Chemotherapy and hair loss.

Young woman with flowers

Chemotherapy drugs will cause different degrees of hair loss from very little to total.  In addition to the specific drug the other factors that can influence hair loss are the dose, how it’s administered, the combination of drugs, and other individual characteristics.

Hair loss can begin to occur two – four weeks after your first treatment. The way in which it will fall out can vary greatly from person to person. Many well meaning people may share their personal story but remember their story may not be your story.

In general, hair loss happens throughout treatment and may continue to fall out for a few weeks post treatment. The good news is hair loss can be a sign that the chemotherapy is working to some degree. It is not dangerous. However it can be disheartening to look in the mirror or run your fingers through your hair and feel the difference in thickness.

It can fall out gently (you may notice some on your pillowcase or in your hairbrush) or it can fall out in clumps. Please be kind to your scalp as it may feel tender to the touch. Being gentle with your brush or comb is a good idea.

Many times when it grows back it can be a different texture or color then your previous hair. Most of these changes are not permanent. It takes time for your hair to return to some form of its original look and feel. Many times you may choose to continue to wear your wig if you have chosen to get one or a pretty hat or scarf.

As you prepare to go for treatment you should be kind to your hair. Less is more. Stay away from coloring or bleaching as that may make your hair brittle. Minimize the use of hot blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons. Use a gentle shampoo preferably fragrance free.

You may want to consider shaving your hair but should you choose to do prior to beginning Chemotherapy since your scalp may become tender to the touch.

Choosing how you will cover your hear is a good decision to make at this time. It is very important to use a high SPF sunscreen if you do not cover your head as the skin on your scalp is much fairer then the rest of your body since it has not had as much sun exposure over the years.

Using a soft cotton or satin pillowcase may feel better and cause less irritation to your scalp or you can purchase a good cotton sleep cap.

As your hair grows back refrain from coloring or processing it in any way give it time to thicken and become healthy hair again. Be patient.

We offer complimentary 30 minute consultations if you would like to learn more about options we offer. Visit www.althairsolutions.com or call (203) 987-5948 ext 1

Lymphoma: The Paul Foundation’s Swirl Event

swirl

We are trying to do our part to help eradicate cancer in our lifetime. At Alternative Hair Solutions in Greenwich, Conn, we have experienced the journey of the diagnosis, personally. We understand the power of the impact those words can have.  We offer solutions for medical hair loss.  As a stylist, Diane D’Angelo’s niche has always been women with hair challenges. Her total focus and commitment is to help ease the angst associated with medical hair loss. We look to help make it one less thing to worry about so that you can focus on what’s most important.

In the upcoming cancer awareness months we are proud contributors/sponsors to the following events:

November: We will support THE LYMPHOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION/THE PAUL FOUNDATION-Swirl NYC on November 10,2016 if you would like to join us you may go to: lymphoma.org/swirlNYC  or if you are unable to attend you may donate directly at http://www.pwsfoundation.org/

On October 2, 2016 we joined forces THE SUPPORT Connection annual Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser 2016. Donations are still being accepted at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/daria-rocco-1/walk2016. Support Connection is an amazing organization located in Westchester County.  Our team is Daria’s Angels which was founded in 2003.
Please join us in any way you can to support the heroic efforts of these wonderful organizations

Or call (203) 987 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com to learn more.

Your Piece of Mind

Your piece of mind
Your piece of mind

Did you know that stress is one of the most common causes of hair loss in woman?  Your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat can be both internal and/or external.  Gaining weight and hair thinning are just two ways of your body reacting. When you experience stress your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol into your body.

Generally it is physiological stress that causes hair loss. Some physiological stress examples are: major surgery, a weight gain/loss of more the 15 pounds, severe calorie restriction and going off oral contraceptives are the most common ones.  This type of hair loss is usually temporary as long as the stress is temporary. Once the stress event is over hair generally begins to grow back and the normal hair cycle resumes.

Be patient and kind to your self. For your piece of mind, know that clip in toppers or wigs can help bridge this temporary hair loss time. Owning this type of accessory can be a huge time saver for the busy woman. You hair can look terrific in just a few minutes when you learn how how simple it is to wear.

To learn more visit www.althairsolutions.com or call (203) 987 4948 ext 1

 

 

Grieving Hair Loss

grieving-woman-350

Embracing hair loss isn’t easy. Grieve, it’s ok, actually it is normal.

I wish I could tell you it was easy. I can’t. What I can tell you is that understanding your solutions makes the process much more manageable. So first and foremost: It’s ok to grieve your hair loss.

We understand. Working with many clients who have had both temporary and permanent hair loss has allowed us to understand and help you through the the process.

Temporary hair loss from chemo or some type’s of alopecia comes with the comfort that we just need to bridge this moment in time.

Permanent hair loss can be more challenging because of the obvious.

In time, it does get easier especially if you have familiarized your self with the multitude of options available to you. For some it can open up a whole new world.  When you think about how much time, money and effort is expended on perfecting your tresses and realize you can have exactly what you want by exploring the different options that are now available.

The next perk is your wig/hairpiece.

With proper care, it will stay the way you purchased it. You just don’t have the maintenance involved with your own hair. Just think, no roots in a few weeks, no grey peaking through, highlights and a haircut that doesn’t grow out. None of the usual upkeep our original tresses require.

The initial outlay of money is sometimes overwhelming to comprehend but if you total up all that you spend throughout the year you will find it pretty much runs about the same costs without requiring the time natural hair can ask of us.

One of the perks many seem to enjoy is the ability to change cut, color or length without the commitment. Many times hair wearers will choose to have a few different looks to enjoy in a moments notice or whenever the mood suits them.

The greatest fear we come across is most do not want hair to feel heavy or hot. With the cap selections today, many wigs (in several different price ranges) are extremely comfortable to wear. You can be as active as you would like when you select the right cap and hair. It’s possible to have a style you can even wear off your face or in a pony tail.

Grieving hair loss is ok, it is actually normal. Then come visit to learn about your options our private salon can offer you with total discretion. For your piece of mind.

After all, your hair is our business and your privacy, our main concern. Call (203) 987-5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com

One in Four Women Can Experience Hair Loss

Alopecia part

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the average person loses anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair each day. But hair loss becomes noticeable when the rate of shedding exceeds the rate of re growth or when re growth is thinner than previous.

Although anyone can experience hair loss, women actually make up 40% of American hair loss sufferers — 1 in 4 women in the U.S. (source: American Hair Loss Association). It may not be uncommon it certainly can become upsetting. If you have not experienced hair loss first-hand, it can be difficult to grasp the emotional toll it can take. For many of us, hair can be a surprisingly important part of our identity and for women, our sense of femininity. Although hair loss it can be equally upsetting for men.

Alopecia is the medical term for excessive hair loss. It can be caused by anything from chemotherapy and radiation therapy side effects to stress, age, genetics, poor nutrition and autoimmune disorders. Androgenetic alopecia is genetic and causes 95% of hair loss — often diffuse thinning for women and pattern balding for men. Alopecia areata, and various other types of less common alopecia, are autoimmune disorders resulting in hair loss ranging from small patches to complete hair loss which can be temporary or permanent.

Stress is often a big contributor to hair loss. One of the things we have found with our clients is that once they come in for a private appointment to learn the many options available the stress can become a little less than before. That is important on so many levels for good health.

Knowing your options in a compassionate, private setting, where we will work with you one on one to help you through this time can bring a sense of relief for many. If you or a loved one are experiencing hair loss we can help you learn your options.

Call us today at 203 987 5948 ext 1 or visit www.althairsolutions.com to learn more.