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[Beenie]

Does anyone have advice/experience to share about finding a realistic looking wig? Real hair v. synthetic, places to buy them/try them, etc.

I am about to start chemotherapy and want to have all the information I need prior to the treatment.

[Dill]

I remember a long time ago Marie Claire did an article about this. I'm sure there was a company who did wigs for exactly this purpose. I'll see if I can find it on the web.

Good luck with the treatment.

[gremlin]

Hi

have a look at THIS website

Its Trevor sorbie and his team, they offer a specialist servise to cutting and customising wigs for people in your situation.

It might be the one Dill was thinking of.

Jane x

[kittykat500]

I wore a wig during my chemo nearly eight years ago now. It was a synthetic one which only really looked half decent for about 6 months. The less you wash it the better if it's synthetic! Had I had the money I would have gone for a real hair one but they are very pricey.

All the best with your treatment.

[angel81uk]

I've had quite a bit of training and experience of working with wigs so I hope I can offer some advice. As you're about to start chemo I would definitely recommend a synthetic wig over real hair. Real hair wigs are beautiful and we all know they're expensive (I don't know the prices of an off the shelf wig, but a custom made real hair wig can easily cost upwards of £2000) but the biggest problem with real hair wigs is the amount of care they require. I've worked with wigs in the past and it really is a chore having to wash and style them each day, even more of a chore if you're not feeling yourself! Also if you choose real hair it's normally recommended that you have two as the hair will fall out over time. You generally need to wear them in rotation to reduce wear and tear and having two means you have one spare whilst the other is sent off for repairs etc so it can quickly get very expensive.

Synthetic wigs have a bad reputation, people generally think they look too false. In reality there are some great synthetic wigs out there now, the quality of the hair has improved and doesn't look as plastic as it used to. However the biggest "problem" is that they contain too much hair! A hairdresser who has a good knowledge of wigs will be able to thin out the excess hair and cut it into a more flattering style.

With regards to finding the right wig for you and trying them on etc I really would recommend a consultation with a hairdresser with plenty of experience in this area. It's one thing to look through a catalogue or try an off the shelf wig on but a good hairdresser can work miracles and turn something that looks like a helmet into a gorgeous hairpiece. So find someone who knows what they're doing and ask their advice.

The Trevor Sorbie, My New Hair site is a good place to start and I believe they have a list of salons around the country that have wig specialists. If I remember correctly they are tied in with Trendco wigs but there are other suppliers out there. I use a company called hair raisers but they're a trade only supplier so you can't turn up to the warehouse and try them on etc. They do have a retail business too although I can't remember the name at the moment. However rather than buying retail I'd recommend calling them up and pretending to be a hair and make up artist working on a film so you can buy at trade prices! Their website is http://www.hairaisers.com/

Hope that's of some help. Feel free to fire any questions my way and I'll help where I can.

[Hans Mum]

Hi Beenie, first of all good luck with your treatment, as to your wig, check with your NHS trust, here in Leeds we have a fabulous Support Centre which has a hairdresser who helps people in this situation and can give advice, help choosing styles, and other options such as bandanas etc. You are also entitled to an NHS prescription to cover the cost again check as it may vary from local PCT but check & look at this
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/M...sts/DH_4049252
or check with your McMillan Nurse they have a fantastic realm of information, hope this helps a little

[the devil made me do it]

Hot Hair do excellent wigs and hair pieces. They can also match hair colour.

www.hothair.co.uk