Managing Hair Loss During Chemotherapy
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There is no way around it. Managing your life with cancer has a great number of challenges. Some you can control or manage but others you cannot. For many, the worst thing about chemotherapy is the thought of losing their hair. Understanding the process and being prepared for hair loss is half the battle. It’s important to know that you hair will grow back. Remember to draw on family and friends for support.
Chemotherapy affects everyone differently. Some people will lose while other may only experience thinning only, while other may not see any affects at all.
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It is helpful to prepare yourself as you discover how chemotherapy may affect you. Begin by talking to your doctor or nurse. They will know the likelihood of hair loss based on the type of chemotherapy drugs prescribed. There is not medication to prevent hair loss so the natural place to begin is to decide if you prefer to manage the process by removing the hair yourself. You may feel more in control of the hair loss by cutting your hair very short or shaving it off all together. This often makes the hair loss easier to manage. A shorter style will make your hair look thicker and fuller. If you decide to shave your head, use an electric shaver instead of a razor. Do not forget to use a sunscreen or sun block to protect your scalp.
Others may not see any affects at all. Hair loss may be limited to your scalp area, or you may lose the hair on your entire body, including your eyebrows and eyelashes. The good news is that your hair will grow back following treatments. It is not uncommon for it to grow back with a different color or texture. |
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During treatments, it is important to treat your hair and scalp with care. If you retain your hair during chemotherapy treatments, it can often become brittle, thin and damaged. Your scalp may become dry, itchy and flaky. Protect your hair by avoiding any unnecessary stress. Use a mild conditioning shampoo or baby shampoo. Use warm but not hot water. Pat your hair dry with a soft towel instead of wringing or twisting it. Avoid chemical treatments, colors, bleaches, perms, hair dryers and heated styling tools.
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If you determine that you will experience hair loss, begin shopping for hats, wigs, turbans, scarves, eyebrows and eyelashes while you still have hair. Give yourself time to shop and select the ideal solution for your individual taste. This will relieve much of the anxiety and fear that comes with the loss of your hair. This also allows you to use your current hair to match color.
When you select a wig, you will likely want to choose one that matches your own hair color. It is best to provide a hair swatch for color matching if you are ordering online. You can personalize your wig by having your own hair stylist cut and style it. Your own hair stylist will know the look you prefer. It's best to have the wig cut while you are wearing it. This will ensure that it fits your face and is styled in the most flattering way for your face shape. A wig is going to feel different at first. Give yourself time to adjust to the new sensation. Wig caps or comfy grips can be worn under a wig to add additional comfort.
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When you select a hat, choose one that is comfortable. It should be snug but not too snug or tight. To look most natural, you will want to look for a deep fitting cap. A cap with a little extra height gives the impression of hair underneath. Specialty shops, such as Headcovers.com offer hats specifically designed to meet these needs, with a flattering range of choices.
It’s important to maintain your body heat during hair loss because 30-50% of a person's body heat is lost through the head.
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Hats, caps or wigs will help replace the lost insulation of hair. Sleep caps are useful and comfortable for wearing at night, or during hospital stays.
During treatments, you may lose some or all of your eyebrow hair. There are several options for recreating a natural eyebrow, including eyebrow makeup, eyebrow tattoos, and even realistic human hair eyebrows that are easily applied to the skin.
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As you are going through hair loss and chemotherapy treatments, it is important to talk about your feelings. Feeling angry and sad is a normal part of hair loss. Talk to your health care professional or someone you trust.
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