The feeling of losing your hair as a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy is an emotional process that can only be described by those who have experienced it.
A Few Grey Hairs is an organisation based in Linden that manufactures hair pieces for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. For the first time in South Africa, a cancer patient’s natural hair is turned into a hairpiece for clients who have lost their hair. These hairpieces are called Hairs With Love.
Founding member of a Few Grey Hairs, Delia Dashwood said that previously, they had to use synthetic hair to make wigs and hairpieces but have now discovered a new exciting technique. Together with her mother Liz, who is also a founding member, Dashwood has been in the wig-making industry for 47 years.
“We now use a client’s natural hair before they lose it which gets attached to a base. Our clients also have the opportunity to personalise the wording that is sown into the headpiece,” she said.
Heather Barnard said that her sister Angela Human had cut her long hair so the option of using her own hair as a hairpiece had past. “As a birthday present I thought I would ask a Few Grey Hairs to use my hair to make Angela a fringe but when I arrived there and saw their great Hairs With Love product I decided to cut all of mine off and make her a hairpiece instead,” she said.
Clients can compile the words on their hairpiece according to what and who matters to them in their lives. Dashwood explained that the wording gives the cancer patients a sense of support and love through their difficult time in chemotherapy.
She added that some of the most popular phrases used come from the Bible and the Dalai Lama, or family names.
Cancer patient Paola Paoli said A Few Grey Hairs masterpiece hairpiece makes her feel more like her own self, while growing her hair while wearing the hair piece is much more comfortable. “I feel more confident because it is so natural,” she said.
Cancer patient Ine-Marie Ross said that Dashwood cut her healthy hair just before the first chemo treatment. “Each bundle of hair was carefully bound together, and set aside and almost treasured. My girlfriends and I had a fun appointment with Delia at the salon – my pending treatment totally forgotten.”
The product has been patented by Webber Wentzel.
Details: A Few Grey Hairs, 011 782 1098 or 082 465 7075/1413.
