Edingburgh Scotland is home to a hair salon specifically for cancer patients. Diane Ward, 35, decided to open the salon after one of her patients started to lose her hair. A hairdresser for 18 years, she was apparently disappointed at the limited resources available for cancer patients during treatment. She said other hairdressers offered wig cutting and washing, but that she wanted to offer more-a relaxed experience in a private environment.
“If you’re going through cancer treatment,” she says, “you should still be able to feel comfortable and relaxed.” She plans to offer services like wig-fitting, product consultations, makeup (to deal with eyelash and eyebrow loss), and hair-growth tips.
Can you imagine being able to go to a salon that caters specifically to cancer patients? Where everyone there would share the same life experiences? Where you could relax and recharge without having to worry about feeling singled out?
Fortunately, we have some signs of similar activity here in the U.S. Several salons have partnered with the American Cancer Society to sponsor the “First Cut” program, which offers cancer patients a fresh, new look at the conclusion of their treatment-free. “When hair grows back it is often a different texture and color,” says Judy Solomon, owner of City Lights Hair Care Center in Barrington, “which may prompt cancer survivors to try a different haircut or employ new styling techniques.”
Another example: “Hello Gorgeous!” is a non-profit salon that brings free beauty treatments to cancer patients and survivors in Indiana. This mobile day spa travels around delivering services where patients are most comfortable. They also provide little surprises like flowers and chocolates while offering services like manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, makeup application, and hair care.
One more: Dawn’s Pizzazz Artistic Group & Day Spa offers a “day of pampering” fundraiser for cancer survivors, people living with cancer, their families and caregivers, all of whom receive discounted prices on spa services and hair care.
We could find more who occasionally give services to cancer patients, offer discounts, or regularly perform head shaving, wig fitting, and wig care. However, it was so neat to hear about this salon in Edinburgh. Their primary mission is to provide relaxing, restoring services to cancer patients on a full-time basis. There, it’s not just about shaving off the hair or getting a wig. It’s about having a place to go anytime you want to where you can feel comfortable, let down your guard, and enjoy a service that will leave you feeling better about yourself. We would love to see more of these in our country!
Do you know of any other salons like these? Please let us know about them.
Photo courtesy keller.international via Flickr.com.
Hello I AM A LICENSED COSOMOTOLOGIST AND BARBER IN ST LOUIS MO AND I AM VERY INTERESTED IN PROVIDING MY SERVICES TO CANCER PATIENTS HERE COULD U HELP ME IN PROVIDING MY SERVICES OR REFERENCE ME ON HOW TO GET STARTED IN THIS FIELD? HOW WOULD I GO ABOUT PRESENTING MY SERVICES TO THE CANCER INSTITUTES? THIS IS A PASSION THAT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO AND WOULD LIKE ANY REFERENCES THAT YOU COULD GIVE TO ME. THANKS IN ADVANCE P S DO U HAVE A LIST OF CANCER FACILITIES FOR ST LOUIS MO?
Hello from Adelaide Australia,
Consequently, I was searching online for ‘Hairdressing Services for Cancer patients’ knowing I had created an environment that offered a quality service with a level of privacy, care and dignity that is rarely found in the public arena.
I have had number of clients over the years with various afflictions from the symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment. I have attached a personal testimonial from one particular client with whom I developed a very close relationship. A great many of the others became permanent clients for whom we created a customised experience in the salon. This usually became an ‘after hours’ appointment with one-on-one care and attention from me. Usually my goal was to developed a style and shape that allowed them to manage their ever changing appearance.
Personal Testimonial
I will never forget the conversation with my doctor back in 2009 when he told me that I needed chemo and that I would lose my hair. Even though the whole situation was awful, this was a huge thing to comprehend, and was quite confronting. Having no hair makes it clear to everyone that you have cancer, you think people will stare and comment, and you can’t help being worried about your appearance.
Once it’s gone though, you do get used to it. I had a fabulous wig – some people could not tell it was a wig – and really supportive family and friends. I ended up just wearing scarves a lot of the time, and cared less about what people thought. I played netball wearing a scarf, and wore my wig when I went out.
You were very supportive during this time. That first haircut after my hair grew back sticks in my mind. You were very supportive and made me feel very comfortable, and I was not too embarrassed to take my scarf off so that you could give me a trim. In hindsight, I didn’t have a lot of hair to trim, but it did help me feel that life was getting back to normal. It was great to stop wearing scarves, and my wig!! And there was relief too, that my hair had grown back. Then it grew back curly!! That was an adjustment too, although there are no curls left now.
Thank you
Cheers
Tracey Goldie.
I Welcome you to “Love my Room”
Hi, Cheryl. Thanks for writing in and sharing. So glad you’re helping people living with cancer to feel better about their look. Keep it up!
Simply amazing!
This is a very nice concept. Great! Cheers!
Such a fantastic idea. There are so many fabulous services that they could expand to have. If I had the money, I would love to start a salon like this in the States.