Karen Wellington Foundation

Karen Wellington Foundation

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karen wellington foundation

What is KWF and how did Kimberly get involved?

The Karen Wellington Foundation’s mission is simple:

“We put FUN on the calendars of women and families LIVING with breast cancer by sending them on special vacations, relaxing spa days, dinners out, concerts and other FUN-ONLY activities​. 

Our goal is to get each of the 100+ women on our ever-growing waiting list to a beach, a spa, a concert… somewhere FUN as quickly as possible. For women actively battling breast cancer, there is no time like the present! This goal will be made possible by generous people who donate a week of their vacation homes or timeshares, their airline miles, sporting event and concert tickets, or cash in order to help us connect a person in need with the chance to get away.”  (Source: KWF’s Mission)

Who Was Karen?

In Karen’s words, “I’m basically a mom, and I dabble in a lot of other things.” Yeah, a lot of things. Karen raised two young kids with her husband, played tennis, coached soccer, became an accomplished painter, ran a successful freelance retail merchandising business and even sang in a local band, “The Snake Oil Salesmen.” And lived with breast cancer for 10 years from the age of 30 to 40.

Karen liked to plan parties.  She loved celebrating for others. She didn’t like the limelight, but she was the best birthday cake designer in town, with wonderful creations of art and chocolate!

There also were many days where Karen just felt lousy. She was as human as any of us. Karen was very involved in her kid’s daily lives, volunteering as a room mother, pizza mom, soccer coach and auction volunteer for St. Ursula Villa. Every Christmas, Karen helped them express the importance of the season in the family’s yearly Christmas card, where she urged them to “be creative” and use your brain.

Karen volunteered with the Breast Cancer Alliance, the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, the Junior League and Stepping Stones Center. Her gifts continue to live on in the work of  The Karen Wellington Foundation, the Karen Wellington Memorial Campership Fund at Stepping Stones Center, AK Steel Magnolia Award and through Foundation gifts to individuals and organizations that encourage people to LIVE more fully with breast cancer.

Karen set an extraordinary example for all of  her friends and family as someone who was courageous and victorious in overcoming obstacles with tenacity, faith, kindness and laughter, lots of laughter. Her light will shine brightly forever in the hearts of her many friends and family members and through her children Robby and Angeline.  (Source: About Karen)

How Did Kimberly Vaughn Become Involved with KWF?

Kimberly began her career in Cincinnati and focused on helping women, men and children throughout their difficult hair loss journey. After Karen’s first cancer diagnosis she knew that with treatment her hair would begin to fall out. Karen started to see Kimberly in Cincinnati for all her hair needs. Kimberly worked with Karen throughout her entire cancer journey, Kimberly valued her time with Karen and developed an inspiring connection with her. Kimberly reminds of how Karen truly LIVED her life, despite her cancer diagnosis.

Karen Wellington Foundation

Upon moving to Nashville and taking over HPIHair, Kimberly knew she wanted to remain involved with this foundation dedicated to her late client. Kimberly felt a calling to start the Karen Wellington Foundation: Middle Tennessee Chapter to bring the same mission to women LIVING with cancer in the Middle Tennessee area. Kimberly developed this chapter in 2019 with a team of devoted and caring individuals.

Kimberly’s Middle Tennessee Chapter surprised two recipients with “Fun Boxes” during the COVID-19 quarantine. These recipients will be treated to a family vacation, as well, when they feel safe to travel again.

HPIHair treats hair loss for just about any reason or cause. HPI’s staff understands how devastating losing your hair to chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatments can be. Dealing with cancer can be draining physically, mentally and emotionally, and the aggressive treatments used to battle this disease can be even tougher on your confidence and comfort.

Taking control of your hair loss during treatment and recovery is the first step in the healing process.  HPIHair will tailor a customized plan for every individual that walks through our door! HPI’s professional, caring team will treat you like family. The team will help restore your confidence and whether your hair loss is temporary or the result of an auto immune disease or a genetic condition.

Two women are having a morning interview on a video screen.

Morning Source Interview with Kimberly Vaughn

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morning source interview with kimberly vaughn

Donna Vissman with Morning Source interviews Kimberly Vaughn of HPI Hair concerning hair loss issues and solutions.

