Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Solutions For Hair Loss

With my business, Transitions Hair Solutions, I have the privilege of helping women win the war against hair loss every day. Over the years, I’ve learned that some of the strongest fighters are the women battling breast cancer. They confront the illness head-on while also fighting to keep their hair which gives them confidence and security. Yet, women can never be fully prepared for hair loss from breast cancer. With it comes hardships that can affect their lifestyle and mental health. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m offering some tips to help prepare women for hair loss on their road to recovery from cancer.

At my center, Transitions Hair Solutions, we specialize in non-surgical hair loss options that are comfortable and natural looking. A custom hair and scalp prosthetic is the most premium solution available on the market. The hair and scalp prosthetic we use with our clients is called a CNC from Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories in Italy. A hair and scalp prosthetic gives women confidence and freedom to express themselves with different styling options. 

A few years back, I had the honor of fitting a woman named

Donna Washington with a CNC. Donna is the epitome of the word survivor. 

In 2014, Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer and went on to have a double mastectomy. This was Donna’s second battle with cancer. In 2010, Donna had a malignant brain tumor removed in 2010. The radiation she received destroyed her hair follicles.

For a CNC we were able to match Donna’s hair by texture, color, even hair pattern on her scalp. The prosthetic was designed in-house by creating a mold and gathering her measurements. We then shipped the mold and measurements to Cesare Ragazzi’s lab in Italy where the prosthetic was made. The result is a medical-grade prosthesis with hand-injected natural hair that resembles the exact replica of Donna's scalp. She can shower, swim, sweat, and live her life without compromise.

For breast cancer patients there’s a lot to consider when it comes to hair loss. Hair loss is circumstantial. The journey to meeting your hair goals is not achieved alone. Don’t be afraid to build a community or lean on your close friends and family around you. Breast cancer and hair loss are life-altering events so give yourself permission to open up about your experience. 

Speaking of caring, don’t forget about hair donations. If you are in the early stages of your treatment you may have a chance to give back to women who are further along in their battle with cancer. A few notable charities accepting donations are Hair We Share, and Wigs and Wishes, an organization we’ve partnered with which specifically uses hair to make free wigs for cancer patients. You can find out if you’re eligible to donate using the guidelines on their website. Most requirements ask for hair donations to be already cut, clean, dry, and a certain length such as eight to twelve inches minimum.

It’s important to remember that if you are suffering from breast cancer and hair loss, you are not alone. You have a community and you have a choice to do what is best for you. You can always contact me at transitionshairsolutions.com with questions and inquires.