Arraigado en la fortaleza
Look Good Feel Better Workshops
If you're going through cancer treatment in the UK, there's a charity you should know about. Look Good Feel Better runs free workshops that help people manage the visible side effects of treatment, and they've been doing it here since 1994. Ask anyone who's been to one and you'll get the same two responses. First, that they nearly didn't go. Second, that it was one of the best afternoons of their whole treatment. What they actually do Look Good Feel Better runs group workshops led by trained beauty and wellbeing professionals who volunteer their time. The sessions cover the practical things that fall through the cracks in cancer care; How to look after skin that's changed, what to do about eyebrows that have vanished, and how to feel like yourself again. What's more, they're completely free. The charity works hard to keep it that way, funded by the beauty industry and by donations. The sessions on offer There's a decent range of sessions available, so it's worth looking at what suits you: • Skincare and make-up, the flagship workshop, covering how to care for changed skin and create a natural look • Wigs, brows and lashes, which is the one to book if you're dealing with hair loss • Hair loss and scalp care • Hand and nail care, since nails take a real battering during treatment • Styling for confidence, led by style experts, covering colour, shape and dressing a body that's changed • Gentle exercise and mindfulness • Men's wellbeing sessions, hosted by barbering experts, covering shaving, sore skin and scarring • Young adult sessions, aimed at a younger crowd who often feel out of place elsewhere The goody bag Let's talk about the bag, because it's genuinely lovely and it's the thing everyone remembers. Go to an in-person workshop and you'll be given a bag of full-size skincare and make-up products to use during the session and take home. Not samples. Proper products, donated by the beauty brands that support the charity. The bags are pre-packed, so you can't choose what's in yours, and supply depends on what's been donated. If you have allergies or you're particular about what goes on your skin, you can bring your own products to use in the session, nobody will mind. The bag isn't really the point, mind. It's just a very nice extra on top of an afternoon where someone treats you like a person rather than a patient. What actually happens on the day The workshops run for up to two hours. In-person groups are small, usually eight to fifteen people. Online groups are bigger, and the hair sessions and exercise classes can run to eighty or so. You do your own make-up. The volunteers are there to guide you, show you techniques and step in if you're struggling, but nobody is going to give you a full makeover while you sit there. That's deliberate. You're learning skills you can use at home on a Tuesday morning when nobody's watching. Most people arrive nervous and almost nobody stays that way. The thing everyone says afterwards is that it was the first time in weeks they'd been in a room where nobody talked about cancer. You're allowed to leave it at the door. Who can go Anyone with a cancer diagnosis. Women, men and young adults, and the workshops are open to everyone regardless of gender identity. The skincare and make-up, hand and nail care and styling workshops are a one-off, one per person per diagnosis. That does mean you can't book a refresher a few months later, though the charity has a library of free tutorials on their website you can use any time. If your cancer returns, get in touch with them directly rather than assuming you can't come back. In person or online Both. In-person workshops run in hospitals, cancer care centres and partner venues across the UK. Virtual workshops run over Zoom, so you can join from your sofa on a day you don't fancy leaving the house. The trade-off is the goody bag, which comes with the in-person sessions. If you're well enough to travel, the in-person version is worth the effort for the room full of people as much as the products. A few practical things to know • Book in advance through the Look Good Feel Better website, and you can also ring them on 01372 747 500 • Turn up on time, as sessions start promptly and there's only a short grace period before the door closes • Everything is provided, though you can bring your own foundation and concealer if you have shades you love, plus your own brushes if they're clean • Bring a pen and paper if you like taking notes, and you'll be given a leaflet covering what was taught • You can't bring a friend or family member, since the space is kept for people with a diagnosis, so ring ahead if you need a chaperone for a specific reason like translation • Tell them about any accessibility needs when you book and they'll do their best What they can't help with They're upfront about this, and it's worth knowing. Look Good Feel Better aren't medically trained, so they can't tell you which products are safe for your particular treatment. That's a question for your oncologist or cancer nurse specialist, who can look at your history and advise on anything you