PREVENTION SAVES LIVES
THE BIG C
PLAN B: BACK TO YOUR ROOTS
WHY HAIR?
Because hair is personal.
And because talking about hair can sometimes be an easier first step than talking about everything else.
Our philosophy is:
Hair is Care.
Hair and scalp professionals can provide practical support around haircare, scalp care, appearance and confidence.
They can listen.
They can explain.
They can help someone understand what is within their professional scope.
And, importantly, they can recognise when something needs to go further.
We believe responsible hair care means knowing the difference between support and diagnosis.
Hair observations cannot diagnose cancer.
Hair testing is not a replacement for blood tests, imaging, pathology or oncology assessment.
If someone has a medical concern, the appropriate healthcare professional remains the right person to investigate it.
BACK TO YOUR ROOTS
The phrase means exactly what it says. Let’s get back to the basics. Understand your hair. Understand your scalp. Understand your products. Understand your routine. Understand your questions. And understand when you need professional medical advice. Our developing pathway is deliberately straightforward: LISTEN. ASSESS. EDUCATE. TEST WHERE APPROPRIATE. SUPPORT. REFER WHEN NECESSARY. We don’t want complicated promises. We want practical support.
HAIR DECODE
Hair Decode is the developing hair and scalp pathway within the initiative. A consultation may explore: • Hair history • Scalp concerns • Haircare routine • Changes following treatment • Current products • Hair texture and condition • Confidence and personal-care concerns • Questions about regrowth • Appropriate next steps Where a sample-based service is appropriate, the purpose and limitations of the test should be explained before proceeding. A result should be interpreted in context. We never guess.
HAIR IN THE POST
For suitable services, we’re exploring a postal pathway that allows clients to begin their journey from home. The principle is simple: Receive the appropriate kit. Collect the sample according to the instructions. Return it by post. Laboratory processing where applicable. Review the information appropriately. Discuss the next steps. Postal services can make certain assessments more accessible, but they don’t replace clinical assessment when someone has symptoms requiring medical investigation.
HAIR SCIENCE THERAPY
Hair Science Therapy brings specialist hair and scalp knowledge into the support pathway. The developing service is led by Suzanne McLaughlin MBRCP, Hair Science Therapist and dermo-trichology specialist, alongside a wider network of appropriately qualified practitioners. The objective is not to promise that hair can reveal everything about someone’s health. The objective is to give people time, attention, education and practical support. For anyone currently undergoing cancer treatment, services should be appropriately coordinated with their oncology or medical team.
SCALP REJUVENATION
The scalp can need care too. Our developing Scalp Rejuvenation service focuses on supportive scalp and hair care for people experiencing changes associated with hair loss or regrowth. Treatment suitability must always be considered individually. If someone has recently undergone surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or another medical intervention, appropriate medical advice should be sought before undertaking treatments that could irritate or compromise the scalp.
NOEL’S YARD REMEDIES
Noel’s Yard Remedies is the developing botanical wellbeing concept connected with the Natural Green Pharmacy. The range is intended to explore responsible personal care, including appropriate botanical hair and scalp products, herbal teas, tissue salts, probiotics and other natural personal-care products. But we want to make one thing clear: Natural does not automatically mean safe. Products have ingredients. Ingredients have properties. Products have intended uses. People can have allergies, sensitivities and interactions with medicines. So our philosophy is: Know the product. Know the ingredients. Know the claims. Know your professional boundaries. Noel’s Yard Remedies will not present ordinary botanical products as cancer treatments.
SUPPORTING THE NHS
We believe complementary personal care should support appropriate NHS care, not compete with it. Your oncologist remains your oncologist. Your GP remains your GP. Your specialist nurse remains part of your medical team. If you have a worrying symptom, a new lump, unexplained bleeding, persistent pain, sudden unexplained changes or another medical concern, please seek appropriate medical advice. Our role is different. We provide a place for hair, scalp, personal-care and wellbeing support within appropriate professional boundaries.
TAILORED NUTRITION
We are also developing a Tailored Nutrition approach.
Because everyone eats differently.
Everyone has different routines.
