Founder Helps Women Preserve Hair, Identity During Chemo Recovery
Chemotherapy’s physical toll on women can be deeply personal, with hair loss often feeling like a loss of identity. Deborah A. McDowell has dedicated over a decade to helping patients cope with this aspect of treatment. As founder of Oncology Aesthetics & Wellness (OAW), formerly Hair With A Cause, she developed a process called CPR—cut, preserve, reattach—enabling patients to retain their hair before chemotherapy and reuse it during recovery. Over time, OAW has expanded its services to include skin care, medical tattooing, sound baths, yoga, and a support community for women handling cancer diagnoses.
A slow start and a shift in focus
McDowell says the organization began with a single client. Back in 2010, she owned a hair extension studio. A young woman finished her chemotherapy treatment and wanted to stop wearing her wig. Her own hair had grown back to about half an inch. McDowell researched whether extensions could work on such short hair and built a relationship with the client. The process took about 14 to 16 hours to install. It worked, and McDowell stayed with her through the entire one-year recovery journey.
Two years later, the woman’s sister-in-law was diagnosed with cervical cancer. McDowell helped her, too. The growth was slow: one person led to a referral, which led to a second person, and eventually to a vision and then a business. The organization’s name eventually changed to Oncology Aesthetics & Wellness. McDowell says this growth happened because the focus was on the relationship, not a business concept.
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When a client told McDowell she felt devastated about losing her hair, her mom tried to reassure her by saying the hair would grow back. That moment stuck with McDowell. She realized the issue was not vanity, but identity. McDowell says that once people finalize how they style their hair, they feel good about who they are and what they present to the world. Losing that part of themselves affects self-esteem, which in turn affects recovery. Even if a patient does not feel her best, she does not want to look in the mirror and see a sick person. Not having that “crown” affects self-esteem, which in turn affects recovery.
For women whose lives feel like they are spinning out of control because of a cancer diagnosis, McDowell says OAW helps them avoid going down a rabbit hole on Google trying to figure out what to do and when. The organization creates a community where people can connect with someone who has already walked through the same door. These peers know what to expect and can talk about things patients might not have the words to ask their doctors. Women do not have to rely only on their medical team; they can turn to others who have been through the same experience.
Preserving Identity and Self-Esteem Through Hair
McDowell emphasizes that hair loss during cancer treatment is not about vanity but identity. The phrase “it’s not vanity, it’s your identity” emerged from a conversation with a young client devastated by the prospect of losing her hair. Before treatment, OAW guides women through options like hair preservation, cold-capping, and customized wigs. During treatment, support extends to managing side effects such as mouth sores, upset stomach, or neuropathy, offering solutions like mittens for sensitive hands and feet. After treatment, reattachment services turn preserved hair into extensions or transform wigs into hair hats or halos, aiding the transition as natural hair grows back.
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Wellness classes, retreats with nonprofits, and peer-to-peer connections are also provided, creating a community where women can share experiences and gain insights from those who have faced similar challenges. These connections allow women to discuss concerns they may not feel comfortable addressing with their medical team. McDowell stresses that maintaining hair esteem during chemotherapy is possible, and women do not have to sacrifice their image or settle for unsatisfactory solutions.
Beyond Hair: A Holistic Approach to Cancer Care
Medical tattooing is another service OAW provides, helping women restore their appearance after surgery or hair loss. This can include eyebrow restoration, scalp micropigmentation, and other techniques to enhance self-esteem and confidence.
A Community of Support
At the heart of OAW’s mission is the creation of a supportive community for women facing cancer. Through peer-to-peer connections, women can share their experiences, offer advice, and provide emotional support to one another. This sense of community is invaluable, as it helps women feel less isolated and more empowered during their cancer journey.
