You may not realize how important your hair is until you are about to lose it. And if you have cancer and are about to start chemo, hair loss is a very real possibility. Many people see hair loss as a sign that they have cancer. But your hair falls depending on the type of cancer, and it varies from person to person.
If you don’t feel comfortable telling other people this information, you may be more worried about this side effect than other ones. You can visit your cancer specialist and he can suggest you imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI test, or CT-Scan Test to locate the mass. Men and women who have cancer both say that hair loss is one of the side effects they fear the most.
Chemotherapy drugs can hurt hair follicles, which makes hair fall out. Even when people take the same drugs, it can be hard to tell which ones will lose their hair and which ones won’t. Some drugs can make the hair on the scalp thin or fall out. Others can also cause pubic hair, hair on the arms and legs, eyebrows, and eyelashes to thin or fall out.
When radiation is used to treat the head, the scalp often loses hair. Depending on how much radiation was put on the head, the hair doesn’t always grow back the same way.
If hair loss is going to happen, it usually starts 1–3 weeks after therapy starts and gets worse 1–2 months after therapy starts. When you wash, comb, or brush your hair, your scalp may feel very sensitive. But hair usually starts growing back before the treatment is over.
You might find it easier to deal with hair loss if you talk to your nearest doctor about your worries and get ready for the possibility of it happening. You can also discuss a frequent question such as is alopecia cancer, we have an answer for you.
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Is Alopecia Cancer?
One study reveals chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant can all cause hair loss as a side effect. The cells that help hair grow can be hurt by these cancer treatments. It can affect hair on your head, face, arms, legs, underarms, and pubic area, among other places.
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Everyone loses hair in a different way. You could lose all of your hair or just a few strands. It could come out slowly or get thinner over time. Or you may just notice that your hair is getting drier and less shiny. After cancer and treatment, most people get their hair back. But sometimes hair doesn’t grow back.
Losing your hair can affect how you look and how you feel about yourself. Taking care of side effects is an important part of care and treatment for cancer. Talk to the people taking care of you about how to deal with hair loss.
Here are a few tips to deal with cancer hair loss.
10 Tips To Deal With Cancer Hair Loss
When you’re dealing with cancer, treatments, and other problems that come with a diagnosis, it can be hard to adjust to hair loss and other changes to your body and appearance. But there are ways to get ready for hair loss and deal with it when it does happen. Here are 11 ways to deal with hair loss caused by cancer:
1- Don’t Rush Yourself
It can be hard to deal with hair loss. It might take some time to get used to the way you look, and then even more time to start feeling good about yourself again. It’s all right to feel sad. At the same time, you should know that hair loss is usually temporary and that hair will grow back after treatment.
2- Remember You’re Still You
Cancer and its treatment can cause you to lose your hair and go through other changes to your body. When you look in the mirror and don’t see yourself, it can be strange. Remember that deep down, you’re still the same person. Try to be proud of who you are and pay attention to those things.
3- Plan Ahead For Your Hair To Change
Before you start treatment for cancer, you should think about what will happen to your hair. Ask your doctor what you should expect. Talk to a stylist who knows about hair loss caused by cancer. Some people like to cover their heads, while others don’t.
Choose whatever makes you feel the most at ease. You should also think about how you will react to how other people react.
4- Think About Covering Your Head
If you want a wig, hairpiece, or another way to cover your head (such as turbans, caps, scarves, hats, or head wraps), get them before your hair starts to fall out. Find a speciality shop that has wigs that match the color and texture of your own hair and get it styled ahead of time if you want to wear one.
Before treatment, cut your hair short. If you have long hair, you might want to cut it short before you start treatment for cancer. If your hair is already short, you might not be as surprised or upset when it starts to fall out. You might also feel like you’re in charge when you cut your hair. When their hair starts to fall out, some people shave their heads to keep their scalps from getting irritated or itchy.
5- Don’t Hurt Your Hair
You should start following some hair care tips such as using a wide-tooth comb or a hairbrush with soft bristles and mild, gentle shampoo (but limit washing). Pay extra attention to the scalp, which can become dry and itchy. Use a soft towel to pat hair dry in a gentle way. Don’t pull your hair too much with hair clips, barrettes, elastic bands, and pins. As new hair grows in, it might be thin and break easily, so it will also need special care.
6- Avoid Irritants
Hair loss can be caused by things like heat and chemicals. Don’t dye, curl, or straighten your hair. Also, don’t use curling irons, flat irons, electric rollers, or a hair dryer. Stay away from chemical products with alcohol, menthol, and other ingredients that can dry out your hair and irritate your scalp. Use a shampoo that is gentle.
7- Keep Your Head Safe
Sleep on a satin pillowcase or wear a hair net at night to keep your hair from falling out in clumps. Use sunscreen to protect your scalp when you’re out in the sun because getting a sunburn can make your scalp more itchy, flaky, and dry. When it’s cold outside, cover your head with a hat or scarf.
8- Focus On Your Strengths
Try out different ways to improve how you look so you can feel good about yourself. Get new clothes and makeup to make your other features stand out. Look after your nails and skin. If your eyebrows and eyelashes start to fall out, choose eyebrow pencils and eyeliners that are the same color as your natural hair or a shade lighter. Keep up with your regular hygiene tasks.
9- Treat Yourself Well
Do something you enjoy to get your mind off of your diagnosis. Watch a movie, read a book, go for a walk, listen to music, get a manicure, pedicure, facial, or massage. Try things like deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and meditation to improve your mental health.
10- Keep a Healthy Way Of Life
It’s important to eat well, stay hydrated, and work out regularly if you want to look and feel better about yourself. Talk to your doctor about how to live a healthy life. A dietitian can help you make a plan for healthy meals, and a rehabilitation therapist can help you make a plan for exercise that fits your needs.
Bottom Line
Try to talk to your friends and family about how hard it is to lose your hair. Also, a cancer support group is a great way to meet other people who are going through hair loss. In this setting, you can find out how other people dealt with changes in their looks and get ideas from them. You might also find it helpful to talk to your nearest counsellor via Healthwire.