Everyone has different circumstances.
And everyone’s nutritional needs are individual.
The aim is to move away from generic advice and towards practical, realistic conversations around food and lifestyle.
We are what we eat is a useful reminder — but nutrition is only one part of health.
Tailored nutrition should complement, not replace, medical advice.
FOUR SEASONS
Hair doesn’t change overnight.
That is why we are exploring a longer-term Four Seasons support model.
Rather than focusing solely on one appointment, clients can potentially return at agreed intervals to review their hair and scalp journey, discuss their routine and consider whether further support or referral is appropriate.
The current proposed price is £250 per season, with four seasons representing £1,000, before any separately charged services or laboratory costs.
Exact inclusions and pricing should always be confirmed before booking.
THE TEAM
The developing initiative brings together people with different skills.
Suzanne McLaughlin MBRCP
Hair Science Therapist and dermo-trichology specialist.
Lisa Baker
Hair Decode Trainer and Hair & Barber Trainer.
Linzie Bissett
Medi Spa Manager.
The wider network can include appropriately qualified laboratory professionals, healthcare professionals, educators and independent practitioners.
Everyone should work within their own qualifications, competence, insurance and professional boundaries.
TRAINING THE HAIR INDUSTRY
There is another part of this project that matters enormously.
Hair professionals are often in a unique position.
Clients see them regularly.
They may notice changes in hair or scalp before anyone else.
They may hear personal stories.
They may become the person someone trusts enough to say:
“Something isn’t right.”
We don’t want to turn hair professionals into doctors.
We want to help them become better-informed professionals who know when to listen, when to support and when to refer.
Training could cover:
Hair-loss conversations.
Cancer-related hair changes.
Scalp sensitivity.
Professional boundaries.
Client confidentiality.
Responsible product claims.
Post-treatment support.
Appropriate referral.
PURE KNOW HOW
The wider Noel’s Yard vision also connects with Pure Know How.
This is about practical education.
Learning something useful.
Developing confidence.
Sharing knowledge.
Building community.
The wider concept includes TimeBanking.org, business development, digital skills, employment preparation and independent learning.
The principle is:
LEARN IT.
PRACTISE IT.
SHARE IT.
BUILD WITH IT.
THE FIRST NOEL WAS GREEN
The Big C — Plan B is ultimately about giving people somewhere to turn when hair loss becomes
Green represents nature.
Renewal.
Growth.
Community.
The phrase The First Noel Was Green is part of the creative identity behind Noel’s Yard Remedies and the Natural Green Pharmacy concept.
It brings together an old-fashioned idea and a modern purpose:
Back to Your Roots.
Back to practical knowledge.
Back to community.
Back to responsible products.
Back to learning.
Back to confidence.
part of their cancer journey.
Not a miracle cure.
Not a replacement for medical treatment.
Not a promise that one test can explain everything.
Instead:
Professional hair support.
Responsible testing where appropriate.
Scalp care.
Education.
Community.
Confidence.
Referral when needed.
THE BIG C — PLAN B
WHY REDDIT?
NOEL’S YARD REMEDIES
The Natural Green Pharmacy • Hair Decode • Hair Science Therapy • Scalp Rejuvenation • Pure Know How •
Because we don’t want to build this in a bubble.
We want honest conversations.
What would actually help someone after cancer treatment?
What did you wish you’d known about hair loss?
What did your scalp feel like during regrowth?
What support was missing?
What would make a postal service easier?
What would make a consultation feel safe?
What should hair professionals understand?
And perhaps most importantly:
Where should the boundaries be between complementary personal care and medical care?
We want people to challenge us.
If something doesn’t make sense, tell us.
If something sounds like an unsupported medical claim, tell us.
If you have experience of cancer treatment and hair loss, your perspective matters.
THE BIG C — PLAN B
“Plan B” does not mean an alternative cancer treatment.
It means another layer of support around the person.
SUPPORT THE PERSON.
RESPECT THE MEDICAL JOURNEY.
NEVER GUESS.
TEST WHERE APPROPRIATE.
BACK TO YOUR ROOTS