Hair Loss and Supply of Wigs in Forth Valley
Some cancer treatments can make your hair fall out, but wigs, cold caps and other products are available to help you cope.
Hair loss from cancer treatment can affect people in different ways. Some treatments cause only partial hair loss or thinning, while others cause people to lose hair from all over their body.
Different types of chemotherapy drugs have varying effects, while radiotherapy causes hair loss only in the area where treatment is focused. Your doctor or nurse can advise you about what to expect.
Planning for hair loss
If you would like to wear a wig, you may find it helpful to visit a wig specialist before your cancer treatment to help match your hair colour and style.
Cutting your hair
Some people are more comfortable cutting their hair very short before undergoing therapy. This can mean that hair loss will not seem as dramatic when it happens.
Cold caps during chemotherapy
A cold cap is a hat that is worn during some chemotherapy treatments. Its cooling effect reduces blood flow to the scalp, which also reduces the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches this area. This can help prevent hair loss.
It’s usually worn for 15 minutes before each chemotherapy treatment, during treatment and for a certain amount of time post treatment, making your visit to the hospital longer. You can find out about scalp cooling caps on the Macmillan website.
This treatment is not always available, or suitable for all patients, – please discuss this with your oncology nurse.
Eyebrows, eyelashes and make-up
With some chemotherapy people might also lose their eyebrows and eyelashes. Make-up, eyebrow pencils, eyeliner or false eyelashes can help, and many cancer support groups have workshops to help patients learn these techniques.
Wigs
Synthetic wigs are created from man-made fibres, last for six to nine months and are ideal for short term use such as hair loss during treatment They are available in multiple styles, lengths and colours.
Provision of Wigs in NHS Forth Valley
In NHS Scotland, provision of wigs is free when undergoing treatment.
Before commencing treatment you will be provided with this information sheet. A referral will be made to the orthotic department based at Stirling Community Hospital who will liaise between the wig supplier and yourself. This ensures the company receives an official order from the NHS prior to you attending with a commitment to pay ensuring no delay in supply.
The department will ring you within a few days of receiving the referral and introduce themselves then ask where you would like to attend for your wig provision.
We have several companies in Scotland who contract to provide wigs and they have central offices and local agents. The agents based in local hairdressers will hold a small stock for you to try but can also order in specially if required.
Our current list of main suppliers is below
Edinburgh
A&A Hair
Address:
8-10 tanfield
Edinburgh
EH3 5HF
Tel- 0131 556 7057
L A Hair Solutions
92 Comiston road
Einburgh
EH10 5QY
Tel- 0131 452 9000
Glasgow
Parruche wig and hair boutique
41 Virgina street
Glasgow
G1 1TS
Tel– 0141 552 2270
Judy Plum
14 Mitchell Lane
5th Floor (Lift)
Glasgow
G1 3NU
Tel- 0141 248 6619
Enhance Hair solutions
46 Gordon street
Glasgow
Lanarkshire
G1 3PU
Tel- 0141 226 4202
Local Agents in Grangemouth
Beau Chic (agent for A&A Hair)
45 Jackson Ave
Grangemouth
Tel- 01324 484557
Local Agents in Falkirk
LMG (agent for A&A)
1 Patterson tower
Seaton Place
Falkirk
Tel- 01324 461353
Local agents in Larbert
Maggie centre
(Browns more hair now Ltd)
The Nina Barough Building off,
Quintinshill Dr
Larbert
FK5 4SG
Tel – 07415778997 Karen
Local Agents in Clackmannanshire
Halo Hair (agent for LA Hair)
105 Main St,
Sauchie ,
FK10 3JT
Tel -07596 438490
If the choice of wigs offered does not suit you then please let us know and we can arrange for you to visit another establishment. There is no pressure to accept what you are offered initially if it doesn’t suit you.
Contact Details
Orthotic department, Stirling Community Hospital, Livilands, Stirling. Tel 01786 434062 Opening times: Mon- Fri 8.30- 4.30pm