Hair Care During Cancer Treatment

Hearing The Bad News, Alopecia, Palliative Care, How To Prepare For Hair Loss, Hair Regrowth

Cancer and cancer treatment, some sorts of chemotherapy in particular, can cause hair-loss in cancer patients. Hair can also become brittle, dry and damaged as a reaction to harsh chemicals. This is one of most often occurring side- effects of chemo and radiation cancer therapy.

Hearing The Bad News

Hearing the bad news after the cancer tests is one of the hardest things anyone ever has to endure, and the prospect of losing one's hair is not making it any easier to bear. After chemotherapy, the new growth of hair is often delicate and very brittle, as prolonged exposure to the cocktail of drugs can leave scalps sensitive and prone to react to harsh chemicals. It is important for cancer patients to take good care of their hair before, during and after cancer treatments. That's why we recommend using Chemo Companion Haircare products that have been specifically selected by Dr. Singhal to boost hair regrowth and to detox patients scalp and remove toxins in the months following treatments.

Alopecia

Hair loss, also called alopecia, may be a side effect of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow/stem cell transplants. These treatments can cause hair loss by harming the cells that help hair grow. Hair loss may occur throughout the body, including the head, face, arms, legs, underarms, and pubic area. Hair may fall out entirely, slowly, or in sections. A person's hair may also simply become slightly thinner, and it may become duller or dryer. Hair loss related to cancer treatment is usually temporary. Most of the time, hair will grow back. Rarely, it may remain thin.

Palliative Care

Managing side effects such as hair loss is an important part of cancer care and treatment. This is called palliative care or supportive care. Patients should talk to their health care team about managing or coping with hair loss from cancer treatment. No treatment exists that can guarantee hair won't fall out during or after chemotherapy. Several treatments have been investigated as possible ways to prevent hair loss, but none has been absolutely effective, including:

Scalp cooling caps (scalp hypothermia). During chemotherapy infusions, a closely fitted cap that's cooled by chilled liquid can be placed on patients head to slow blood flow to the scalp. This way, chemotherapy drugs are less likely to have an effect on hair.

Studies of scalp cooling caps and other forms of scalp hypothermia have found they work somewhat in the majority of people who have tried them. However, the procedure also results in a very small risk of cancer recurring in the scalp, as this area doesn't receive the same dose of chemotherapy as the rest of patients body. People undergoing scalp hypothermia report feeling uncomfortably cold and having headaches.
Minoxidil (Rogaine). Applying minoxidil — a drug approved for hair loss — to patients scalp before and during chemotherapy isn't likely to prevent  hair loss, although some research shows it may speed up hair regrowth. More research is needed to understand whether minoxidil is effective in regrowing hair after cancer treatment.

How To Prepare For Hair Loss

Doctor or nurse will be able to tell to the patient if a specific cancer treatment is likely to cause hair to fall out. In any case, it is best to be ready for hair loss, so that if it does happen patients are not taken by surprise. Here is what Dr. Singhal suggests patients can do before the start of the treatment, to prepare for eventual hair loss:

• Talk about it. Talk to family and friends about the possibility of losing your hair. They may be able to support you and offer suggestions for coping. In the Live Better With online community people who have been through your situation will be able to share their stories and tips.

• Wear your hair shorter. If hair loss is likely, you may like to start wearing your hair shorter. You could plan several trips to a hairdresser to cut your hair shorter in gradual stages. This will make the change much less of a shock.

• Buy wigs or headwear before treatment starts. If you wish to wear a wig during chemo treatment, it will be easier to match it to your hairstyle and color if you buy it while you still have your hair. You could also choose hats, headscarves and other head coverings before treatment, so you don’t have any last-minute worries about finding something you like. You can find out more about wig suppliers and fitting here.

• Plan for eyebrow and eyelash loss. Losing your eyebrows and lashes can be difficult as it changes your appearance.

• In all but very rare cases, hair grows back once the chemotherapy treatment is over. Here are some things you can do to help the process.

• Avoid rubbing or massaging your scalp. Some people think this makes hair re-grow more quickly, but in fact it can damage new growth.

• Try vitamin B7. Hair care products containing vitamin B7 have helped some people revitalize and thicken their hair. Some people also recommend taking vitamin B7 tablets.

• Talk to your hairdresser. Some people who used to have long hair before chemo now find that short hair suits them. Talk to your hairdresser about finding a style that works for you.

Hair Regrowth

Hair that grows back after chemotherapy often looks different, to begin with. The color may be different from how it was in the past (often darker) but the texture often changes as well. People who had straight hair before chemo might find they have curly hair and vice versa. Sometimes this is just temporary and patients will get their “own” hair back after a few months to a year. Sometimes the changes are permanent. Hair growth after chemo is a different experience for everyone. Some people’s hair grows back thicker and more difficult to manage, while others find it softer and finer. Other factors can also influence hair texture, such as hormone therapy for the treatment of breast.

Knowing the importance of looking good and feeling good during challenging times of battling cancer, Dr. Singhal has selected a line of products for hair- care, specifically designed for cancer patients and their needs.