Wigs
We understand that for so many people just the thought of losing your hair may be a very difficult and emotional time. If you are considering purchasing a wig the following information will hopefully be useful for you.
The Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre has a small selection of ex-display and used wigs and head coverings/headscarves – these are available for patients to take in exchange for a small donation to the Centre.
Treatment for cancer can cause hair loss. In this video, Amanda visits TrendCo to choose a wig, which renowned stylist and founder of My New Hair, Trevor Sorbie MBE, styles for her.
Further information from Macmillan Cancer Support about ‘wigs for cancer treatment’ accessible here.
Cancer Hair Care
Cancer Hair Care are the only charity in the UK who are dedicated to supporting people throughout their entire hair loss journey. They offer free, expert advice and support on all aspects of hair loss, hair loss prevention (scalp cooling) and hair care before, during and after cancer treatments.
They have lots of helpful information and support on their website about hair loss and wigs, including information about budgeting and paying for a wig. Whether you qualify for some help towards the cost of a wig from the NHS, decide to pay privately or perhaps have private health insurance, everyone will need to consider the full costs of a wig including care and accessory items.
Futher info:
Click here for info on ‘budgeting and paying for a wig’.
Click here for specific information about NHS wig suppliers, the referral process and details of eligibility for help with costs.
Click here for info about ‘finding a good wig supplier’.
Click here for general wig advice (such as getting a good fit, different types of wigs, choosing wig colours and how to put wigs on etc).
If you are being treated at Colchester Hospital, and wish to purchase a wig you can ask one of the nurses in the Chemotherapy Day unit (Collingwood Centre), or visit The Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre (at Colchester Hospital), to ask for a referral to Frobishers in Ipswich for a wig.
Frobishers
Frobishers (located in Ipswich) is the only wig company that has an NHS contract with both Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals. Once the referral form has been completed, staff will phone Frobishers to give them your name and telephone number and confirm you are being treated at Colchester Hospital. Frobishers will then call you within a couple of days to make an appointment for you to have a consultation.
If you choose to go ahead with purchasing a wig from them, you will be expected to pay for the ‘prescription charges’ element of the total wig cost. Public Health England set the annual level of this ‘prescription charge’ which is £75.70 (as of Jan 2023) - this is usually reviewed annually every April. Frobishers will signpost you to all suitable NHS wigs, but in general, you will have a choice of wigs up to the cost of £200.
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may not need to pay any costs - you will need to discuss this with the staff at Frobishers and provide them with proof of your benefit entitlement.
For patients undergoing treatment at Colchester Hospital, Frobishers Wigs hold a regular morning clinic at the Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre on site at Colchester hospital. If you do not wish to attend this clinic, patients can visit their shop in Ipswich. All appointments must be made in advance by contacting Frobishers.
We suggest, if possible, you consider choosing a wig before you lose your hair so that you can match your current colour and style. If this is not possible then you may wish to take a photo and a lock of your hair to match up.
You may want to consider taking someone along with you, who you feel will support and help you choose a wig that will suit you best.
You will have a choice between having a synthetic or real hair wig. There are pros and cons relating to either choice which will be explained.
Tel 01473 254 156
Headcovers
Headcovers is an American website, so there may be some difference to UK advice. If any of the tips or information on this site conflicts with your Dr or Nurse’s advice, then please check. Saying that, on the whole this is a user friendly and informative site about issues relating to hair loss, and specifically in relation to the pros and cons of synthetic hair vs human hair wigs.
Other suppliers
Whilst we cannot specifically recommend the suppliers below, some patients have suggested the following companies have been useful.
Afro-Caribbean wigs: Revelation Hair and Beauty
33 Norwich Road, Ipswich. Tel: 01473 225 555
Please call as there is no website.
Colne Valley Wig Company
This company (based in White Colne) does not currently have a contract with Colchester Hospital to honour the prescription costs. If you are happy to pay the full cost of a wig, one hour appointment slots are offered in a private fitting room that include an initial consultation about personal requirements, a private fitting, personalisation and advice about aftercare etc.
Tel: 01787 223 222
Donating hair - Little Princess Trust
If you have long hair, you may wish to donate your hair to a charity who makes wigs free of charge for children and young adults up to the age of 24, who have lost their hair because of cancer treatment.
The minimum hair donation length is 7 inches/17cm
Tel: 0845 094 2169
