Understanding hair loss

Everyone loses some hair every day; losing up to 100 hairs a day is normal.

Hair Loss can happen for a number of reasons. Hereditary, stress, illness and lifestyle factors can all have an impact on your hair growth. In addition many cancer sufferers may face hair loss as a side-effect of their treatment, this being a particularly distressing form of hair loss. Hair also has different significance across different ages, sexes and cultures.

Others common causes of hair loss are:

Hereditary  - in most cases hair loss is inherited, which means it’s passed down from one or both of your parents. This is called male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss. Male Pattern hair loss affects 6.5 million men in the UK, men who have lost their hair are a common sight that we accept as normal. Many men shave their heads at a very early stage of hair loss when in fact there are many treatments available to prevent male pattern hair loss. Among the many treatments that we offer at The Hair Loss Clinic the HALO Laser hair loss treatment that is FDA approved can, subject to consultation, give you gradual restoration of hair without drugs or surgery.

Damage to your hair from pulling it back too tightly, wearing tight braids or ponytails, or using curling irons or dyes.

Age, you grow less hair as you get older and hair also gets thinner and tends to break more easily.

Poor diet, especially a diet where you are not getting enough protein or iron.

Thyroid diseases, like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

The distress that hair loss can cause is understandable. The way we look and how we feel about ourselves is closely linked and can have a dramatic impact on self-esteem and self-confidence. This is especially true in today’s increasingly image based society. For those suffering hair-loss as a result of treatment for cancer, extreme stress or illness the hair loss can be a constant unwelcome reminder of their illness or circumstance.

 

 

Preventing hair loss in cancer patients

During radiotherapy there will be some hair loss around the local area. Scalp cooling can sometimes offer some reduction too this hair loss, however this will need to be discussed with your specialist nurse who can offer guidance on whether this appropriate with your particular cancer and drug treatment.

 

Losing your hair

For many one of the first questions they have about their treatment is “will I lose my hair”. It is normal to worry about how and when this will happen. It is important to discuss this with your medical team as the severity and likelihood of hair loss varies dependent on your treatment. Hair loss may occur during the night and you may wish to wear a soft cotton cap. Scalp sensitivity can also be a factor prior to and during hair loss and indeed throughout your treatment.

Radiotherapy . This treatment uses high energy x-rays to treat your cancer and is used to treat a specific part of your body. Your radiographer, consultant or nurse will talk to you about the possibility of losing hair during your treatment because radiotherapy affects healthy cells and can cause hair loss by damaging the cells that make your hair grow. Hair loss due to radiotherapy only applies to the area being treated. If you are receiving treatment to a particular area of your head this is where the hair loss will occur, although sometimes there may be additional hair loss where the radiotherapy beams have passed through your head. It can take in excess of 6 months for hair to grow back after this type of treatment and although usually your hair will grow back it is possible that is my not grow back at all or may be patchy. The dose and number of radiotherapy treatments can affect your hair regrowth

Chemotherapy. This treatment uses anti-cancer drugs. The drugs travel around the body and the cancer cells wherever they are. Like Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy affects healthy cells and so can cause hair loss although it is important to note that not all Chemotherapy treatments cause hair loss. It is important to talk to your medical team about your treatment and the likelihood of hair loss.

In addition to hair loss on your head you may experience thinning or loss of other body hair including eyelashes and eyebrows. With this type of treatment your hair may grow back once your treatment has finished or sometimes it may even grow back before your course of treatment has ended. Although it can take some time for your hair to grow back fully it is likely to grow at the same rate it grew before.

 

Wigs

There is such a wide range of wig types, styles and compositions out there that choosing a wig for the first time can be a truly bewildering task. It may be helpful to consider the following:

·       Wigs can be bespoke made and so at The Hair Loss Clinic we are able to colour match your wig to your natural hair colour if you want us to.

·       You may wish to choose your wig before losing your hair and familiarise yourself with your headwear options before starting your treatment. Once you start to lose your hair it may be necessary to adjust your wig. Some wigs are possible to adjust yourself or The Hair Loss Laser Clinic may need to do this for you.

·       If your hair loss is as a result of cancer treatment, one of the first things you may wish to consider is the style of wig you would like. Would you like it to be similar to your current style or you may choose to wear a longer or shorter wig. Some people choose to cut their hair short prior to treatment and may choose a short wig. Others may choose a longer wig and have this cut shorter in preparation for when their own hair starts to grow back. This needs to be discussed when you are choosing your wig.

·       It can be helpful to bring along someone you trust when choosing your wig as they can give you a second opinion and additional support.

