Hi all
My first post so firstly a very big thank you for all the postings on this site, it’s been really useful over the past few weeks with all the questions that pop up, both the technical and the almost silly!
I’m going to be starting chemo soon and wondered if anyone had used the NHS wig service in South London? I’m not sure I could carry off a wig (my hair is usually a bit crazy (though not intentionally!) and I’m wondering if better a good hat than an unconvincing wig). I also read about the Trevor Sorbie salon doing wig styling but if you get it from their chosen supplier (though you don’t have to) altogether it ends up being pretty pricey.
I’d appreciate hearing what you good folks think.
Cheers and all the best x
I used the hospital’s wig supplier in Welling. I found the service in the shop quite lacking, but I did take my hairdresser with me and she was able to pick a style that suited my face, and more importantly, was able to select a good colour for me. I really found that the shop offered no help at all in terms of advice and without my hairdresser, I would have selected a wig that I would not have been happy with. The wig supplier does cover a lot of hospitals in south London/Kent. I am at the QE in Woolwich.
I am pleased with the wig - which I jazz up with scarves and headbands, but was not pleased to the service provided. In fact I came on today to post to see if anyone can give advice on how to wash the wig - I really don’t want it to lose its shape…The wig is a good quality and the exact same wig is available in Selfridges for £125.
The other purchase I have found useful is a halo - basically a fringe and side bits on a plastic band - I wear this under scarves so I have some hair showing - again my hairdresser helped by trimming it up a bit…
I had the same concerns as you initially and have really got used to wearing the wig…
HOWEVER GIRLS - HOW DO I WASH IT??? ANY HELP GRATEFULLY RECEIVED…
Love to your all
Haether
x
hi Heather I got my wig here in Scotland from a NHS wig supplier I did get a lovely wig but had to ask for it from a magazine. It was my friend whom I took with me who asked as they were showing me horrible granny things. So when my friend looked at the magazine she found all the Raquel Welch ones which looked fantastic. Mine cost £150 maybe thats why she never showed it to me but I did get it for nothing. Now the washing part of it well you must wash ot in cold water with any shampoo then you rinse it in cold water You can condition it then wiyh any conditioner you choose then just rinse it again in cold water. You then just hang it some where ti drip dry over-night then give ot a good brush in the morning then it looks fantastic. Whatever you do dont use hot water as it shrinks it. anyway good luck and you take care Love Linda xxxxx
Hi Al
I’m not borthering with a wig, just scarves and bandanas. However, just to say that Trendco the wig shop are based in London - I bought some ready made bandannas there, and they have loads of wigs, and they style you. The nearest tube is Notting Hill (I think) and it’s a 2 minute walk from there.
Fuschia
xxxxx
Where I live you are given a voucher which you can take to any wig supplier but the hospital recommened 2 and phoned up 1st for an app for me. The staff were lovely. It was private and they were very senstive. I chose one which was an exact match to my own hair colour though a different style. I have to say I hate it now that I have to wear it for some events, i.e. visiting my job (a school). I had to add £30 to the cost of this too, my voucher was for £90.
Bought one for £5 off ebay that is more funky, red with low lights and quite arty!, But it has a crappy centre parting that looks false. I now wear that one with a scalf covering the parting and it does look very natural. Wish I’d discovered this technique sooner!
Hope this helps.
Irene
Hiya,
re: Trevor Sorbie - if you go on to ‘www.mynewhair.org.uk’ (at least I think thats it) you will find a list of salons up and down the country that will cut and style your wig for free. Trevor Sorbie has basically devoted a lot of time to training hairdressers how to cut wigs. I was going to take advantage of this service when I was getting my first wig and I actually made an appt at my nearest salon which was Umberto Gianini in B’ham. They recommended a nearby wig shop to me which was ‘Trendco’ in B’ham. Anyway, as it happens the woman that sorted my wig out happened to teach Trevor Sorbie herself many moons ago so my wig didn’t actually need styling as she had already done it! Anyway, I’ll get to the point now (finally), you can get your wig from wherever you choose and they will still cut and style it for free. Also, the wigs are VAT free. My one from Trendco (who do wigs for babs windsor and many other celebs!) only cost £179 with all the products and stand I bought which I didn’t think was too extortionate. I have also got a nice NHS wig which was free with a prescription from my oncologist.
Personally I find my wigs to be a bit hot and I am much more of a scarf and bandana girl! As I don’t wear my wig v.much I have only had to wash it once. I got some special ‘fibre hair shampoo’ from Trendco and I washed it with this in luke warm water. I then rinsed this out and gave it a final rinse with fabric softener! This was recommended by the wig woman!! Rinse the fabric softener out then put it on a stand to dry. Once dry I then spray it with some ‘fibre hair soften’n’sheen conditioning spray’ that I’ve got. It smells lovely and makes the wig look really ‘un-wiggy’,
Hope this helps,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Dear All
This lady, Jasmin Julia Gupta who runs Cancer Hair Care is amazing and can help with any queries regarding wigs, wig care, wearing scarves with fake hair etc. Her email address is <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6a%61%73%6d%69%6e%40%63%61%6e%63%65%72%68%61%69%72%63%61%72%65%2e%63%6f%6d%22%3e%6a%61%73%6d%69%6e%40%63%61%6e%63%65%72%68%61%69%72%63%61%72%65%2e%63%6f%6d%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script>, tel 07917 818609. She is away until Monday but back then. She can help you choose wigs and trim them etc. everything. She is based in Stevenage and willing to travel. I also reiterate Trendco are amazing and so is the service Trevor Sorbie provides. Trendco’s pre-tied bandanas are lovely and very easy and cool to wear.
Cecelia. x
Ooh and remember we don’t have to pay VAT for wig purchases from any supplier
Cecelia. x
Thanks very much everybody, that’s all really helpful! I’ve unexpectedly been having a bit of a down day (actually just grumpy I think!) so I think I’ll feel much better when I’m more prepared for this side of it and you’ve all put me well on the way. Thank you!
This is certainly a good place to come for help.
Thanks again,
Al x
Stay communicating with us Al, we need to all share this. Such a journey.
Cecelia. x
I will do, thanks again. All the best to you,
Al x