As if being diagnosed with cancer isn't hard enough, cancer treatment and the side effects it can cause may leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. And bodily changes, such as losing your hair, are a worry for many people.
As if being diagnosed with cancer isn't hard enough, cancer treatment and the side effects it can cause may leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained. And bodily changes, such as losing your hair, are a worry for many people.
Whether or not you lose your hair depends very much on the type of treatment you have. Some don’t cause any hair loss, while others can cause all your hair to fall out, including your eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair.
Losing your hair, particularly if you’re female, can be very emotional, and affect your confidence and the way you see yourself. In fact, for many people, hair loss is one of the most upsetting side effects of cancer treatment.
But the good news is that there’s lots of support available, as well as things you can do to help yourself get through this tough time. So keep reading to find out how different types of cancer treatment can affect your hair, and what you can do to prepare for and cope with hair loss in cancer treatment.
The effect
can have on your hair depends on the type of treatment, the dose and how long you have it for. And remember that everyone reacts differently – you may not lose any hair, get some thinning or partial hair loss, or lose all your hair.Key things you need to know about chemotherapy and hair loss:
Key things you need to know about radiotherapy and hair loss:
Hormone therapy can be used to stop certain hormones being made in your body, which can slow down or stop the growth of some cancers. Because hormones are involved in hair health, this can sometimes lead to hair loss.
Key things you need to know about hormone therapy and hair loss:
Targeted therapy uses medication that’s designed to attack cancer cells without affecting your healthy cells, while immunotherapy uses your body’s own immune system to attack cancer cells. They can affect your hair in different ways.
Key things you need to know about targeted therapy and immunotherapy and hair loss:
If you have surgery as part of your treatment plan, part of your body may need to be shaved before the operation. This area will usually be quite small, and your hair will grow back as normal after surgery.
Going through cancer diagnosis and treatment can be very stressful, physically and emotionally (and
, too). But thankfully, as well as general , there are several things you can try to help yourself both in the lead up to and during cancer treatment.Find useful information on other areas of female hair loss with our
If you’re having chemotherapy, you may be able to try scalp cooling – a process that keeps your head cool during treatment to help prevent or reduce hair loss.
There are 2 types – a cold gel cap and a refrigerated cooling system. With both types you need to wear a cap for 30 to 40 minutes before treatment, throughout the treatment and for sometime afterwards. Some people find this uncomfortable.
Scalp cooling can’t be used by everyone or with all types of chemotherapy. And while it can be effective, it only protects the hair on your head, and it doesn’t work for everyone. Your doctor can advise about whether it’s suitable for you.
If you’re having chemotherapy and it’s likely that you’ll lose a lot or all of your hair, you may want to cut it short or shave it off before you start treatment.
For some people, this makes hair loss easier to deal with, as it can provide a sense of control over the situation – but it’s a very personal decision.
If you do start to lose hair, it’s important to treat your hair and scalp gently. Here’s how:
Video:
Whether you shave your head or choose to wait for your hair to fall out, you may want to try a wig to help you feel more comfortable and confident. It’s a good idea to have a wig made and fitted before or at the start of your treatment, so you can get a good colour match and have it ready for when you need it.
If a wig isn’t for you, head coverings such as scarves, turbans and hats can be an alternative.
Your nurse will be able to give you a list of places to get wigs and head coverings, or try these
.Losing hair from your eyelashes and eyebrows can make you look very different, but make-up can help some people feel more like themselves. There are techniques you can learn to draw on natural-looking brows and use eyeliner to create the illusion of eyelashes.
You can get advice and lessons about make-up from charities and organisations such as:
As well as hair loss affecting your own mental health, you may be worried about how other people will react to you losing your hair. It can be helpful to be open about what’s happening and talk about your feelings. If you have children, it’s a good idea to explain to them that your hair might fall out before you start treatment.
You may also want to talk to colleagues about your diagnosis, treatment and hair loss. Or if you want to keep it private, that’s also OK – you may want to wear a wig or make-up to conceal your hair loss.
Losing your hair can lead to snap judgments, so going out and about may feel difficult. If you’re feeling self-conscious, reach out to people you trust for support.
Remember that your family and friends won’t see you any differently, and they’ll want to support you – so tell them how you’re feeling and ask for help if you need it.
Whether you’re looking for help with wigs or you just need someone to talk to, there’s plenty of free support available from charities and organisations including:
You should speak to your doctor if you're finding it difficult to cope with your hair loss. They’ll be able to offer advice and support that fits your individual needs.
You may also need to speak to a doctor if your hair doesn’t start to grow back after cancer treatment. Depending on the treatment you’ve had, they may want to rule out other possible causes of hair loss, such as stress, a
or another .Read about other
and .Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.