A Hairy Issue

By: Katharine Griffiths
Created on 13th December 2010

New research reveals hair loss tops men’s fears when it comes to coping with cancer. We speak to the experts at HIS Hair Clinic about an innovative, non-invasive hair loss treatment called MHT®...

The male cancer charity, Orchid, and hair loss specialists HIS Hair Clinic have revealed that when faced with a cancer diagnosis, men worry how the treatment will affect their looks.

Almost half (40 per cent) of the 1,000 men questioned said ‘losing their hair’ would have the biggest impact on their confidence should they undergo treatment for cancer. Moreover, under the age of 24 the figure jumps up to 50 per cent of men that are concerned about the issue of hair loss.

Changes in appearance can present particular challenges for younger men because this is a time when they become aware of their body, and physical appearance is a key factor that helps to boost levels of selfesteem.

The research highlights that men between 15 and 44 years old were most concerned with hair loss as a treatment sideeffect that would affect their confidence. This is the same age range most at risk of testicular cancer, a disease which affects some 2,000 men every year in the UK.

Richard Mills was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 29. He says: “I was warned I may lose my hair when I started chemo, but it never really sank in what effect this would have. When I lost all of the hair on my head and my body hair it was a huge shock, I felt like my masculinity had been taken away. It made me self conscious, I worried what my friends would think and that people would know I had cancer and treat me differently.”

Rebecca Porta, Chief Executive of Orchid, comments: “Most people associate hair lossas a distressing side effect for women undergoing treatment for cancer, but don’t necessarily consider it to be such a worry for men. The research highlights that men are anxious about this hair loss. It can really knock their confidence and self-esteem. Men need just as much support as women when dealing with issues surrounding their appearance as a result of cancer treatment.”

For men, there is a lot of stigma attached to hair loss as it’s a condition mainly associated with getting older. Usually the condition is a gradual process that happens over time; however for those embarking on cancer treatment, hair loss can happen rapidly and may have a sudden and dramatic impact on a man’s appearance and confidence.

HIS Hair Clinic specialises in a cosmetic hair loss treatment called MHT®, which creates the appearance of a short buzzstyle haircut through scalp pigmentation. MHT® is solely available at HIS Hair Clinic as they are the only company to have perfected the process of customising the pigments to suit the individual’s scalp and overall appearance.

The treatment is affordable, leaves no scarring and involves no surgery, meaning limited recovery time. HIS Hair Clinic founder, Ian Watson says: “Since the conception of HIS Hair Clinic I have come across hundreds of men who have lost their confidence due to hair loss. I have had clients that have recovered from cancer but their hair has not grown back.

“The average person would think that hair loss is a minor issue after battling such a life threatening disease, but many men still don’t feel right within themselves until they have had some sort of hair restoration. Although our treatment does not claim to bring hair back you’d be surprised how going from being completely bald to having a short crop style can enhance a man’s confidence and self esteem.”

What actually is MHT®?

HIS Hair Clinic founder, Ian Watson explains: “The options for dealing with hair loss are often disappointing. A wig can be very noticeable and often leave wearers feeling insecure and hair transplants are often an expensive, painful and scarring experience. Hair transplants also take several months to have an effect whereas we can create the illusion of thicker and fuller hair immediately – whatever the extent of hair loss – using the Micro Hair Technique.

“This is a very specialist form of cosmetic pigmentation and is not to be confused with standard tattooing. MHT needles have been designed to be microfine in size and a computer-controlled device is used rather than a traditional tattoo machine. MHT needles are sterile, single use and are disposed of after each procedure. Also specially formulated pigments are used as opposed to general tattoo ink.

“MHT provides an effective impression of a full head of hair that is closely cropped or shaved, which can be worked into any remaining areas of coverage.”