Hair Facts

Hair Facts

• We each have about 100,000 hairs on the scalp.
• You need to lose about 50% of your hair before Hair loss becomes
• It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs from the head each day.
• Scalp hair grows at a rate of about 1 cm, (just under half an inch) a month.
• Each hair on the head grows for about 4-7 years before being shed.
• Approximately 40 million men and 30 million women in North America are experiencing hair loss.

Hair defines many things for women-personality, attractiveness, success, and health, social status, and even family tradition.  Hair loss in women has long been considered a taboo due to social stigma.  It’s much more common than most people think – roughly 30 million adult women in North America are experiencing thinning hair and hair loss, and some 50% of all women do by age 50.  The psychological effects for women can be devastating.

African and Caucasians are more prone to baldness than Asians.  “Today the first person a thinning hair victim talks to is likely to be their hair stylist.  That’s why stylists are reaching out for more information.  They’re now an important resource; the first line of defense against hair loss.”  Dr. Shelley Friedman D.O.

The post Hair Facts appeared first on InvisibleHair.com.

* This article was originally published here

Hair Loss due to Radiation Therapy

 

Before Radiation Begins

What to Expect…

• Fear of change in appearance.
• May be advised to cut hair shorter.

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash, dry and style hair regularly.
• Avoid dyes and permanents.

Comfort And Image Needs…

• Take a snip of hair and a snapshot of yourself before hair loss occurs.
• Meet with hair loss consultant to familiarize him/her with style, color and length of hair you prefer.
• Select items such as turbans, scarves, cotton caps and a wig.
• Purchase cotton sleep cap.

During Radiation Therapy

What to Expect…

• Scalp redness, itchiness, dryness and flaking

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash hair infrequently using only water (tepid or lukewarm) to avoid removal of the gentian violet markings which are exact blueprints of the target area for treatment.
• Avoid using cosmetics, perfumes, powders or soap on treated area.
• Do not use dyes or permanents.
• Do not use adhesives (including two-way tape and medical adhesives) for wigs or prosthetics on treatment area.
• Do not use heating pads or ice packs on treatment area.
• Do not scratch treatment area.
• Report any breaks in skin to physician or nurse.
• Use only the water-based moisturizer suggested by physician or nurse on treatment area.
• Do not use moisturizer on skin just before therapy; skin must be clean and dry for treatment session.
• Do not use oils of any kind on treatment area.
• Protect area from sun and cold.

Comfort And Image Needs…

• Wear cotton caps, scarves and hats.
• Wear wig with a cotton liner.
• Wear a sleep cap to bed.

During Hair Loss

What to Expect…

• Dry, itching scalp.
• Stress from change in appearance.
• Scalp sensitivity.
• Shedding hair.
• Matted hair.

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash hair using water, keeping the hair in one direction to avoid matting.
• Pat hair gently with a towel until dry.
• May use hair dryer on low setting 4” from head.
• Use wide-toothed comb.
• Avoid using rollers, curling irons or hair pins.

Comfort And Image Needs…

1. Wear non-restricting, soft, cotton caps or turbans during the day to contain hair.
2. May wear a wig with a wig liner.
3. Expose area to air several times per day.
4. Wear a cotton sleep cap at night to keep warm and to catch shedding hair

After Hair Loss

What to Expect…

• Stress from change in appearance.
• Scalp sensitivity.
• Loss of body heat through scalp.

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash scalp and remaining hair using water (tepid or lukewarm) keeping hair in one direction to avoid matting.
• Do not use soap until therapy is completed (see During Hair Re-growth chart).
• Pat scalp gently with a towel until dry.
• Use a wide-toothed comb.
• Protect head form sun when outdoors with head cover or use maximum sunscreen if treatment is complete.
• Protect from cold weather – wear head cover.
• Do not use adhesives (including two-way tape and medical adhesives) for wigs and prosthetics on treatment area.
• Do not scratch treatment area.
• Report any skin breaks to physician or nurse.

Comfort And Image Needs…

• Wear cotton caps, turbans, hats and scarves.
• Wear a wig with a cotton liner.
• Wear a sleep cap to bed for warmth.

During Hair Re-Growth

What to Expect…

• Stress from change in appearance.
• Scalp sensitivity.
• Loss of body heat through scalp.
• Fragile new hair.
• May be no hair re-growth with higher does; ask physician or nurse.

