Wigs for people with Hair Loss. We meet your individual needs.

With more than 25 years suppling, fitting, cutting and styling wigs, we’ve become specialist in wigs for hair loss through cancer or alopecia. At The Individual Wig we’ve learned that when a person undergoing chemotherapy comes to us, she wants one thing: her life back – the way it was.

We understand the physical and emotional trauma a cancer diagnosis creates.  As our name says, we treat everyone as an individual. Each person has individual needs. For a woman losing her hair, a wig becomes an essential part of her well-being.

Finding and fitting the wig that suits the individual YOU, is what we do best. Each person is different, from the colour of your hair to the shape and size of your head.

Questions answered.

We answer the many questions people have. What’s the best wig, should it be human hair or synthetic, will people notice it’s a wig, will it be itchy, and how do I care for it?

We help you all the way-from choosing the style, colour, length, fibre and cost to how it fits, how it feels and how it helps restore the person you want to be.

Through managing The Individual Wig, I’ve been able to help the countless number of women get their lives back and like everyone, I’ve been personally touched by cancer through family members and close friends.

I’ve been fortunate to be a long-time volunteer in the Look Good Feel Better program advising women undergoing chemotherapy, on how to deal with appearance-related side-effects, such as hair loss.

Home Visits

Home visits can be arranged to help you select a human hair or synthetic wig, or turban from our range of the latest international trends in hair fashion, style and colour.

You can talk to me about the various programs and services available to help cancer patients, including assistance to meet the cost of a wig.

Men’s wigs

The Individual Wig also has a men’s collection of natural-looking, ready-to-wear wigs and toupees.

Whatever your style, whatever your look, whatever your special requirements, The Individual Wig is devoted to providing you with the highest quality products at the best value.

To buy, all you have to do is browse online through our extensive online range.

Preparing for hair loss.

Before your hair falls out think about how you will prepare for it. A good time to visit a wig consultant is before you start your treatment. This enables us to see your hair style and colour before hair loss occurs. If your hair is long, (shoulder length or longer) we would suggest cutting your hair shorter before treatment. This may help to alleviate what can be the trauma of dramatic hair loss.

Keep the look you had.

We’ve found that many women prefer to retain their original style and colour. This helps them to deal with the treatment phase and recovery period. Often, well-intentioned  people suggest the medical treatment offers a time for change but understandably, women with cancer want their lives back to normal. We can give you back the look you had with a wig that looks natural and ready-to-wear; with comfort and confidence.

For more information visit  Frequently Asked Questions>.

Turbans, hats and scarves for hair loss.

We also have a headwear collection of colourful, fashionable hats, scarves and turbans in bamboo and cotton.
For more information visit Headwear>.

 

Make an appointment-for Home/Hospital visits.

We make home and hospital visits in selected areas.    Visit Home and Hospital >

Hair loss, wigs and how to manage your wig.
Medical conditions can also play a role in hair loss and how hair looks. That’s why a significant part of our business is devoted to caring for people affected by hair loss.

In all instances, The Individual Wig advises you to seek expert medical advice for treating your condition but we can help you with information about all things to do with wigs, cutting or resizing.

• Some hair facts>
  Hair loss>
  Management>
  Medical treatments>
  Look Good Feel Better>
  Cancer Support Groups>
  Financial assistance>

Some hair facts  It’s estimated there are between 100,000 to 150,000 strands of hair  on a persons head. The amount varies with colour. Some research suggests redheads have the least, blondes  the most and brunettes are in between. Our hair grows about 22 cm a year but we lose about 50 to 100 strands  a day.

Hair Loss

Progressive hair loss, called alopecia (al-oh-PEE-shah) can happen  over time, resulting in baldness. Alopecia can also be caused by a medical condition or medical treatments. Alopecia comes from the Greek word ‘alopex’ meaning fox,  an animal known to lose its fur.

There are a number of subtypes of alopecia, with alopecia areata being  one of the most common and occurring in round patches on the body. Alopecia totalis is total hair loss on the scalp. It’s not known why alopecia develops but the main cause is thought to be an autoimmune disease. Anyone can develop alopecia, at any age.

Unfortunately, there are few treatment options available for extensive alopecia areata. That is why an attractive, easy-to-wear wig is an option. The wig may need to be resized and trimmed by our wig consultants/professional hairdressers. Some wigs allow for the use of double-sided toupee tape.

With proper care and maintenance, a good quality wig will retain its style and beauty for some time.

Wigs for people with hair loss

Management

Hair is an important part of our appearance and image. Everyone reacts differently to hair loss so learning to deal with it before it occurs can help to better adjust to the change in physical appearance.

