HAIR LOSS :

Losing or thinning of your hair can be one of the most distressing things about your treatment for cancer. It's an extremely personal subject and people deal with it in many different ways; some prefer to wear a wig, some a hat or scarf and others may feel that they don't want to wear anything at all. The main thing is feeling comfortable with your decision on what or what not to wear. Wearing your special or favourite clothes or accessories may also sometimes help to lift you when you are not feeling at your best.

If you are an NHS patient and you know you are going to have chemotherapy and will definitely lose your hair (not all chemotherapy treatments mean that you will lose your hair), a referral will be made for you to obtain a wig. Wigs are available through the National Health Service at Peterborough District Hospital at the current prescription charges. The hospital has a contract with a local company who has been in business for the last 25 years and they offer a wide selection of wigs.

Cancerbackup's 'Coping with hair loss'

publication offers practical advice and attractive solutions to hair loss, including:

• Information on the treatments that cause hair loss.
• Helpful tips on how to look after your hair, both during and after treatment (following guidelines from the Institute of Trichologists ).
• Practical information on a wide range of alternative headwear including headbands, bandanas and hair extensions. There are also brief instructions and suggestions for tying headscarves.
• Helpful ideas on coping with the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as advice on caring for skin.
• Information about the needs of children and teenagers.
• Details of suppliers of wigs for people from black and minority ethnic groups.
• A section on feelings, outlining further sources of emotional support.

Their booklet also addresses the problems faced by people from minority ethnic groups.
Website: www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Email: info@cancerbackup.org
Tel: Freephone 0808 800 1234 (lines open Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m. )

Breast Cancer Care offers a service called 'HeadStrong'.

If you would like practical tips on looking after your hair and scalp, before during and after treatment, you can book a HeadStrong appointment.

At your appointment you will be able to try on a range of hats, scarves, fringes and hairpieces in a comfortable and private environment. You also have the opportunity to buy selected items of stock.

Specially trained volunteers run the service and will show you how to tie scarves in a variety of styles, give you advice on how to deal with a sore and dry scalp, and talk through any concerns you may have about your hair loss.

This service is free and you can come as many times as you want - and you can bring someone along to give you a bit of support.

It's a good idea to make an appointment before you lose your hair so that you are prepared in advance and can see what is available for you.

Contact Breast Cancer Care on 0808 8006000 for further information.
Website Link: Breast Cancer Care - HeadStrong

Wig Bank

Wig Bank was created by a woman who has had breast cancer who was aware of how expensive wigs can be, even when purchased on the NHS. All the wigs they receive are donated by people who have finished chemotherapy, they are then washed and conditioned and sold for £10-£20. A proportion of this amount is donated to a relevant charity.

There is now a network of wig banks throughout the UK although not one in the Peterborough area but they can be purchased via the website or telephone on a sale or return basis. They have also recently sourced brand new wigs direct from a manufacturer and these sell for £40.

www.wigbank.com
Tel: 0131 315 2580
Email: info@wigbank.com

Wigs and Pieces

Based in Yorkshire, Wigs and Pieces have over 40 years experience in the hair and wig industry. They have become experts with wigs and hair, focusing on high quality wigs, hairpieces, hair styles, products and services.

Wigs and Pieces sell a wide range of types, style, colours (including grey) and length along with a selection of eyebrows, eyelashes and wig accessories like tape and frames.

Website: www.internetwigs.com
Wigs and Pieces .com Ltd
301a Queeen Street, Withernsea.
East Yorkshire. HU19 2NW
Telephone: 01964 615577
Email: info@wigsandpieces.com

Wigs4U.co.uk

As retailers of wigs for over 25 years you can enjoy the benefits of our experience to bring you the very best in both service and quality of products. We guarantee your total satisfaction with every purchase.

Among the many thousands of people already enjoying the benefits of wearing our wigs due to thinning hair are alopecia sufferers, cancer sufferers undergoing chemotherapy, entertainers, dancers and transvestites to name but a few.

These ultra lightweight thin wefted wigs are fully adjustable by the use of the built in velcro/elastic adjusters or hook eye fasteners, within seconds you can adjust the size for a perfect fit. For the smaller than average head size we suggest you look at our petite/short styles.

Website: www.wigs4u.co.uk
Wigs4u
PO Box 9, Wisbech
Cambs. PE13 2WL
Telephone: 01945 587584
Email: info@wigs4u.co.uk

HotHair.co.uk

NATURAL CONFIDENCE:

Designed by the world's top stylists the Jacqueline Collection contains today's most natural looking wigs. Most styles are designed to fit all heads sizes, with the added flexibility of easy to use adjusters. You'll find all the styles light, cool and comfortable - very important if you wear a wig all day long.

We even sell bandanas with braided hair attached. Available in a range of 5 natural colours.

See their website for outlets.

Telephone: 0207 403 4422 (switchboard is open 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays)
Email: customerservice@hothair.co.uk
Website: www.hothair.co.uk

Blackcareuk.com

A superb range of short, medium and long ethnic style wigs starting at £40.99. Hair extensions are also available as braids, clip ons, weaves and ez weaves.

Telephone: 020 8252 2488/7810
Email: info@blackcareuk.com
Website: www.blackcareuk.com

Shirleysscarves

Shirtee-jay has recently changed names to Shirleysscarves. It was created by a breast cancer patient from Peterborough who wanted the opportunity to wear beautiful headscarves. So she decided to design them herself and also to sell them to other people.  There are currently 41 designs on sale so to find out more please visit our website.

"We cater to individuals who have hair loss due to chemotherapy, alopecia and other medical conditions which cause hair loss.  We feel passionately that anyone experiencing  hair loss should have the opportunity to wear beautiful designs."

"We understand that you want to look and feel good and so we have a range of scarves to suit everyone.  Through personal experience we have been able to choose scarves that are comfortable, stylish, practical and affordable. We have customers who purchase our designs just because they love them. We know that you will too."

Website: www.shirleysscarves.co.uk
Email: shirleysscarves@hotmail.co.uk

Hair & Scalp Clinic

The Hair and Scalp clinic is a company based in Peterborough run by Tracey Walker who is a Trichologist (hair and scalp specialist). They supply wigs and hair pieces and are able to offer a very personal one-to-one service with a choice of wigs from four companies.

Tracey is also a trained hairdresser and is able to match hair colours and styles ensuring that your wig looks as natural as possible.

Website: www.hairscalpclinic.co.uk
Telephone: 01733 890800 or 07941 530473
Email Tracey at tracey@hairscalpclinic.co.uk

Spring Forward

They sell a comprehensive range of hair and beauty products, including wigs and accessories in synthetic and human hair for all enthnicities (£15-£40)., clip-ins and other hair shampoos, conditioners and gels, hand, body and face creams plus a range of fashion items.

They also do braiding, plaiting and weaving. If they haven't got what you want, they will order it! They have a good choice with a friendly service and and reasonable prices, plus a customer loyalty scheme.

Spring Forward
93 Eastfield Road
Peterborough
PE1 4AS
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.15am-5.45pm
Wednesday 1pm-5.45pm & Saturday 9.30am-5.00pm
Telephone: 01733 319870

Hats4Heads

Hats4Heads was set up following personal experience of a patient losing her hair through chemotherapy. The company has a wide range of comfortable and stylish hats for people of all ages.

Website: www.hats4heads.co.uk
Telephone: 0161 941 6738 or 01565 653821
Email: info@hats4heads.co.uk