should avoid. They also can't recommend wig shops, hairdressers or microblading artists. For hair specifically, they point people towards Cancer Hair Care, who offer one-to-one support. Where we fit in We're not connected to the charity in any way. We just think more people should know they exist, because the number of customers who tell us they'd never heard of Look Good Feel Better until someone mentioned it in passing is frankly too high. If you go to a brows and lashes session and come away wanting to practise what you learned, we stock false eyelashes and eyebrow pencils chosen for people going through treatment. Go, if you can The most common thing we hear is some version of "I almost didn't bother". People talk themselves out of it because they feel too rough, or too self-conscious, or because putting on make-up feels frivolous when you're seriously ill. It isn't frivolous. Recognising yourself in the mirror does something for you that no amount of good advice can. And a couple of hours in a room full of people who understand exactly where you are turns out to be worth a great deal. Look Good Feel Better is a registered charity, number 1031728. Find workshops and book at lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk. Frequently asked questions Is Look Good Feel Better free? Yes. All workshops and classes are free for anyone with a cancer diagnosis, funded by the beauty industry and donations. Who can attend a Look Good Feel Better workshop? Anyone with a cancer diagnosis. There are dedicated sessions for women, men and young adults, and the workshops are open to everyone. What's in the Look Good Feel Better goody bag? A selection of full-size skincare and make-up products donated by the charity's partner brands. Bags are pre-packed and given out at in-person workshops, so the contents vary depending on what's been donated. How do I book a Look Good Feel Better workshop? Book through their website at lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk, or ring 01372 747 500. Your cancer nurse or treatment centre may also be able to point you to a local session. Can I go to more than one workshop? The skincare and make-up, hand and nail care and styling for confidence workshops are a one-off per person per diagnosis. Free tutorials on their website are available any time.
When to get your hair cut after chemo
You've finished treatment. Somewhere around week three or four you run your hand over your head and feel something soft that wasn't there before. It's a genuinely lovely moment. Then comes the awkward bit. The fluff arrives at different speeds in different places, it may be a colour you've never had, and you have no idea whether to cut it, leave it, or hide it. Almost everyone asks the same question at this point. When can I get it cut? The short answer is that most people book their first proper haircut somewhere between three and six months after treatment ends. But the calendar in my view doesnt matter - what matters is how you feel. What regrowth usually looks like Everyone's timeline is different and depends on the drugs you have been given, your dose and your own hair. A rough guide, based on what most people tell us is: Weeks 3 to 6: soft fuzz starts to appear, patchy and often colourless Months 2 to 3: a proper covering, still very short and very soft Months 3 to 5: enough length for a short crop or a soft pixie, and this is where most first haircuts happen Month 6: roughly three inches for many people Month 12: often five or six inches, around chin length Hair grows about half an inch a month once it gets going. That's the same rate as anyone else's, which is why it feels so slow. You're just starting from a lower baseline. If you're months in and seeing very little, or your hair is coming back much thinner than expected, mention it to your team. It's worth raising rather than worrying about it alone. The fluffy stage, and why cutting too early can backfire There's a stage most people hit around two to three months where the hair is soft, wispy and standing up in all directions. It's the stage where you're most tempted to take scissors to it. Cutting into very fine regrowth usually makes it look thinner rather than tidier. Heavy layering or a sharply defined crop needs density to hold its shape, and at this point there isn't any yet. Most hairdressers who work with cancer patients will say the same thing. Wait a bit, and let it gain some weight. The exception is a genuine tidy-up. Cleaning up the neckline, softening round the ears and taking off a few fluffy tips is a small job that can make a big difference to how you feel. That's not really a haircut. It's a tidy-up, and you can have one much earlier. Signs you're ready Forget the number of months. Book your appointment when: You've got a reasonably even covering rather than patches The hair has some body to it and stays roughly where you put it Bits are starting to stick out or curl in directions you don't want The neckline or the area round your ears looks scruffy You want to, which is honestly reason enough What a good first cut actually involves Manage your expectations, because a good first