Wigs for Wonderful Women - A Women's Cancer Wig Giveaway

In observance of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness, the leading master stylists of high-quality, natural and synthetic wigs and hairpieces, is hosting “Wigs for Wonderful Women” a Women’s Cancer Wig Giveaway throughout the month of October.

Participants from the Houston-area can write a story about their personal journey with cancer, or a friend or family member of a woman with cancer can share how their loved one who has cancer inspires them.

The grand prize winner will receive a completely customized human hair wig, beautifully designed and styled by world-renowned hair duplication master stylist, Ricky Knowles. Two (2) second place winners will receive a completely customized synthetic hair wig, beautifully designed and styled by world-renowned hair duplication master stylist, Ricky Knowles. Ten (10) third place winners will receive a beautiful pre-tied head scarf and Neuma travel size shampoo, conditioner and organic scalp treatment.

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 2, 2014.

Submit stories via email to kristen@hairandwellness.com.

For more information about the contest, visit: http://www.hairandwellness.com/winwigs.html

Acupuncture and Lymphedema

Published by Memorial Sloan Kettering

A study from Memorial Sloan Kettering investigators has shown that acupuncture may help relieve lymphedema of the arm, a swelling that sometimes follows breast cancer treatment.

The research, led by Barrie R. Cassileth, Chief of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Integrative Medicine Service, and Clifford A. Hudis, Chief of the Breast Cancer Medicine Service, was published April 10 in the journal Cancer.

“We have shown that acupuncture as a treatment for lymphedema is safe and well tolerated,” says Dr. Cassileth. “Furthermore, this study demonstrated reductions in lymphedema for the patients treated, providing strong impetus for the randomized controlled trial that is now under way to prove that the effect is real.”

A Need for New Treatments

Some breast cancer patients need to have lymph nodes surgically removed, either because cancer has spread to them or because the lymph nodes have been damaged by radiation therapy.

Normally, lymph nodes help filter and remove fluid from the body. When the lymph nodes are removed, the fluid can collect in the affected limb and cause painful swelling.

Lymphedema is most commonly seen in the arms of breast cancer patients who have had lymph nodes removed in their armpits, but can also occur in the legs of patients whose pelvic region lymph nodes were removed. The condition causes discomfort and restricts mobility and also can lead to infections requiring hospitalization.

Patients affected by lymphedema of the arm often receive regular and intensive physical therapy to reduce the volume of lymphatic fluid. They also may need to wear restrictive stockings on their arms to prevent the fluid from recollecting. The treatments can be time-consuming, expensive, and uncomfortable, and they do not reduce arm circumference in a sustained way.

“This is a condition for which there are currently no good treatment options,” Dr. Cassileth says. “There is a pressing need to develop more-effective means to treat this problem.”

Evaluating Acupuncture

In this early-stage study, Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers aimed to assess the safety and potential effectiveness of this approach as a treatment for lymphedema of the upper arm.

Study participants received acupuncture at Memorial Sloan Kettering twice weekly for four weeks, using a regimen developed by the Integrative Medicine Service. For each session, acupuncturists inserted 14 needles at sites on the affected and unaffected arms, legs, and torso.

The researchers measured the participants’ upper-arm circumference before and after the treatments. They found that among the 33 patients who received acupuncture, 11 had a significant reduction in swelling and another 18 had at least a small reduction. When contacted several weeks later for feedback, patients reported lasting improvement in swelling.

In addition, the study showed that acupuncture caused no serious side effects.

Although the researchers caution that it is difficult to draw firm conclusions from a small study, they are encouraged by the results. “I believe it is absolutely worth exploring for patients who are struggling with this difficult condition,” Dr. Cassileth says.

Next Steps

A larger study, a randomized clinical trial led by Dr. Cassileth and Memorial Sloan Kettering breast cancer specialists, is under way. This study compares patients receiving acupuncture with those undergoing only conventional treatments. Researchers hope that this more definitive trial will shed further light on the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for upper arm lymphedema.

Dr. Cassileth cautions patients who might seek acupuncture for lymphedema on their own. “Because of the potential for complications,” she concludes, “it’s important that acupuncture treatment is received only from licensed practitioners who are also specifically trained to work with cancer patients.”

