How to Manage Hair Loss During Chemotherapy

People with cancer often face a host of side effects from treatment, especially from chemotherapy or radiation therapy. One of the most feared side effects of these treatments for men and women is hair loss.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} Alopecia, or hair loss, happens when chemotherapy weakens or kills your hair follicles.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceBreastCancer.orgPatient-focused nonprofit organization providing resources for those affected by breast cancerGo to source} You may experience hair loss entirely, gradually, or in sections and it may also occur to hair throughout your body. It generally will grow back when treatment stops.^{[3]XResearch source} You can manage chemo-related hair loss by coping with it emotionally, caring for your scalp, and trying different styling options.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Coping with Hair Loss Emotionally

Losing your hair can be emotionally challenging. Accepting hair loss from chemo won’t happen overnight, in part because hair loss is often devastating for women and men. Keeping in mind that it is only temporary and a part of making you healthy again can help you embrace it more easily.^{[4]XResearch source}
2
Allow yourself to gradually get used to your condition. For example, don’t wear a wig, hat, or scarf at night or one day a week. You can build up to never using an aid or only on occasions when it’s absolutely necessary.
- Give yourself daily positive affirmations such as “I am strong and beautiful and will beat this cancer—hair or no hair!” This can boost your confidence and may make it easier to accept your hair loss.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source}
3
Be aware of social stigmas. Most people are kind, especially if they know you’re battling cancer. However, there are still some social stigmas attached to hair loss and cancer, such as robbing the person of privacy about their illness and lowering of status.^{[6]XResearch source} These may cause you stress, anxiety, or embarrassment. Confronting negativity and your own feelings may help you get your feelings and focus on promoting your health.^{[7]XResearch source}
- See a counselor or doctor to help you actively manage your feelings. Friends and loved ones can also provide you with support.
4
Communicate with people. It may be stressful thinking about how people will react to your hair loss. Letting friends, family members, and co-workers know about potential hair loss can help avoid uncomfortable questions or looks. This may help you be more at ease and able to focus on your health.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Be open about your condition. Saying, “I’m undergoing chemo and it’s caused me to lose my hair” can dissolve tension or minimize unwelcome glances from other people.
- Let people know if shaving their own heads to support you is a welcome gesture or not.^{[9]XResearch source}
5
Join a support group for hair loss. Meeting and discussing your chemo-related hair loss with a support group can offer you unconditional support from others who understand what you’re experiencing. It may also help you get past your feelings about your hair loss.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Sign up for online or local support groups and even courses about hair loss and how to manage it.^{[11]XResearch source} For example, the American Cancer Society has courses on coping with self-esteem issues related to cancer.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source}
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Caring for Your Hair and Scalp

1
Wash your hair gently. Chemo can cause everything from thinning hair to complete loss of it. Clean your hair and scalp with a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Wash your hair or scalp every other day or as little as necessary and avoid scrubbing vigorously.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Consider a baby shampoo, which isn’t as harsh on the hair or scalp.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Rinse with warm water and let it to flow from your scalp down the ends of your hair.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
- Apply a conditioner along the length of your hair from ends to scalp after you rinse out shampoo. You can use a leave-in or rinse-out conditioner.
- If you have a sensitive scalp, try a conditioner with natural oils, like jojoba oil or grape seed oil.
2
Pat your hair dry. Drying with towels and hair dryers can damage your hair and delicate scalp. Pat your hair dry with a towel to prevent breakage and promote regrowth.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Avoid wrapping your hair in a towel, which may damage weakened hair.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source} Instead, let your hair or scalp air dry if possible.
- Use the lowest heat setting if you prefer a hair dryer.
3
Choose a soft brush. If you brush your hair or scalp, do so infrequently and as gently as possible. Invest in a soft brush, which may stimulate hair follicles and provide a nice head massage. It may also prevent damage.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Brush your hair only to style it. This includes letting your hair air dry slightly before brushing.
- Style any hair gently. If you want to style your hair, choose loose styles and avoid heavy products or heat tools if you can.
Many people chemically treat their hair with color, perms, or relaxants. This can damage any hair and may irritate your sensitive scalp. While you are undergoing chemo and as your hair grows back in, stay away from chemical treatments that may be too harsh on your hair and scalp.^{[19]XResearch source}
5
Limit sun exposure. Use a sunscreen or large hat when you go outside. This can protect your strands and scalp from the sun’s harmful rays.^{[20]XResearch source}
- Select a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp and hair.^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
- Apply a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide to protect your hair and scalp. You can also use a sunscreen specifically formulated for hair and scalp.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
6
Stimulate circulation with scalp massage. Gentle massage can increase blood flow and stimulate hair growth. Consider a professional scalp massage or gently rub your own scalp to prevent hair loss, promote growth, and help you relax.^{[23]XResearch source}
- Ask local masseuses if they are specifically trained to help increase blood flow to the scalp with massage.
- Recognize that massage may strengthen the roots of your hair, which chemo often attacks.
- To improve circulation, try mixing an essential oil, such as lavender or rosemary oil, with a carrier oil, like jojoba oil, before massaging it into your scalp.^{[24]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Different Styling Options

1
Wear a wig or hairpiece. If you are having a hard time coping with your hair loss, try a wig or hairpiece. These can make you feel more comfortable in public or around friends and family members.^{[25]XResearch source}
- Your insurance may cover your wig or hairpiece if you get a prescription from your doctor.^{[26]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Find local businesses that offer wig or hairpiece service to cancer patients. The American Cancer Organization and the National Alopecia Areata Foundation have online programs to locate these businesses.^{[27]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source}
2
Put on a hat. If you’re unsure about a wig or hairpiece, consider wearing a hat. You can choose options such as ball caps and wide-brimmed chapeaus. These can cover thinning hair or your scalp and also keep you warm in cooler temperatures. Hats can make you more confident and distract you—as well as others—from your condition.^{[28]XResearch source}
- Ask your boss, principal or other authority to allow you to wear a hat or head covering if they forbid them. Your doctor can provide a note to support your request.
3
Wrap a scarf around your head. Use a beautiful, large scarf to cover thinning hair or your scalp. This can keep you from losing body heat in cooler weather. It’s also a nice way to divert attention from your head that may stimulate conversation and boost your confidence.^{[29]XResearch source}
- Consider investing in a turban if you don’t want to wrap scarves around your head every day.
4
Add volume to thinning hair. If your hair is thinning as a result of chemo, adding a little volume to it can make it look fuller and healthier. Consider options such as updos, a shorter and layered style, or a side part.^{[30]XResearch source}
- Consider a shorter style with light layering, This can add extra fullness to your hair and distract from thinning areas.
- Part hair to one side to give the illusion of more fullness.^{[31]XResearch source}
- Pull your hair up in a loose ponytail or bun. You can even boost it a bit more by wrapping one piece of hair around the hair tie. Adding a headband to the front can also make your hair look fuller.
Advertisement