A cancer diagnosis is never easy. Supporting a friend or loved one through this difficult situation can be challenging. Sometimes it’'s hard to know how best to help, particularly during the physical and emotional ordeal of cancer treatment and recovery. This is a time when even the smallest comforts -- like the simple gift of a real silk pillowcase in a cancer care package-- can make a big difference.
Silk Helps the Hair Regrowth Process
It is well known that silk bedding is prized for its beauty and softness. A mulberry silk pillowcase is a delight to sleep on because it feels gentle on the skin. Many of the nation’'s top cancer hospitals recommend that their patients sleep on a silk pillowcase for the unique benefits it offers during chemotherapy treatment. Chemo damages the hair follicle, which causes hair loss; this is known as chemotherapy induced alopecia. When the promising sign of hair regrowth begins, the new hair strands are fragile, delicate, and prone to break. The goal of sleeping on silk is to create a gentle environment for the scalp that fosters hair growth and prevents hair breakage; this is also why a silk head scarf or pillow case is often recommended to protect frizzy hair, natural hair or thin or fine hair.
Pure Silk is a Better Choice than Cotton
Silk is a better choice than cotton for a number of reasons. Cotton pillowcases cause friction with hair, which make them less than ideal to sleep on during a period of hair loss and regrowth. Delicate hair fibers can catch, split, and break on a cotton pillowcase. Cotton is also absorbent, and can pull moisture away from hair. In contrast, silk fabric is smooth, soft, and creates low friction. It doesn’'t cause stress to the delicate hair follicles; instead they glide across the surface of the pillowcase and are less prone to breakage. Silk also helps new hair retain the moisture necessary for continued growth. In fact, silk fibers are protein-based, and have a similar structure to human hair, containing 97% amino acids and 3% waxy fat fibers. The smooth, de-tangling properties of silk make it a good choice for any cancer patient experiencing chemo-related hair loss.
Mulberry Park Silks Pillowcases are Non-Toxic and Safe
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to purchasing any bed linen is product safety, particularly for a cancer patient whose immune system may be compromised. Along with being naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mold, dust, and mites, Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases, sheets, and accessories have been certified Oeko-Tex® Standard 100. This is a global testing and accreditation program that sets standards for the screening of chemicals and harmful substances in fabrics and other consumer textiles. Textiles can only be certified if all components meet the rigorous test criteria submitted from raw materials through finished products. Every silk item sold by Mulberry Park Silks has been independently tested and certified to be safe and free from toxins and harmful chemicals. (Note: the terms silk and satin may be used interchangeably but they are not the same thing. A satin pillowcase is sewn from petroleum-based polyester or other man-made fabric. Click here to learn more about the differences between silk and satin).
Silk Gives Comfort During A Difficult Time
When Mulberry Park Silks was founded, we never realized how many lives would be changed for the better just by using our products. Over the years we have been blessed to meet so many cancer survivors including their family and friends. We have listened to heartfelt stories of hope and have been inspired by the many ways our silk products provided a healthful comfort during a very difficult time. The review below is from our customer, Dennis, who explains very well the health benefits of silk for a loved one who was undergoing treatment for cancer.
As you can imagine receiving this kind feedback has been enormously gratifying. We are so pleased to hear that in some small way we have been able to make someone’'s life a bit more comfortable as they navigate through their journey of healing. Click here to read more.
Other Health and Wellness Benefits to Sleeping on Silk
Along with being gentle on hair in all stages of the loss and regrowth process, and completely free of chemicals and toxins, a silk pillowcase from Mulberry Park Silks delivers many other wonderful benefits:
- Helps hair and skin retain moisture
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Minimizes sleep wrinkles
- Naturally hypoallergenic and non-irritating
- Temperature regulating in all conditions (good for night sweats)
- OEKO-TEX® Certified (Standard 100) to be free of chemicals
- Easy to care for, machine washable
- Generous envelope closure is comfortable (no zipper!)
- Competitively priced to be affordable
As always, we are here to help in any way we can and answer any questions that you may have.