·       If you have already started to lose your hair, pictures from magazines or photographs can help us understand what look you are trying to achieve.

·       It is normal to be a bit bewildered by the choice of styles and colours available. At The Hair Loss Clinic we are able to offer specialist advice and help to customise your wig and we are able to cut your wig to suit you.

·       We are also able to show you a selection of wigs that you have chosen so that you can identify which of these suit you and your lifestyle.

·       Full or half size wigs can be made to measure, whatever your desire we can custom make it.

 

 

Comfort and fit for a wig are important considerations. In order for a wig to be secure and look natural it is important that it fits snugly to your head all over. One of the drawbacks of wearing a wig is that it can be hot particularly in hot weather, in some cases a cushion band that lifts the wig can be cooling and make the wig more comfortable. Some wig bases are more breathable. We will work with you to ensure that the correct base is chosen for your head type. There have been huge improvements within this area of wig-making and as a specialist clinic we are able to pass on to you the most up to date options. A good variable choice of styles and colours are available with a choice of taking home to try at your leisure.

We offer the ultimate custom made wig service and our specially trained wig technicians and consultants will work with you to understand what you are looking for and will personalise the selection of a variety of wig bases and hair to meet your very individual requirements. Whether it is to cover a severely scarred area, burns or alopecia patches we can make the ultimate hairpiece in any size or shape that will blend seamlessly with your own hair colour and will give the best quality solution that will be long lasting.

 

We can also offer beautiful bandeaus for daytime and evening wear, plus bandeaus with 100% human hair with fringes, plaits, bunches etc.

 

Wigs - What are your options?

There are two main wig options synthetic fibre and human hair. Each type has advantages and disadvantages.

 

Synthetic Wigs			Human Hair Wigs
Advantages	Disadvantages		Advantages	Disadvantages
No colour fading	Friction Frizz		No Frizzing	Can be more expensive
Permanent wave	Unable to tint or colour		Can apply heat
No styling	No heat application		Vast colour selection – can also be coloured.
Easy to maintain	May be seen as inferior		100% Euro Hair excellent for longer styles.
Vast colour selection			Style can be changed. Custom made to size and shape.
Price			Last Longer

 

 

 

Synthetic Wigs

These have the advantage of being pre-styled and come in a large range of colours. When washed correctly they revert back to their original style. If you are having treatment for cancer you may not feel well enough or have the energy to style a wig on a regular basis, so the ‘wash and wear’ aspect may be an important consideration. Although these wigs cannot be heat styled they are less prone to colour fade than human hair. Synthetic wigs can develop friction frizz especially at the nape of the neck. However there are steps you can take to minimise this, discussed later in this leaflet.

A synthetic wig may last for 9-12 months depending on how much care you take with it and how often it is worn. Longer wigs tend to have a shorter life span.

 

 

Human Hair Wigs

These can be heat-styled, blow-dried, straightened or curled and can be treated like growing hair. However they do require regular attention and are more prone to colour fade than the synthetic fibre wigs. However, this can easily be remedied by in salon colouring to take your wig back to its original colour or add slightly different colour tones. Using the very best products can prolong the life of your wig.

Other Options

Men. Just as a woman will find hair loss traumatic, so can a man. Men can sometimes find seeking help more difficult. At The Hair Loss Clinic we have a large number of male clients who find our discreet and sympathetic service easy to use. There is a selection of ready to wear and custom-made full hair wigs and toupees specifically designed for men. We are also able to customise these to provide our clients with a more natural look.

  

Children, Teenagers and Young Adults. There is a range of wigs available to this group. Older children may need an adult wig adapted to make it smaller or one in a petite style. Many children are happy to wear a cap or bandana. These are available with hair/fringe attached and look attractive as well as being practical.

Caring for your wig

When you are given your wig you should be given care instructions to help you maximise the lifetime of your wig and help ensure it retains its quality. A salon blow-dry and slight trim to the wig will often give it a new lease of life.

 

Washing. When washing a real or synthetic wig it is important that the wig is pre-brushed prior to the washing process. You will need to turn the wig inside out, use warm water and cleanse with a product appropriate for the wig type you have. If deep cleansing is required this process may need to be repeated. The conditioning products will need to be left on for minimum of 3-5 minutes and will need to be used in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Conditioning is vitally important to ensure the quality and lifespan of your wig. The wig should be thoroughly rinsed using warm water and dried using a gentle squeezing and patting technique to remove excess moisture. You will need to be careful not to rub your wig. We advise you buy a wig block to place your wig on while drying this helps to keep it in shape and make styling easier.