haircut is subtle work. If you turn up at four months with a couple of centimetres, the appointment might take twenty minutes and look fairly subtle to everyone else. Your hairdresser will probably tidy the neckline, shape gently around the ears, take off any wispy ends and leave the top alone to build up. That's a proper haircut. It just respects where your hair is right now. If your hair has come back thicker and faster, there's more to work with and a soft pixie or a neat crop may be on the cards straight away. Finding a hairdresser you feel comfortable with This appointment carries more weight than a normal trim, and the right person makes an enormous difference. Ring ahead and say you've just finished chemotherapy. Ask whether they've cut regrowth before. A good salon will book you a quieter slot, give you a bit of privacy, and won't make a performance of it. If you'd rather not sit in a busy salon at all, plenty of stylists will come to your home. Your cancer centre or local support group can usually recommend someone who works with cancer patients regularly. Chemo curls, and why your hair looks like someone else's More than half of people find their hair comes back with a different texture. Straight hair returns curly, curly hair returns straight, and colour often shifts too. Lots of people get more grey than they had before, at least at first. This catches people off guard. You waited months for your hair and it belongs to a stranger. It usually settles. Texture and colour tend to drift back towards your old hair over the first year to eighteen months as the follicles recover. Some people find they keep a bit of the new wave, and a few decide they rather like it. While it's settling, a light leave-in conditioner and small trims every six to eight weeks will keep it looking intentional rather than in-between. Before you reach for the colour New hair is fragile. Cancer Research UK suggests holding off on permanent and semi-permanent dye, bleach, perms, chemical straightening and extensions for around six months after chemotherapy finishes. If your scalp has been sensitive or you're still recovering, check with your medical team first, and always do a skin sensitivity test even with natural products like henna. When you do colour, a trained hairdresser is a safer bet than a home kit. Covering up while you wait The months between finishing treatment and having a haircut you feel good about can be surprisingly hard. You're well again, and you still don't look like yourself. A soft chemo beanie sits neatly over short regrowth and works with a coat and a school run. A lightweight head scarf gives you a different option on the days you want a bit more. Both are seam-free and gentle on a scalp that's still tender. Plenty of our customers keep wearing theirs long after their hair's back, simply because they've grown fond of them. One last thing There's no right moment for that first haircut. There's only your moment. Some people book it the second they've got an inch, because sitting in a salon chair feels like proof they've come out the other side. Others wait until the hair is long enough to do something with. Both are fine. You've been through a great deal. This bit is allowed to be yours. Frequently asked questions How soon after chemo can I cut my hair? There's no medical reason to wait once your hair is growing. Most people find three to six months gives them enough to work with, though a tidy-up around the neckline can happen earlier. Should I shave the first regrowth to make it grow back thicker? That's a common belief but there's no evidence behind it. Shaving doesn't change how thick your hair grows back. Most people leave it be. Why is my hair curly after chemo? Texture changes are extremely common after chemotherapy and usually temporary. Most people find their hair drifts back towards its old texture over twelve to eighteen months. When can I dye my hair after chemotherapy? Cancer Research UK advises waiting around six months, as new hair is fragile. Check with your medical team first, and do a skin sensitivity test before any colour goes near your scalp.
Ideas para combinar un sombrero y un pañuelo en la cabeza
¡Cómo evitar enredarse! Con un poco de práctica, podrás dominar cada estilo sin esfuerzo. Algunos pañuelos de quimioterapia para la cabeza se sujetan a un gorro de jersey 100% algodón para que los pañuelos no se te resbalen de la cabeza cuando tus brazos se cansen. Simplemente ponte el gorro y ¡ya tienes el primer paso cubierto! ESTILO 1 - NIVEL: FÁCIL Después de ponerte el gorro, coloca el pañuelo de quimioterapia sobre la cabeza, dejando los dos extremos colgando a cada lado por los hombros. Recoge los extremos y átalos con un nudo simple en la parte de atrás. Este look es ideal para personas acostumbradas a llevar el pelo largo, ya que simula una cola de caballo en la parte trasera de la cabeza. ESTILO 2 - NIVEL: FÁCIL Dobla el pañuelo de quimioterapia de forma que cree una "banda" en la parte delantera de la cabeza, tira de los dos extremos hacia atrás y átalos con un nudo simple. Los pliegues proporcionan un acolchado adicional a la línea del cabello y es