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash hair gently using water (tepid or lukewarm).
• Pat gently with towel until dry.
• Use mild shampoos (for dry or damaged hair) for the first two weeks after the last treatment.
• Ask physician or nurse if you may use a moisturizing cream or mild lotion; use 3-4 times daily.
• Use hair dryer on low setting 4” from head on new hair and remaining hair.
• Minimize hair styling, brushing, combing, hair pins and curling.
• Use moderately: mousse, styling or sculpting gel, spritz and hair spray.
• Select products with light to moderate holding ability.
• Sleep on satin pillowcase.
• Cover head or use maximum protection sunscreen when outdoors.

Comfort And Image Needs…

• • Wear cotton caps, turbans, hats and scarves.
  • Wear a wig with a cotton liner.

• Wear a sleep cap to bed for warmth.

• Check your insurance booklet for benefits and covered expenses. Copy any page that specifically states coverage of prosthesis or prosthetic devices.
• Obtain the name of the person at your insurance company who would be directly responsible for reviewing, processing or approving your claim. Find out the exact approval procedure.
• Complete your claim form
• Take pictures of yourself without a hair prosthesis and without corrective eye makeup. This will immediately show that your claim is not for cosmetic purposes.
• Detail the emotional effects of (medically related) hair loss.
• Ask your employer for a letter on the importance of your having hair on the job.
• Write a letter directly to the appropriate insurance claim agent explaining the details of chemotherapy, alopecia, radiation, burns, or surgery as it relates to your hair loss. Detail the emotional effects it has had on your life. Discuss the financial aspects of frequent wig purchases. Advise that cranial prosthesis is just as medically necessary as a prosthetic limb or breast – it replaces a missing body part.
• Enclose brochures and pamphlets endorsed by the following support organizations. This is important if the insurance company has questions during the review process.
• Send a case history of a patient with the same or similar condition.
• Send a detailed letter from each doctor who is treating you. It is important that the doctor describes the severity of the condition, extent of hair loss and explain that without a “FULL CUSTOM CRANIAL PROSTHESIS”, leading a normal life and being able to work would be very difficult. He/She should mention the mental distress you have experienced due to your medical treatment.
• A brief letter from a psychiatrist may also be beneficial, if possible.
• Enclose a prescription (on an actual prescription form) from the doctor who ordered the full cranial prosthesis. The prescription must use the verbiage, “FULL CUSTOM CRANIAL PROSTHESIS” and have the correct diagnostic code for the insurance company to process your claim.
• Obtain a receipt from the hair addition specialist performing the service. The invoice must show all charges and must be paid in full. Make sure receipt reads: “A full custom cranial prosthesis to counteract the psychological distress secondary to (alopecia, cancer, burns, radiation, injury, surgery, etc.)”
• Explain the differences between wigs and custom made full cranial prosthesis.
• If you talk with your carrier by phone, insist they confirm your conversation in writing, preferably email. If they fail to do so, prepare your own record of the conversation

The following companies have covered cranial prosthesis, at least in part. However, each carrier operates
differently in each state and coverage changes periodically.

• John Hancock Insurance Co.
• Blue Cross (California, Massachusetts – 80%)
• Metropolitan Education of New York
• Prudential Life Insurance
• C.I.G.N.A.
• Travelers (Massachusetts, 60%)
• Provident Mutual (80%)
• Equitable Life (80%)
• Blue Shield (80%)
• Aetna (80% – 100%)
• Ohio Health Care (80% – 100%)
• Emerald Health Network (100%)
• Med Choice
• Midwest Benefits Corp.

Farm Bureau Insurance

The post Hair Loss due to Radiation Therapy appeared first on InvisibleHair.com.

* This article was originally published here

After Cancer Therapy Treatment

It is important to understand that it may take 6 months to 1 year before adequate hair growth recurs. The body has had a significant insult and healing is directed to vital body functions before full attention is directed at hair growth. The following helpful hints will ensure a healthy new head of hair.

How to Have Your Hair Chemically Curled or Waved

To get nice curls on short hair and to minimize hair breakage, use a mild body wave, leaving it on for a short time. Wrap hair loosely on the largest curling rod. (Loose curls are less damaging to recovering hair shafts).