Aftercare

Synthetic Wigs. Friction frizz is one of the main problems with a Synthetic Wig. You will need to ensure you follow your aftercare instructions to reduce the risk of frizz. On longer length wigs you can use a serum. It is important that you do not use direct heat such as a hair dryer, ceramic irons or curling tongs as this will damage your wig. You will also need to be particularly careful around direct heat sources such as barbeques, open fires, cigarettes and outdoor heaters. Other heat sources can also damage the fibres such as the initial heat blast when you first open the oven door.

Human Hair Wigs. You will need to comb through your wig after washing with a wide tooth comb, combing, very gently, from the tips of the hair to the root. The knots will loosen when the hair is wet and tighten as it dries so care will need to be exercised at this stage.   Human hair wigs are able to be set using conventional curlers and hood dryers. Heated rollers, curling tongs and straightening irons are other styling methods that you can use. A thermal heat protection product will need to be used when styling the hair.

 

Fitting and Wearing your Wig.

 Most ready to wear wigs are available in average or petite sizes. The average wig size is normally 54cm and the petite is 52cm. All wigs have some form of adjuster with fastenings at the nape, to enable alteration for comfort. The Hair Loss Clinic will make a template of your head shape for human hair wigs to ensure the perfect fit.

Styling and aftercare.

Shampoo. If you have a synthetic fibre wig you will need to purchase a shampoo specially formulated for fibre hair. Human hair wigs will need to be cleaned with a good quality shampoo formulated for bleached or colour treated hair or one designed to reduce frizz.

Spray on conditioner. For Synthetic Wigs a daily use leave in conditioner and protection spray is ideal. A good quality anti-frizz conditioner is recommended for human hair wigs.

Wig lustre/ Silicon based sprays (serum). This is recommended for both synthetic fibre and human hair wigs. It will reduce the tendency to frizz, especially when used on problem areas such as at the nape area.

Holding spray. A water based, fixing spray is recommended, that can be removed with cold or tepid water or brushed.

 

 

Solutions for Patchy Hair loss or Thinning Hair

 

Thinning hair.

There has been much coverage in the press of ‘hair transplants’ and ‘hair implants’ which are surgical options. Our Hair Integration System offers a low maintenance procedure without surgery, pain or scarring. Ideal for someone with a busy lifestyle enabling you to to do sporting activities including swimming with complete confidence.

There are a number of hair integration systems available, some are similar to a wig but with an open weft base that allows the client’s own hair to be pulled through with a hook or tail comb. At The Hair Loss Laser Clinic our integration pieces are colour and texture matched to blend seamlessly with your own hair. All pieces can be custom made to ensure individuality. These are available in 100% Euro hair.

The integration system we use is the latest hair loss solution for very fine thinning hair, coverage of bald patches, added volume and density.

Constructed from the very finest mono silk base, made with top quality Eurotex hair, the integration piece  will blend invisibly into your own hair and give you a solution that you can wear continually and keep in good condition with regular salon visits, (every 4 – 6 weeks). No one will know the secret of your new hair and you will gain a new found confidence.

 

Other hair loss treatments include low level laser hair therapy and laser beam technology. Miniaturization of hair (first stage hair loss) can benefit within a few months. These treatments are suitable for men and women.

 

Patchy Hair Loss.

 A unisex spray hair thickener is a fast and effective thickening spray which not only thickens hair but also helps to mask thinning areas. At The Hair Loss Laser Clinic we recommend a product.with electromagnetic fibres that will cling to the natural hair and scalp, instantly making thinning hair look thick and full. The fibres won't come off in wind, rain or perspiration. This product is totally undetectable, even from as close as two inches. The product needs to be sealed in place with a follow up application of holding spray. It is available in a range of colours. Care should be taken if your scalp is sensitive or your skin is damaged in any way.

 Another solution is a unisex masking solution, this provides an instant, convenient and safe way to disguise thinning areas.

 Facial Hair Options

As previously highlighted in the section on Chemotherapy one of the side-effects of this form of treatment can be the loss of facial hair such as eye lashes and eye brows. This can have quite a dramatic effect on your appearance. There are various options available to help you with this type of hair loss.

Make- up. A lash line or eyebrows can be drawn in to enhance your features. At The Hair Loss Clinic we can give recommendations or arrange a session with a qualified beauty therapist to discuss what options will best suit you and to show you some new techniques for application of make-up.

