It is only when you are faced with hair loss that you realize how important your hair is. When you have a tumor and undergo chemotherapy, the hair loss thing comes really close to you. Whether you are a man or a woman, one of the things you fear most after being diagnosed with cancer is hair loss.
When having to deal with chemotherapy and hair loss, think about whether our energy should be focused on how to stay healthy, or on being anxious about how you look?
Not all chemotherapy causes hair loss; whether or not you lose hair depends on the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs you are using. Whether you have a healthy image after hair loss depends on your attitude and the support of your family, friends and relatives.
Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss?
Chemotherapy drugs kill fast-growing tumor cells and, at the same time, kill rapidly growing normal cells in the body, including hair follicle cells.
Hair loss is not only hair loss, but eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair will all be lost to varying degrees. Hair loss usually starts two weeks after the first chemotherapy. It may be a large amount that falls out quickly or a slow loss of hair. You will notice a lot of fallen hairs on your pillow, comb, clothes, and sewer opening. Whether the hair becomes thin or falls out all together depends on the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs.
Hair loss is a sad side effect. Every time you skim to yourself in the mirror, the altered appearance will remind you again of the disease you have.
Fortunately, most hair loss caused by chemotherapy is temporary. Hair regrowth begins 3 to 6 months after chemotherapy ends. The new hair that grows back may not look like your old hair. It used to be curly and not as dark as before, but don’t worry, your hair will be the same color as before when the function of the pigment cells that control hair color is fully restored.
Can chemotherapy hair loss be prevented?
There is no treatment that can guarantee that you will not lose your hair when you have chemotherapy. The best approach is to adjust your mind to your appearance before, during, and after chemotherapy. There are several ways to possibly prevent hair loss, but they are not always effective.
Ice caps: During chemotherapy, use an ice cap or something similar to lower the temperature of the scalp and reduce blood flow to the scalp, thereby reducing the dose of chemotherapy drugs to the scalp area and reducing the impact of chemotherapy drugs on the hair. Studies have shown that the use of ice caps during chemotherapy is effective in reducing hair loss, but there is some increased risk of tumor scalp recurrence due to the reduced dose of chemotherapy drugs in the scalp. Some patients wearing ice caps may feel cold and have headaches.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) – does not stop hair loss, but some studies have shown that it can promote hair regrowth. Whether it can promote hair regrowth after oncology treatment remains to be studied further.
How to manage hair loss due to chemotherapy?
Hair loss is usually not preventable or controllable. Take the following approaches during your treatment to minimize the frustration and anxiety caused by hair loss
Before treatment.
Gentle hair care: Make it a habit to care for your hair. Do not straighten, color, or curl your hair. Let your hair dry naturally whenever possible and avoid using a hair dryer. Strengthening the hair now may delay the onset of hair loss. Consider cutting your hair short: This will make you feel in control of where your hair goes and stays, while also making dealing with hair loss easier. Prepare wigs, scarves or hats, etc.
During the treatment.
Take care of your hair: continue to gently condition your hair during treatment, use soft-toothed digits, wash your hair less often, and use a mild shampoo.
Consider shaving the remaining hair: Some people feel an itchy, sensitive scalp during hair loss. Shaving off the hair will reduce the discomfort and reduce the embarrassment of hair falling out everywhere.
Protect your scalp: To protect your scalp you can wear a hat or scarf when you go out, try not to be exposed to weather that is too hot or too cold, and keep your scalp out of the sun or blowing cold air.
After chemotherapy.
Continue gentle hair care: Newly grown hair is fragile and easily damaged. Do not dye or perm your hair until it is fully restored to health. Dyeing and perming can damage the newly grown hairs and irritate the sensitive scalp.
Patience: After the treatment is over, the new hair will slowly grow out. The new hair may not look as good, but don’t be anxious, the hair will be as beautiful as ever after the damage to the hair is fully recovered.