Can Henna Heal Female Hair Loss ? Balding in women is a significantly different experience compared to men. This is largely attributed to societal beauty standards. A full head of long shiny hair is central to female aesthetics in many parts of the world. And when total hair loss strikes due to cancer and autoimmune disorders, women can not only feel unattractive but also that their self worth is undermined. However, an amazing group in Canada called Henna Heals is working to re-empower these individuals.

Can Henna Heal Female Hair Loss ? : What Is the organization Henna Heals?

Henna Heals is an advocacy organization of about 150 volunteers which started in 2011 by photographer, Francis Darwin who considers this to be a “passion project.” With her artistic skills, she wanted to help redefine the way we view beauty to create a healing experience for women and young girls who have lost all their hair.

Henna is a safe, natural plant pigment. Historically, it has been used in countries like Asia, Africa and the Middle East to adorn the body. This is often done as parts of rituals to celebrate life events for women such as: pregnancy, marriage and coming of age.

However, the Henna Heals organization is working to help popularize the use of henna designs on the bald heads of women.

The artist members create beautiful mandala designs on the scalps of these females, referring to them as henna crowns. This practice offers another alternative to wearing wigs, scarves and hats.

According to one mother, whose daughter also suffers from autoimmune hair loss, “This is one more empowering move to…be comfortable with who we are and to be able to have fun with this condition.”

Can Henna Heal Female Hair Loss ? Getting A Henna Crown For Hair Loss

The artists of this organization create a safe home made paste made of henna. This is inserted into a tube with a pointed release tip.

The experience of getting a henna crown becomes its own rite of passage for reclaiming power and a sense of worth for the females who have lost their hair.

Followed by makeup and fashionable wardrobe choices, the women and girls are then photographed in a way that highlights their unique beauty. Upon seeing these images of themselves, the subjects are able to regain a sense of confidence and appreciation for their appearance as they come to see themselves as a “walking work of art.”

Can Henna Heal Female Hair Loss ? The Value of Henna In Modern Medicine

Surprisingly, henna not only has cosmetic value, but also therapeutic properties which are being recognized by the medical community. Here are several examples of studies and publications which reflect this.

1. According to the International Journal of Radiation and Oncology Biology Physics (2001), the topical application of henna actually increases the accuracy of radiation therapy. It also enhances patient comfort.

The ability of henna to serve as an ideal pre-operative skin marker was also confirmed by another group of researchers who published their findings in the World Journal of Surgery (2010)

2. In 2008, researchers in Turkey discovered that henna is effective for relieving the burning sensation associated with Hand-Foot Syndrome which is a side effect of a cancer treatment drug known as Xeloda/Capecitabine. The natural pigment was found to display analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects.

Can Henna Heal Female Hair Loss : Spreading a New Awareness for Female Baldness

Besides helping to create a new form of beauty, Henna Heals also aims to educate others on the fact that not all instances of complete baldness in women is due to chemotherapy for cancer.

Many of these females who suffer from hair loss due to immune conditions called alopecia areata which are life threatening. However, they are often mistaken for cancer patients and receive comments of pity, such as, “everything is going to be alright…just hang in there.”

Thanks to the organization’s advocacy, more people are learning to see female hair loss in a new light and to use discernment about the assumptions they make when they see a bald woman.

According to Dr. U, the general range of female hair loss conditions usually arise from other causes besides cancer and chemotherapy. Therefore, treatment would vary depending which of these factors affect the individual. Learn more here.

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