This browser is no longer supported.
Revised 10/10/26
wig guides
Free Wigs for Cancer Patients Exist. Here Is How to Find Them.
Whether you want to know your free options before you decide, or cost is a real barrier right now, you will find what each program offers, what to expect from it, and how to make a donated wig look its best.
Maybe cost is a real concern. Maybe you are doing your research before you decide. Either way, you should know what is out there.
Free wigs for chemo patients do exist, through several well-established programs. If you have been searching for wigs for chemo patients free of charge, or free wigs for cancer patients more broadly, the resources are the same.
The programs are there. The hard part is finding the one that fits your situation without spending days on phone trees and outdated websites, and most of the time one phone call gets you started.
Short on energy? skip to the list of free wig programs, or call us at 1-800-264-4287 (HATS) and a person will talk the options through with you.
start with one phone call
your social worker knows what is near you
If you are searching for free wigs for cancer patients near you or free wigs for cancer patients near me, the fastest path is one phone call, not a Google search. Your oncology social worker knows what is available in your area right now, whether your treatment center has a wig closet, and which national programs are easiest to reach from where you live.
your oncology social worker
Every major cancer center has a social worker, and connecting patients with help like this is what they are there for. One conversation can save you days of searching and get you to resources that are hard to find online.
If your treatment center does not have a dedicated social worker, ask your oncology nurse navigator or patient services coordinator. They will know who to connect you with.
your treatment center's wig closet
Many oncology centers keep a wig closet or appearance boutique stocked with donated wigs for patients in active treatment. No application, no waitlist, sometimes same day. It is one of the most overlooked resources and often the fastest.
Not every center has one, so ask your nurse, social worker or patient navigator. Some centers also host Look Good Feel Better workshops, which teach you how to wear a wig and head coverings, at no cost.
free wig programs for cancer patients
the national programs, and who each one helps
These are the most established national sources for free chemo wigs and medical wigs. Each works differently, so read what each one asks for before you reach out.
EBeauty Community
Who it helps: women in treatment for cancer. Men, children and people with alopecia are served too.
What you get: a donated wig, cleaned and restyled by beauty professionals including Paul Mitchell salons, sent to you free. Request one online, or through one of their partner hospitals and cancer centers. Founded by a two-time breast cancer survivor, EBeauty has served more than 120,000 people.
CancerCare
Who it helps: anyone affected by cancer.
What you get: free support from licensed oncology social workers, who answer the Hopeline and can find what is available near you. In some areas CancerCare runs free wig clinics with partner hospitals, where a fitter helps you choose a new wig.
cancercare.org · Hopeline 800-813-4673 (HOPE)
American Cancer Society
Who it helps: anyone with cancer.
What you get: local wig banks, Gift Closets and partner salons in some areas, each with its own rules. How it works now.
24/7 helpline 1-800-227-2345
Wigs & Wishes
Who it helps: women in treatment for cancer.
What you get: a network of salons where the wig and the styling are free. Find a participating stylist near you.
The Verma Foundation
Who it helps: women and children going through chemotherapy.
What you get: a cap wig, a baseball cap with human hair attached, ready to wear. Free, by application on their website.
for children and teens
Wigs for Kids gives a full human hair hairpiece at no cost to children under 19 with medical hair loss. wigsforkids.org
Children With Hair Loss gives a free human hair replacement and care kit once a year to young people ages 2 to 21 with medical hair loss. childrenwithhairloss.us
Call before you travel.
Programs change their hours, rules and stock from year to year, so check with any program before you make a trip.
american cancer society wigs
how the free wig program works now
The American Cancer Society is the name most people know for free wigs, and its help has changed shape over the years. Start with what is true today.
- The catalog has closed. EverYou, the wig and headwear catalog the Society ran as tlc from 1995, stopped taking orders on April 1, 2026. It was never a free program: it sold wigs at prices much like any shop's. What happened to EverYou, and where to go now.
- Free wigs come from local programs. The Society's free help has always run separately, through local offices, Gift Closets, partner salons and hospital wig banks. A Gift Closet is a location stocked with donated supplies for patients in need, wigs included.
- Start with the 24/7 helpline. Call 1-800-227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345), or use the Resource Search on cancer.org, and ask whether there is a wig bank, Gift Closet or partner salon near you. The Society's own wig advice also says to ask your cancer care team about resources in your area.
what to expect from a local program
Each local program sets its own rules. Some ask you to make an appointment to be fitted, and others take walk-ins. Some ask that you be in active treatment, some ask about income or insurance, and some limit how many wigs one person can receive in a year. The colors and styles on hand depend on what has been donated.
In some areas, hair salons take part. A participating stylist fits you for the wig, helps you receive it, and trims and styles it for you.
Before you go, have an idea of the style you want. Browsing short wigs, chin length wigs and long wigs helps you describe it, and our wig buying guide covers the basics so you get the most out of a free wig.
