How can you reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment?
Hello, this is Mayumi from BAREN.
There are various cancer treatments, but the most commonly used is chemotherapy. Anticancer drugs are effective against many types of cancer, but they often require high treatment costs, which can be a major problem for patients and their families.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, the first thing I was concerned about was future treatment and how much it would cost.
In addition, because hair loss is an almost unavoidable side effect of anti-cancer drugs, patients will need medical wigs and care caps to maintain their daily lives. Most patients will likely be encouraged to purchase these by their doctor when explaining anti-cancer drug treatment.
The prices of medical wigs and care caps vary depending on the product, ranging from inexpensive to expensive, but full wigs and custom-made products can cost hundreds of thousands of yen.
Treatment is already a huge financial burden, so you want to keep expenses other than treatment costs to a minimum, but are medical wigs eligible for medical expense deductions?
I have experienced cancer treatment and have compiled what I have learned, so I hope it will be helpful to you.
Medical wigs are not eligible for medical expense deductions.
Medical wigs and medical care caps are essential for maintaining the quality of life (QOL) of people who have lost hair due to side effects of anti-cancer drugs and other medications, but currently they are not eligible for medical expense deductions or public insurance coverage.
This is because it has been determined that "wearing a medical wig is not directly related to cancer treatment, and therefore it is difficult to provide medical expenses as a medical device."
Reference: Reply to a question submitted by Senator Kanae Yamamoto regarding medical wigs
Will private insurance cover the purchase of a medical wig?
So what about private insurance products?
As mentioned above, medical wigs are considered to be "not directly related to medical procedures," but public opinion is gradually spreading that they are "essential for patients undergoing treatment," and it seems that the number of private insurance plans that subsidize the cost of purchasing medical wigs is gradually increasing.
In this case, you may be eligible for a certain amount of reimbursement when purchasing a medical wig, so be sure to check whether your insurance offers any applicable services.
An increasing number of local governments are introducing subsidy systems for medical wigs
In addition, an increasing number of local governments are introducing subsidy programs to help those who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other reasons with the cost of purchasing wigs.
For example, in Tokyo, the following municipalities provide subsidies for the purchase of wigs and other items to patients who are concerned about changes in appearance due to cancer treatment, such as hair loss or mastectomy (as of April 2024).
Chiyoda Ward, Chuo Ward, Minato Ward, Bunkyo Ward, Taito Ward, Sumida Ward, Koto Ward, Shinagawa Ward, Ota Ward, Setagaya Ward, Suginami Ward, Toshima Ward, Kita Ward, Itabashi Ward, Adachi Ward, Katsushika Ward, Edogawa Ward, Hachioji City, Chofu City, Machida City, Hino City, Kunitachi City, Fussa City, Komae City, Kiyose City, Tama City, Hachijo Town
The content of the subsidy varies depending on the ward, city, town or village, so please inquire at your local ward, city, town or village office.
Reference: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Health Insurance and Medical Care - Appearance Support Project for Cancer Patients
Application requirements and recipients of the medical wig subsidy program
Not all local governments have subsidy programs. In addition, the conditions for receiving subsidies are set in detail by each local government, and the documents required to be submitted also differ. If you are considering using the program, be sure to inquire at the office in advance to confirm.
Conditions for applying for medical wigs subsidies
- Residing in a prefecture or municipality that provides the subsidy
- Those who are undergoing or have undergone anti-cancer drug treatment
- Those who need wigs because hair loss caused by side effects of anti-cancer drug treatment interferes with work or social participation
Other conditions may include the amount of tax you pay, so please check with your local government.
If you purchase BAREN using the subsidy system
A link to your receipt will be attached to your purchase confirmation email.
Please print out the PDF file for your reference.
If you have any questions, please contact us via LINE
>> Click here to register for the official BAREN LINE account
If you're unsure about which hair loss products to buy... Here's why we recommend "BAREN!"
- The price of the medical cap with bangs wig "BAREN" is reasonable among medical wigs , with the set of bangs wig and scarf hat starting from 18,400 yen.
- "It's not noticeable, it's not stuffy, and it's not tight" - so it's comfortable and stress-free whether you're out or at home.
- "More than 15 types of scarf hats x more than 15 types of partial wigs" allow you to freely coordinate with your clothes.
- The scarf hat part can be washed in the washing machine, and the bangs wig can be hand washed with shampoo.
- There are over 4,000 reviews from BAREN buyers, with an average rating of 4.8 stars (as of September 2025), and it has received high praise from people who actually use it.
We introduce reviews from people who, after wondering "Which medical wig is best?", finally decided on BAREN.
