With hair loss reported in over one third of critical illness cases, a growing body of research points to the negative psychological impact of this aesthetic change. Research shows that during the recovery phase of illness, hair loss proves distressing for individuals. Treatment-induced hair loss is declared to have profound quality-of-life consequences, resulting in anxiety, depression, negative body image, lowered self-esteem and a reduced sense of well-being. The current protocol in addressing illness or treatment induced hair loss includes topical or oral prescription medications, surgical restoration or temporary cosmetic remedies. Regardless of the chosen method to address hair loss, the economic impact of treating and living with a catastrophic illness is often a barrier in survivors achieving desired results, which is simply to restore what has been lost.

 

Through Operation Dream Hair, our goal is to provide economically impacted survivors of catastrophic illness with an opportunity to receive non surgical hair and aesthetic restoration services to boost self esteem, reduce the stigma around an illness impacting their life, and promote positive social outcomes for each client served as they move through their journey to wellness.