We are not part of the American Cancer Society.
Headcovers is an independent company and is not affiliated with the Cancer Society.
what to expect from a donated wig
and how to make one look its best
Free and donated wigs can work well, and it helps to know their limits going in.
Most free wigs are basic synthetic styles without monofilament construction. They tend to run heavier and thicker than retail wigs, and the part line will not look as natural. That says nothing against the programs, which do a great deal with what they are given. It is the reality of donated inventory, and quality varies from one location to the next.
Have it thinned and cut. Take any free or donated wig to a licensed stylist who has experience with wigs, and ask them to thin it out and trim it to your face. A good cut makes a donated wig less bulky, more flattering, and far less like a wig. Do this before deciding it is not for you. Some stylists offer it free or at a reduced rate for patients in treatment. More tips on how to make your wig look natural.
Not sure whether to look for a free wig or buy one? Many women do both. Start with a free program and see what is available near you. If the selection or fit is not right, browse our wigs for cancer patients and sale wigs, or call us at 1-800-264-4287 (HATS) and a person will help you find the right fit.
look good feel better
free workshops at cancer centers and online
This is different from a wig giveaway program, and in some ways more useful. It is free and offered across the country.
Look Good Feel Better runs free two-hour workshops at cancer centers and hospitals, led by volunteer beauty professionals. Each one covers skin care during treatment, makeup, nail care, and guidance on wigs, scarves and head coverings, and every participant takes home a cosmetics kit. If you cannot get to one in person, free one-hour virtual workshops cover the same ground, including a session on wigs and head coverings.
The wig guidance is reason enough to go: how to wear one, how to make it look natural, and how to style it when your energy is low. My mother Carol taught these workshops for years and believed in the program deeply.
Find a workshop.
Use the Program Finder at lookgoodfeelbetter.org, or call 1-800-395-5665.
can insurance help pay for a chemo wig?
check this first
Even if your goal is a free wig, check your insurance first. Many plans that would never cover a "wig" will cover a cranial prosthesis, and even partial coverage often opens up better options than most free programs can offer.
the words "cranial prosthesis" matter
Cranial prosthesis is the clinical and insurance term for a wig worn because of medical hair loss. Ask your oncologist to write a prescription for a cranial prosthesis, not a wig, and make sure your receipt uses the same language.
If the paperwork says "wig," many plans will reject the claim outright. If it says "cranial prosthesis," the same plan may cover it fully or partly. Call your insurer before ordering and ask about cranial prosthesis benefits under your plan.
we help with the paperwork
When you buy from us and decide to keep your wig, we give you a receipt with the clinical wording your insurer looks for. We have helped customers with these claims since 1995 and can walk you through what your plan will need. Call 1-800-264-4287 (HATS) or send us a message.
FSA and HSA funds can usually be used for a wig for medical hair loss too.
Read more.
Our complete guide to wig insurance coverage walks through what to ask your insurer, what documentation you need, and how to file a claim step by step.
headwear costs far less than a wig
and on some days it is the easier choice
Many women going through chemo wear a mix of wigs and headwear rather than a wig alone. Headwear made for hair loss costs far less than a wig, and it has plenty going for it: it is easy, it takes little thought on a tired day, and with endless colors and styles it lets you have some fun.
halos
A halo is a partial wig that is open on top, so your scalp can breathe. A hat, scarf or cap goes over it, and the hair shows at the sides and back. It costs a fraction of a full wig, works with hats and scarves you may already own, and gives you the look of hair without the heat and weight of a full wig.
hats
Soft hats, turbans and caps made for women with hair loss, comfortable on a bare or tender scalp and cute enough to want. Berets and slouchy beanies are the favorites, and many women find a signature style they love and buy it in several colors.
scarves and head wraps
Scarves and head wraps are another pretty, versatile option. A pre-tied scarf goes on in seconds, and a square scarf can be styled many ways once you know a few ties.
Shop pre-tied scarves, head wraps, or learn how to tie a head scarf
sleep caps
A bare scalp gets cold at night, and a soft sleep cap makes a real difference in comfort. It is one of the most practical and affordable things you can get for yourself right now.
where to donate a wig
pass it on to the next woman
A wig you no longer need can help someone just starting treatment. Clean it first, and check what each place accepts before you send it.
- EBeauty Community takes gently used wigs by mail, cleans and restyles them, and sends them free to people in treatment. Donate a wig through EBeauty.
- Your local cancer center may keep a wig room or appearance boutique stocked by donation. Call its patient services office to ask what it accepts.
- American Cancer Society offices. Some local offices and wig banks accept new wigs with the tags still attached. Call 1-800-227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345) to find one that will take your donation before you send anything.
- Donating your own hair is a different process, with its own length and condition rules. Our guide to hair donation covers where to send it.
common questions about free wigs for cancer patients
open only the one you need
how do I get a free wig sent to me?
