Amy Dowden had one thing in particular in mind when getting a wig manufactured while undergoing cancer treatment.
In May, the Strictly Come Dancing star, 33, disclosed she had stage 3 breast cancer.
Despite her optimism about returning to the ballroom, Amy will be unable to compete in Strictly this year due to the discovery of new tumours.
She previously had a single mastectomy and is currently undergoing chemotherapy, which she has been recording for her followers in an effort to raise awareness.
One of the finer moments came when Amy first saw the wig that was particularly manufactured for her to bolster her confidence after Amy had discussed her concerns about losing her hair.
Charlotte Price of Be Unique Wigs created the stunning wig. By Charlotte, who explained how the cooperation came about and a unique request Amy had.
‘I’m not sure why Amy reached out to me. I think it was from making wigs for the lovely Nicky Newman who also has a big platform on Instagram and is living with incurable stage four breast cancer – I’ve made a few wigs for her and she regularly posts about them,’ Charlotte began.
‘When Amy messaged me, she asked if I was Welsh, which I am and I don’t live far from her home town Caerphilly, so I think she wanted to support a fellow Welsh girl!’
She went on to compliment Amy on being “very easy to work with” and “quite relaxed about the entire thing.”
‘My work is mainly custom made so customers send me pictures of their hair or what they would like and I match it for them, so it was the same process for Amy,’ Charlotte explained.
‘She sent me some pictures of herself and what she would like and I copied them. I watch Strictly Come Dancing so I had a very good idea of what her hair is like, she was super laid back and it made my job very easy!’
Charlotte said the wig-making process is unique to each wig maker, but one wig usually takes her two days to finish now that she’s perfected the technique.
Amy’s reply after receiving her first photographs blew her away, telling Charlotte how much she ‘liked’ the end product and quickly wanting to acquire more.
‘Amy’s feedback was so lovely as I was super nervous when I posted the wig, but she messaged me straight away to say how much she loved it and wanted to get another as a spare! It was a great feeling! Not just because she’s in the public eye, I feel the same about each customer who loves the wigs I’ve made.’
Charlotte praised Amy for openly sharing her cancer treatment experiences, encouraging others to check their own breasts and get any unexpected symptoms investigated.
Although she said that making a wig for a TV celebrity is a bittersweet experience.
‘I’m super excited to say to my family and friends that it’s something I’ve created when we see her on the TV, but I also find it sad that she needs a wig in the first place,’ she said.
‘It’s mixed emotions.’
Charlotte’s background includes more than a decade of experience as a hairdresser. She ended up colouring wigs once the lockdown hit and she was forced to down tools, but she couldn’t help but feel that consumers weren’t getting good value for money.
So, wanting to test whether she could outperform the wigs she was colouring for another firm, she started manufacturing her own, which she acknowledges was a tremendous professional risk – but it certainly paid off!
‘I love this job so much,’ she said proudly. ‘I’ve said for years to my husband that I love hairdressing but something was missing and I never knew what until I found wigs.
How to check your breasts for signs of cancer
CoppaFeel! offers three simple steps on how to check your own chest for signs of cancer.
Look
- Look at your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Look at the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in size, outline or shape and changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling.
Feel
- Feel each of your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Feel the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling, or any lumps, bumps or skin thickening which are different from the opposite side.
Notice your nipples
- Look at each of your nipples.
Be aware of any nipple discharge that’s not milky, any bleeding from the nipple, any rash or crusting on or around your nipple area that doesn’t heal easily and any change in the position of your nipple.
‘I’m making a difference. Losing your hair is a horrible experience, so to be able to give someone that little bit of confidence back through a tough time is very comforting to me.’
Meanwhile, Amy has also been wearing a cold cap amid her chemo, which is a hat worn during treatments with a cooling effect.
As explained by the NHS, it reduces blood flow to the scalp, which also reduces the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches this area. This helps to prevent hair loss.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
Source My Celebrity Life.
