How Scalp Cooling helped me
It was both daunting and overwhelming when I was trying to get to grips with what was happening to me.
Especially in terms of my cancer diagnosis and coping with the potential hair loss. My long, thick hair was such a big part of my identity.
I felt really special after my first visit to Cancer Hair Care.
They really listened to me and I walked away from my first visit feeling more confident and really supported about how to manage my hair loss. To have a charity that was so compassionate, understanding and informed about all aspects of hair loss was incredibly special.
I decided to try and minimise my hair loss through Scalp Cooling.
Cancer Hair Care had lots of great advice about how to prepare for each session and what to expect. They gave me a simple, fabric hairband to protect my forehead from the cold – although a tissue works too!
Some of my hair started falling out after my third chemo cycle.
On a salon visit, they suggested I cut my hair into a bobbed style, which would make it look neater and thicker. As my hair was washed, a giant matted knot formed with the loose hairs tangling with the remaining hair. But the team patiently combed my hair through before they could cut and style it – I would never have coped with that at home.
Cancer Hair Care means a great deal to me.
They helped me to take control by understanding the options. Their care and advice was exceptional. I was supported by the charity throughout my treatment, into recovery and my hair growing back – this time curly!
I’m honoured to have since been asked to be a Trustee.
as a charity in these challenging times and I’m looking forward to all the exciting plans we have for 2022 – and beyond
THREE QUESTIONS:
How did you make a decision about cutting your hair?
Cutting my hair was a really positive step as it was really annoying me – from my hair tickling me as it fell out to getting hairs in everyone’s food! Whilst I loved my new bob, it was a drastic haircut for me as long hair had previously been a big part of my identity.
What was your most challenging hair free moment?
I had one particular session where the longer bits of my hair were falling out and making some of the rest of it matted. When I went to Cancer Hair Care’s salon, they patiently combed my hair through and it took such a long time. I know I couldn’t have coped with that at home. At each point in my journey, Cancer Hair Care gave me confidence. This permeated into the rest of my view during my hair loss journey and how I faced the world. They helped me to be bold.
We have a project called ‘Courage Crowns’: what was your moment of hair loss courage?
I’m in a band called Punk Rock Karaoke Band and, before my diagnosis, we’d been booked to play at a festival in Derbyshire. I was really worried my hair would fall out when I was onstage. After my second chemo cycle, I still had my hair but my roots weren’t great, so I wore a scarf and still did the gig. It was amazing and I really enjoyed it. It felt like a powerful thing to do.
Jasmin’s Top Tips:
Adjusting a haircut can make a huge difference when hair starts to thin
If your hair is falling out, the next step isn’t necessarily to cut it short. Like Julie, cutting off the length into a bob or another style can be just what’s needed.
Chat with one of our team about your hair cutting options.
As Julie found, it can be so helpful to have an experienced professional hairdresser offer support. We can also chat with your hairdresser if they are unsure.