EBeauty Community is the simplest way to get a free wig mailed to you. Request one online at ebeauty.com; they also give out wigs through partner hospitals and cancer centers. Some American Cancer Society wig banks have mailed wigs too, depending on location and what they have on hand.
Your oncology social worker is the fastest way to find out which programs ship to your area. If you are not sure where to start, call us at 1-800-264-4287 (HATS) and we will help point you in the right direction.
does the American Cancer Society still give free wigs?
Not through its catalog, which closed in April 2026, and which was never free. Free wigs are still available in many places through local American Cancer Society wig banks, Gift Closets, partner salons and hospital wig rooms. Call the Society's 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 and ask what is near you.
can I get a free wig if I do not financially qualify for the American Cancer Society program?
Yes. The American Cancer Society is only one of several sources. EBeauty Community, CancerCare and your treatment center's wig closet do not all use the same financial requirements. Your oncology social worker is the best starting point, because they know what is open to you specifically.
what quality should I expect from a free or donated wig?
Most free and donated wigs are basic synthetic styles without monofilament construction. They tend to run heavier and thicker than retail wigs, and the part line will not look as natural. That is the reality of donated inventory.
Having a wig thinned out and trimmed by a licensed stylist with wig experience makes a big difference, so do this before deciding it is not for you. Some stylists offer it free or at a reduced rate for women in treatment.
can insurance help me get a better wig for free?
Possibly, and you should check before you do anything else. Many insurance plans cover a wig as a cranial prosthesis when a physician prescribes it, and using that exact term on the prescription and the receipt matters. When you buy from Headcovers and decide to keep your wig, we give you a receipt with the clinical wording to support your claim. Even partial coverage can get you a better wig than most free programs provide. Read our full insurance coverage guide.
how long does it take to receive a free wig?
It depends on the program. Your treatment center's wig closet is often the fastest, sometimes the same day if it has wigs on hand. EBeauty Community ships directly and fills requests as its inventory allows. American Cancer Society programs vary by location. If you need something quickly, start with your treatment center or oncology social worker, because they know what is available locally right now.
are there free wigs for men?
Yes, though fewer programs serve men. EBeauty Community sends wigs to men as well as women, and your oncology social worker or the CancerCare Hopeline at 800-813-4673 can help you find others near you. Men face the same decision; our men's wigs and men's chemo hats are here when you want them.
are there free wigs for children?
Yes. Wigs for Kids provides a human hair hairpiece at no cost to children under 19 with medical hair loss, and Children With Hair Loss provides a free human hair replacement every year to young people ages 2 to 21. The Verma Foundation gives cap wigs to children in chemotherapy, and EBeauty Community serves children too.
can I get a free wig if my hair loss is not from cancer?
Some programs can help. EBeauty Community serves people with alopecia, and Wigs for Kids and Children With Hair Loss help young people with any medical hair loss. Many other programs are for cancer patients only. Insurance may also cover a wig as a cranial prosthesis when the hair loss comes from a medical condition, so ask your doctor about a prescription.
where can I donate a wig?
EBeauty Community takes gently used wigs by mail and passes them on free to people in treatment. Your local cancer center's wig room may accept clean wigs, and some American Cancer Society offices accept new wigs with the tags still attached; call 1-800-227-2345 to find one near you. Check what each place accepts before you send anything.
why we care about this
specialists in hair loss since 1995
In 1990 my mother Carol went through breast cancer treatment and could not find anything comfortable or attractive to wear. She was a hairstylist, and she promised herself that if she came through it she would fix that for the women who came after her. In 1995 she and I started Headcovers together.
My mother taught Look Good Feel Better workshops for years, and American Cancer Society offices once bought wigs from us to stock their Gift Closets and send to patients. We have seen what a free program can do for a woman with no room in her budget for a wig, so if one can help you first, use it. If you end up buying, a good synthetic wig is lighter, fits better and looks more natural from the first wear than most donated wigs, and if insurance covers part of the cost, it can also open up a monofilament top, which matters most when hair loss is complete. We are glad to help you sort out your options, whether you buy from us or not.
Whatever you decide, you deserve something that feels good to wear.
Ready to find the right wig?
Browse our wigs for cancer patients, or call 1-800-264-4287 (HATS) and a person will help you figure out where to start.
keep learning
wig insurance coverageThe prescription, the paperwork and filing a claim.
wig buying guideCap construction, sizing and color, step by step.
the EverYou and tlc catalog has closedWhere to find what it carried, including free options.
cancer hats buying guideFabrics, coverage and what feels good on a tender scalp.
chemo and hair lossWhat to expect, and how to prepare and cope.
Know of a free wig program we should add? Tell us about it; we want to hear from you.
Comments, Questions & Ratings
Add a comment. Post a rating. Leave your comments.