Coronavirus Disease

How HPI is addressing Covid 19 safety and sanitation

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how hpi is addressing covid 19 safety and sanitation

**Scheduling a virtual chat or hang out can be extremely helpful in times of isolation or when we should integrate social distancing.

HPIHair has you covered!  Schedule a virtual private video consultation while you are spending time at home. Our expert hair loss specialists will spend time diving into your hair loss journey.  During this time of social distancing and health concerns, take time for yourself and schedule your video chat today.

HPIHair will be open regular hours with a clean healthy facility.

Our concern is always on creating a pleasurable client experience for all clients.  Due to the nature of our environment and close working proximity we thought the tidbits of information below could be helpful.

Wondering what to do with the family or children……. Maybe a good time for a movie?  I had my heart set on taking my son to see Onward.  Seems the large theaters are open with regular schedules with a few exceptions.  Hmmm- how close are those chairs?  Can I touch the armrest?  Where do I set me water or soda cup?

Thinking we would be safer in the Alamo Drafthouse theater.  Appears they are the only theater implementing a “seat separation” policy and cleaning theaters between showings!   Onward here we come…..Chris Pratt is very nice on the eye, even though he is wearing a grey animated suite with pointy ears! Haha.

Q-What is the cause of the Coronavirus?

A- There is inconsistent information. According to Bloomberg, “with 90% confidence, it is a bat-borne virus,” this coming from Linda Wang, who heads the emerging infectious disease program at Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School.

NBC News reports, the coronavirus, which first sickened people in China in December, is thought to have passed from animals to humans, like many similar pathogens.

Q-Is Coronavirus the same as COVID-19 ?

A- Yes, the official name created by the CDC for this strain of Coronavirus is COVID-19

Q-Can I catch the virus if standing close to the provider during a treatment?

A-The WHO tells us that COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.

Q-What should the public do to help prevent spread of COVID-19?

A-Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water after any human interaction, avoid shaking hands, and avoid large crowds.

Q-What is HPI doing to help prevent the spread of infection?

A-Disinfect chairs, equipment, etc with every use. Making sure to wash hands after each human interaction. Offering virtual services to provide safety and avoid spread of infection.

A Phase II study with FOL-005 for treatment of Alopecia approved by the German Medicines Agency

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Follicum AB (“Follicum” or “the Company”) today announces that it has received approval from the German Medicines Agency (BfArM) and the German Ethics Committee to start a Phase IIa clinical study with a topical formulation of FOL-005 on patients with alopecia (hair loss). About 200 patients will receive daily treatment with FOL-005 or a placebo for 4 months during the trial. The study is collaborating with the Charité Clinical Research Center for Hair and Skin Science (“CRC”) in Berlin and proDERM, Hamburg, Germany.

Follicum’s most advanced drug project FOL-005, is being developed to stimulate hair growth in patients with hair loss, and alopecia. The most common form of alopecia is called Androgen Alopecia and affects the majority of men but also a very large proportion of women. The illness is stigmatizing for the affected person and often leads to reduced self-esteem, which can greatly impact the patient’s daily life.

In two previous clinical studies, FOL-005 has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment for the stimulation of hair growth. The upcoming phase IIa study aims to investigate the safety, efficacy of, and response to the drug candidate FOL-005 applied as a topical formulation. Once daily in the evening, the patients will themselves apply one of three different strengths of FOL-005 or placebo to the scalp. The study is expected to be completed and the results will be communicated in Q4, 2020.

Well-established study centers

Like previous clinical studies with FOL-005, the now-approved phase IIa study will be carried out in collaboration with the Charité Clinical Research Center for Hair and Skin Science (CRC) in Berlin. This time Follicum will also collaborate with the CRO proDERM in Hamburg.

More information is available at follicum.com

How stress could lead to hair loss

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Did you know that stress equals hair loss? Within the last year alone, hair loss affected 50 million Americans, and this number is only predicted to increase in the days and years ahead. Days become busier with career and family commitments and our lives become more stress filled, taking a toll on our bodies. The first to be affected when our body is under great stress is our hair.

Stress in large amounts causes our hair to transition into a resting (catagen) phase prematurely.

The transition continues to occur while our hair rapidly moves into a phase called telogen, characterized by fallout or shedding. This stage occurs at rapid rates before it is supposed to when under the influence of stress. Those who are affected by hair loss during stress will notice fallout of their hair in the shower, during brushing and while styling. Though this process of fallout can be frustrating, the phase often will slow and reverse itself during the course of a few months. In some cases, depending on your age and health, most, if not all, of your hair will regrow.

