Especially for women the fear over losing her hair can top the fear of losing her life to Cancer” – Jan Ping
There are three things you need to do in a very specific order:
There are three things you need to do in a very specific order:
1) Make those cancer cells curse the day they chose you as an adversary. Go ahead, take pleasure in literally kicking their ass.
2) Accept that your hair is going to fall out - quickly and suddenly. Yes, this can be traumatic and depressing. But you have more important things to deal with now. This is not a casualty of the war your fighting. It’s not even a set back. It's one more opportunity for you to spit in the face of cancer.
3) Decide what you want. You have some great options.
For instance a hair replacement can be created to match your existing color and style perfectly. Or you might like to totally transform your look with a new style and color. Hey, this is war and if a pink Mohawk is going to make you feel better. Why the hell not?
Or maybe you just can't be bothered and could care less about being bald. Hey, it worked beautifully for Melissa Ethridge. You have options, good ones. Just pick the one that makes you feel comfortable and empowered - that’s all that matters.
What you can expect.
Hair loss from Chemo therapy isn’t subtle. It falls out in cl
umps, by the handful. It’s this experience that causes the lions share of anguish and pain. Rather than suffer through it ~ think about shaving it off ASAP.
Yes, it’ll be emotionally painful but I promise you it'll only make you feel bad for a nano second. As opposed to the ordeal of letting it drag on for weeks or months.
But prior to taking the clippers to your melon, first things first.
Demand the respect you deserve.
But prior to taking the clippers to your melon, first things first.
Demand the respect you deserve.
When you make an appointment with a Hair Replacement professional, make sure you’ll be seen in a private consultation room. My guess based on dealing with women going through Chemo related Hair Loss is that all of the better companies that serve them have private rooms.
So relax, it’s not like eating dinner at a table for one in the center of a packed restaurant, where it's a party of 100 and you with a spot gleaming down over your table. I hate that.
Tell the consultant your hair loss is due to Chemo don’t beat around the bush it serves no purpose.
This is important because the creators of your “New Hair” need to know what materials will suit you best for comfort and appearance. Remember ,Hair Salons can do little more than order you a mass produced wig. At best these will look real in a dim room at 500 paces. They’ll also be hot and uncomfortable.
Don’t bother - period.
Find a well respected Hair replacement Studio that’s easy for you to get to and hear what they have to say. To find one you can contact the American Hair loss council, a non profit association I helped to found back in the early 1980's with renowned hair loss expert and friend Michael Mahoney Http://www.ahlc.org/
The American Cancer Society has an excellent resource called the “Look good ~ feel better” program. It's a viable source for you for all kinds of information. You can find them on the web at http://www.cancer.org/ or call then directly at 1-800-395-LOOK (1-800-395-5665).
After the initial consultation is over and the vibe of the studio and people feel right to you. They’ll take plenty of measurements and possibly a template of your head. This for the base material of the replacement and ensures your new hair will fit properly and not look “wiggy”. You’ll also need to leave a deposit - standard is 50% but I’ll get to pricing in a bit.
After you’re finished up, head home and take a nap - or as I said earlier go shopping! You deserve it. Maybe throw in a massage or facial but whatever you do - doesn’t it feel fabulous to be back in control of something!
Timing ~ it really is everything
So relax, it’s not like eating dinner at a table for one in the center of a packed restaurant, where it's a party of 100 and you with a spot gleaming down over your table. I hate that.
Tell the consultant your hair loss is due to Chemo don’t beat around the bush it serves no purpose.
This is important because the creators of your “New Hair” need to know what materials will suit you best for comfort and appearance. Remember ,Hair Salons can do little more than order you a mass produced wig. At best these will look real in a dim room at 500 paces. They’ll also be hot and uncomfortable.
Don’t bother - period.
Find a well respected Hair replacement Studio that’s easy for you to get to and hear what they have to say. To find one you can contact the American Hair loss council, a non profit association I helped to found back in the early 1980's with renowned hair loss expert and friend Michael Mahoney Http://www.ahlc.org/
The American Cancer Society has an excellent resource called the “Look good ~ feel better” program. It's a viable source for you for all kinds of information. You can find them on the web at http://www.cancer.org/ or call then directly at 1-800-395-LOOK (1-800-395-5665).
After the initial consultation is over and the vibe of the studio and people feel right to you. They’ll take plenty of measurements and possibly a template of your head. This for the base material of the replacement and ensures your new hair will fit properly and not look “wiggy”. You’ll also need to leave a deposit - standard is 50% but I’ll get to pricing in a bit.
After you’re finished up, head home and take a nap - or as I said earlier go shopping! You deserve it. Maybe throw in a massage or facial but whatever you do - doesn’t it feel fabulous to be back in control of something!
Timing ~ it really is everything
It’ll take roughly 6-9 weeks to complete your new hair system. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make an appointment and go! You have better things to do with your time now, like shop.
Want that new style and color? Start tearing pictures out of magazines, down load them from the web, or if you don’t plan on any drastic changes just bring a few photos in of yourself and your hair as you’ve always known it.
