Permanent Cosmetics Restore Hope, Confidence and Self-Esteem to Hoffmann-La Roche Employees and their Families
On November 15, Dr. Lorraine Catania, Director of the Hoffmann-La Roche Employee Assistance Program (EAP) invited Theresa Judd of A Permanent Solution to be a guest speaker at a recent seminar. The world-renowned Nutley/Clifton, New Jersey - based pharmaceutical company held this workshop for its employees and family members. It was designed to help inform those that had/currently have cancer or alopecia (total or partial hair loss) that there are some alternative solutions available to enhance their quality of life.
During the seminar, Judd talked about permanent cosmetics and its benefits to those with cancer and alopecia. Nicole, owner of the Nutley, New Jersey-based Wigs by Nicole also spoke on the subject of hairpieces. The compliment of a natural looking wig or permanent eyebrows, eyeliner and areolas can increase self-esteem and a feeling of wellness in an alopecia or cancer victim.
Judd reflected, "This was a very attentive crowd with very intelligent questions. For example, they asked, 'How much, how long does [a procedure] take, what are the benefits, what are the pitfalls? How does chemotherapy react with having permanent brows done before, during and after chemotherapy? Does it work if a person is going to have radiation instead of chemo? Are the reactions the same? How long does it [the procedure] last?'" Theresa adds that the audience was shocked and surprised that areolas are restorable with the use of permanent cosmetic tattooing.
The biggest concern expressed by those attending the seminar was about when it is best to have permanent cosmetics applied. A cancer victim's immune system is compromised during chemotherapy and other treatments used to fight the disease. "Permanent cosmetics, aka Paramedical tattooing should be done before the start of chemotherapy. A safe time frame would be at least two to three weeks prior, but it's optimum to have a permanent cosmetics procedure at least six weeks before the start of treatment," Judd explains, "The six-week time frame would allow for the initial procedure, healing, and the touchup that is included in the price of the procedure. At that point we could consider the work complete."
The workshop was a fulfilling experience for Theresa. She emotes, "The joy of being able to help someone who has one of these awful illnesses, being able to give people hope, confidence and self-esteem is the best part of my job. Being able to give something back to other human beings in exchange for being so blessed in my own life is very rewarding."