PM Wig Salon & Accessories Boutique (PM Boutique)

About

The Princess Margaret Wig Salon & Accessories Boutique (referred to as the "PM Boutique") is owned and operated by UHN, proceeds go back to support the hospital.

Our team offers three key supportive services including Wigs & Hair Alternatives, Breast Forms and Prosthesis Bras and Compression Garment fittings.

The Wig Salon area offers a large selection of natural and synthetic wigs and hair alternatives to adults and children with cancer in a private and supportive setting. The PM Boutique garment fitting area showcases the options of post-surgical and compression garments for mastectomy patients and other accessories.

The inner PM Boutique fitting area features a designated private fitting room within the salon, which provides a fitting space for breast forms, bras and medical compression garments to support patients in their treatment and recovery.

The PM Boutique provides a unique oasis of calm in the midst of a large, urban hospital.

Location

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre | 3^rd Floor, Room 3-642

 

Hours & Contact

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: 416 946 6596

Email: pmboutique@uhn.ca

PM Boutique’s Wig Salon Services

The Boutique is staffed with professionals who take the time to listen to your needs and then outline your many options. Our goal is to provide a safe, relaxed and private environment to support people coping with the side effects of cancer treatment.

Please visit PM Boutique to browse our assortment of wigs, medical garments, breast care products and other accessories, call to make an appointment or walk-in to learn more about private fitting consultations.

Breast Forms, Bras and Compression Fitting Services

PM Boutique’s certified fitters improve patient access to medically necessary breast care products and properly fitted garments for treatment and recovery. Our fitters work closely with clinics and clinicians to address the needs of patients. A Certified Breast Prosthesis and Compression garment fitter is available for personalized consultation services including breast prosthesis fitting, prosthesis-bra fitting and compression garment fitting.

Please call 416 946 6596 or email pmboutique@uhn.ca to book a private consultation appointment with our certified fitter.​​​

Wigs

Types of Wigs

There are 3 types of wigs:

• Human hair wigs
• Synthetic wigs
  
• Combinations of human and synthetic hair

The PM Boutique only carries synthetic and human hair wigs. Each type of wig has its own characteristics.

Synthetic hair comes already styled and will retain its shape after washing. Human hair requires more work than synthetic. Each time you wash a human hair wig it will need to be styled again. People who find it difficult to care for a human hair wig by themselves may need the help of a professional. The PM Boutique does not provide this type of service.

Wig Fitting

Choosing the right length, colour and style of wig is an important process. We want you to feel comfortable, confident and natural in the wig that you choose. This is why it is essential that you book a wig fitting appointment.

A one-time wig fitting appointment is a private, 45-minute long session with one of our professional stylists. During the appointment, you can try on a variety of wigs with different lengths, colours and styles. If you find a wig you like, you can purchase and take it home with you right away. You may even wish to have your wig cut and styled for the perfect look.

Tips for the Wig Fitting Session

• Bring a friend or family member whose opinion you value for support and a second opinion.
• If you still have your hair, cut it short before the appointment. Wigs fit better if you have very short hair or no hair.

Before losing your hair

Losing your hair can be a distressing experience. To feel more prepared when it happens:

• Talk to your doctor, friends or family about your concerns regarding hair loss.
• Visit the PM Boutique and speak to one of our Wig Specialists who will be happy to guide you through this experience.
• We provide a one-time wig fitting appointment, thus it is important use that time wisely.
• Determine how you will finance your wig. There are several options available if you need financial assistance.

• UHN Brochure: Preparing for Hair Loss from Cancer Treatment

Washing Instructions

• Washing Instructions for Synthetic Wigs
• Washing Instructions for Human Hair Wigs

Wig Financing

The PM Boutique is a not-for-profit organization, and we offer wigs for less than normal retail prices. But wigs can still be costly as OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) does not cover any hair essentials such as wigs, hats or scarves.

If you need financial assistance to buy a wig, there are a few options.

1. Your Insurance Company. Some insurance companies or workplace health benefits will provide coverage for a “hair prosthesis”. You may need a prescription from your doctor.
2. Income Tax Expense. If you do not have private insurance, you may be able to claim your wig as a “health expense” on your income tax. This may give you a refund for some or all of the cost of your wig.
3. Government Assistance Program such as Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program. Consult your worker to see if this applies to you.
4. The Patient Assistance Fund (PAF) of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. If you are a patient at Princess Margaret or UHN, you can apply to the Patient Assistance Fund for help buying a wig.

Please feel free to come in and speak to us or call if you are concerned about financing for your wig.​

Hats and Head Coverings

Many people find it helpful to wear a head covering (hat, scarf, head wrap or sleep cap) during hair loss in order to avoid heat loss, keep your head warm and protect a sensitive scalp from getting irritated or sunburned. Our team can help you choose a head covering that would best suit you. Come in and talk to one of the PM Boutique stylists about your needs and head wear options.

