Hello. I'm Mayumi from BAREN.
In the last interview, I talked about my illness and the development story behind BAREN.
When I met and spoke with people who were fighting illnesses at fitting events,
Each and every customer at BAREN has their own thoughts and stories,
I realized once again how important it is to share this information.
With the hope of providing an opportunity for this, I would like to hear from various people involved with BAREN in the form of a series of interviews.
So, for the second interview, we spoke with Kano Chizu, a regular user of BAREN.
Q. Hello, Kanochizu-san. First of all, can I ask you how you first came across BAREN?
Yes, thank you very much.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2023 and underwent a total mastectomy the following month at the end of November.
Cancer was first discovered in my left breast, but then the radiologist pointed out a suspicious shadow on my right as well, which turned out to be malignant, so both breasts were removed.
Furthermore, tests showed that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in her left breast, so she also began chemotherapy after the surgery.
At that time, the doctor explained to me, "Since women with breast cancer or uterine cancer have a high chance of losing their hair as a side effect of chemotherapy, you should prepare a medical wig."
Q. After receiving the explanation, did you immediately prepare a medical wig?
I immediately wanted to buy a medical wig, but two acquaintances told me to wait a little before purchasing a medical wig, so I gave up.
One is the hairdresser who has always cut my hair, and the other is a friend of my husband.
The hairdresser apparently had heard from customers who had been diagnosed with cancer that they had bought expensive medical wigs, but they were too heavy to wear.
My husband's friend was diagnosed with cervical cancer three years ago and lost her hair due to chemotherapy, but she said she only used the medical wig, which cost tens of thousands of yen, once.
I was already concerned about the cost of treatment, so hearing that story made me want to try and find a different option.
Q. It must be a shock when your hair starts falling out, as it happened to me too.
My doctor explained to me that my hair would start falling out 12 to 14 days after starting chemotherapy, and it really did start falling out on the 12th day.I originally had very short hair so I didn't have that much, but I still started crying when I saw all the hair piling up down the drain.
I was feeling sad about the changes in myself and was desperately searching for something to lift my spirits, when I discovered BAREN on Instagram.
When I saw the product image, my first thought was, "It's stylish and cute, but it looks like it will be difficult to use." The design was three-dimensional, and the way it was tied looked intricate, so I was worried that I, who am not good with hands, would not be able to use it.
Q. I see! What made you decide to buy it without being put off by it?
Although I thought it would be difficult, it looked very stylish and I was intrigued, so I watched a video on how to wear it.
When I watched the video, I was surprised at how easy it was! I thought to myself, "Maybe even I can use this!"
The price range was also cheaper than regular medical wigs, so I bought one right away to give it a try.
Q. What were your impressions the first time you put on BAREN?
The moment I put it on, I felt like I had discovered a different side of myself.
Not only had I worn a scarf around my head, but it had been a while since I'd had full bangs, as I'd had short hair for many years, but for some reason it still felt right.
It feels right, but it's clearly different from who I've been up to now and feels really fresh.
I thought to myself, "This is fine for me." What's more, I felt like I was able to accept myself as I was after having cancer and losing my hair.
I was a little worried because most of the clothes I own are pretty dressy, but the moment I tried them on, all my worries were blown away. "Scarf hat x pretty clothes" goes really well together!
Not only does it match, but wearing BAREN elevates your outfit and makes you look stylish.
I bought seven of them, depending on my mood and outfit of the day (laughs).
It's very easy to put on, just like in the video, and now I can put it on in less than a minute.
Q. I'm really glad that you like it! When do you use BAREN?
I use it at home, when I go out, and at work. I think that without BAREN, I wouldn't be able to go out as confidently as I did.
During anti-cancer drug treatment, I feel sick, my hair falls out, and my mood becomes very gloomy. Also, regular care caps make me look like I'm a sick person, and because I don't have bangs, I always end up looking down.
But BAREN has a bangs wig that doesn't look like a care cap, so it lifts your face.
When my face lifts, so does my mood. I feel better, and for the first time, I enjoy going out. BAREN takes me outside.
I also have a daughter in the third grade of elementary school, and I wear it to her parent-teacher meetings and school visits.
My daughter's friends also say it's cute!
For school-related matters, I use navy or brown scarf hats. BAREN has a wide variety of colors and materials, so I think it's great that you can use them according to the occasion.
The sports day is coming up soon, and I'm thinking of going with bright colors!!
Q. I understand that you are still working, Kanochizu-san, but what is the reputation of BAREN at your workplace?
In fact, our workplace is so serious that we still wore uniforms until before COVID-19, but BAREN has now been accepted as a part of fashion.
When I went to work for the first time after starting chemotherapy, I contacted someone at work in advance and told them I would be wearing a turban-like hat.
When I entered the conference room on the day, my usually taciturn boss immediately praised me, saying, "That's a good idea!"
The head of the human resources department, who was also present, said, "That's a wonderful thing to do, and I hope you will pave the way for anyone else in the future who has the same concerns."
Afterwards, when I stopped by my department, everyone greeted me with cheers and applause.
I was really glad that I mustered up the courage to wear BAREN to work.
BAREN doesn't give off the impression of being tired or haggard.
So I feel like I make people around me feel less uncomfortable because I'm sick.
Q. Do people around you sometimes not realize that you are battling an illness?
there is!
I had told my female colleagues at work about my illness, but I didn't tell any of the men.
Then, when I met a male colleague who I hadn't seen in a while, he joked, "You two seem to be wearing the same thing."
When I told him, "The truth is, I'm currently battling an illness and have lost my hair," he looked surprised and apologised.
Then later he emailed me saying, "Sorry about earlier! It didn't look strange at all, so I thought you were just wearing it as a fashion statement."
If I had been wearing a care hat that made me look like I was sick, I don't think anyone would have said something like that out of consideration. I think it was only because of BAREN that they said this light-hearted remark (laughs).
I also like fashion, so I often go shopping there, and the store clerks often compliment me on BAREN.
People ask me, "What's that stylish hat you're wearing?" and are surprised when I explain that it's a medical wig.
It's really nice to receive compliments from a fashion professional, and it gives you confidence.
I receive a lot of compliments when I wear BAREN, whether at work, the hospital, or while shopping.
Q. Not only do they not notice, but they even compliment me! I'm very happy about that. Lastly, please tell us your thoughts about BAREN.
When I started my chemotherapy treatment, I was full of anxiety.
I was very scared of strong drugs being introduced into my body, of my hair falling out, my nails turning black, and my appearance changing.
Still, I believe it is thanks to BAREN that I am able to hold my head up and enjoy each day.
Thanks to BAREN, I can go outside confidently, and being able to go outside makes me feel brighter. And because I feel brighter, I feel like going outside again...
I feel like I'm in a really good cycle.
Just having a moment to forget that I'm fighting an illness is a relief to me.
And if there are people out there who have the same problem, I want to tell them, "You'll be fine if you have BAREN." "Put your BAREN on and go outside."
By the way, I have grown to love BAREN not only as a medical wig but also as a fashion item, so I will continue to use it even after I recover!
Thank you so much, Kanochizu!
Finally, we were shown the office coordination.
It's perfect for conservative outfits!
I can tell you enjoy fashion.