How to Color Your New Hair

Permanent hair color is the most damaging to the hair shaft, therefore, the use of semi-permanent color (washes away after 4-6 weeks of shampooing) is the best at this time. Change your hair no more than 3 shades from the re-growth color. Do not bleach your hair to lighten it.

The post After Cancer Therapy Treatment appeared first on InvisibleHair.com.

* This article was originally published here

Fears and Doubts of Hair Replacement

Fears & Doubts

Expertise

• No one to talk to, nowhere to turn for advice and understanding.

• No help available.
• There is no one trained in my area.
• What kind of training and licensing is needed to offer hair restoration/extensions?
• How do I find an expert in this field?
• What do I ask on the phone or at a consultation?

Restoration

• Do lasers and topical products really grow hair?

Satisfaction

• Can I return it or get a refund if I’m not happy?

Hair Damage

• My hair weaver is pulling out my hair — will it grow back?
• Anxiety about the possible removal of her existing hair.

Home Maintenance

• Will have to use special products?

Comfort

• Budget, discomfort, lack of naturalness, security issues.

Activity

• Can I swim or workout at the gym?

Cost

• It’s too expensive.
• I thought only celebrities had hair specialists with super hair talent and solutions.
• Will I save money if I look on the Internet?

Naturalness

• You can tell a bad wig from across the room.
• I don’t want a wig; it will look like too much hair.
• Will I have to wear bangs?
• Will my boyfriend or husband know?

Embarrassment

• I’m the only one with this hair problem.
• I don’t want anyone to see me with my hair off.
• Salon hairdressers aren’t interested in dealing with my hair challenge

Security

• Aren’t there only one or two ways to attach hairpieces?
• Will l be able to wear my new hair at night in bed?

Privacy

• Salons don’t offer any privacy­ — everyone will see me.

Comfort And Image Needs…

• Take a snip of hair and a snapshot of yourself before hair loss occurs.
• Meet with a hair loss consultant to familiarize him/her with style, color, and length of hair your prefer.
• Select items such as wigs, turbans, scarves and other headwear accessories.
• Purchase cotton stretch cap for sleeping.

During Hair Loss

What to Expect…

• Stress from change in appearance.
• Shedding of hair.
• Matted hair.
• Loss of body heat through scalp.
• Scalp Sensitivity.

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash hair regularly with mild shampoo (preferably one for dry or damaged hair).
• Use crème rinse for fine or limp hair after washing.
• Pat hair dry in one direction to avoid matting hair.
• Use wide0-toothed comb.

Comfort And Image Needs…

• Contain hair in cotton stretch cap or turban.
• Wear wig with a wig liner to contain shedding hair.
• Wear a cotton sleep cap to bed to keep warm and to catch shedding hair.

After Hair Loss

What to Expect…

• Stress from change in appearance.
• Scalp sensitivity.
• Loss of body heat through scalp.

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash hair regularly with mild shampoo (preferably one for dry or damaged hair).
• Pat scalp with a towel until dry (do not rub).
• Keep scalp covered when outdoors or apply a maximum protection sunscreen to uncovered scalp

Comfort And Image Needs…

• Wear cotton caps, turbans, scarves, hats or combinations of the above.
• Wear wig with a wig liner.

During Hair Regrowth

What to Expect…

• Stress from change in appearance.
• Scalp sensitivity.
• Loss of body heat through scalp.
• Fragile new hair.

Hair & Scalp Care…

• Wash hair regularly with mild shampoo (preferably one for dry or damaged hair).
• Use crème rinse for fine or limp hair after washing.
• Pat hair gently with a towel until dry.
• May use blow dryer on low setting 4” from head.
• Minimize hair styling, avoid brushing, combing, hair pins and curling.
• Use moderately: mousse, styling or sculpting gel, spritz and hair spray.
• Select products with light to moderate holding ability.
• Sleep on satin pillowcase.
• Avoid hair dyes or permanents until hair is 3” long and scalp is no longer sensitive

Comfort And Image Needs…

• Wear cotton caps, turbans, scarves, hats or a wig.

Clarifying Myths

No hair growth stimulants, shampoos, conditioners, or other cosmetic treatments will prevent or retard hair loss due to chemotherapy. Wearing a wig or hair prosthetic during cancer treatment will not damage your scalp or retard hair growth.