Again, doing what feels right in your heart and your head is the way to go.
Schedule a time to have a Fit!
Again, doing what feels right in your heart and your head is the way to go.
Schedule a time to have a Fit!
Have all the fits you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. This is at least one benefit of having cancer. You can go crazy Mommie Dearest loco any damn time and place you feel. You’ve earned it.
But I’m talking about an appointment for your final fitting with the good people who’ve made your new hair. You’ll get a call that your Hair is ready - please don’t put it off, just go do what you have to do, you’ll thank yourself for being so pro-active yet once again.
During your visit the replacement will be fitted, cut and styled. You’ll be taught how to care for it how to put it on and how to remove it. All in all expect to spend at least two hours - and bring your spouse or a good friend along for feedback and support. Not that you’ll take their advice but it’ll make them feel important and that’s a nice thing.
A Cranial Prosthetic is infinitely better than a wig.
During your visit the replacement will be fitted, cut and styled. You’ll be taught how to care for it how to put it on and how to remove it. All in all expect to spend at least two hours - and bring your spouse or a good friend along for feedback and support. Not that you’ll take their advice but it’ll make them feel important and that’s a nice thing.
A Cranial Prosthetic is infinitely better than a wig.
Hair systems created for oncology related hair loss are light, airy and fabulous. Plus it looks like the hairs are growing from your scalp just the way nature intended. The effect is quite impressive.
Wigs on the other hand can end up being loose on your head, hot and itchy and look well, "wiggy" Exceptions to the rule exist and you can search them out with the same people your dealing with for a custom hair system.
Price.
Expect to pay between $1200 - $3,000 for a top quality hand made hair system. Not cheap! But remember, unlike wigs which are machine made. These are literally works of art. Each hair has been matched to your own (or any color you like) and every single hair has been knotted into the base by hand, at the precise angle to re-create a natural growth pattern.
In fact the effect is so incredible you can pull your hair back in a pony tail, slick it back and flat, Dive off the cliffs of Hawaii and never have to worry about it coming off.
I can't stress this enough, the hairline is critical. With a well made replacement system even when pulled back your hairline should look completely natural. These hair systems are usually made with what’s called a lace front - make sure you’ve discuss this before your new hair goes into production.
I can't stress this enough, the hairline is critical. With a well made replacement system even when pulled back your hairline should look completely natural. These hair systems are usually made with what’s called a lace front - make sure you’ve discuss this before your new hair goes into production.
The secret to getting your new hair for free - or close to it.
A few years ago, a bill was passed through Congress that forced most insurance companies to cover hair replacements when they’re needed for medically related hair loss. Average converge is between 50% and 80% of the cost. But you’ll need to do a few things first, they’re important so wake up!
Call your Insurance provider but remember do NOT use the word “Wig” You’ll need a prescription from your Oncologist for a “Cranial Prosthetic”
If the word wig appears on the prescription your insurance company will deny you - they just love doing that don’t they.
Don’t give them the chance. They view wigs as cosmetic accessories and you’ll spend precious time and energy wading through all the red tape to re submit your claim. When be both know you would rather be spending time at a Spa somewhere being pampered by a gorgeous Spa Boy named Elan who you should keep busy brining you glasses of chilled fruit juice and lemon infused water. And frequent massages in dim lit rooms.
Don’t have health Insurance? Or limited coverage?
Don’t give them the chance. They view wigs as cosmetic accessories and you’ll spend precious time and energy wading through all the red tape to re submit your claim. When be both know you would rather be spending time at a Spa somewhere being pampered by a gorgeous Spa Boy named Elan who you should keep busy brining you glasses of chilled fruit juice and lemon infused water. And frequent massages in dim lit rooms.
Don’t have health Insurance? Or limited coverage?
Not to worry, if you’re a member of the 60 Million "People without health care team" like me!... I’m the treasurer. You’ll find there are plenty of places that will work with you on a sliding scale and or have interest free financing programs. Many women, like you do the right thing and donate their hair systems once their own hair has started to regrow.
And yes the rumor is true. In over 90% of Oncology related hair loss from Chemo therapy your hair really does grow back - looking infinitely more lush and gorgeous than ever before in their lives. You’ll be no exception.
Years ago I had an amazing client who told me “If I had known how fabulous my hair would have come in...I would have had cancer years ago!”
These replacements are sterilized and refurbished and available for a song - even if you’re tone deaf. Get in touch with Locks of love, they’re wonderful Although they specialize in free hair systems for children with cancer, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better organization to lead you in the right direction.
http://www.locksoflove.org/
At the end of the day.
Surround yourself with love. Seek out people and animals who make you feel better.
Avoid toxic people and situations as best you can.
Find the humor because laughter really is the best medicine so
overdose on it.
Recreate your look if you like or don’t. The choice is yours.
After all it’s never been about what’s on your head ~ but rather what’s inside of it.
Now my Dear, go kick some serious cancer ass.
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