According to the Mayo Clinic, the loss of hair due to chemotherapy is a temporary side effect that will generally reverse itself within four to six weeks after treatment. Radiation oncologist Marisa Weiss, M.D., of Philadelphia says "there are studies that show that for many women, losing their hair is worse than losing a breast. That's because you can conceal the loss of a breast, but hair loss is so obvious and apparent." Although there aren't medical procedures that prevent hair loss due to chemotherapy, techniques exist that will ease cancer patients' appearance and psychological discomforts due to hair loss.
When Does Hair Loss Occur?
Hair loss typically will be noticed within 14 days of starting chemotherapy. Specific chemotherapy treatments will determine the amount of hair that will fall out as well as how quickly that will occur. Hair loss will continue throughout chemotherapy and up to one month after completion.
What to Do Before Treatment
Treating hair gently before chemotherapy begins can strengthen it. Refraining from bleaching, perming or coloring it may help keep it in place longer once treatment has started. Hair should be air dried instead of with hair dryers or with other heating devices. Cutting hair shorter will make it look fuller. Cutting it will also prepare friends and family for the hairless look. Shopping for attractive scarves, hats and wigs will go a long way towards easing hair-loss stress.
What to Do During Treatment
Hair care taken prior to chemotherapy should be continued as treatment progresses. Harsh shampoos with strong fragrances, detergents and chemicals, including salicylic acid and alcohol, should be avoided. Alternatively, the head can be shaved completely to remove any hair loss concerns.
What to Do After Treatment
After chemotherapy, new hair will not immediately be of the same quality that it was before it fell out. It and the scalp will remain fragile and overly sensitive to styling products and heating devices for at least six months after treatment has ceased. With patience, however, hair will eventually return to its normal self.
Misconceptions
Although the drug minoxidil has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to reverse pattern hair loss, it will not prevent hair loss due to chemotherapy. Once treatment has stopped, however, the medication may aid in re-growing hair.
Warning
Attempts to lessen hair loss by restricting the flow of chemotherapy drugs to the scalp by applying ice packs to the head (cryotherapy) may in fact cause temperature-related discomfort to the overly sensitive scalp. More seriously, the reduced dose of drugs going to the scalp may actually increase the risk of cancer recurring there.
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