adecuado para quienes se sienten expuestos sin el peso de su cabello alrededor de la cara. ESTILO 3 - NIVEL: FÁCIL Después de atar los extremos de cualquiera de los estilos anteriores con un nudo simple, mételos hacia atrás sobre sí mismos; esto crea un estilo similar a un lazo y ayuda a mantener los extremos más cortos. ESTILO 4 - MODERADO Dobla el pañuelo en tres para que forme una banda en la frente y los dos extremos cuelguen a cada lado de la cara. Lleva los dos extremos a la parte posterior de la cabeza y átalos firmemente con un nudo simple. Esto mantendrá el pañuelo en su lugar mientras empiezas a retorcer. Coge un extremo y retuércelo para que forme un cordón similar a una cuerda. Luego, llévalo a la parte delantera de la cabeza y mete el extremo de forma segura en la banda del gorro de quimioterapia. A continuación, haz lo mismo con el extremo restante. Puedes asegurarlo con un alfiler si crees que necesitas un poco más de agarre. ESTILO 5 - MODERADO Dobla el pañuelo en tres para que forme una banda en la frente y los dos extremos cuelguen a cada lado de la cara. Lleva los dos extremos a la parte posterior de la cabeza y átalos firmemente con un nudo simple. Esto mantendrá el pañuelo en su lugar mientras empiezas a retorcer. Coge ambos extremos y gíralos entre sí. Sigue girando hasta que el cordón, parecido a una cuerda, empiece a enrollarse sobre sí mismo. Luego, gira el cordón como si estuvieras creando un "moño" o rosetón. Con los extremos restantes del pañuelo de quimioterapia, pásalos parcialmente por el centro del rosetón para asegurarlo en su lugar.
Cómo Atar Pañuelos Para La Cabeza Para Quimioterapia
Hay muchas maneras de atar un pañuelo de cabeza, aquí están algunas de nuestras favoritas. Si quieres una forma sencilla de atarlo, consigue una goma para el pelo y coloca la tela sobre tu cabeza, juntando los extremos en una cola de caballo. Los días en los que quieras ser más creativa, echa un vistazo a algunas ideas a continuación Consejos para atar el pañuelo Aprender a atar un pañuelo de quimioterapia puede ser frustrante. Necesitas desarrollar memoria muscular con tus dedos y esto puede llevar tiempo, pero aquí tienes algunos consejos que podrían ayudar a que el proceso sea más fácil: Empieza a aprender cuando tengas tiempo libre para ti. Prepárate una taza de té o café y date 20 minutos para jugar y probar algunos de los estilos. No intentes aprender a atar un pañuelo de quimioterapia cuando tengas prisa o tengas visitas entrando y saliendo, solo te frustrarás. Usa el peso de tus brazos para mantener la tensión de la tela. No hay necesidad de sujetar el pañuelo con fuerza, simplemente sujeta los extremos y, después de cruzarlos por detrás de la cabeza o de hacer un solo nudo, relájalos y usa el peso de tus brazos para mantener la tela tensa. Esto no solo le da un respiro a tus brazos (especialmente si te has sometido a una cirugía de mama), sino que también te ayuda a hacer una pequeña pausa antes de pasar a los siguientes pasos. Si anudar te resulta complicado, usa una goma elástica o una cinta para el pelo (recomendamos una cinta para el pelo porque las gomas elásticas pueden ser difíciles de usar). Junta los extremos y átalos como si hicieras una coleta. El beneficio de atar el pañuelo de esta manera es triple: te ayuda a apretar el pañuelo cuando lo necesites, puedes quitártelo de la cabeza y volver a ponértelo sin tener que volver a atarlo, y también puedes usar la cinta para el pelo para crear un lazo pasando los extremos del pañuelo parcialmente por una sección de la cinta para el pelo. Estilo 1El Espíritu Libre Usando un pañuelo cuadrado de quimioterapia, dóblalo de esquina a esquina para que forme un triángulo, luego dobla el borde largo varias veces. Coloca el pañuelo de quimioterapia en tu cabeza, la parte larga debe ir a través de la frente y la parte puntiaguda del pañuelo debe estar en la parte posterior de la cabeza. Para atar el pañuelo, tira de ambos extremos por detrás de las orejas hacia la parte posterior de la cabeza. Estilo 2. El Clásico Envoltorio Este estilo proporciona una cobertura total y se mantiene cómodo todo el día, y funciona tanto si tienes un pañuelo rectangular como cuadrado. Si empiezas con un pañuelo cuadrado, dóblalo por la mitad para hacer un rectángulo, o un triángulo, ¡funciona de ambas maneras! Coloca el pañuelo sobre tu cabeza de manera que quede simétrico en ambos lados, con el borde frontal justo por encima de tus cejas. Cruza los extremos en la nuca y tira de ellos ajustadamente (pero no demasiado). Lleva ambos extremos a la parte delantera de tu cabeza y haz un nudo firme. Mete los extremos sueltos debajo del pañuelo para un acabado liso y pulcro. Estilo 3. El Nudo Lateral Si quieres algo con un toque más suave y relajado, prueba el nudo lateral. Dobla tu pañuelo en forma de triángulo y colócalo sobre tu cabeza de manera que el borde largo quede sobre tu frente. Lleva los extremos a un lado de tu cabeza, justo debajo del lóbulo de tu oreja. Átalos una vez, luego retuerce los extremos y haz un pequeño nudo justo encima de tu oreja, asegurando los extremos metiéndolos parcialmente por el centro de tu nudo retorcido.
