Asha Headscarves Promise Therapeutic Relief for Chemotherapy Patients

A Scottish textile company has developed a range of luxury headscarves designed to help cancer patients cope with the debilitating effects of chemotherapy. More than a way to conceal hair loss, Murray Hogarth’s “Asha” range features “micro-encapsulated” fabrics said to confer therapeutic benefits such as aromatherapy, ultraviolet protection, and thermoregulation. Created in tandem with Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design, the silk turbans come in several finishes to suit different needs. The aromatherapy finish, for instance, incorporates tiny hard-shell capsules filled with scented oils such as aloe vera or lavender. Wearing the garment creates friction, which pops the capsules and releases a subtle fragrance. A wax finish, on the other hand, melts to absorb heat in high temperatures. The reverse happens when the mercury drops: the material resolidifies, sending out warmth instead. Other finishes deliver vitamins and moisturizers, any of which can be customized to fulfill specific requirements.

Finishes can provide therapeutic benefits such as aromatherapy, UV protection, and thermoregulation.

“Smart textiles are a fast-developing sector that offers enormous potential within the healthcare industry,” says Alison Harley, head of Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design. “This collaboration showcases our close work with industry, including many small and medium size textile businesses in Scotland, to help them find ways to add value and grow their business.

Another way Asha supports people with cancer? Murray Hogarth donates 10 percent of all headwear sales to Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, aetwork of drop-in centers in Great Britain that aim to help anyone who has been affected by cancer.