All posts by miriam

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust have received a generous donation of two new innovative machines designed to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment.

The Orbis Paxman machines have been donated by inspiration breast cancer charity Walk the Walk. They are portable, so can be used at both Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital.

The devices work by cooling the scalp and head before, during and after chemotherapy treatment. By lowering the temperature of the scalp, the hair follicles shrink and subsequently limit the effect of chemotherapy on hair. This can prevent or at least limit the kind of profuse hair loss usually caused by chemotherapy treatment.

Nina Barough, who is the founder and head of Walk the Walk, said:

“I know personally how much integrated care helped me on my journey through breast cancer so I am delighted that Walk the Walk has made this very special donation to Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital.

“It is extra special to be able to see our fundraising efforts go to such a worthwhile cause within our local area and I know women are going to benefit from the scalp cooling treatment.”

One of the first things women do when they notice their hair is thinning or falling out is to look for information and possible solutions. Improving your knowledge of hair loss in women can help you feel more in control of your situation, but only if you gather information from the right places. Here’s where to look:

• Your GP
Your family doctor is the first and best place you can go to get more information on female hair loss. Although not a specialist, your GP can start the process of diagnosing your condition and can also refer you to specialist dermatologists and trichologists.

• Hair loss clinics
Visit a reputable and well-known hair loss clinic for advice and guidance, or check out their websites. These clinics, staffed with people well-experienced in female hair loss, will be able to give you information about hair replacement techniques and how to manage your hair loss.

• The Internet
If you’re looking for medical advice, treat online websites with caution unless they are reputable (i.e. Bupa, the NHS). However, the Internet is a good place to get emotional support to help you cope with your condition. You can talk to other female hair loss sufferers via forums and discussions, so you needn’t feel alone in what you’re going through.

Female hair loss can have many causes, some of which have similar symptoms (apart from hair loss, obviously). It is extremely important to ensure that you are diagnosed properly and find out the exact cause of your hair loss, as only then can you receive effective treatment.

Androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium are both conditions which cause hair to thin or fall out, and they are often mistaken for one another. The following is a little advice to help you figure out which of the conditions you actually have.

Telogen effluvium is different to androgenic alopecia in that it is often caused by hormonal changes and imbalances, such as pregnancy, the menopause or thyroid problems. As well as undergoing extensive blood tests to identify any hormonal imbalances, you should also try to recap the last year or so with the aim of recalling any traumatic or excessively stressful events or situations you’ve experienced.

If your blood tests come back negative and nothing traumatic has happened to you, the chances are your hair loss is caused by the hereditary condition known as androgenic alopecia. Unlike telogen effluvium, this condition is ongoing and permanent. However, you can find solutions to help you with hair loss management, such as human hair wigs or other hair replacement techniques.

Choosing the right wig for you if you suffer from thinning hair or hair loss depends on various factors, such as the look you are aiming for and, of course, the price you would like to pay.

Whilst synthetic wigs may at first view seem like a more affordable option, you need to take into account its durability or indeed how frequently you want to change your style.

Below are some points to consider when comparing the two types:

Human Hair Wigs
• As the hair is from human sources, the wig will always look more natural.

• The hair can be heat styled thus allowing a variety of looks.

• Each individual hair is chemically treated before the wig is created, making them much more durable than even natural hair.

• Hair can be coloured to match your natural hair and skin tone.

Synthetic Wigs
• Wigs made from man-made hairs are easier to manufacture and are therefore cheaper.

• The less you spend, the less the wig will resemble human hair.

• Synthetic hairs do retain their shape better after washing – human hair wigs need restyling after washing, just like growing hair.

• Synthetic wigs cannot be heat styled or change colour and so will remain as they have been produced by the factory.

Although there are many genuine sources of help out there for women with hair loss, there are unfortunately just as many individuals, companies and websites looking to exploit desperate people by offering ‘miracle cures’.

The truth is that a huge amount of these products and techniques simply don’t work, promising lightning-speed regrowth of hair which just doesn’t happen. The people who sell these products aren’t usually trained or experienced hair loss specialists; they are solely interested in making money by taking advantage of your desperation and desire to regrow your lost hair.

If you want proper treatment for your hair loss condition, you need to go to a medical professional rather than wasting your money on these so-called ‘miracle cures’. See your GP for a formal diagnosis, then visit a dermatologist or trichologist (hair loss and growth specialist) for a further consultation and treatment options.

You can also look for hair management and replacement options, from organisations with actual experience of treating female hair loss. Use a reputable company known for its expertise, knowledge and sensitivity, and spend your money wisely on hair loss solutions that actually work.

There are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding female hair loss, it can be difficult for people looking for information about it to sort fact from fiction.

One of the main myths about hair loss – particularly sudden, seemingly unexplained hair loss – is that it is contagious in some way. This is not true, as most conditions which cause female hair loss cannot be passed on from person to person. You can’t ‘catch it’ from breathing the same air as the affected person, nor by touching them, using their hairbrush (although you shouldn’t really do this anyway, for hygiene reasons) or any other form of contact.

Tinea capitis (ringworm)

This condition is one of the only exceptions to the rule that hair loss is not contagious. Tinea capitis, or ringworm, is a fungal infection mostly found in children. In some cases, it causes patchy hair loss. There is a possibility that you can catch ringworm from an infected person, but it is incredibly easy to treat.

Androgenic alopecia

Although it doesn’t count as being ‘infectious’, some hair loss conditions are caused by hereditary/genetic factors. This means that your mother, father, grandparents or other family members could technically ‘pass on’ the condition to you.