Question about wigs

[Cazy1010]

Where do I start to ask about wigs , it was mentioned when I received my results but as usual I didn’t take it in as was trying to console my daughter who was in bits . Do I phone my nurse at Christie’s , I saw the wig department on walking through , I’m a bit confused !!

[Jacquiemoo]

I have 2 wigs. One short and the other medium. I found them to be uncomfortable so have 2 bamboo hats that are light weight and so comfortable. I found them on Amazon. If you do buy a wig get a good hair net for underneath it.

[wendydee]

Does your hospital have a Macmillan Centre or a Maggie’s Centre attached? They would let you know. I’m sure there are places that supply free wigs to NHS patients undergoing chemo, (or maybe that was before all the funding cuts?) I chair a support group for Gynae oncology patients and you’re welcome to log on to our public Facebook page which has links on various topics. It’s COPES Essex Gynae Cancer Support on Facebook, if you have that? If not I’ll have a look in our archives and see if there’s any info on wigs, head coverings etc.

Love Wendy xx

[wendydee in reply to wendydee]

There’s a good fact sheet on the Ovacome website (free to join and factsheets downloadable and free to members. It’s Ovacome.org.uk and if you click on Information and Support>Loving with Cancer, scroll down and there’s a section on HairLoss.

There’s also a charity called Look Good, Feel Better and they’re doing online courses with all sorts of hints for coping with cancer, chemo and other issues. Here’s a copy and paste. I’m sorry, I couldn’t copy the link. It will be on their website though.

Register NOW ➡ for Look Good Feel Better® Live! Virtual Workshops! Turn on post notifications to get notified every week when our Virtual Workshop Schedule is posted!💄

LGFB Virtual Workshops are taught by beauty, wig, and styling professionals to provide tips and tricks to help cancer patients cope with appearance-related side effects of treatment and connect with fellow cancer patients across the country!

We offer workshops on:

Skincare and Makeup*

Wigs and Head Coverings

Body Image, Wardrobe, and Styling*

Scarf Tying Techniques

Nail Care

*offered in English and Spanish

✨Workshops are #FREE and available to cancer patients currently in treatment.

✨Register now at bit.ly/3zFCmQB

[josiecocker12]

My husband is under The Christie, he has a group of nurses as he's having immunotherapy which is still under research. He has a telephone number which he can phone like you and the nurses are always so helpful. Thinking about you

[Kjpip]

My hospital also had a wig salon attached to the chemo department and I just rang them directly - I think my nurse had given me a leaflet with all the other bumph I had at the beginning. If you can't find a number for them, I'm sure your nurse will tell you what you need to do. Good luck!

[carrotmunch5]

I got two. One of them which I got through Maggie's. I spoke to my support nurse and she guided me to Wig appointment. It depends on where you are, some places you need to pay towards, some are free. I have second one from a website which my friend used to use. Got lovely silver bob, thought it was fun.

Definitely to speak with your support nurse or your local Macmillan, they can guid to your wig appointment. Also they can show you how to use scarf etc. I looked on YouTube how to use scarf, and I got lots of head gears, from beanies and scarf. It's fun. I still enjoy my wigs and beanies ( I always wore beanies).

[Riverflo]

Hi Cazy,

I spent 600 euros on a realistic, good quality wig and wore it zero times because it was uncomfortable and I felt conspicuous. So much happier with soft hats and nothing around the house. I donated it to the cancer charity here who keep a supply of wigs so there may be something like that where you live.

Best of luck with it,

Martine xxx

[meadowgirl]

My clinical nurse specialist asked me if I wanted a free wig, on the NHS. She made a referral to a company called Raoul wigs and chose mine on a zoom call, during lockdown. I could have gone to their shop in London but chose not to. They were great. My hair was difficult to match as it is white/silver and most of their light ones were blonde. I loved my wig. Make sure you find a close match as it will look like a wig if the wrong shade. When I wore mine to the gym, a couple of members asked if I’d had a makeover. Most people, including my grandchildren, never knew that I had lost my hair which suited me just fine. I advise you to get one anyway and see how you feel. All the best Cazy x

[babs1120]

Hi, I had two wigs one I bought on ebay for £12 just to see if I like the style and colour. When I went for my first session of chemo the department nurse gave me a voucher for £145 and a list of wig stockist local to me which would take the Voucher. Do get a good wig cap to go under your wig. I had one with silicon strips around the edge which was very comfortable, it also was cooling and stopped any itching from the wig. I ended up only having to pay £15 towards the wig and the Cap. Every one thought my wig was real hair, which it wasn't but looked so real. Good luck with your wig.