In other cases, various types of stressors to our body can cause other conditions related to hair loss.

One condition, alopecia areata, can be caused by severe stress. Individuals with this condition experience hair loss as the body’s immune system attack the hair follicles. Another condition that can occur in the presence of stress is trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is characterized by the urge to pull out one’s own hair either from the eyebrows, eyelashes, scalp or other parts of the body. This urge to pull out hair is a coping mechanism for individuals with trichotillomania, a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior that occurs when experiencing stress, tension, loneliness, boredom or frustration.

In case you have found yourself frustrated, confused or hopeless throughout the process of hair loss, the team at HPIHair wants to help guide you through your options and possible regrowth and restoration. HPIHair offers men, woman, and children hair restoration technology and options under the leadership of Founder Kimberly Vaughn. Clients who experience mild to aggressive hair loss due to genetic or medical-related causes can find customized guidance based on individual needs at HPIHair. Contact us for a consultation.

Solutions for hair loss

Understanding DHT and its Effects on Hair Loss

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Understanding dht and its effects on hair loss

There are many reasons why you may be experiencing hair loss and/or thinning. Causes for hair loss in both men and women include genetics, diet, stress, environment, medication side effects, autoimmune diagnosis, underlying medical concerns, and the influence of hormones, notably DHT on hair loss.

Our evidence-based approach begins with answering the question ‘WHY’ and from there crafting an individualized treatment plan for each client.

Trico scope imaging for hair loss

We accomplish this by a combination of magnified scalp imaging (Trico scope) and a customized blood panel testing for specific vitamins, minerals, and hormones that affect hair growth and contribute to hair loss/shedding.

Through our AlopeciaDX blood test, we’ve found an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the most common culprit behind male hair loss and is responsible for 25% of thinning in women.

For this reason, our combination therapy approach often includes DHT blocking shampoos & supplements.

What is DHT and how does it relate to hair loss and hair thinning?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen (sex hormone) and a byproduct of testosterone that gives males their sex characteristics such as a deeper voice, body hair, sex drive, and muscle mass. Overproduction of this hormone can cause hair thinning and eventually, male or female pattern hair loss. Testosterone is also produced by women but because women produce estrogen it helps prevent testosterone from converting into DHT.

How does DHT work?

DHT is converted into testosterone with the help of alpha 5-reductase enzymes. If there is a large amount of DHT it can attach to the receptors on hair follicles in your scalp and cause them to decrease in size and cause hair thinning. If there is a genetic link to hair loss DHT can cause hair loss at a much faster rate in both men and women.

How do high or low levels affect the human body?

High levels of DHT can lead to certain health conditions and cause problems in sexual development during puberty.

Low levels of DHT can delay puberty for both men and women and may lead to delayed sexual organ development, changes in body fat, and can affect the prostate gland.

How does DHT contribute to hair loss?

An abnormal amount of DHT can cause hair follicles to shrink at a faster rate, causing them to look thinner and eventually causing hair to fall out. If you have a history of genetic thinning, DHT can accelerate the rate of hair loss.

DHT and Women?

Women may have an excess amount of androgens during menopause or close to menopause because their bodies stop producing estrogen and progesterone. This, in turn, causes a higher percentage of sex hormones such as DHT in the body and typically leads to hair thinning.

DHT and Men?

Male pattern baldness affects 50 percent of all men in the US, the presence of DHT affects the hair follicles on the scalp leading to accelerated hair thinning and loss.

What can I do to reduce DHT?

There are various oral and topical medications that can help target DHT, they can either block or inhibit the rate of production. Popular medications prescribed by most health care providers that are specific for hair loss include:

Finasteride: also known as Propecia. Finasteride blocks the metabolism of testosterone which is how it can help prevent hair loss and is also used to decrease prostate enlargement; one unpleasant side effect is also a decreased sexual function. A study done at Harvard reported a rare decrease in irreversible sexual function, effecting 4%-6% of men.

Minoxidil: better known as Rogaine. There is a foam-based and solution-based formulation that is used for hair growth in the treatment of male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness and thinning. It is not used for baldness at the front of the scalp or receding hairline in men. HPI uses a topical solution with Minoxidil called Re-stim, which has more natural carrier agents such as aloe vera, rather than large amounts of alcohol which can dry out and irritate the scalp.

