Hair Loss, Hair Thinning, Wig and Headwear Service for chemotherapy / radiotherapy patients

Please note, this page is printable by selecting the normal print options on your computer.

To book a free consultation please phone 01908 617 266 or 01908 611 277 Christos Hair, Newport Pagnell www.patienthaircare.org

Introduction

One of the visible side effects of chemo and radiotherapy can be hair thinning or hair loss. Fortunately for chemotherapy, hair in 99% of the cases grows back fully. For radiotherapy to the scalp and brain, scarring could cause hair reduction to the targeted area. But, in both cases good management of the scalp and new hair growth and dietary and wellbeing advice dramatically improves new hair growth speed, quality and appearance.

Milton Keynes University Hospital Hair Loss Services in partnership with a specialist hair loss clinic, www.patienthaircare.org.uk at Christos Hair Salon in Newport Pagnell, makes such a difference to men, women, teenagers and children experiencing hair thinning and hair loss. The individual expert advice and care before, during and post treatment really improves people’s confidence and self-esteem.

What is the Hair Loss Service?

This leaflet sets out information about the Milton Keynes Hair Loss Service for patients who have chemotherapy induced hair loss or hair loss caused by radiotherapy. The Milton Keynes Hospital Hair Loss Service is provided in partnership with a specialist Hair Loss Clinic within Christos Hair Salon, Newport Pagnell, which has been established in Milton Keynes for 51 years.

We are working together to give Milton Keynes patients a Hair Loss Service which includes wigs, hairpieces, headwear, shampoo and scalp treatments:

• Wig selection including human hair and fibre, fitting, styling and the lifetime maintenance of your chosen piece.
• Hairpieces for daily, temporary wear or semi-permanent hair enhancers for monthly wear. Headwear from comfortable night-time caps, on-trend day headwear to hats with detachable hair and fringes for outside activities through to special occasion wear.
• The latest development in scalp masking solutions including foundations with built in SPF and 3D hair technology which use natural fibre filaments.
• Sensitive advice on hair removal or creative cutting to mask scalp patches. We offer expert advice in caring for fragile new hair growth.
• New hair: when to have it styled, what growth enhancers are safe to use and colouring new hair.
• Diet and lifestyle tips proven to give your new hair and scalp the very best nutrients required.

How it works

All cancer patients from Milton Keynes University Hospital are entitled to a free NHS prescription wig or headwear.

A prescription for £72.80 is issued to patients by the Macmillan Unit. If you wish to choose a wig or headwear from any of the collections, you may use your prescription fee towards the cost. Christos salon stocks a wide range of fibre, human hair wigs and hair pieces in the salon for you to view. The salon has access to all the major wig suppliers worldwide and can bring in these wigs for your personal consideration. All cutting and styling of the wigs and consultations are free to Milton Keynes NHS patients.

Patient Hair Care started because of our own hair loss and hair thinning experiences. Family, friends and clients could not get the advice, support and choice they needed to carry on living a fulfilled normal life. We have over 21 years’ experience in all aspects of hair loss and hair thinning and we never underestimate the emotional impact hair loss can have. We genuinely care about looking after you, helping to restore your confidence and self-esteem. When you phone or email the salon, one of the team will talk you through the service and book you in for your initial consultation. We will look after you every step of the way and we will find the right solution for you.

“Patient Hair Care is the type of service we have been dreaming of for our patients. They deserve the best. The first time we saw one of our patients after she had been fitted with her wig, we couldn’t believe how amazing she looked.” (Macmillan Manager)

What we offer

The hair salon will offer individualised care and advice to all patients, and their families and friends. Patients will be treated with kindness and respect at all times and can choose to have:

• An appointment in the hair salon during opening hours
• An appointment in the private room which is on the 1st floor of the hair salon
• An appointment outside salon opening hours
• A home visit (for those who do not feel well enough to attend the hair salon)
• A visit to Ward 22 for inpatients The certified wig fitters at the salon already see many patients on chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and in their experience most patients enjoy coming to the hairdressers to be treated as a client in the normal way.

But the choice is there and the salon will do everything they can to accommodate the patient’s wishes. The cutting and styling of your wig or hairpiece is free as is hair removal. We do not charge a consultation fee and we will provide you with all the necessary information on how to care for your wig, how to look after your scalp and what are the best products to use. The aim is for everyone to leave the salon confident that they are looking good and feeling better about themselves.

Every patient will have an individual plan which covers future stages in hair growth and how to look after re-growing hair. This information will be unique to each individual and aims to reduce the distress caused by losing some or all hair whilst undergoing treatment.

“Visiting Patient Hair Care at Christos was one of the highlights during an otherwise dark time in my life. I was made to feel welcome and valued. My wig is fantastic and styled beautifully. I even feel confident when I go out and about”. (Patient)

Average costs

There are many different collections of wigs available at the salon. Prices vary according to the construction of the cap and the type of ‘hair’ used. On average, the wigs start at £98. Their ‘best seller’ collection average price is £200. Human hair wigs start at £450. PHC do not charge VAT in this setting, therefore these prices are excluding VAT. The average price of the ‘Christos Collection’ wigs is £110, this collection is subsidised by the salon.

PHC also offer an aftercare kit comprising of shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner, a wig cap and a wig stand. This kit is priced at £35. It is not essential, but PHC recommend the aftercare kit to maintain the high quality of the wig and to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Please feel free to discuss cost with your PHC wig fitter at the salon in advance of purchasing your products. They will be very happy to help and advise you.

Contact us

Christos Hair Salon 74c High Street Newport Pagnell Milton Keynes MK16 8AQ

Email Address: [email protected]

Website: www.patienthaircare.org

Telephone: (01908) 617 266 Salon: (01908) 611 277

There is car parking available in Newport Pagnell for Disabled Blue Badge holders. Short-term parking is available on the salon premises by prior arrangement.

“We know hair loss really, really matters to our patients – both male and female. It is an aspect of cancer treatment that most dread. This service is another excellent development in the ‘whole person care’ we can provide at Milton Keynes University Hospital”. (Head of Cancer and Palliative Care Services)

Milton Keynes Cancer Patient Partnership Directory is available from the Macmillan Information & Support Centre. This contains a list of all local support services available for people affected by cancer. For your copy please call 01908 996563.