Skin tattooing or semi-permanent tattooing is becoming a more readily available option, all of which is available through The Hair Loss Clinic

Hair and Cancer – some additional information

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are designed to target rapidly reproducing cells such as the cancer cells, which is why hair can be affected. The hair that grows back can often be weak due to a lack of protein.

With Chemotherapy there may be some differences between your new hair and your hair before treatment. Some hair grows back with a different texture or may even be curly when your hair before was straight. In most cases over time your hair will revert to its pre-treatment colour and texture.

With Radiotherapy your hair may grow back slower than with Chemotherapy and it may well grow back finer. It is possible that your hair may never grow back or may be patchy. If you cover your scalp, for example with a wig, 24 hours a day you may find your hair grows back even slower. New hair tends to grow quicker when exposed to daylight.

Some people do not experience hair loss throughout their cancer treatment but there are some recommendations for caring for your hair whilst undergoing treatment.

 It is not recommended that your hair is coloured during treatment. If, however, you do wish to colour your hair whilst undergoing treatments there are some safety tips to follow. Always let you stylist know of any treatment you are undergoing so they can offer appropriate advice. As with any hair colouring it is advisable to have a strand test carried out prior to colour being applied. It is also recommended that you have a skin sensitivity test, as your skin can become more sensitive as a result of your treatment. If your skin reacts in any way you should wash the product off immediately and not continue with the colouring. Ask your stylist to use foiling techniques to prevent the product from coming into contact with your scalp. Choose a semi-permanent colour to avoid oxidative pigments and avoid colours with harsh chemicals such as ammonia or resorcinol.

When your hair grows back it is likely to be weaker than before due to lack of essential proteins it is important that you do not strenuously brush your hair and use your hair drier on a lower heat setting. The condition of your hair may be improved with regular cutting to remove the damaged hair.

 

Thinning hair

We recommend that thinning hair is treated gently. It is advisable to avoid vigorous brushing and combing. Paddle brushes are particularly good for use with thinning hair, because of the bristles which massage the scalp encouraging sebum production and stimulating blood flow. Avoid shampoos containing harsh chemicals (ie alcohol or sodium laurel sulphates); those with plant oils (jojoba or sweet almond oil) are far better. A range specialist shampoos and topical treatments, formulated for thinning hair and scalp problems that have undergone extensive research by manufacturers to ensure maximum benefit, are available from The Hair Loss Laser Clinic.

 

Hair Re-growth and a healthy scalp

A healthy scalp ensures healthy hair. Your scalp can be very dry and scaly following Chemotherapy. There are a number of specific scalp treatments available which deliver nutrients to the scalp and protect it. The Hair Loss Clinic can offer you advice on the best treatment for you.

Until your hair is long enough to shampoo, an aqueous cream may be suitable for cleansing and moisturising the hair and scalp. If the skin on your scalp is particularly sore or irritated anti-inflammatory and anti-septic soothing agents are recommended. These include ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Geranium, Rosemary, Bergamot and Chamomile.

 

Colouring the hair post cancer treatment

Current medical advice is that you should wait six months after treatment before colouring your hair. The steps recommended before colouring your hair during treatment, given earlier in the leaflet should be followed again.

In the initial period following chemotherapy, hair may not respond to colour in the normal way and a trained hair professional will draw your attention to this. At The Hair Loss Clinic we have professional Colourists who will be able to advice you on this. The Hair Loss Clinic has a range of water-based organic hair colours which may be suitable for post chemotherapy hair.

 

Lifestyle changes for Healthy Hair

A wholesome diet, rich in silica, calcium and iron, will help reduce or prevent hair loss. Green, leafy vegetables, especially sea vegetables, are good mineral sources. Raw oats provide silica. Dried fruits and cherry juice are rich sources of iron. For women, thinning hair or hair loss can be a sign of vitamin or mineral deficiency such as Anaemia which is one of the most frequent causes of hair loss. Eat plenty of iron rich foods like liver (avoid if you are pregnant) and other organ meat, whole-grain cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, dates and raisins. To encourage hair growth, adhere to a diet rich in protein. Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron. Include a good serving of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Vitamin E is important for healthy hair growth.   Eat Avocados, Nuts, Seeds and Olive Oil on a regular basis.

Vitamin D is also essential for our hair; many hair loss problems can be attributed to the lack of this vitamin. The most accurate way to measure how much Vitamin D is in your body is a blood test to measure 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D in your blood stream. Specific blood tests are needed to be able to identify hair loss, our Trichologist will be able to communicate with your GP to arrange these a variety of targeted tests.