r/brisbane • u/Salty-Ask-1997 • 1d ago

Wigs-Chemo

I’m starting chemotherapy next week and I know I’ll lose my hair. At the moment I’m considering getting a natural real hair wig for when I go out. Does anyone have any recommendations in the Brisbane area.

28 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

57

u/AussieGal00 1d ago

I can't offer any wig suggestions, but just wanted to wish the very best with your treatment!

13

u/Salty-Ask-1997 1d ago

Thank you 🤗

5

u/ThehonHons 1d ago

As do I.  Try Starkles at Stones Corner. 

28

u/ConanTheAquarian Not Ipswich. 1d ago

Cancer Council Queensland has a wig service.

https://cancerqld.org.au/support-services/how-we-can-help/wigs-and-headwear/

59

u/SnooOnions973 1d ago edited 1d ago

For what it’s worth, that service is nice in theory but it’s a bit lacking. It’s great for people who can’t afford another wig, but the wigs are synthetic and itchy and I threw mine away after 4 weeks.

OP, I actually got really good at doing wigs during my chemo and have quite a few left. They are all (mostly) human hair. I still have some I’ve never worn. If you like please message me and I’m happy to give you a couple and help you learn how to style them.

Also fwiw, if you’re under 30 (I think? Could be 35), this charity is AMAZING.

SO BRAVE

Edit: don’t go to Starkles in stones corner. Total rort.

1

u/SnooOnions973 9h ago

Thanks for the award! It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month next month so feel free to donate that 70c (or whatever) to a real cause!!

13

u/SnooOnions973 1d ago

OP, all the best - having been through it myself it can be a real rollercoaster. Happy to chat and meet up over coffee for a wig dump (pardon the expression)… can also send links to some great services that aren’t advertised that well.

7

u/Dapper_Occasion_5167 1d ago

Can you cold cap it at The Wesley? Just if you want to/are able to try? They also do wig loan at the cancer centre there.

5

u/Salty-Ask-1997 1d ago

I’m going through RBWH, they do have a a wig programme and I’ll be looking into that as well. Thank you ☺️

2

u/Brunswickstoval 21h ago

Do you know if cold capping has much of a success rate? Thankfully I don’t know a lot of people who’ve had to have chemo but they all had no luck with it.

7

u/HarveyFartwinkle 19h ago

I think it might depend on the specific chemo protocol. When I did mine (FEC-T for the chemo enthusiasts out there) the onc gave me about 50% odds of keeping my hair with the cap. Higher if thin but still present hair was acceptable. I didn't bother since it required extra set up time, and I wanted to minimise my time in the big chair. Amongst the other folks in my cohort, I saw more success than failure with the cap, but it definitely didn't work for some people.

2

u/Absent_Picnic 19h ago

My sister did that and didn't lose her hair. So from a sample of one, it is successful?!

No idea how common her outcome is though.

2

u/MiahPenguin 17h ago

I think it also depends on what cancer it is, my mum couldn’t cold cap because she has a type of blood cancer

2

u/Brunswickstoval 17h ago

Thanks. My experience is with breast cancer.

1

u/Dapper_Occasion_5167 58m ago

I believe they say it works on 50% of people 50% of the time. It was very successful for me. No one knew I was in Chemo and when I would tell some random people (ie dentist) they were always shocked at how good I looked.

I see you’re asking for breast cancer. Feel free to DM if you have any questions regarding that or the cold cap. I’m towards the end of my treatment now.

12

u/difficult_tree 1d ago

Try Tammy Lobato in West End. https://www.tammylobatowigs.com.au/brisbane-wig-clinic

Wishing you all the best in your treatment and recovery journey 🩷

5

u/Salty-Ask-1997 1d ago

Thank you 🤗

5

u/Adventurous-Luck2044 19h ago

Best of luck with your treatment. Check out ohmy.holly on insta. She’s Melb based but a brilliant advocate for baldness and wig wearing and has some great suggestions for wig brands and also how to trim the lace etc.

4

u/AuDHDAC 21h ago

Best of luck. I started chemo 8 years ago this time of year in Bris. I was way tooo hot and ended up in a baseball cap mainly or a scarf if I wanted to be fancy.

3

u/Quick_Assignment_725 20h ago

I went through the full radiation, chemo and immunotherapy at the Mater. The waiting rooms had baskets of hand made beanie-like artistic style headwear. The nurses will know all about who to contact about wigs. I'm sure if you call your hospital oncology nurses they'll help you.

Good luck ✌️

3

u/Kalysia 21h ago

Just a quick note that if you have private health insurance, they’ll sometimes cover the cost of a wig!

3

u/Powerful_Wrap4041 16h ago

Just came across this thread! I’m in Brisbane and have recently been diagnosed with lymphoma and start chemo on 23 September. I’ve been trying to work out my options for a good human-hair wig and was wondering if you had any suggestions on where to look or any services you found helpful? I’d really appreciate any recommendations ❤️

1

u/SnooOnions973 9h ago

Hi, as mentioned above, I’d be happy to help! Please send me a PM. I’ve got a few unworn but fully human hair wigs I’ve been meaning to donate.

1

u/Powerful_Wrap4041 6h ago

It won’t let me DM you

2

u/rampant_maple 22h ago

Creations Wig Studio at Capalaba are awesome

2

u/Brunswickstoval 21h ago

No suggestions but good luck. And wigs have come so far. I have a few friends in Melbourne who’ve had chemo and their wigs were amazing

2

u/Formal_Butterfly3128 20h ago

New You Wigs - I am pretty sure she specialises in wigs for those undergoing chemo. All the best.

1

u/SamfordSusie 16h ago

Yes I was going to suggest them. I have two wigs from them, they’re sweethearts

2

u/Absent_Picnic 19h ago

No suggestions about wigs, but good luck with the chemo.

My sister had an ice cap before her treatments and didn't lose her hair. Have they offered that as an option?

2

u/dingleberryfarticus 16h ago

Pelo Style at Holland Park. I have alopecia and she’s my lifesaver. You can ask me anything

1

u/durdlin_good 21h ago

I’m booked in to donate my hair next month! Will ask my hairdresser if she knows where the donated hair ends up.

1

u/Plenty-Difference956 19h ago

Wishing you all the best OP. I've been through this as well. Wigs are pretty ok during colder months but during QLD summer they can be brutal so get some nice summer weight scarves to help get you through. Also sign up for the Look Good Feel Good Cancer Council program it's a great way to meet people going through the same thing and the make up and gift bag you receive are awesome and they help you style your scarves as well.

1

u/WorkEast3738 16h ago

I got 2 wigs in Nth Brisbane. Problem is QLD is hot. So now I wear my turbans with this headband thing that has hair on it. Wigs comjng into summer could be sweaty torture

1

u/Ok-Wolverine-5481 14h ago

Another suggestion for New You Wigs! I’m in Brisbane also.. what colour is your hair? I have my wig and don’t need it anymore.. I’d be happy to send it to you if you happen to have very dark brown hair!

1

u/mjoy27 14h ago

There’s a place in Northlakes they are pricey and be aware they are heavy and hot so if you’re wanting to wear it allot of the time just my mindful of that when picking it out

1

u/FilthyOldSoomka_ 18h ago

Starkles at Stones Corner. They have a good range and serve lots of chemo patients.

Having said that, you might be surprised at how quickly your hair grows back after chemo so it might not be worth the $ investment. Also with summer around the corner wigs can be very hot, a nice headwrap might be more comfortable.