Cinco Vidas

You thought when you finished cancer treatments your hair would go back to its healthy, shiny, normal self. You waited, as patiently as you could, but 2 months, 4 months, even 6 months later you’re still dealing with dry, brittle, frizzy, unmanageable hair. What to do?

“I underwent brain radiation and my last treatment was 12 months ago,” says survivor D.S. “Although my hair finally started growing back after nine months, the hair growing back in the center of my head is of a total different texture and length.” (more…)

Nutrition experts say that diet can affect how hair looks. Can food really fortify hair strands?

“Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a Chicago-based dietitian.

If you want to eat your hair healthy, what foods should you choose? As with skin, omega-3 fatty acids moisturize and nourish from the inside out. Most of us don’t get enough omega-3s (good fats) and too many omega-6s (bad fats), so the hair can become dull and lackluster. Eat more salmon, sardines, almonds, flaxseed, beans, and walnuts. (more…)

If you’re avoiding cosmetic or personal-care products that contain toxic chemicals while dealing with cancer…did you ever think about what you put on your wig? Even though synthetic hair and wigs are not actually part of your body, the products used to cleanse and style them will come in contact with your skin, where toxic ingredients may be absorbed. While you’re going through treatment, your scalp and skin are extremely sensitive and compromised, so wearing anything toxic against your scalp for a long period of time (like a wig) isn’t a good idea.

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Dealing with cancer can not only be emotionally devastating, physically exhausting, and spiritually overwhelming, but it’s darn expensive, too! Every penny counts in a tough economy and unfortunately, many cancer fighters find their paychecks going to treatment plans, medications, and insurance bills. How can you possibly choose toxin-free products with organic ingredients, when the cost of natural brands may sometimes be more expensive?

Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice safety, because there are many clever ways to save money while still using non-toxic, safe products. (For more on why it’s important to choose chemical-free ingredients, please read “Toxins and Skincare 101.”) Whether or not you’re a cancer fighter, survivor, or caregiver, it’s important to research the products you expose yourself to, so you can help prevent future cancers or negative reactions from dangerous carcinogenic ingredients. (Read more about navigating packaging labels here).

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Okay, so you know that you should take care of your hair during cancer treatment, but can you still dye or perm your strands?

Unfortunately, although coloring or processing may make you feel beautiful and confident during a difficult time, while dealing with cancer, it’s not a good idea. (more…)

Choosing a wig can be a daunting enough process when facing cancer-related hair loss, but finding the perfect wig salon seems to be even more overwhelming. Although visiting a wig salon in person may not seem important at first, “Mimi’s Wig Boutique” believes that purchasing hair pieces online or through a catalog will do more harm than good, as well as potentially waste your money. Take the time and effort to research wig specialists in your area, and find a place that will work with you to ensure that you find the right color, length, and cut for your face. A blogger from the Women’s Hair Loss Project explains the importance of buying your first wig in person: “What you think will look good and what actually works for you are completely different things. If possible, take a trip to a larger city and plan to spend a few hours trying on as many wigs as you need to.” (more…)

Losing your hair to cancer can be a devastating process, but learning to wear (and love) fashionable scarves and head covers can be a positive experience. Scarves are generally ideal for patients who are uncomfortable in wigs, who can’t afford expensive head covers, or who want their scalp to remain cool and free from irritation. But let’s face it… scarves can also be incredibly chic! As a blogger and cancer fighter from Blog Her explains, “It’s no wonder that celebrities and fashion icons continue to promote head scarves as a timeless, must-have accessory. While head scarves are not just for women with medical hair loss, it’s nice to know that there are stylish and comfortable head wear options for those of us who refuse to surrender our style and dignity along with our hair.” (more…)

So, you’re already dealing with the negative side effects of cancer treatments and you’ve recently lost your hair. What more could you possibly have to worry about? Hopefully the search is over and you’ve finally found the perfect wig. (Read our post on choosing a wig.) But learning how to style that new hair may take more time than you thought. Although the majority of patient wigs arrive with a predisposed style, don’t worry if it doesn’t match your personality. You can fix it with the following simple tips. (more…)

Glory be and praise the heavens, after months of treatment and wigs and hats and of course, the endless waiting, your hair has started to grow back!

It’s time to celebrate! But if you’re feeling a little puzzled or frustrated as well as elated, relax—hair growth after cancer treatment hardly ever goes like you’d expect. Your locks could be thicker, straighter, curlier, even a different color than they were. “My hair used to be straight and wispy,” says survivor Gerry, “and then [it] grew back curly and thick. ‘Your hair looks so good!’ said a friend. ‘Where’d you have it done?’ ‘Paoli Memorial Hospital,’ I joked.” (more…)

So you’ve heard it all before: Avoid parabens because they’re toxic and bad for your health. Is it really true?

The fuss around parabens may seem like the latest trend, but the threat from this synthetic ingredient is worse than you may think. To put it simply, parabens are preservatives used in a variety of cosmetic and personal-care products to help them last longer. They go by many different names, including butyl, isobutyl, isoprobyl, methyl, and propyl parabens.

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