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I feel cheerful for the first time in a while ★★★★★ I knew that the chemotherapy would cause hair loss, but it was hard to accept it until it was gone, and I haven't bought a full wig yet. |
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Stylish ★★★★★ I bought this for medical hair loss. |
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Cute ★★★★★ I bought two different colors of loose curl wigs. They're perfect for when a full wig is too much hassle or when I want something more comfortable. The standalone wigs are great because they can be paired with existing care caps and knit caps, and are reasonably priced. My doctor even commented, "It's a stylish wig." I'd like to get a blunt wig, too. |
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I'm satisfied ★★★★★ I'm currently undergoing chemotherapy. I have a full wig, but wearing it can be very tiring, especially when I'm not feeling well. This product is comfortable, easy to wear, and stylish! I've been looking for something like this! Thanks to you, I feel cheerful for the first time in a long time. Thank you so much! |
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Savior ★★★★★ If you're struggling with hair loss, I highly recommend you try this! It's a wonderful product, filled with the passion and care of the maker. From the fabric to the design, it's been carefully thought out! You'll want to look stylish when you go out! |
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I love it ★★★★★ |
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I'm glad I found this site! ★★★★★ I was getting discouraged by the summer heat and the idea of wearing a full wig, so I tried out turbans, scarves, and hats, but I couldn't find anything comfortable. My head is small (54cm) and has an odd shape, so the wig would stick out or hurt. I was a little worried about the price, but I decided to order this one anyway. When I took it out of the box and picked it up, I was blown away by the softness of the fabric and how it felt against my skin. It felt just as comfortable when I put it on, and I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "That's great!" I'm looking forward to trying it out in so many different ways. It just arrived today, and I'm looking forward to buying more to match my fashion. I'm glad I found this website. Thank you. |
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Cuteness is truly medicine for the soul ·͜·♡ ★★★★★ I bought this for the first time before chemotherapy! I was shocked and scared about losing my hair, and had mixed feelings, and I ended up finding BAREN before I even recovered from the pain after surgery. |
What did you think?
The disease, the treatment, the costs involved... When you have cancer, the things you worry about just keep increasing, but the quickest way to ease your anxiety, even if just a little, may be to "know the truth."
I hope that the information I have introduced this time about the financial aspects of medical wigs will be of some help to you.
We developed BAREN because we wanted a comfortable and stylish medical wig that would help ease the feelings of hair loss.
We look forward to the day when BAREN can bring a smile to everyone's faces.
>> Check out "BAREN," a medical cap with a bangs wig!
>> For product inquiries, please click here (BAREN official LINE) 
💡What is medical expense deduction?
If you paid medical expenses for yourself, your spouse, or other relatives who share the same household between January 1st and December 31st of that year, and the medical expenses paid exceed a certain amount, you can deduct an amount calculated based on the amount of those medical expenses (see "Amount eligible for medical expense deduction" below). This is called the medical expense deduction.
Medical expenses are deductible for medical expenses, including medical and dental treatment and hospitalization fees, meal costs during hospitalization, and outpatient costs. Also, expenses for regular pregnancy checkups and postnatal checkups, infertility treatment costs, and artificial insemination costs are also deductible. Medical expenses and drug costs paid at medical institutions are also deductible, even if they are not covered by insurance.
However, the purchase costs of medicines such as vitamins used to prevent disease or promote health, or medical wigs that are not directly related to treatment, are not considered medical expenses.
Reference: National Tax Agency-1. No.1120 When paying medical expenses (medical expense deduction)
What is a medical wig?
Medical wigs are wigs used by people who suffer from hair loss due to side effects of chemotherapy, injuries, head surgery, or alopecia, and are used for a different purpose than fashion wigs, which are generally used for stylish purposes.
While fashion wigs are primarily used for changing one's image or for fashion, medical wigs are required to be comfortable, with features such as breathability and skin-friendly materials, as well as a natural appearance, and are designed to allow patients to live their normal lives without interfering with work or going out.
People undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from alopecia often use medical wigs, but there are no clear regulations regarding their definition or specifications.
💡What is a medical cap (care cap)?
Medical caps (care caps) are caps made for people who suffer from various types of hair loss, such as side effects of anti-cancer drugs, injuries, or allergies to chemical fibers.
Medical caps (care caps) not only cover hair loss, but also protect the scalp from irritation such as direct sunlight and dryness. As they come into direct contact with the scalp, it is important that they are not only comfortable to wear, such as being made of a skin-friendly material, but also have a stylish design that allows you to enjoy everyday life.
