Hair Loss, Hair Thinning, Wig and Headwear Service for people with chemotherapy/radiotherapy induced hair loss, including hair and scalp plans for cold cap treatment

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Introduction

One of the visible side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be hair thinning or hair loss. Fortunately, after chemotherapy, hair grows back fully in 99% of cases.

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, dietary and wellbeing advice can dramatically improve new hair growth speed, quality and appearance.

Milton Keynes Hospital Hair Loss Services in partnership with a specialist hair loss clinic, at Christos Hair Salon in Newport Pagnell, supports men, women, teenagers, and children experiencing hair thinning and hair loss.

The individual expert advice and care before, during and post treatment aims to improve confidence and self-esteem.

What is the Hair Loss Service?

This leaflet sets out information about the Milton Keynes Hair Loss Service for people 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 (Patient Hair Care) at Christos Hair Salon, Newport Pagnell, which has been established in Milton Keynes for 51 years. Both organisations are working together to give Milton Keynes patients a hair loss service which includes:

Choice: wigs, hairpieces, headwear, shampoo, and scalp treatments.

Wig selection: including stock acrylic wigs, fitting, styling, and the lifetime maintenance of their 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.

Sensitive advice: on hair removal or creative cutting to mask scalp patches.

Expert advice: in caring for fragile new hair growth.

New hair advice: when to have it styled, what growth enhancers are safe to use and colouring new hair.

Diet and lifestyle tips: proven to give new hair and scalp the very best nutrients required.

How it works…

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

A referral form will be completed for patients at the Cancer Centre treatment unit and sent to the ‘orthotic’ department at MKUH. They will generate a unique order number and send the prescription to the patient, to take to PHC at Christos.

The prescription is for £78.15 which can be exchanged for a wig from the ‘Christos Collection’ at Patient Hair Care (PHC). This collection is subsidised by the salon itself. Should a patient choose a wig with a value greater than £78.15, they will have the opportunity to top this up with their own funds as a private transaction between themselves and the provider of the service.

PHC stock a wide range of fibre, human hair wigs and hair pieces in the salon to view. If they choose to use the prescription towards any other wig or headwear these items are exempt from VAT (only applicable for fibre pieces). PHC have access to all the major wig suppliers worldwide and can bring in these wigs for personal consideration.

Please ensure you are aware of prices at PHC Christos throughout your consultation.

When patients phone or email the Salon, one of the team will talk through the service and book patients in for an initial consultation. PHC aim to look after patients every step of the way and find the right solution for them.

“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 Chemotherapy Suite Manager)

What PHC offer…

PHC will offer individualised care and advice to all patients, and their families and friends. Patients will always be treated with kindness and respect, and can choose to have:

An appointment in the hair salon during opening hours
A home visit (for those who do not feel well enough to attend the hair salon)

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 salon 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 wish.

PHC do not charge a consultation fee and will provide all the necessary information on how to care for a wig, how to look after the scalp and what the best products to use are.

The aim is for everyone to leave the salon, more confident about their appearance 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.

www.christoshairgroup.com

Part of the Christos Hair Group

Christos Hair Salon

74c High Street, Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes

MK16 8AQ.

Email Address: [email protected]

Website: www.christoshairgroup.com

Telephone: (01908) 617266

Salon: (01908) 611277

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

“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)

“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 Hospital”. (Head of Cancer and Palliative Care Services)

Cancer Centre

Milton Keynes University Hospital: (01908) 660033

Irene Crosswell Macmillan Wellbeing Lounge:

(01908) 996563

Macmillan Helpline: 0808 808 0000

Christos Salon: (01908) 611277

Notes:

Start Date for Treatment:

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Additional medical conditions:

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Medication:

Questions for the Hair Advisors:

English