A cut above

Gloria Taylor of Buffalo Grove endured a winter filled with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, after being diagnosed with breast cancer last fall. But she received good news last month.

Taylor kicked up her heels at hearing she is cancer free, however her clean bill of health presented a new problem: what to do with the furry scruffs of gray hair growing in, in place of the long straight brownish blond hair she used to sport.

Thanks to a new initiative launched this spring by the American Cancer Society, the First Cut Program, she found her solution.

"The First Cut program provides gift certificates for free haircuts to cancer patients," said Charlene Padovani, health initiatives manager for the American Cancer Society in Arlington Heights.

"The intent is that these certificates would be specifically for survivors who have lost their hair to cancer treatments and now that their hair has grown back, want to try a fresh look," she said.

To date, Padovani has 10 salons on board, scattered throughout the 23 Northwest suburbs the agency serves. The Hip Salon in Schaumburg was one of the first to jump on board, as well as Armand's and Forbici Salon & Spa, both in Arlington Heights.

"We're happy to participate," said Debra Hanaway, of the Hip Salon. "It gives us such a good feeling to be part of their recovery."

Taylor was among the first patients to receive a free hair cut and styling from her participating salon, Hair For You in Arlington Heights. She already had received permission from her doctor to have her hair colored, but now she needed help on shaping and styling her newly grown hair.

Cosmetologist Linda DiFronzo already deals in wigs for cancer patients, consequently she has lots of experience in styling newly grown-in hair.

DiFronzo began by cutting away the baby fine, lanugo hair, that gave Taylor her slightly uneven look, before layering and shaping her short new "pixie" hairdo, that helped to frame Taylor's' face and accentuate her features.

"The whole thing is to give her a little bit of style, and texture," DiFronzo said. "To build her confidence and give her a lift as she goes out to face the rest of the day."

DiFronzo then applied a special gel, that worked to moisturize the growing hair as well as hold its style, before she used a diffuser to blow-dry her hair without taking away its curl.

Taylor couldn't help but smile as she looked at the result, and her new self in the mirror.

"I love it," she said simply.

On Friday, Diane Drake of Arlington Heights, also a cancer survivor, had her hair cut and styled through the First Cut program, at Armand's in Arlington Heights.

Having recently beat a rare form of tongue cancer, Drake looked forward to starting a new chapter in her life.

"I never lost all of my hair, but it was thinner in places, especially in the back where I had the radiation," Drake said. "I never thought much about my hair before, but when you're seeing it all in your hands, when you take a shower, it sort of freaks you out."

A new look, seemed to be just what the doctor ordered for her, and what made it better, was that it was free.

"The First Cut program aims to nurture those who are battling the disease," Padovani said, "by giving them extra pampering, and a fresh, new look."

First Cut is part of the American Cancer Society's Patient Navigation Services, which include a range of complimentary programs designed to help cancer patients and their caregivers.

The agency also offers "Look Good … Feel Better" clinics statewide, which are led by licensed cosmetologists and offer two-hour beauty workshops for women currently undergoing cancer treatments.

To find out more information about the First Cut or the Look Good … Feel Better programs, call the American Cancer Society at (847) 368-1166.

Participating salons

Arlington Heights: Forbici Salon/Spa, Hair For You Salon, Inc., Armand's Beauty Salon

Barrington: City Lights Hair Center

Bartlett: Sorelle Salon

Des Plaines: Hair Preview, Market Place Shopping Center

Long Grove: Long Grove Hair Studio

Palatine: Salon Lorrene, Shear Pleasure, Ltd.

Schaumburg: HIP Salon