'My face in someone else's hands': a qualitative study of medical tattooing in women with hair loss.

The psychological and social impact of hair loss and its ongoing treatment can be considerable. Medical treatments are not always successful, and alternative treatments, such as medical tattooing, are growing in popularity. The aims of this study were to explore adults' motivations, experiences, and self-perceived outcomes in relation to medical tattooing. Individual telephone interviews were conducted with 22 women from the United Kingdom aged 26-67 years who had undergone medical tattooing in the past 5 years related to hair loss. Interviews were transcribed and inductive thematic analysis was performed. Appearance concerns, loss of self-confidence/identity, and the practicalities of daily upkeep were cited as reasons for seeking a semi-permanent solution. Trust in the practitioner and the ongoing costs of tattoo maintenance were important considerations in participants' decision-making process and their overall satisfaction with treatment outcomes. Participants felt the emotional impact of hair loss and the subsequent need for appearance-restoring treatment remains unrecognised. This study provides insight into participants' perceptions of an under-researched and unregulated but widely accessible treatment. Implications for the decision-making process are discussed, and suggestions for health professionals are offered.

Parental views of antenatal testing and termination following a diagnosis of cleft lip.

Fetal anomaly screening at 18-21 weeks now routinely includes cleft lip. If detected, the manner in which the diagnosis is communicated can considerably influence prospective parents' decision-making in regard to further testing and termination of pregnancy (TOP). Given the known psychological impact of an antenatal diagnosis of cleft lip on prospective parents, this study aimed to explore the decision-making process from the parents' perspective, in order to evaluate how well current practice is meeting guidelines. Data from 217 parents of children born with cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) were collected using a mixed-methods online survey. Respondents reported feeling upset, offended and/or anxious following the diagnosis, due to unsatisfactory information and a perceived lack of empathy from health professionals. Some respondents had felt under pressure to make a decision quickly, with a minority having regretted undergoing amniocentesis, and/or experiencing significant distress at having come close to TOP unnecessarily. A number of suggestions are made as to how the discussion between parents and health professionals could be improved, to ensure that the information and support needs of families affected by cleft lip are fully addressed.