Short Film That Deals With Cancer Treatment Hair Loss Nominated For Oscar

Short films are often ignored in favour of their longer counterparts, but the latest batch of Oscar nominated shorts is proving less difficult to discount. In the documentary category, one particular film is garnering recognition for dealing with the issues caused for women by cancer treatment. Ostensibly a documentary about a salon that offers free beauty services to women undergoing cancer treatment, it evolves into a look at the support network the salon inadvertently creates.

"Simultaneously Jarring And Stunning"

Entitled 'Mondays At Racine,' the film documents the once a month programme for women dealing with hair loss and other side effects of their cancer treatment. Many of the women have breast cancer, and the Long Island salon has been a port in the storm for as long as 17 years for some of the visitors. Capturing a spectrum of emotion, from women on their first visit terrified of shaving their head for the first time, to the warm solidarity of people brought together by shared trials.

The film's director, Cynthia Wade, has been praised by journalists for her ability to gain access to the private lives of the women featured without the situation feeling like an invasion of privacy, with one critic stating how Wade set about "capturing the feeling of a diminishing grasp on femininity in a judicial yet connected way". One of five films nominated for the category of best documentary short, Wade's  "simultaneously jarring and stunning" snapshots of hair loss and other side effects is sure to touch the hearts of the academy judges.

Re-Finding Femininity After Treatment

For women dealing with hair loss from cancer treatment, knowing that it will usually eventually grow back offers little initial solace. One way of dealing with the hair loss is to explore the many options available with regards to wigs, hair pieces and head coverings: take a look at our blog post on stylish head coverings for women dealing with alopecia or hair loss from cancer treatment. Sometimes, however, hair does not grow back to its previous condition after treatment; this could be for a number of reasons, and we're still not sure what causes the sustained hair loss in some cases.

If you're worried about a change in the condition of your hair, or are struggling to get it back to the density and condition it was previously in, it may be worth coming in for a free initial consultation. This enables us to determine whether there are other reasons for your hair's condition, which may include the common genetic condition female pattern hair loss.

When Hair Loss Can Be Treated

Whilst hair loss from cancer cannot be treated, pattern hair loss can, with the clinically proven medication minoxidil. Minoxidil is applied to the scalp in the strength recommended by your hair loss specialist, and may include a number of additional ingredients - azelaic acid, MPG (Medroxyprogesterone) and caffeine - which can tackle genetic hair loss by blocking the androgen DHT, which attacks scalp hair follicles causing they to produce weaker hair. There are many other aspects to our female hair loss treatment programmes that lead to them forming a comprehensive approach, and you are welcome to find out more about your condition with no obligation to proceed with the treatment.