Chemotherapy Wigs Review - Color Treated Wigs Review

Thank you Janice for an awesome review on Yelp!  We love hearing from our clients about learning about their experiences with our products and services:

"I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! You guys are an awesome team!! You made me feel comfortable and at ease at a time when I felt like my world was falling apart!! My hair, as is to most women, is very important to me so was very upsetting to know I would lose it during chemo. You matched my color and style exactly, so much so that NO ONE could tell it was a wig. I have been asked over and over "so you had chemo but you still have your hair?" I even had a lady in the grocery store last week come up to me and say "I absolutely love your hair" No one could tell I was wearing a wig and that gave me back my confidence! Your caring attitude and professionalism cannot be topped!! I recommend you guys to anyone I can!! Keep up the great work!!" - Janice

Eyebrows and Cancer Treatment

We happily endorse Lizette Cosmetics and their eyebrow makeup kit!  It is wonderful for cancer patients to use while going through treatment, and want to feel and look beautiful!  The makeup is water resistant and easy to use with 6 different eyebrow shaped stencils to choose from.  The makeup comes in 10 different tones and gives a more natural look than penciling in or tattooing eyebrows.

Still not sold on Lizette?  Come by our center at 4141 Southwest Fwy #315 and give it a try!

American Hair Loss Council

We recently earned certification from the American Hair Loss Council as an accredited facility committed to the highest standard of professionalism and excellence in client service, support and satisfaction!

Strategies to Reduce Hair Pulling

Trichotillomania (also called compulsive hair pulling), is a disorder that results in repetitive hair pulling. Hair is usually pulled from the scalp, but it may be pulled from any area of the body; eyelashes and eyebrows are commonly pulled.

Below are some tips to help reduce hair pulling:

• Monitoring and recording all hair-pulling to increase awareness of the behavior and interrupt the process
• Strong smelling perfume on hands as a cue to increase awareness of when hands are near face
• Jangly bracelet as an auditory cue to increase awareness of location of hands
• Keeping hair short to reduce the availability of hair to pull
• Wearing a hat, wig, or head scarf as a barrier to prevent pulling
• Wearing gloves as a physical barrier to fingers and to make pulling more difficult
• Finger toys to keep hands occupied
• Hand exercise aids to keep hands occupied and tired
• Crafts such as beading or knitting to keep hands occupied
• Stroking a pet to keep hands occupied
• Fist clenching to resist the urge to pull
• Signs posted in places where pulling is most likely to occur as a visual reminder (i.e. a computer screen saver with a "no pulling" message)

If you or someone you love is suffering from trich and needs help coping with hair loss, contact our trich hair duplication specialist Ricky Knowles at 713-623-4247.  Ricky and the team at Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness will work with you in a supportive and discreet environment to help you stop pulling.

Chemotherapy and Your Nails

Just as chemotherapy affects your hair because of the rapidly dividing hair follicle cells, it also affects your nails.

You may see a line in the nail related to the cycle of chemotherapy. This line is not permanent and grows out with the nail, usually in about six months. There may even be multiple lines and indentations reflecting the different cycles of chemotherapy.

Your nails may become pigmented or discolored. They may become more brittle, so they won't grow as long as they used to and may break more easily.

The area around the nail bed may become dry, and your cuticles may fray. Don't rip or peel off the loose cuticle. Cut it carefully with a CLEAN pair of nail scissors.

The nail may actually lift off the nail bed. While this, too, is reversible, you need to be very careful, for two reasons. First, the nail is more vulnerable and may fall off. Second, because the nail is not tightly bound to the nail bed, it can become a site for bacteria to enter. So be sure to practice excellent hygiene to avoid infection.

Tips for better nail care:

• Clip your nails short. Imperfections show up less in short nails.
• Don't cut your cuticles. Use cuticle remover cream or gels and push your nails back gently.
• Don't bite your nails or cuticles, particularly on the hand on the same side as your affected breast. If you have a hard time stopping, consider wearing thin white cotton gloves around the house to help you break this habit.
• Massage cuticle cream into the cuticle area daily to prevent dryness, splitting, and hangnails.
• Wear gloves while doing chores, such as washing dishes. Excessive exposure to water can lead to fungal infections of the nail bed.
• Wear nail polish to help keep nails strong and protected from the environment (and looking nice, too). If your nails are very dry or falling off, you might want to consider a nail moisturizer instead of polish.
• Dry nails can become weaker or more brittle during chemotherapy treatment. To take off polish, use non-acetone-based remover, which is less drying than acetone.
• Don't use acrylics or other nail wraps. Fake nails can trap bacteria that may cause infection.
• If you have a professional manicure, bring your own instruments, regardless of how the salon cleans theirs.
• Ask a professional manicurist for more information on daily home care to keep your nails healthy and strong.
• Alert your doctor to any signs of inflammation or infection.