When not wearing a wig, scarves and turbans are ideal, especially around the house and to keep the head warm. Hats are another alternative.

Medical Treatments

Medical treatments.  Radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatments can lead to hair loss. This can be an emotionally and psychologically challenging time. However, hair loss is usually temporary and the hair will grow back.

Every case of hair loss is different, even in people on the same medication. In some people, hair loss is complete while others may experience thinning hair.

Chemo therapy.  Not all chemotherapy causes hair loss but when it does, it can occur gradually or suddenly. It usually starts after the first weeks or early rounds of chemotherapy and tends to increase as the treatment continues. The amount of hair loss depends on the type of drug, the dose, the combinations and how the drug was given, either on the skin, intravenously or orally, as every person is an individual.

Usually, the hair regrows one to three months after the end of intensive chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy. Hair loss caused by radiation therapy is different from chemotherapy in that it only affects hair in the parts of the body being treated. Hair loss, regrowth and the time it takes to grow back depends on the dose and method of radiation treatment. Very high doses of radiation may cause permanent lost or thinning in the treated area.

For further information, The Individual Wig advises you to speak with your doctor or contact the Cancer Council in your state.

Where to go for help with hair loss.

Look Good Feel Better
The Look Good Feel Better program for women undergoing treatment provides valuable advice on how to deal with the appearance-related side- effects of cancer treatment, including hair loss.

Established in 1990, Look Good Feel Better is a free community program made available through the support of the cosmetic, hairdressing and toiletry industries and available in all states and territories. Since its launch it has helped more than 50,000 women and The Individual Wig is a long-time,  active supporter of this initiative.

We are part of volunteer groups that visit hospitals to speak with women receiving cancer treatment. We strongly believe the program has a positive impact on a woman’s confidence and wellbeing at a very emotional and challenging time in their lives.

For information about Look Good Feel Better and workshop dates visit www.lgfb.org.au >    

Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation (AAAF)

This foundation’s philosophy is to give each person the best chance to manage their alopecia areata positively. It provides support to the family as well as the person with alopecia.

Visit the AAAF website for more in formation and to be connected to a Support Group near you. > www.aaaf.org.au

Cancer Support Groups

Depending on your needs, there are many organisations that can provide help and support. Below is a list of cancer support groups, consumer organisations and policy making bodies.  They’re involved in providing the best information, advice, care and support for people with cancer.

They also  play a vital role in  fund raising for research and management of cancer.

The Cancer Council:

http://www.cancer.org.au
www.cancercouncil.com.au
Cancer Australia.  Federal Government.  http://canceraustralia.gov.au/

State Organisations

ACT   www.actcancer.org
South Australia
Victoria    www.cancervic.org.au
Tasmania   www.cancertas.org.au
Queensland  www.cancerqld.org.au
West Australia  www.cancerwa.asn.au

NSW Cancer Institute – http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/

Cancer Learning – http://www.cancerlearning.gov.au/

Cancer Voices – http://www.cancervoicesaustralia.org.au/

Cancer Voices NSW – http://www.cancervoices.org.au/index.php?title=Main_Page

Cancer Nursing Society of Australia – http://www.cnsa.org.au/

Canteen – http://www.canteen.org.au/

Consumer Support & Information section –  http://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-support-organisations

Kids with Cancer Foundation –  http://www.kidswithcancer.org.au/

Leukaemia Foundation – http://www.leukaemia.org.au/web/index.php

Leukaemia – Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation- http://www.arrow.org.au/   

Lymphodema Association – https://www.lymphoedema.org.au/

National Breast Cancer Foundation – http://www.nbcf.org.au/
Breast Cancer Network Australia – http://www.bcna.org.au/
Breast Cancer Institute – http://www.bci.org.au/
Breast Cancer Australia – http://www.breastcanceraustralia.org/
Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation – http://www.sbcf.org.au/

Bowel Cancer Australia -http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/bca/https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/

Jane McGrath Foundation – http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/

National Screening Programs – http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/

NSW Health – http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/

Ovarian Cancer Australia –http://www.ovariancancer.net.au/

Palliative Care Australia – http://www.palliativecare.org.au/

Specialist Cancer Research Group:

Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZCOG) set up to raise funds for cancer research and increase awareness of gynaecological cancers.  –  https://www.anzgog.org.au/

Financial Assistance to buy a wig

There is assistance available.  You may be eligible for reimbursement from some private health funds. Speak to us about the benefits you could receive.

 

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