is often used for winter fabrics because of its warmth and durability, however man-made fabrics like polyester and acrylic don't breathe. They trap heat and make you sweat which is not ideal in cold weather and is definitely to be avoided if you are looking for a winter hat to exercise in.
Don't forget a sleep hat
Another handy tip for winter is to use a sleep hat. Under the duvet your body may be cosy but your head on the pillow can get chilled. Similarly if you’re resting at home, being more sedentary, you can quickly feel the chill. A good quality sleep hat should be lightweight with minimal seams – lying on seams can be uncomfortable and anything too thick quickly becomes too hot.
This Seamless All Seasons Unisex Sleep Cap is available in multiple colours and is our best selling sleep cap.
We also have a range of other sleep caps.
Our Top Tips for choosing a winter hat for chemo patients?
In summary, the most important features of a winter chemo beanie are as follows. Your winter chemo hat should:
Keep you snug
Use breathable fabrics that soothe and insulate
Have ultra soft interiors that feel gentle on the scalp
Have a double-layered material for insultation or be lightweight enough for you to layer with another hat
Have no tags or feature removable tags
Blend practicality with style
CancerPal sells a range of winter cancer hats in the CancerPal MarketPlace as well as a large selection of other cancer headwear.
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