Wig and scarf tying advice

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Wig advice

Your nurse, doctor or a support and information specialist can refer you for wig advice. Once we get your referral, our adviser will call you to arrange an appointment. 

Scarf tying and headwear advice

You don't need an appointment for scarf tying or headwear advice. Just drop-in to the Macmillan Support and Information Service and ask to speak to Nicola, our wig and scarf tying adviser.

If you’re planning to come to the hospital just for scarf tying or headwear advice, please call us on 020 3447 8663 to check if Nicola is working that day.

Your appointment will take place in the Macmillan Support and Information Service located on the ground floor of the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre.

If you are admitted to one of our wards, our wig adviser can visit you there.

If it is difficult for you to travel to the hospital, we may offer you a video appointment. 

We will show you our wig catalogues and hair colour samples. We will help you to choose the best hair colour and style for you.

We keep some wigs on site. If the wig you choose is available, you can try it on then. If not, we can order three wigs for you, from our supplier, to try on at your next appointment. 

We can also give you information about scarf tying and other headwear.

If we don’t have a suitable wig in stock, we’ll order a selection of three wigs for you. Wigs are normally delivered within 10 days. Once the wigs have arrived, we’ll call you to arrange an appointment for you to try them on. You can choose one of the styles to keep. 

Please note: It is important to us that you leave with the wig you really want. You don’t have to take any of the wigs we offer you. If we can't find you anything you like, we'll give you a list of available wig retail services.

A wig costs £80.15 (charge correct in July 2024). You will need to pay for your chosen wig before collecting it. 

You can get your wig free of charge if you are: 

• under 16 years of age 

• 16, 17 or 18 years old and in full-time education 

• fitted with the wig as an inpatient on the ward or in chemotherapy daycare 

If you or your partner (including civil partner) receive on of the following benefits. Or you are under the age of 20 and the dependent of someone receiving one of the following benefits: 

• Income Support 

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance 

• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit part) 

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 

• Universal Credit and meet extra criteria 

If you are entitled to or named on: 

• a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (you can show your award notice if you don’t have a certificate) 

• a valid HC2 NHS certificate for full help with health costs. You may also get help with the cost of the wig if you are named on a valid HC3 certificate for partial help with health costs. 

We can provide a basic alteration service once you have purchased your wig. This includes altering or adjusting the wig cap and checking the overall fit. However, we don’t cut or trim wigs. 

You cannot return the wig for a refund once it has been altered or worn. 

Wigs can be cut and styled to look more natural and feel more personal to you.

Some wigs have thick, dense hair, which can sometimes look less natural. A trained hair professional can thin and style the wig to make it look more like your own hair.

Make sure your hairdresser or wig specialist has experience in cutting wigs.

You can find a list of wig-cutting salons near you at mynewhair.org.

If you have any questions or need more information please contact Nicola, our wig and scarf tying adviser:

Phone 020 3447 8663 or 07929 846 856​​​​​​​

Email uclh.wig.service@nhs.net

Or, drop in and see her when you're next at the Cancer Centre.

Wigs and other headwear