Hats

There are many types of hats to choose from at the PM Boutique! The main types of hats are:

• Indoor hats such as cotton hats
• Outdoor hats such as winter hats, fleece hats or UV protection sun hats
• Sleep caps

Scarves & Head Wraps

There are several types of scarves available at the PM Boutique. The main types of scarves are:

• Pre-tied scarves
• Turbans

There are many reasons why people enjoy wearing scarves and head wraps:

• Soft material to protect sensitive scalp
• Helps to contain strands of hair as they are shed
• Easy to clean and care for
• Great alternative when you don’t want to wear a wig or hat
  

Medical Garments & Breast Care Products

In addition to wigs, hats and other head coverings, PM Boutique also carries a variety of medical garments and breast care products, specialized for all phases of breast surgery and recovery.

Our products include:

• After surgery bras & camisoles
• Surgical compression belts, briefs and capris
• Compression arm sleeves
• Compression stockings, stockinettes and socks
• Custom compression garments for the upper and lower body
• Breast forms and prostheses
• Breast-prostheses bras & apparel (pocketed for the breast prostheses)
• Jewellery and other accessories

1. After Surgery Bras and Camisoles

The PM Boutique carries medically necessary garments and breast care products to help comfort patients recovering after breast surgery, such as comfortable bras and camisoles for after mastectomies.

Our certified fitter will listen to your needs and take precise measurements to provide you with the best breast care product options; bridging your journey from breast surgery, reconstruction, to the healing process.

After Surgery Bras:

• Front closure for easy putting on and taking off
• Seamless for comfort and wire-free to reduce pressure against incision
• Specialized regions with compression designed to reduce swelling (ideal for use during the first phase right after surgery)
• Clean and ready to wear, in sterile packaging
• Compatible with removable pouches to hold drainage tubes (drainage pouch sold separately, not included)

After Surgery Camisoles:

• Stretchy enough to allow step in entry - instead of pulling on overhead
• Easier to put on for people with reduced arm mobility
• Soft and comfortable fabric
• Include 2 removable pouches to hold drainage tubes
• Come with 2 fiber-fill breast forms (inserts) that you can put in the pockets of the camisole to fill out silhouette
• Available in a wide size range, from X-Small to 3X-Large

2. Surgical Belts, Briefs and Capris

Surgical Belts:

• Compression improves wound healing at surgical site
• Velcro fasteners for easy opening and closing allow a flexible adjustable fit
• Made from a soft comfortable material

Surgical Briefs:

• Compression improves wound healing at surgical site
• Two side zippers make it easy to step in and take off
• Breathable material

Surgical Capris:

• Compression improves wound healing at surgical site
• Two side zippers ensure easy dressing and undressing
• Breathable material

3. Medical Compression Garments

The PM Boutique offers a wide range of compression products in various styles, fabrics and compression levels to support people through their treatment journey for lymphedema as well as other chronic venous disorders. Compression arm sleeves, compression stockings and other lymphedema compression garments are precisely fitted for the afflicted area(s) on your body. Our certified compression fitter will take the time to listen to your needs and outline your options to ensure the compression product is best suited to your choice of style and fitting preferences.

Compression Arm Sleeves:

• The PM Boutique carries day-time and night-time compression sleeves
• Pre-Made Sizes: Compression sleeves come in various pre-made sizes that are ready to wear based on your fitting size. These usually fit best for people with standard limb shapes and sizes, mild-moderate swelling conditions or early prevention of lymphedema.
• Custom-Made Sleeves: Custom-made sleeves and night-time sleeves are made to your measurements and require the fitter to take multiple personalized measurements during the fitting. These are best for people with unique limb shapes and sizes or with advanced conditions/severe swelling.

Compression Stockings:

• There are many types of compression stockings. They come in different:
  • Pressures of compression
  • Fabric knitting
  • Lengths and styles, from knee-high to the top of the thigh
• PM Boutique offers a wide range of compression stocking products that are either custom-fitted or custom-made by the leading compression garment manufacturers.

Other Lymphedema Compression Garments available upon request:

• Hands – glove, gauntlet
• Head & Neck – chin strap
• Truncal – vests, tops
• Lower body – briefs, capris, pants

4. Certified Compression Fitter/Fitting Services

We have a Certified Compression Garment Fitter available for personalized compression garment fittings. The fitter at PM Boutique improves patient access to medically necessary compression garments for treatment and recovery. Fitters at PM Boutique work closely with clinics and clinicians to address the needs of patients.

Please call 416 946 6596 or email pmboutique@uhn.ca to book a private consultation appointment with our Certified Fitter or more information about medical garments. Please feel free to come in and speak to us or call if you are concerned about financing for your compression garment.

Breast Forms, Prostheses & Prosthesis Bras

Types of breast prostheses

Full and partial breast prostheses available at PM Boutique are made from:

• Silicone Gel
• Transparent Silicone (for swimming)
• Fiber-fill

These breast prostheses are easy to wear in a bra or camisole with a pocket to hold the prosthesis, called a breast-prosthesis bra. The makers of breast prostheses offered at PM Boutique manufacture a wide range of ready-made prostheses shapes and sizes.

A certified fitter (trained to know about the different breast prostheses and bras for after breast surgery) can help you choose the right prosthesis for you.

Please call 416 946 6596 or email pmboutique@uhn.ca to book a private consultation appointment with a Certified Fitter. Please feel free to come in and speak to us or call if you are concerned about financing for your breast prosthesis.​