Medical wig day

Today, and October 19th annually, is Medical Wig Day.  The day was established by Terrace Heart Japan, a company headquartered in Osaka who make medical wigs, to popularize safe and secure medical wigs so that people who suffer from hair loss associated with anticancer drug treatment or alopecia areata can enjoy fashionable hair even during treatment.

According to an article in the Japan Times in 2024, Japan has the highest rate of alopecia among Asian countries at around 26%. It also reported that 7.8% of women experience some form of hair thinning in Japan. In addition, a study in Okayama Prefecture in 2023 indicated that 31.4% (271 individuals) of cancer patients reported purchasing wigs. 

The date 10/19 was chosen because ten (10) looks like the symbol used for a hospital and nineteen (19) can be read as "uiggu" for wig. It is an important recognition of the relief, support and a positive experience a patient can gain from using a medical wig. It can improve the quality of life from both a beauty and medical perspective.