Hair loss is usually a result of Chemotherapy
It may be a surprise to many that when we are first diagnosed with cancer after the first shockwave hits, that one of the first and foremost worrying thoughts for many women is the realisation that they may lose all of their hair.
It is important to remember that hair loss is not always the case, but more often than not, this is an unfortunate side effect. Often when women express their anxiety of this eventuality, the medical professionals are surprised that it is so high up on the dreaded list, and there are many reasons for this.
The first, that should never be forgotten, is that hair is a big part of feminine identity and strongly effects how you feel about your appearance. Many fear that friends, family and children can be affected deeply by a loved one losing their hair, and it adds to the mountable trial that you have to go through, on top of everything else. Even our subconscious recognizes different to our appearance and it naturally affects how we feel in ourselves, so it is an area that needs to be addressed wherever possible promptly, and with a great deal of tender loving care.
As a person in my position, it is so important to look after the client’s emotional body as equally as her physical body.
I advise anybody who has been given this dreadful news, that you manage your hair loss before commencing treatment, this way we can photograph the hair in its natural form, and from there we will outline all of the options available and how it can be maintained during treatment and look as natural as possible during their internal trials.
I once saw a lady who sought my advice because she didn't want any of her family to know she was going through her illness and treatment. We saw her ahead of treatment, photographed the hair and she decided that she wanted to wear a wig when she faced total hair loss. We were able to cut and style the wig to replica her own hair, to which she used for 25 weeks (this is how long it takes for the hair to return). As soon as she had enough hair, we created a permanent fixture using our Intralace system including a natural hairline, so it looked as though the hair was growing naturally from the scalp.
She came to us regularly to deal with her regrowth, and after 9 months she had enough hair for us to remove the Intralace system and switch her to single strand hair extensions. These were to be maintained just every 3-4 months, until her hair had completely grown back looking exactly the same prior to diagnosis and treatment. To this day, nobody is aware that she had cancer, was treated, but see her as fit and well to what they always thought.
I see women with cancer daily, and compared to the past, the recovery rate is huge. This is so hopeful and healing, and a constant thought that must be held onto. I also believe that during and after all the treatment your body goes through, that if you look the same, people won't acknowledge you are ill, therefore won't treat you like you are, which results in you feeling better in yourself and contributing to healing, self-esteem therefore recovery.
The best thing about getting your hair to how it was, whatever method that may be whether it’s our Intralace or our other hair loss systems, is that it keeps the illness in the past where it belongs. You can live in the present and look forward to a wonderful future…with gorgeous hair.
Lucinda Ellery Studio – www.lucindaellery-hairloss.co.uk
Tagged in Breast Cancer Health and Beauty Hair Loss Hair Tips