Hair Loss
Wed, 11/03/2009 - 11:21
My cousin (who is a woman)is beginning chemo and wants to get a wig can anyone suggest someone in Sydney who is good and makes comfortable wigs at a realistic price. Have been on the net looking for her and am totally confused. She has 3 young daughters and is going to shave her hair as soon as can find wig. Any who has any ideas greatly appreciated.
Wed, 11/03/2009 - 11:23
#2
Hair Loss
Hi. I was told about The Tracey Scone Wig Library (Darlinghurst) www.arrow.org.au by a breast care nurse. I went there today and picked out a wig which I can borrow for as long as I like. The ladies there were great. I went wig window shopping last week and found that prices varied from $130 - $1400 (medical prices!)
Wed, 11/03/2009 - 11:24
#3
Hair Loss
after many months of chemo i didnt have a single hair anywhere on my head or body. the worst was my loss of eyelashes and eyebrows. i was pretty grey before the chemo. when it did grow back it was darker and with NO GREY HAIR. i am about to undergo radiotherapy...i wonder what color it will grow back, probably red hee hee
Thu, 19/03/2009 - 17:10
#4
Re: Hair Loss
I also lost every hair on my body and head. I had my final radiation treatment in April 08, my hair didnt really come through until November 08 and then it was a little 'military' style 1/2inch. Now in March 09 I have about 1 1/2inches of hair, its been very slow. the texture is bizarre, i have very fine hair, now its like it was singed all over, horrible...
I didnt get a wig, i wore all sorts of hats and gave the cost of a wig to the Breast Cancer network...I want a cure more than hair.
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 10:43
#5
Re: Hair Loss
Hi there everyone, I hope you are doing ok.
I strongly recommend the "Look Good Feel Better program" - http://www.lgfb.org.au/ excellent for women who have just been diagnosed. It helps prepare you for side effects of treatment and how to cope with hair loss, options for scarves, hats, wigs - many styles and cosmetics that complement your type of skin - eg. olive, fair, oily/dry/sensitive and how to apply esp (when no eyebrows or lashes). I found excellent advice there plus bonus cosmetics (for free) at a time when I felt incredibly low.
The time I went it was just after first chemo and met many other women with BC so it was good to feel normal again.
The brochure I have is for the Wig Affair http://www.wigaffair.com.au they also have a mobile wig service (they come to you) and can put you in touch with someone in your/your friend's/relative's area eg north, south, east or west.
PS. I forgot to mention, if you are in a health fund you may be able to obtain a wig (at little or no cost). You will need a letter in support from your oncologist stating you need to wear a wig for medical reasons.
I was treated during summer and could not tolerate much on my head. I prefer to collect a lot of info to have options before making a decision.
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 10:33
#6
Re: Hair Loss
I must admit i did that course and found it a huge waste of time, the ladies running it were rude and cold. I have an allergy to the red dye in the stuff they wash their hands in and they decided it was just easier to ignore me. They were all quite old and had some very old fashioned ideas of makeup. I realise that all programs are run by different people, so im hoping that not everyone had the same experience i had. We did get some bonus cosmetics for free, definetly not colours i'd wear (maybe my grandmother would) but free all the same..
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 10:57
#7
Re: Hair Loss
Gabrielle,
Sorry you had a bad experience and that's what these forums are for. To share experiences and information.
When I attended nobody touched me with their hands. Cleansers, wipes and mirrors were provided. There were a mix of ladies from older women to younger which showed the group how to apply and we all applied ourselves. There was one person volunteered for make-up, another one or two for wigs and a couple more for the scarves.
Some women had mentioned that perhaps they didn't complete the forms correctly with eye colour, hair colour, skin colour and texture - because often people are in a state of shock or having chemo at the time. One lady had a recurrence and gone to the program for a second time. She had asked for a different eyeliner and the ladies (who are volunteers) were accommodating.
Sun, 22/03/2009 - 11:25
#8
Re: Hair Loss
Ohh, im not knocking it, i know they are volunteers and its all for free. Some ladies said they loved it. I had filled out the forms carefully but the colours i was given were for someone 3 times my age. We had a local hairdresser showing us wigs and scarves..he is wonderful and did a great job. I just felt that i would feel a whole lot better donating the money and wearing a hat and scarf.
It is and always should be an individual thing.
I do wish i'd have been given more information about my hair loss, the fact that not all women actually get their hair back, it is usually very different when it does grow back, that it can be thin in places or even all over..etc etc... some may not want to know the possibilities but i felt that knowing what could happen made me feel more empowered to make decisions and prepare myself for the future...i was so disappointed at how slowly it grew back, if i'd known it was slow i wouldnt have worried so much
Thu, 02/04/2009 - 18:55
#9
Re: Hair Loss
Hi everyone.
I'm glad I borrowed a wig from the Tracey Scone wig Library and not bought one. I think I wore the wig 4 times for short periods. I found it to be too uncomfortable so instead a bought a number of silk scarves off ebay so that I could wear something on my head when I left the house. The money I saved by not buying a wig allowed me to spend it on things that were of more benefit to me.
