How to Choose a Wig

The advice provided here is taken from the My New Hair (www.mynewhair.org) web site put together by celebrity hairdresser Trevor Sorbie. We are pleased to be a supporter of this project and are listed as a participating salon on his web site.

The advice given below is mainly being given to individuals who have lost hair due to chemotherapy treatment or who are having hairloss and under a hospital and being referred be a consultant for a wig.

• Locate a salon or wig supplier that can offer you advice.
• Think about what type of style you would like – take along a photo of how you have had your hair in the past or a magazine cutting of how you would like your hair to look
• Decide whether or want real or synthetic hair
• Ensure that you have spoken to your Consultant or Nurse to see whether you are entitled to a NHS prescription towards your wig. When contacting your wig supplier ensure that they are able to process this for you.
• If you are buying a wig for medical reasons you can claim back the VAT. Ask the wig supplier for a VAT exemption form. If you are buying from periwigdirect.com we can process this online for you.
• Prior to starting chemotherapy treatment it is recommended that you have your hair cut into a shorter style so that if you do lose your hair it is not so shocking.
• Call around local salons or wig suppliers, ask if you can talk to someone on the phone or go in and have a consultation. Please note that some charge a consultation fee.
• Make sure that you budget for your wig. Know all the costs involved such as:
  
• Cost of having your hair cut shorter (if undergoing chemotherapy)
  
• Travel to wig supplier or salon o Cost of wig (minus VAT)
  
• Cost of wig cutting
• Care and styling products
  

Size

When buying a wig, check in which cap sizes the wig is available. Most ready to wear wigs come in a regular size (54cm) but a smaller size is available – look for the petite ranges.  Unfortunately however you will not have as much choice in the smaller ranges.  If you do need a smaller or larger size it may be appropriate to go for a custom made wig*. Almost all wigs have tightening straps which enable you tighten and loosen as you choose.

*Please note that Periwig Consultants and Periwig Direct would not recommend custom made for short term hair loss (chemotherapy) due to cost and also length of time that it takes to have one made.  By the time it is finished your hair may be growing back!

Colour

Buying a wig means you could choose whatever colour and style you like! You could go for the colour of hair that you used to have or you could decide that you want to try something new.  Be careful with colour though, make sure it complements your skin tone.  We often get told that as we get older our hair shade should go lighter too – that doesn’t always mean we have to go grey!  There are some lovely shades of browns and blondes and most good wig manufacturers blend colours and tones to create realistic and subtle shades.

Style – see our separate section

Take a look at our pages on wig sizes and wig colours for more useful wig information.