Dutasteride: Mostly used to treat enlarged prostate, Dutasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body which is why it is used for treating hair loss. There are side effects that are rare but should be considered, such as impotence, decreased sex drive, breast tenderness, and testicular swelling to consider when taking this medication.

There are many other side effects from medications alone or in combination with others, so it is important to speak to your health care provider prior to taking any prescription medication.

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Franklin Homepage

Franklin Homepage | Hair Loss

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franklin homepage | hair loss

How a local business provides progressive solutions for the ageless condition

Kimberly HPI Hair Partners Franklin HomepageCheck out the latest edition of the Franklin Homepage for a detailed discussion of HPI’s multi-faceted approach to hair preservation, restoration, and replacement.

Hair loss is a chronic and progressive condition that affects women and men of all ages. Actually, a recent study from The American Hair Loss Association estimated that at least 50% of women by the age of 50 and 25% of men before the age of 25 will see their first signs of hair loss. Knowing that millions nationwide will be affected by this ageless condition, scientists, doctors and trichologists are giving more and more attention to discovering the root causes of hair growth and hair loss.

“Their therapeutic plan is a three-pronged approach that really gets to the bottom of the hair loss you’re experiencing so that you can achieve optimal results.”

Read the full article by clicking here, williamsonhomepage.com.

Brow and Eye Enhancement Close Up

Refresh and Enhance Your Brows and Lashes!

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We now offer professional permanent makeup services for anyone suffering from hair loss, Hashimoto and thyroid disease, chemotherapy, alopecia areata, totalis, universalis, and genetics.  Men and women alike experience this challenge and now we can help!


Refresh and enhance your brows and lashes!

Our microblading expert Julie is an artist! From the first visit she offers the client a sketch of how their eyebrows will appear and shares her color palette to allow the clients to help select the appropriate eyebrow color. The results are stunning!

Brena, an HPI Microblading client, was very concerned about her eyebrows appearing too dark or unnatural.  Here is what she had to say…

“I couldn’t be happier with the process.  Julie is a true artist and professional. Her technique, color blending and attention to the small details of my eyebrows couldn’t be more spot on!”

Ready to Refresh and Renew your Eyebrows?

Contact us today!

SMP

Scalp Micro-pigmentation [SMP] Client Success Story

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Scalp micro-pigmentation [smp] client success story

Scalp Micro-pigmentation [SMP] is a non-invasive treatment. Using customized micro-needles to deposit pigment into the scalp. The result creates the appearance of tiny hair follicles that help thicken and restore the look of less scalp, less hair transparency, resulting in a fuller hair appearance.

If you are a male or female with transparent hair (too much scalp is showing), or you are beginning to thin in the crown area, SMP is a great option to consider.

Team 2019

HPI Welcomes New Hires Reena Bhakta and Adrienne Taylor

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We are pleased to announce the addition of Reena Bhakta as family nurse practitioner, and Adrienne Taylor as office administrator to the team at HPIHair.

HPI Nurse Practioner Reena Bhakta Bhakta brings unique knowledge from her previous job as a registered nurse in Nashville General Hospital’s Emergency Room. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and went on to receive her master’s in nursing from Tennessee State University. Board-certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Tennessee State Board of Nursing, Bhakta is most passionate about providing care to her clients while helping them gain a more positive outlook on their health, wellness, and spirituality.

“We are thrilled that Reena has joined our HPI team,” said Kimberly Vaughn, founder and managing director of HPIHair. “She is incredibly skilled in caring for patients battling chronic disease and has a real dedication to health and wellness. Among many talents, Reena thinks strategically, reacts quickly and remains calm in critical situations, which are all important attributes in our patient-focused industry.”

Also joining the HPIHair team is Adrienne Taylor. Hired as the office administrator, Taylor is originallyfrom Terry, Mississippi, but has been part of the Nashville community for close to 15 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University and her master’s degree in horticulture from Mississippi State University. When she is not at the office, Terry enjoys gardening, cooking and spending time with her family.

“Adrienne’s welcoming nature brings a smile to everyone who walks into our office,” added Vaughn. “She is a positive light on the HPI team who possesses key qualities like flexibility, patience, and a strong work ethic. Above all, she is a team player who helps restore confidence in our amazing clients.”