The post Fears and Doubts of Hair Replacement appeared first on InvisibleHair.com.

* This article was originally published here

First Impressions and Your Hair !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What does your hair tell about you?  Your hair makes statements such as how fashionable you are, how organized you are, even to some extent what type of job you do, by your hairstyle. Your hair is certainly a huge give away when it comes to first impressions.
Hair is often called a ‘crowning glory’ which it certainly can be when well groomed, clean and shiny, in fact your hairstyle dictates the first impressions you make and overpowers the impact of facial features.

It has also been observed that a “bad hair day” affects more than your appearance, it impacts on performance, self esteem, social insecurity and self criticism, thus a bad hair day has become part of the idiom of a bad day in general.

So if your like like a lot of women who suffer from Alopecia or hair loss from chemotherapy or any other reason, a “bad hair day” can be an every day occurrence. It doesn’t have to be. Having a Human Hair hairpiece can literally change your life.  The hair pieces literally transform your look and make you feel like yourself again.  They can be attached ‘permanently’ or  kept in place by clips. Both are effective options, then you can say “bye bye bad hair days” and “hello great first impressions”.  Call Invisible Hair for an personal appointment and let them help you choose the perfect hair piece for you.

Dawn Harrison, owner of Invisible Hair Pieces, Extensions, and Human hair wigs.

Dawn has earned two U.S. Patents for inventing the “Invisible Hair Grafting”, which is a non-surgical method of attaching human hair pieces to women’s hair and skin.

The post First Impressions and Your Hair !!! appeared first on InvisibleHair.com.

* This article was originally published here

Will A Wig Stay On And Be Comfortable???

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most heads are shaped differently so it is important to have a wig that fits your head shape, stays put, and feels comfortable.  A Cranial Prosthesis is a custom- made wig designed for a patient who has lost  her hair from a medical treatment, typically chemotherapy, or from a medical condition.  Unlike the typical wig, Cranial Prosthesis are designed from specialized fabrics and other materials that are created to provide the most comfort, least slippage, and perfectly duplicate natural hair growth patterns.

The hair used on Cranial Prosthesis can be personally cut, colored, and styled, to look just like your own hair. It feels and moves naturally, even at the hairline.  For some women, the Cranial Prosthesis helped them to reclaim their dignity and beauty.  It definitely made it more comfortable to continue their everyday routines at school, home, and at work while recovering.

Please call to make an appointment with one of our compassionate professionals to help you choose a beautiful human hair wig that we can custom cut, color, and style for you.  Our wigs have helped so may women look and feel like their beautiful selves again.

Dawn Harrison, owner of Invisible Hair Pieces, Extensions, and Human hair wigs.

Dawn has earned two U.S. Patents for inventing the “Invisible Hair Grafting”, which is a non-surgical method of attaching human hair pieces to women’s hair and skin.

The post Will A Wig Stay On And Be Comfortable??? appeared first on InvisibleHair.com.

* This article was originally published here

Can Exercise Decrease Breast Cancer Recurrence ???

 

 

 

 

 

Studies have shown that regular exercise may lower the risk of the recurrence of breast cancer.  Breast cancer survivors who got three to nine hours of walking a week had a 35 to 40 percent lower risk of breast cancer coming back compared to survivors who chose a less active lifestyle.

Exercise offers additional benefits for breast cancer survivors such as improved physical movement and condition, more positive mood, improved body image, increased sexuality, decreased fatigue, decrease in depression, and bone health maintenance.  Walking is an activity that most people can enjoy without a gym or added equipment.  Enjoy the outdoors or a mall and start walking slowly for about 15 minutes and increase the speed and duration as long as it is comfortable.  Be sure to consult your doctor before you start any exercise program.

Walking also allows us to actually see our surroundings, visit with our neighbors, and literally smell the roses.  While  you walk do your best to be in the present which means not thinking of the past or the future.  With every step smell the air, touch the trees, listen to the sounds around you and see all the beauty that surrounds you.

Dawn Harrison, owner of Invisible Hair Pieces, Extensions, and Human hair wigs.

Dawn has earned two U.S. Patents for inventing the “Invisible Hair Grafting”, which is a non-surgical method of attaching human hair pieces to women’s hair and skin.

The post Can Exercise Decrease Breast Cancer Recurrence ??? appeared first on InvisibleHair.com.

* This article was originally published here