I went to 2 look good feel better workshops, one that was run at the hospital and the other that was part of a womens day workshop.
I also found the advice on makeup application outdated. Perhaps the organisers could add a field on the form relating to age and lifestyle of a woman. I'm sure a 20 year old who reads cosmopolitan may not feel comfortable wearing coral lipstick and blush.
When I first found out about the workshop I decided I wanted to attend so that I could meet women who I could relate to on some level and if I was lucky I would find a nice shade of lipstick.
I met some wonderful, strong, happy women at the workhshops and 2 shades of lipstick and an eyeliner that I like and wear. The bits and pieces that weren't for me I gave away to family and St Vincents de Paul. I felt that I had met my objective and I also saw 1920 style hats that I liked. I was disappointed when I went to buy the hats the next day. I showed the lady the picture of the hat that I was after and then I was ushered into a room, left to my own devices. I was not offered any advice or service. The enthusiasm and passion that I saw the day before at the workshop was not evident in the store. I did buy the hats as I loved them and I also left disappointed for the lack of service.
Lastly, when my hair started to grow back it looked like I had a head full of duck down. It was strange to see hair that looked like it should be on a duck so I decided to shave it off. The hair that grew back looks like hair, is thicker and looks healthy.
Thu, 02/04/2009 - 19:12
#10
Re: Hair Loss
My family told me I had 'peach fuzz" when mine first grew back..it was fluffy ducky sorta...now, almost 12 months later, its still not back to normal but almost.
Wed, 08/04/2009 - 19:06
#11
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Michellep.
I found the wig library at the hospital where I received my Chemotherapy was fantastic.
I have a daughter who is called the makeup queen, by friends. She is very artistic. I think the best advice she gave me, was. "Mum don't let yourself go because you have no hair. Each morning put yourself first, you've earned it". Decide what your going to wear & colour coordinate your makeup to match your outfit. I went through the winter months with no hair. I purchased hats, makeup, lipstick & eyeshadow that matched my clothes. I had two fringes I borrowed from the wig library. I put one on as fringe & one at the back so it showed out the bottom of my hat. When the weather got a little warmer I purchased a few very soft dark colour long scarfs. The type you would throw around your neck. I sewed them in the middle, about 6 ins down, like a hat, then I would put my fringe on, put the scarf on like a hat & tie it in a big soft bow at the back, it looked so vogue. I wore it out to dinner & two men in the restaurant asked if my daughter & I were sisters. My daughter is 22yrs younger & very attractive. Not a bad complement for a chemo patient. Girls, you can look better than you've ever looked before. Don't let chemo stop you being beautiful.
Merkel
Sat, 03/10/2009 - 14:17
#12
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Michelle,
When I was diagnosed (started treatment and subsequently lost my hair) the hospital had 'wig' people that came to you and fitted you and gave you a wig for free - I'm so suprised they don't have this service here. I was diagnosed and treated in London, but surely Sydney should be getting with the times!! Have you asked your doctor if they know anywhere? It seems a cruel blow to have to pay for a wig that you're hopefully only going to need for the few months it takes for your hair to grow on top of the anxieties of your diagnosis!!
Wed, 07/10/2009 - 22:07
#13
Re: Hair Loss
Hi Everyone
I also attended a Look Good Feel Better Workshop about one and a half years ago.
I guess i was lucky, the ladies at the workshop had us giggling and chatting. I was impressed with the quality of the skincare and make up package that was given to us, and the lady that came later, Ann from Wig Affair in Sydney was wonderful and showed us many different ways of using scarves and wigs.
I am sorry you had a bad experience, Gabrielle, because i can certainly see the value in having a fun morning. I was a beauty therapist/make up artist in a previous life (before kids!) and thorougly enjoyed the workshop. In fact, i am now a volunteer and am up to doing my third workshop soon.
To be fair on the foundation, the kits that are given to each female, are made up of products that are donated by cosmetic companies in australia. There are volunteers that go in to a huge warehouse each month, and pack kits according to the forms that are send in by the hospitals. You are either lucky and get some nice colours that are suited to you, or get some totally inappropriate colours (i got electric blue and purple eyeshadow!).
The point of the morning is, to show how you can create eyebrows, if you wish, have the illusion of eyelashes, if you wish, being taught how to look after your skin, while it is going through changes and basically have a fun time with your peers who might be going through the same problems as you.
The workshop usually starts quiet and ends up with people exchanging phonenumbers and having coffees after.
Like you said, it should be individual, but i think it would be hard finding a woman who doesnt like to be pampered and have fun, whether she is going through chemo or not!
Oh, and there are workshops for men and kids as well.
Luv, Barbe xo
Hi Michelle,You should have a look at the Cancer Services directory on the Cancer Councill site. There's lots of Cancer Related services in there including Wig Shops.Here's a link to Wig Shops in Sydney http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/html/patientsfamiliesfriends/cancer_serv...