Cómo sobrellevar la caída del cabello durante la quimioterapia
La pérdida de cabello es uno de los efectos secundarios de la quimioterapia de los que más se habla, y con razón. Es visible, es difícil de ocultar y puede afectar tu confianza exactamente en el momento en que más la necesitas. Si temes perder tu cabello o ya lo estás perdiendo, ten en cuenta que no estás sola en encontrarlo difícil.La buena noticia es que la pérdida de cabello por la quimioterapia es temporal. Tu cabello volverá a crecer una vez que termine el tratamiento, y muchas personas descubren que su nuevo crecimiento es fuerte y saludable. Mientras tanto, esto es lo que nos ha parecido más útil.Anticípate si puedesSi te han dicho que es probable que tu tratamiento cause pérdida de cabello, es posible que quieras ir a tu peluquero antes de que empiece. Cortarse el cabello más corto antes de que empiece a caer puede hacer que todo el proceso sea menos impactante. Algunas personas eligen un corte muy corto; otras van más allá y se afeitan la cabeza a su manera. No hay una respuesta correcta o incorrecta, es lo que te parezca adecuado.Cuida tu cuero cabelludoUna vez que el cabello comienza a caer, tu cuero cabelludo necesita un cuidado extra. Usa un champú suave, con pH neutro u orgánico, nada agresivo o con mucho perfume. Después de lavar, masajea con un aceite base natural (el aceite de coco, almendras u oliva funcionan bien) para mantener la piel suave e hidratada. Un cuero cabelludo sano sienta las bases para un buen crecimiento posterior.Evita por completo las herramientas de peinado con calor durante este tiempo y protege tu cuero cabelludo del sol directo y del aire frío cubriéndote con un gorro o pañuelo suave.Encuentra un cubre cabeza que realmente te haga sentir bienEl cubre cabeza adecuado realmente marca la diferencia. Un gorro o pañuelo que sea cómodo, se vea bien y se ajuste correctamente puede transformar cómo te sientes al salir de casa.Nuestros gorros y pañuelos están hechos de 100% algodón o bambú, ambos increíblemente suaves para un cuero cabelludo sensible. Ya sea que busques algo acogedor para estar en casa, algo elegante para salir o algo especial para un buen día, hay algo en nuestra gama que funcionará para ti. También ofrecemos sesiones gratuitas en línea para anudar pañuelos si necesitas un poco de ayuda para empezar.Piensa también en tus cejas y pestañasNo solo el cabello de tu cabeza puede verse afectado. Las cejas y las pestañas a veces también se caen, y eso puede ser igual de inquietante. Tenemos pestañas Eylure C-Lash, diseñadas específicamente para personas que están recibiendo quimioterapia, y el lápiz de cejas Wunderbrow, que proporciona un resultado de aspecto muy natural incluso sin una base de vello con la que trabajar.Sé amable contigo mismaLa pérdida de cabello durante la quimioterapia es un gran problema, y está bien sentir lo que sea que sientas al respecto. Algunos días serán más difíciles que otros. Lo más importante es que te sientas cómoda y, en la medida de lo posible, puedas sentirte como tú misma.Si necesitas ayuda para elegir el cubre cabeza adecuado, o simplemente quieres hablar sobre tus opciones, no dudes en ponerte en contacto. Hemos estado ayudando a personas a pasar por esto desde 2008 y siempre estamos encantados de charlar.