October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oct 2008

CONFIDENCE IS THE MANE THING 
 
Why UK Women Are Turning To Wigs In The Battle Against Breast Cancer and the majority of women in the UK’s thoughts will turn toward breast cancer.  If we are lucky enough not to have been touched by cancer, to have escaped a scare - or even treatment - we worry for the welfare of our friends, mothers and sisters. 

Perhaps we wonder how we would cope ourselves or indeed help, should someone close be diagnosed?  Staying positive and regaining confidence is paramount.  Yet losing your hair as a result of chemotherapy can have quite the opposite effect.   

Jennifer Brown, the Manager of the Hairware salon at Selfridges says more and more women are turning to wigs as a way of coping with cancer in a positive way.  And yet even though wigs have come a long way in the realism stakes, some still approach the idea of making such a purchase with immense hesitation.  
 
 

“Hairpieces and extensions are now big fashion statements - I regularly have people coming in wanting to create Victoria Beckham’s latest look and we often see celebrities looking to try something new without making a long-term commitment. 

Yet the idea of going one step further and purchasing an entire wig still seems, to some, a step too far,” she says.  “That’s a shame because today’s wigs look so natural that it’s impossible to see that someone is wearing one! 

In part this is due to the very basic wigs that are issued to patients by the NHS – they’re rather out-dated and it’s no wonder many women are put off! 

I see a lot of women every week who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment and without fail, they come feeling anxious and downhearted but always leave with a spring in their step, feeling reassured and happy with their choice.” 

Hair loss in women is not just connected with cancer of course.  Both Jennifer and Lin Vassie, Consumer Manager at the company’s Head Office say they have seen an increase in younger women coming to them as a result of alopecia (partial or total hair loss which is often caused by excessive stress or thyroid problems).    

 

“A key motivator for young mums is often their children,” explains Lin.  “They think that children seeing ‘Mummy with no hair’ would be too traumatic and are keen to do something to prevent this.” 
 
 Choosing Your Wig 

 

Whatever the motivation, both Lin and Jennifer agree that choosing a wig is a very private purchase.   Lin recommends bringing a close friend to help reassure you that you’ve made the right choice – apparently husbands and partners are less objective!   A top tip from Jennifer is to bring along a photograph of how you usually like to look – that way she can match the colour and style and make the decision making easier.  
 
 

So what should women considering buying a wig look for?  Most high quality wigs, such as those made by Revlon, are now made from synthetic fibres as opposed to real hair.  This makes the wig much lighter and more comfortable to wear whilst being easy to care for. 

What’s more, the ‘hair’ is blended with up to eleven shades to create a completely natural appearance with a huge colour palette to choose from so it’s possible to perfectly match your natural colour - or experiment to your heart’s content.  

Another key factor is the cap, which should offer a snug yet comfortable fit whilst looking just like natural scalp.  Monofilament caps do just this, as each hair strand is individually sewn on to give natural movement and allow the hair to be put up into an ‘up-do’ without giving the game away.

Some Revlon wigs also feature lace at the hairline which have ‘baby hairs’ to ensure that it looks realistic and makes the wig undetectable to the human eye.  This secure lace also means that the wig can be slept in – an important consideration for many women.  

Hairware has an extensive website and a unique colour selector at www.hairware.com so, even if you are planning a personal consultation, it’s a good idea to take a look online first to help you think about the look you want to create. 

Whilst many women prefer to recreate their usual look, some use their wig purchase as an opportunity to give themselves the hair they’ve always wanted.  Jennifer has seen a recent trend towards customisation and this is all part of the service she offers at Selfridges.   

“I am often asked to take the fringe a little shorter, thin the hair out a little or even work on the length – just like in a conventional salon,” she says.  “That’s a good thing.  Our hair is everything.  It’s the biggest factor in terms of how we feel about ourselves so anything that boosts someone’s confidence can only be good.” 

5 STEPS TO COPING WITH HAIR LOSS  

1. Act Now and Be Prepared. 

Many women are shocked at the speed at which hair loss can occur – often after only two or three chemotherapy treatments.  If you’ve already made a positive step towards dealing with it, the impact will be lessened. Simply, it’s one less thing to worry about.  

2. Try Before You Buy. 

Wig-specialists Hairware offer consultations in private booths and appointments are not always necessary. Selfridges (4^th Floor) and Beales department stores in Bournemouth and Worthing are appointed retailers, or you can make an appointment at the company’s offices in Swindon.  For advice and understanding, try calling Hairware on 01793 831363.  All facilities are managed by experienced, fully trained friendly staff.  

3. Phone a Friend. 

Take a friend rather than your husband/partner along with you to your consultation. You’ll get far more honest feedback from someone who knows you just as well. 
 

4. Consider Change.  Long. Short. Straight. Curly. Classic. Funky.  However you choose to wear your hair, you know that when it looks and feels just right, you have a spring in your step and a smile on your face!  In short, a more confident you!  This is a great opportunity to give yourself a new look.  However, if you’re happy just the way you are, take along a recent photo to help the team match your style and colour.   

TIP: You may wish to consider going a shade darker than your natural colour to maintain a healthy look if you are undergoing treatment – appearing washed out is a give away that maybe you’re feeling under the weather.   

5. Get Online.  Once you have chosen a style you’re happy with it’s easy to stock-up on specialist wig care products such as shampoo and conditioner online – visit www.hairware.com. 

Here you can also buy new or replacement wigs should you wish to, using a secure online shop.  You’ll find large images and descriptions of all the wigs in the range and a unique colour selector to help you find the perfect shade for you too. Call 01793 831363 for guidance.

As part of the ‘Pinkridges’ campaign, Hairware is donating a percentage of all wig sales at Selfridges to Breast Cancer Care during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.  Hairware’s customisation service for wigs, hairpieces and accessories at Selfridges will also be offered free to all consumers at this time.