Laraji

Hi laraji I went to a shop in Southend Essex,they were amazing helped a lot,but it was during lockdowns and covid,so had to have a video consultation first  to discuss what colour, lengths I was looking for then some wigs were shown to me prior to my actual appointment  that I made with them  it probably would be a lot easier now.

But the best type of wigs are what they call lace wigs,they have a natural looking hairline.  I bought three wigs,one real human hair wig,which was expensive  , and two synthetic wigs all lace  tyoe. To be  honest I wore the synthetic wigs,and never wore the real hair wig as it couldn't be parted to the side,just had a middle parting ,which I found flopped  Into my face. 

I've looked on amazon and they do some nice wigs ,you will also need some wig hair nets and a wig comb/brush. You can also buy hair products for wigs to keep them fresh and clean. Also a wig stand is helpful,rather than shoving it in a box.  

Some synthetic wigs can have some heat put on them to curl or straighten them,but read everything about the wigs your intersted in,  aa not all synthetic wigs can have heat applied to them.

I think you can still get vouchers from breast clinics to help  with the cost of a wig but I think it limits ypui somewhat  as to where the voucher can be used. The shop in Southend did take the voucher,but as I said  Amazon have lots.of wigs and probably cheaper than where I went.

Hope this helps you , good luck with everything. 

Hi Jess 

thsnk you so very much for your reply and so much detail that I never would have thought off to be honest I saw all sorts online , would you advise a fitting or do most fit average size ? Thanks in advance I may look on Amazon and just order a few cheap ones to try first xx 

Laraji

Hi again,glad it helped you. I used to do hair,I am city and quild trained lol,so did know a thing or two about wigs in my day it was part of the training we had to actualy make wigs.  Wigs have come a long way since then,never had lace wigs,they look sooo realistic now ,so many people were shocked when I addmitted I was wearing a wig.  Most wigs have an adjustable piece at the back near both sides,usualy a type of elastic piece that yoi can adjust to fit your head ,if its a bit big after you lose your hair from chemotherapy ( some don't,most do I did)  you can adjust and make it smaller to fit better. 

Yes Amazon is a good place I think,if the shop I went to was to far away ( I was lucky it wasnt) I would of definitely orderd some from Amazon.

Do hope you find one that makes you feel more like yourself again,as I found losing my hair really upsetting it was long, it's growing back always has a bit of a curl,but it's curler now...chemo curl lol, but the longer it gets the weight will drop the curl,can't come soon enough. 

Thier are also a number of products put there to help improve your hair when it's growing back ,lots of products containing caffeine, as this stimulates the hair follicles and growth. Coconut oil is good as well. .I bought a few turban style head caps, to wear indoors as wearing a wig can get hot if you wear it a lot. Orderd lots from Amazon.X

Your help is so much appreciated honestly didn't no where to start , I can see your profile picture your hair is similar to mine dark and straight , I was thinking about cold cap but I'm 48 and my roots are grey every 2 weeks so thought it's no point cause I can't die it anyway so it's deffo the wig option for me xx 

Hi laraj.  I bought a wig from a shop which was almost exactly like my own hair, long and blonde, it was a 'lace wig' but I only wore it a couple of times, because I found it very hot and itchy.  I decided to buy myself some head scarves and beeny hats from Amazon, who have a very good selection.  They look smart and stylish.  I was offered the cold cap treatment but was told by people that had had it that it didn't make much difference.......their hair still fell out, so I simply got my nephew to shave all mine off for me once my chemo started and lumps of my hair started coming out in the shower.  Also, you will need a gentle shampoo free of chemicals, because your scalp will be a bit delicate.  I used 'Childs Farm' shampoo from Amazon and I still use it, even now that my hair has grown back.  I also invested in some satin pillow cases, because ordinary cotton pillow cases felt slightly rough on my naked head.  Good luck, xx

I took mine to my hairdresser who thinned it and styled it.  I found them all too thick as I had thin hair.   Tbh I only wear it when I go out for dinner, rest of the time it's a buff or hat.

Hi. I wore a wig most of the time.I didnt find it uncomfortable at all. I would recommend going to a shop where you can try on a few. They will probably trim it after you choose one. Your Breast care nurse or  a local cancer charity will be able to point you in the direction of a  wig shop somewhere in your locality. My shop recommended not wearing a net or cap underneath as they made your head too warm. The wigs are easily washed and dry quickly.  Lots of people looked very pretty or glam with scarves etc, I looked ridiculous. lol. There were many people who genuinely didnt know I wore a wig. Good luck.

Thank you , I have bought some from amazon which are lovely for about house ect but I'm going next week to a proper tidy place for a best wig thanks for your reply and help xx 

Hi hun, your breast care nurse should refer you or sometimes they give vouchers towards one. Definitely ring them my nHs one was okay. Also Simply Wigs online is good xxz

Hi 

You might be sorted now but I'm just doing my usual middle of the night info searching on here - I find the support and advice on these forums much more informative than anything else. Even the oncologist sometimes!

I had a huge wig panic a few weeks ago and so couldn't skip by without replying.

I think I was massively in denail about loosing my hair whilst on chemo but researched cold capping and decided to go with thst and pray it would work. I've lost hair round the nap of my neck and got a stupid bald patch on the crown of my head which for now I can get away with a ponytail and headband but got another 2 months of chemo and move onto EC next dose so ready to accept my hair might go much more. 

I had a huge panic about getting a wig! I discovered the breast care or specialist oncology nurses at your treatment hospital can refer you to a wig fitting service - synthetic hair but for just an NHS cosy of £75 ish and the wigs would normally retail for a couple of hundred.

I also found a website simply wigs and bought one of the cheaper human hair synthetic mix wig which was expensive but is amazing in comparison. 

Both the NHS and simply wigs sent me the. In the post   they only come in 2 sizes small and average and they have a band you can make tighter inside to adjust size so just went with average. I couldn't be bothered driving about going to try wigs on and you can send them back in the post within 14 days.

The NHS wig was fine - bit 80s glam rock as was poker straight and quite thick and didn't look quite right around the front. I decided to send thst one back and treat myself to the expensive one .

Hope you find something you love,  there's so many options and choices out there

Much love xxx