Understanding chemotherapy and hair loss
Chemotherapy is the term used to describe medicines which treat cancer with chemicals (drugs). The reason to have any medication or treatment is to try and help eradicate the cancer so that the body can heal. In other words to have a beneficial effect, but unfortunately chemotherapy can have some unwelcome side effects. Hair loss or hair thinning can be one of those.
A few key points
• Hair loss is one of the most commonly known side effects of chemotherapy• Not all chemotherapy treatments cause hair loss
• Hair loss is normally temporary, meaning that it usually grows back after treatment - this is what we plan for
• After chemotherapy most people see a small amount of new hair growing within a few weeks
• Sometimes a technique called a “Cold Cap” can be used with certain chemotherapy drugs to help reduce hair loss
• There are plenty of ways to look good and feel better if hair loss occurs
Whether or not you will experience hair loss as a side effect usually depends on the type and dosage of chemotherapy drugs you are taking. This section will help you to find out IF you are going to lose you hair and explain briefly why this happens. Once you have read this section you will have a better understanding of hair loss and be able to read through more in-depth subjects as they apply to you.
We understand that your priority is to find out if hair loss may affect you and just what options you have in the way of hair loss prevention, covering up, looking and feeling good. This section is written in a logical sequence, starting with finding out if hair loss will affect you, to managing new hair growth. Either read through each section or click on the topic of interest to you. A host of ideas, inspiration and support is just a click away. You really won’t have to give up on looking good because it’s all here waiting for you.
Let’s get started to helping you look good and feel better about hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. Knowing facts and making a plan will help you to take control.