Helping women's confidence to grow back

Faced with losing their hair because of chemotherapy or alopecia, some women will choose to wear a wig, but that can also make them feel self-conscious.

"When I started to lose my hair two years ago I wore a wig, but it felt so alien, like wearing a crash helmet," says 50-year-old Pamela Fisher.

"I found out I was suffering from alopecia. When I talked about it to my hairdresser they said they offered a specialist wig cutting service so I gave it a go."

Pamela's salon, Dangerfield and Keane in Harrogate, is one of a growing network across the country which has been approved by the charity, My New Hair, to offer specialist wig cutting services to people who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or for other medical reasons.

My New Hair was founded in 2006 by celebrity hair stylist Trevor Sorbie after his sister-in-law suffered hair loss following chemotherapy.

The charity provides advice and support direct to the wearer of the wig via its website www.mynewhair.org while also arranging specialist training for the nationwide independent salons offering this service to clients.

Gerri Keane, who opened Dangerfield and Keane in Harrogate salon two years ago, is specially trained in wig cutting.

"Wig cutting is a specialist skill; it has to be done with a razor rather than scissors and must be cut while on the wearers' head to ensure that it falls naturally.

"My mum suffered cancer and I used to do her hair for her and I realise just how important it is for a woman's self-esteem.

"It is incredibly humbling to see the gratitude of these ladies when you are able to give them dignity and improved self-confidence by helping them to look the way they used to.

"We believe that by becoming part of My New Hair, more people will hear of our specialism and know that there is somewhere they can turn for expert hair or wig care and where they will be treated with sensitivity."

For Pamela it has made all the difference.

"I no longer feel like people are looking at me when I have to venture out. My wig looks much more like my old hair. My hair did grow back so I stopped wearing the wig, but now it is falling out again.

"I do think losing your hair is worse if you are a woman. Hair and women go hand in hand; your hair is everything to you.

"I do still look in the mirror and hope it is growing back, but having a wig really does help. At least I never have a bad hair day."

Pamela was fitted for her wig at Harrogate hospital and received a prescription towards the cost of the wig which can cost between 200 and 300.

Dangerfield and Keane is again sponsoring Harrogate's Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK. This year, the 5K run will take place on Wednesday June 23.

Since it began in 1994, 4.7 million women have taken part in Race for Life events, raising over 60m for the cancer charity.

"Cancer affects the lives of one in three people in the UK and like most people, I've been affected by cancer through my family and friends," explains Gerri.

"The advances made in cancer care in recent years are phenomenal and we have to do all we can to help this work continue."

For more information, contact www.mynewhair.org or www.raceforlife.com