[Trickysite]

[Message me directly for recommendations as to which I think] are best websites. Non heat resistant wigs are best type. Highlighted wigs look most natural. You get a vat discount fir cancer patients. You can return them if you don’t like and try others. Wear a net cap underneath. I have 3. One is red, one blonde, one greyish with white fringe. Have fun! Think Dolly Parton and Joan Collins, but don’t look like them!i am sorry your daughter was so upset and understand. You need someone strong who can support you at appointments. I suggest you take someone else, if you can. My boyfriend cried to me about it and I told him very firmly he was never to do that in front of me again, whatever he might do in private. It is a time when you need support and should not be required to support others as that way you are carrying a double burden. I am sure your daughter is very caring and a blessing to you. Very best wishes, Emma x [edited by moderated - text in square brackets added]

else

[Fizzgirl]

Hi Cazy,I would start with your specialist burden. You can get a voucher if you want an NHS wig I went private and was very happy with the choice. You can get a synthetic or real hair which have more difficult caring regime. I was really happy with my two synthetic wigs as I've had two chemo with hair loss. I went with some colour as natural hair but got a slightly longer one and one with a bit of a curl. When my hair started to fall out my son greatly enjoyed shaving my head then i used calendula cream to protect my scalp. Didn't need a hair net underneath my wig it was so comfy .

Wishing you luck found it fun trying on different styles you'll know when you fingers the right one. Good luck. Ps I did have bamboo hats for night time as your head gets very cold

[bananayo]

When I was having my chemo a nurse told me I would be eligible for an NHS wig, my hospital had a wig shop so I made an appointment. It helped trying on lots of different styles and colours until I found one that I really liked, ( and was comfortable) it was actually a bit longer than I wanted so the lady cut it to the length I wanted. I got an allowance and would have had to pay anything above that but the one I chose was free! I only wore it if I was going out in the evening, I preferred to wear the soft bamboo caps during the day. X

[Atai]

I had a wig but it didn’t feel right so I went for soft hats/wraps/scarves, and loved them! Take them with you for any overnight stays to keep your head warm at night, same at home.

I agree with a member above about who to take to appointments, other than your daughter… a friend or other family member who can put on a “brave face” and focus on the information given out, so they can help remind you afterwards , whether good, bad or indifferent news, as that helps you more

You’ll feel less anxious as you won’t need to be thinking of your daughter and you can relay information to her afterwards

Head coverings: soft, jersey or bamboo type materials are best , good luck! Xx

[Lookingahead]

I was able to order a wig from a local company and the NHS paid for it . They are hairdressers as well. It is worth finding someone like that if you can as they were very experienced and supplied a wig that looked exactly like my hair! I wore it all summer and it wasn’t uncomfortable. I understand that the wig department at Christie’s will supply you with a wig ?? Good luck and hope all goes well for you x x

[Realistic]

They will give you lots of advice there really kind & helpful they gave me a voucher for my first wig at Christie's but the shop couldnt be more helpful. I actually loved wearing wigs and got different styles. I have a very scarred head from 3 brain surgeries in the past plus l have a valve in my head that controls my tumour . So it was wigs for me. Just ask for some help and advice they will gladly give youPlenty of help and advice. But l saw plenty of girls wearing head bands and they looked absolutely brilliant were all different and please dont worry about losing your hair it soon grows back thankfully. I lost my because it was shaved off for my brain surgery & the ovarian cancer it was the chemo. But l thankfully have a decent head of hair again thank goodness. Sending love & hugs. Sheila fxxx